A quick guide to the Marina Alta
The Marina Alta is a stunning part of the Valencian community located between the cities of Valencia and Alicante.
Its valleys offer incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea and the mountainous interior, with over 30 municipalities each with their own unique fiestas, culinary heritage, and local traditions.
Whether you want to relax on some of the best beaches of the Costa Blanca, explore mountain trails and ancient caves, or enjoy a vibrant nightlife with good food and music, the Marina Alta offers a great blend of rural charm and modernity.
Gastronomy
Like much of the Valencian community, the Marina Alta is known for paella and seafood but has much more to offer.
Other popular local dishes include cocas (flatbreads with savoury toppings), sweet treats like pastissets and carob cake
On top of that, Dénia is recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, while across the Marina Alta you can find numerous Michelin-starred restaurants.
So food lovers can enjoy everything from traditional family-run kitchens and innovative tasting menus, for a diverse and authentic dining experience.
Entertainment
All over the Marina Alta you can find many ways to enjoy your free time.
Along the coast, you can find all sorts of activities, from jet ski rentals to diving excursions, while inland, you might enjoy paintball and go-karting.
Larger towns, such as Dénia, have many bars and offer a lively nightlife. However, even the smaller towns often have open-air concerts and fiestas that attract visitors from all over.
Art & Culture
Scattered across the Marina Alta are museums that reflect the cultural history of the region, including ethnology and agricultural exhibits.
There are also art galleries and cultural centres that organise exhibitions, performances, and community events throughout the year. Some towns even host annual competitions for photography, painting, and traditional crafts.
Hiking around the Marina Alta
The Marina Alta is a popular destination for outdoor activities. Well-marked hiking trails pass through valleys, mountains and ravines.
Along the way, you will discover abandoned villages, restored castles, and ancient caves with prehistoric rock art.
Nature lovers will also enjoy coastal paths, natural parks like Montgó, and viewpoints offering stunning panoramas of both sea and countryside.
Explore the Marina Alta
Alcalalí
One of the towns that makes up the region known as the Vall de Pop, also known as Jalon Valley; Alcalalí is known for its beautiful landscapes and almond trees that bloom in February, for which they have a festival.
Beniarbeig
Beniarbeig is one of the central towns of the Marina Alta. It has some great restaurants serving local cuisine and is within a short distance of Jávea and Dénia. It acquired some fame in 2007 when its historic bridge collapsed live on TV as a result of heavy rain.
Find out more about Beniarbeig
Benidoleig
Benidoleig is known for the Cave of Skulls; a network of caves over 900 metres long steeped in history and local legend.
Find out more about Benidoleig
Dénia
Dénia is the major port town of the Marina Alta, with stunning beaches, entertainment for the whole family and great transport connections to major cities and the Balearic Islands.
Gata de Gorgos
Gata de Gorgos is a small town close to Jávea, famous for its rich history in traditional artisan craft. They also host Art al Vent, an outdoor exhibition where quilts are hung from balconies around the town, with pieces from all over the world.
Find out more about Gata de Gorgos
La Llosa de Camatxo
La Llosa de Camatxo sits between the Sierra del Seguili and the Sierra del Castell d'Aixa in the heart of the Marina Alta. It is known for its annual music festival in August, Llimafest
Find out more about La Llosa de Camatxo
La Xara
La Xara is a small town ideally situated on the Marina Alta, sitting between Ondara, a commercial hub, Dénia with its beautiful beaches and La Sella where you'll find one of the many golf clubs in the region. La Xara is also home to El Carreter, a restaurant that features on the Michelin guide.
Pedreguer
Home to the Albarda gardens with over 700 native species, the intercultural food fair and ecotourism workshops, Pedreguer is one of the larger towns in the Marina Alta.
Rafol D'Almunia
One of the villages that makes up the beautiful sub-region known as la Rectoría, a region full of natural beauty great for hiking.
Find out more about Rafol D'Almunia
Sagra
Another village that makes up the sub-region of La Rectoría ideal for strolling among orange groves and a relaxed way of life. It is also home to Un Cuiner a L'Escoleta, run by renowned chef Julio Vargas.
Tormos
Tormos also forms part of the sub-region La Rectoria, a village with rural charm and easy-going lifestyle; it is surrounded by picturesque landscapes and is also a short drive from Orba.
Vall d'Alcalá
One of the stunning valleys of the Marina Alta, Vall d'Alcalá is home to the two villages Alcalá de la Jovada and Beniaia, originally farmsteads from the Muslim era.
Find out more about Vall d'Alcalá
Vall de Gallinera
The Vall de Gallinera is a beautiful valley in the northwest of the Marina Alta. It consists of 8 villages with some interesting sites, festivals, and traditions such as the international cherry pit spitting championship.
Find out more about Vall de Gallinera
Vall de Laguar
The scenic Vall de Laguar is made up of the three villages Poble de Baix, Poble d’Enmig and Poble de Dalt (also known as Campell, Fleix and Benimaurell respectively), and is a popular place for hiking, particularly for the spectacular Hiking Cathedral - a route with 7,000 steps carved into the mountainside making for an incredible route through the natural beauty of the region.
Find out more about Vall de Laguar
Xaló
A charming town that sits on the river Gorgos, Xaló is known for its wine and mistela production and local produce, which is often sold in the popular local rastro, attracting visitors from all over the region.
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