El Baix Vinalopó: tradition, nature and beauty

El Baix Vinalopó is a county in the province of Alicante where you can enjoy three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, two natural parks, incredible archaeological sites, a beautiful mountainscape, countless kilometres of coastline and all sorts of unforgettable dishes, products and festivities. Come with us on an exploration of Crevillent, Elche and Santa Pola. 

What to see in El Baix Vinalopó

Let’s start on the coast where El Baix Vinalopó promises a long line of excellent beaches, like the ones in Santa Pola. Llevant, an inclusive beach, El Pinet beach with its dunes and the natural coves of Cabo de l’Aljub are three of many for you to choose from. The Elche coastline is defined by near virgin beaches like Les Pesqueres - El Rebollo and El Carabassí, a well-equipped stretch of the coast. 

Also located on the coast is Las Salinas de Santa Pola, a little slice of paradise for birders who will happily spend hours watching the creatures go about their business in this beautiful setting. But it’s not the only place where you will want to have your binoculars or camera to hand to see a flamingo or heron swoop: El Hondo Natural Park is just a stone’s throw away and nestled between Elche and Crevillent. These must-visit wetlands are the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll to soak up the local landscape and wildlife.

Next on our list of natural destinations is Sierra de Crevillent, a mountainscape where you can hike up trails that will lead you to peaks affording spectacular vistas. Pull on your boots and start walking.

Your explorations of El Baix Vinalopó should now turn to Elche, Santa Pola and Crevillent, three destinations that have so many things to see and do that you will need to write yourself a to-visit list.

In Crevillent, the best place to start is at the cave-houses located in the highest part of the centre. Your next stop should be the historic centre, known as both Núcleo Histórico Tradicional and Barrio de la Morería, part of which still has its Islamic layout. And if you fancy soaking up some culture, make sure you visit the museums. Crevillent has an archaeological museum, a museum dedicated to the town’s main festivities and a further two galleries where you can discover the life and work of watercolour artist Julio Quesada and magnificent sculptor Mariano Benlliure. Lastly, take some time to admire the beautiful rugs and craft items made from esparto grass. You’re sure to find something that you’ll want to take home as a souvenir. 

In Santa Pola, we’d recommend starting your exploration of the town at the Castle-Fortress, which dates back to the 16th century, followed by a visit to the Sea Museum. Here you can travel back all the way to Santa Pola in prehistoric times and then fast-forward to the present day. El Baix Vinalopó has plenty of stories to tell. Take a stroll by the lighthouse, the pier and the seafront promenade and – of course – dig into a delicious rice dish. 

The final stop on your tour of El Baix Vinalopó is Elche, a destination that UNESCO has granted its protection a total of three times, recognising the cultural value of the local traditions, an historic landscape and a museum collection. We’re talking about: Misteri d’Elx, a musical drama listed Intangible Cultural Heritage; Palmeral, a vast palm grove counting over 200,000 trees, named a World Heritage Site; and Centre for traditional culture – School Museum of Pusol Pedagogic Project, which houses a huge collection of tools and belongings that speak of life in times past. So what are you waiting for? Come and explore a county that is bursting with things to see and do.