Explore El Alto Vinalopó: A Place where History, Culture and Nature Meet

El Alto Vinalopó, in inland province of Alicante, is a county packed with surprises like towers, castles and other monuments, as well as hiking trails, incredible birding spots and treasures that date back millennia. This itinerary of experiences and adventures will help you get to know this charming part of the Region of Valencia. 

What to see in El Alto Vinalopó

The villages of El Alto Vinalopó will transport you to rural, peaceful and sunny settings where you can enjoy traditional streets steeped in history and the fresh air. In Campo de Mirra, you are going to love wandering around the typical streets before heading outside the centre to see an unusual petroglyph from the Bronze Age, known as “les Graelletes” (the grill) due to its grid-like shape. A number of archaeological findings have been discovered in Campo de Mirra. 

In Beneixama, pull on something comfortable and walk hiking trails through Sierra de la Solana while in Biar snap some incredible shots with Ojival Aqueduct in the background. The next stop on our itinerary of El Alto Vinalopó is Cañada, whose agricultural landscapes are dotted with picturesque hydraulic structures. 

Salinas is a great place to go birding as it sits on the banks of a salt-water lake. The municipality also has a picturesque abandoned centre. Sax is the ideal destination to do some hiking among the pine trees while in Villena we recommend taking your time to leisurely wander around the streets of the historic centre.

Things to do in El Alto Vinalopó

El Alto Vinalopó is populated with monumental sights, making it a great place to do some castle hopping. The province of Alicante has a number of fortresses, some of which are in an excellent state of conservation.

We’d recommend starting at Almizra Castle in Campo de Mirra, which was built between the 12th and 13th centuries, before taking a look at the Castle and Walls in Biar, which are another fascinating example of Islamic architecture with the added draw of spectacular views.

Your next Castle to visit in El Alto Vinalopó is in Sax, a fortress built between the 12th and 15th centuries that sits atop a mountain crest, creating a mesmerising silhouette. On your way up to the castle, you will find information panels that will explain everything you want to know about the castle. Last on our list is La Atalaya Castle, which is also known as Los Pacheco Castle. 

This magnificent Almohad fortress is home to Villena Museum where you can see the Villena Treasure, an impressive collection comprising pieces of gold that date back approximately to the year 1000 BC. The museum also displays more historic pieces from the Middle Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. 

To say goodbye to El Alto Vinalopó we’d recommend a special stop off at Colonia Santa Eulalia in Sax, an abandoned centre built in the late 19th century that was used as a film set. Its unique atmosphere will make it a place that you’ll never forget. So how about it? Come and explore this part of the province of Alicante.