Perched high in the mountains behind Benidorm, Guadalest is one of Costa Blanca's most picturesque villages. Built around a rocky outcrop and overlooked by the Medieval remains of San Jose Castle, it's known for its clifftop setting, historic centre and views across the Guadalest reservoir.

While it's small, there's plenty to fill a few hours. You can wander the cobbled streets, browse craft shops tucked into old stone buildings and visit Casa Orduna, a stately 17th-century home that belonged to one of Guadalest's leading families. The village is also known for its quirky museums, including the Micro-Giant Museum, where tiny artworks are displayed inside needle eyes, grains of rice and other miniature settings. You'll also find cafés and family-run restaurants serving regional favourites like olleta de blat, a wheat and vegetable stew and cocas, savoury flatbreads topped with local vegetables, meats or cheeses. Many visitors combine Guadalest with nearby Algar Waterfalls, where a series of natural pools and cascades wind through a valley surrounded by pine trees, Mediterranean plants and walking paths.