Las Fuentes del Algar (the Algar waterfalls) is a beautiful natural area made up of countless large and small connected by water channels that form rivers and pools where visitors can bathe surrounded by exuberant vegetation in the heart of the Alicante mountains. And less than half an hour from Benidorm!
This set of waterfalls, springs and pools with crystalline waters is equipped with all the comforts for the visitor, which makes the Fuentes del Algar a highly recommended excursion.
Declared a Protected Wet Area in 2002 by Agreement of the Government of the Valencian Community, the Fuentes del Algar -also known as "Les Fonts d'Algar", by its name in Valencian- have everything necessary for tourist use, so They have several parking areas, toilets, first aid, a picnic area and information panels that promote environmental education and interpretation of the landscape.
Without a doubt, it is a place that you should not miss during your holidays on the Costa Blanca. There is still much to discover beyond its spectacular beaches!
"Les Fonts d'Algar", which belong to the Alicante town of Callosa d'En Sarrià, are located 3 kilometers from its town center, in the direction of Bolulla, and only 15 kilometers from Benidorm.
The Algar River is born in this wonderful environment, where some tributaries such as the Bolulla River also join, and runs through fields of nisperos (medlars) and pine forests until it flows into the white town of Altea.
If you are going to spend a few days on our coast, here is a simple map of how to get to Fuentes del Algar:
Although it is a natural area, the enclosure is limited with the objective that visitors travel through the marked areas and thus, together, contribute to protecting the valuable ecosystem of the Fuente del Algar.
Algar means cave in Arabic, in reference to the grotto that the water was excavating thousands of years ago in this beautiful limestone landscape. The visit consists of a 1.5-kilometer route along the course of the river as it crosses the slope of the mountains. The tour can be completed in 2 hours with ease, with enough time to enjoy the scenery and take pictures. But if the heat is pressing and you want to take the opportunity to immerse yourself in its fresh and crystalline waters, you may spend the whole day discovering this place.
The start of the route begins in the lower part of the valley, next to the Fuente del Moro and its beautiful pool surrounded by Mediterranean oleanders. From there, and using a wooden staircase, you access the main waterfall of the area, located between the rocks in what is known as the Toll de la Caldera, which due to its height and beauty is capable of leaving anyone speechless.
After the stairs, once in the upper part of the enclosure, the course of the river widens giving rise to a succession of tollos or pools: Toll Blau, Toll del Baladre and Toll de la Figuera. All of them are surrounded by bridges and walkways with zip lines and springboards for the most daring. The landscape enjoys wonderful panoramic views.
And at the end of the route, there is what is known as Playa de la Tribu and Toll de la Parra, a large area of dense vegetation where many people take the opportunity to sit under the trees, rest and enjoy the sound of the water rippeling among the stones. A true paradise.
Next to the entrance, there is a selection of services aimed at facilitating the visitor's experience and enriching it with environmental interpretation resources. It has a Tourist Information Office and facilities such as parking areas, toilets, first aid and a picnic area. In the summer months, the enclosure also has a lifeguard service.
To enjoy the Fuentes del Algar you have to pay a small fee that is used to take care of the natural area and cover the costs of the services offered to the visitor. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or previously reserved online on the official ticket sales website of Fuentes del Algar.
In low season (October 16 to June 14) the entrance price is 4 euros, there are reductions by age and groups. On the other hand, in high season (from June 15 to October 15) the entrance price is 5 euros, there are also numerous discounts for children, students, the elderly, with different capacities or groups.
Las Fuentes del Algar open throughout the year, with the exception of five very specific dates such as January 1 and 6 (New Year and Three Kings Day) and December 24, 25 and 31 (Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve ).
The schedules depend on the season and the hours of sunshine in the day on those dates. From December 1 to February 28, the hours are from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. From March 1 to 31 and from October 7 to November 30, the hours are from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. From April 1 to June 18, the hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except at Easter, when the hours are extended until 7:00 p.m. From June 19 to 30 and between September 11 and October 6, the hours are also from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Finally, in summer, from July 1 to September 10, the hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Do you have any doubt? Check the full schedule and don't miss a thing.
The area of Fuentes del Algar is located in the heart of the Marina Baixa region, 15 kilometers from Benidorm. Does it seem impossible that in such a small space you can enjoy such a varied landscape?
But if you haven’t seen much of the area, you can complement your visit with the nearby Salt de Bolulla, another of the most impressive waterfalls in the area, considered one of the best natural pools in the province of Alicante. The beginning of the walk to enjoy this place is less than ten minutes from Fuentes del Algar, towards Bolulla.
In addition, the beautiful towns of Guadalest, with its famous reservoir, and Polop de la Marina, with its monumental Fuente de los Chorros, are also just a few kilometers away and are a perfect option to complete a day trip.
And if what you are looking for is to eat well in the area, take advantage of any of the many restaurants that surround the enclosure to taste the typical recipes and take as a souvenir a tin of (nisperos) medlars in syrup, a true delicacy of the area.
Now you know everything you need to enjoy an exceptional day in the mountains of Alicante. Stay at any of our fantastic hotels in Benidorm and reserve a day of your holiday to discover the Fuentes del Algar. You will not regret it!
Do you need any more advice? Don't forget to wear sports shoes or booties so as not to hurt yourself with the stones in the water and avoid slipping. It is also important that you bring sun protection and a hat to protect you from the sun, especially on the hottest days. Lastly, take a camera or mobile phone with you with maximum battery to immortalize the special moments that you will experience in this wonderful environment full of nature. A 10 out of 10 day!
The endless white sandy beaches of the Costa de Azahar often overshadow the many other charms that this incredible area of the Mediterranean coast awaits travellers. This is the case of the Coves de Sant Josep, some very interesting underground caves that hide the longest underground navigable river in Europe and whose walls house cave paintings. Are you going to miss it?
