Aspe

Aspe is an ancient town where you can explore its long history in a myriad of sites and natural areas.

Located in the province of Alicante, Aspe is a town where the area’s Moorish history is palpable. There’s plenty to do here, from exploring great monuments and archaeological sites to taking part in a traditional festival and sampling the area’s local gastronomy. 

What to see in Aspe

A great place to start your exploration of Aspe is in the park where you can see the remains of Medieval irrigation constructions. Sitting on the banks of the river Tarafa, the town is home to three aqueducts, one of which - known as Canal de Hierro - dates back to the late 19th century. You will also come across old wash houses, mills from 1844 and bridges situated close to castles. Aljau castle is a Medieval fortress and must-visit as it has been listed a Site of Cultural Interest. 

Los Algezares is another beautiful natural area that combines history and mother nature. Inhabited since prehistoric times, the area is home to a number of historic sites, including a Moorish settlement known as Castillo del río complete with its necropolis. Travelling even further back in time, you can see remains dating to the Roman and Iberian periods and even the Bronze Age.

The scenery and wildlife at Los Algezares will blow you away. Weasels and foxes use the vegetation to make their dens while plenty of birds, such as Bonelli's eagle, Montagu's harrier and Western marsh harrier, fly overhead, making the area a great birding destination. And there are also wetlands where you might just be lucky enough to see amphibians and reptiles. 

In Aspe town, you can wander down the pretty streets - following the Medieval layout - and gaze at the pretty ceramic panels on the walls and small chapels and shrines dedicated to different saints. If you want to discover more about the destination’s history, you could always visit Museo Histórico. And then, before you leave, make sure you try some local dishes including habas hervidas (broad beans), trigo picao (a type of stew), gachamigas (a traditional dish made from flour) and the many delicious rice dishes.