Are you looking for a different kind of paradise near Benidorm? Come to the Lighthouse at Albir
How would you like to enjoy one of the most pleasant and idyllic areas in the province of Alicante? If so we recommend a route of minimum difficulty, very short and with a dreamlike view, which is very accessible, as it is less than 10 minutes from Benidorm.
At the top of El Albir, the coastal hamlet of Alfaz del Pi, you have at your fingertips the popular Faro del Albir (Albir Lighthouse), one of the most beautiful lighthouses of Alicante. If you decide to visit, you will be in front of a paradisiacal place well known not only for its history, but also for its popular access road, its spectacular panoramas and also for its authentic geological monuments.
This pleasant walk, which barely exceeds 2 kilometres, ends at the lighthouse. If you decide to go to the top, you can see the lifestyle of how people worked and lived in this mystical lighthouse. This undoubtedly historic monument is today a reflection of the life of these mythical sea farers.
Where exactly is the lighthouse road?
If you decide to visit the Albir Lighthouse and your starting point is Benidorm, it's very easy to get there. Take the N-332 highway towards Valencia, then exit towards Albir Beach and continue straight along Albir avenue. It's about 1400 meters until you almost reach the beach. Before you get to Avenida de las Estrellas (which is no longer accessible to vehicles), the old lighthouse path branches off to the right. You'll know you're going in the right direction because you'll see the sea to your left and the mountains straight ahead. Follow the path straight until you find a large open area with many cars, which you'll easily recognize. This is the official free parking lot used especially for lighthouse visitors. The starting point of the route is right there.
You will be located at the top of El Albir, and at the same time in one of the most essential points of the north of the Sierra Helada Natural Park, right above a popular urbanisation of bungalows, chalets and apartments.
Right there, you'll find an information point, always a good idea to make sure you don't miss any details. Another option is to consult the information panels located next to the booth, which are very clear regardless of the route you choose.
Route map to Albir Lighthouse
Route distance: 5km (round trip)
Route type: Linear (out and back)
Difficulty: Easy, suitable for children
Maximum elevation gain: 60m
Duration: 1.5-2 hours approx.
Accessibility: Suitable for wheelchairs and strollers
Suitable for cycling: Hiking and bicycles
The route to the lighthouse
Visits to the lighthouse of El Albir are common practice throughout any season of the year, although they are recommended more in spring and autumn, due to the milder temperatures, thus making the walks much more pleasant. Even so, in summer the route does not stop being perfect if you decide to combine it with bathing stops at the cosy and paradisiacal coves.
The route to the iconic lighthouse is also ideal for runners and cyclists, as its perfectly paved surface makes it a comfortable and ideal setting for these activities. The path is easy to follow thanks to the terrain, making it a wonderful meeting point for athletes, people walking their dogs, and tourists with their cameras, as the panoramic views towards El Albir and the Bay of Altea are truly idyllic.
Along the way, you'll enjoy beautiful views of the popular Peñón de Ifach in Calpe, Puig Campana, and the Sierra de Bernia mountain range, all set against the backdrop of the route's rich and varied flora and the stunning turquoise sea.
This authentic wonder of the province of Alicante is also ideal if you want to take children with you. In fact, it is very common to visit the lighthouse with children accompanied by their bicycles, skates, or scooters, which will make the journey more enjoyable and fun.
Although it is a relatively short route with gentle slopes, you can always take various breaks in any of its rest areas, which include viewing points, benches or just small seating areas that you will find along the way. There is also a popular picnic area, which you will find right at the beginning of the trail.
Along the route, you can also see how the striking pine trees stand out among the rich and varied flora, all this makes a spectacular point of contrast to the panoramic views of the sea.
The walk is so easy that you soon realize that you are crossing a beautiful tunnel that will lead you to the last phase of the way.
The Ocre Mines and the Whales Mouth
When you are at the final stretch, just before reaching the desired goal, you are able to do a detour and contemplate the popular Ocre Mines of Albir, as well as the striking Boca de la Balena (Whales mouth).
The Mines of Ocre are a natural work with a historical value of great importance. Evidence has been found that they were explored by the Phoenicians and the Romans. And although the extraction of ochre has undergone great parentheses, they were also mines worked in the middle of the last century, ceasing its activity definitively in the decade of 1970.
To descend to the mines, you will find two routes. Also, below you can find the popular cove of the Ocre mines. Therefore, if you do the tour in summer, a swim stop and a sunbathe are more than recommended.
From the same road, and also in the last section you will be struck by a famous and peculiar cave known as the Boca de la Balena. This geological work will impress you, if you accede to its interior by the peculiarity of its structure and its attractive aesthetic.
Albir Lighthouse Interpretation Center
The Albir Lighthouse was once home to the lighthouse keepers and their families, a place that reminds us what life was like before the lighthouse's function was automated, eliminating the need for a technician's daily presence. Now, this place continues to serve its purpose in a different way. Since 2011, it has also been an Interpretation Center, and part of the building is now a museum with an exhibition on maritime culture, life at the lighthouse, and the rich biodiversity of the surrounding Serra Gelada Natural Park. It is the only one in the entire Valencian Community that serves two functions simultaneously: as a maritime beacon and as a cultural center. A clear example of how the Costa Blanca is connected to the Mediterranean Sea. You can check the opening hours here.
In short, this is a great option with lots to see very close to Benidorm. The lighthouse route is really worth it. Are you up for it?
