About this tour
A 4–5 hour van journey from Alicante to two signature Costa Blanca villages perched in the hills. Guadalest sits atop a rocky crag, accessible through a tunnel carved into stone, with cobbled lanes, viewpoints over a turquoise reservoir, and the Castle of San José. Altea la Vella spreads across a hillside of whitewashed houses, blue shutters, and galleries. The van collects you, deposits you in each village for self-guided exploration, then brings you back. Groups capped at eight.
Highlights
- Tunnel entrance through solid rock into Guadalest's medieval core
- Panoramic views across reservoir and surrounding mountain valleys
- Altea's whitewashed old town with art galleries and flower-draped balconies
- Church of Our Lady of Consuelo, centre of Altea's hillside village
- Castle of San José optional visit in Guadalest
- Unguided wandering through narrow lanes at your own pace
What to expect
You'll be picked up and driven inland toward the mountains. Guadalest arrives first—park at the base, walk through the tunnel entrance (narrow, low-ceilinged), then explore higgledy-piggledy streets, craft shops, and rocky outcrops with valley vistas. The castle sits above and is worth the climb if you're keen. Next, Altea la Vella: steeper terrain, more galleries and boutiques, quieter squares. No guide means you set the pace; bring water and wear sensible shoes. The cobbles and inclines suit most fitness levels, but steep uphill sections aren't gentle.
Good to know
Comfortable walking shoes essential—cobbles and gradients are unforgiving. Bring water and sun protection. No guide provided; wander at leisure. The tunnel into Guadalest is tight; claustrophobic travellers should know this. Tips aren't included. Not suitable if you have serious heart or mobility issues.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.