Explore Font de L’Algar and Polop – a 1-day itinerary near Costa Blanca

Usually, we like 1-day trips, leaving in the morning and returning home in the evening. Having our car with us made this a lot easier, but I suggest renting one for everyone who plans to visit the area and doesn’t have a car. You’ll be able to discover these places at your own pace and explore some gems that you wouldn’t be able to see otherwise.

We have lived in Elche since May 2024, just 20 minutes away by car from Alicante. We explore nearby towns, cities, and remote places whenever we can. 

Costa Blanca, or the White Coast in Spain, is home to endless tourist gems, from enchanting beaches to picturesque towns and everything in between. Having both the sea and mountains so close was a dream come true for me. This is why I chose this part of Spain to discover and explore in 2024. 

Brief overview of Costa Blanca

Costa Blanca starts in Gandina and goes south approximately 200 km on the coast until Torrevieja.  In this region, you will find a colorful mixture of small chic villages like Villajoyosa or Altea and big cities with skyscrapers like Benidorm. Every time we drove near Benidorm, I felt amazed at those buildings that seemed to touch the sky. Also, the architecture of each building is very different, so it raises our curiosity to see this one-of-a-kind city. Going further down the coast, we find Alicante, a vibrant city with bars, clubs, a wonderful pedestrian area near the sea, and picturesque narrow streets surrounded by flowers.  

Our 1-day itinerary on Costa Blanca – exploring Font de L’Algar Park and Polop village

All these beautiful cities were a delight for our eyes, but I craved small hidden gems with lots of nature and history. I’ve missed being surrounded by nature since I arrived in Spain. Even though Elche is known for its one-of-a-kind Palmeral, recognized by Unesco, wandering around these palm trees didn’t comfort my longing to be surrounded by lush vegetation and nature. 

Then, we found Fonts de L’Algar while randomly searching online for places to visit. This Park is a must-see for anyone in the area. Its waterfalls and oases filled with clear, fresh water are perfect for anyone looking to spend quality time in nature on a hot summer day. 

Just a 10-minute drive from Fonts de l’Algar is the small town of Polop, hidden between the avocado crops and the countryside hills of the region. This lovely place will steal your heart with its rich history, friendly people, and quiet atmosphere. 

Morning: Font de L’Algar 

Following our One-Day Itinerary near Costa del Sol, I recommend starting the day by going to Fonts de l’Algar. Depending on the time of year you choose to visit, it can get pretty crowded and hot in the middle of the day. So, it’s best to arrive in the morning, find a parking spot, and enter the Park.

In high season (from June 15 to October 15), the entry fee is 5 EUR for adults and 2 EUR for a child aged 4-10. Kids under 4 can enter the Park free of charge. Special prices are also available for seniors, students, people with disabilities, and groups. 

You can take water bottles to the Park (I strongly suggest you do this because it can get super hot during the day, and you don’t have any other option for potable water inside the Park). 

However, you cannot enter with food or alcoholic beverages. There are some small lockers at the entrance where you can leave them until you exit the Park. There is also a special camping site where you can eat. 

Getting there 

From Alicante, it takes approximately 1 hour by car to arrive at Fonts de l’Algar and 1h45min from Valencia. Unfortunately, no public transport can get you there either from Alicante or Valencia, so the best option is to rent a car if you’d like to visit this beautiful place. 

However, if you plan to go from Alicante to Polop, you can take the L528 bus from Av. Salamanca, 1. It’ll take you 1h14min to get to Polop. You can also use ALSA – 528 – the route Callosa-La Nucia-Alicante, a bus you can take from Alicante train station. The duration of the trip is similar. 

The natural pools and waterfalls 

Fonts de l’Algar is a protected Natural Area under the Valencian Government Agreement signed in 2002. The area contains numerous waterfalls and natural pools alongside the Algar River. The trail is 1.5 km long, but it’s so beautiful that it will leave you in awe at each step. You will go up a wooden staircase, admiring the surrounding exotic vegetation and picturesque waterfalls on each side of the path. The path goes then right next to the river. 

The limestone rock on the river’s bed gives the water its vibrant blue color. The place is an ecological paradise. Every now and then, a strong pine refreshing scent delighted our senses while walking. Also, there is this place on the circuit where you can jump into a giant natural pool. It’s not very high, but I didn’t feel I had the courage. Plus, jumping into that cold water was not very appealing. I only dipped my feet into the water and thought it was enough. 

The water was much colder than we expected, but it was a true joy on a hot summer day. Going along the pathway, you’ll see several waterfalls and small beaches where you can relax and dip in the clear water. 

Tips for visitors

We visited Fonts de l’Algar at the beginning of July. The place was pretty packed, and it was extremely hot outside. We planned to arrive in the afternoon, around 4 PM. Unfortunately, it was still unbearably hot. We went uphill, on a road that became exhausting very fast, to arrive at the Park’s entrance. There were several parking lots on the side of this road. Some were free, and for others, closer to the Park’s entrance, you had to pay. We spent 6 EUR for the parking.  

There are lots of restaurants on this road, but we didn’t stop to eat there, as we packed sandwiches from home. We only stopped for an ice cream on our way back to the car, which was absolutely delicious. 

Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and stone slippers for the Park if you plan to enter the pools. The river bed and some beaches are rocky, and it would be a shame not to enjoy the visit fully. Proper footwear is also necessary to go on the trail. I only had my flip-flops with me, and it wasn’t easy. 

The Park is open from 9 AM until 8 PM in July and August. This is the opening schedule for the other periods of the year:

• December 1 – February 29: from 9 AM until 3 PM (except for January 1 – January 6 and December 24, 25, 31)
• March 1- March 28th and October 21 – November 30: from 9 AM until 5:30 PM 
• April 2 – May 31 and June 1 – June 16: from 9 AM until 6 PM 
• June 17 – June 30 and September 9 – October 11: from 9 AM until 7 PM (and March 29, 30, 31 and April 1)
• July 1 – September 8: from 9 AM until 8 PM 
• October 12 – October 20: from 9 AM until 5 PM 
• The Park is closed from January 1 until January 6 and December 24, 25, and 31.

Afternoon: Polop de la Marina

The afternoon is the perfect time to explore Polop. We discovered this wonderful town randomly while leaving Fonts de L’Algar and not wanting to go straight home. It was close, and we thought exploring new places was a good idea. We had no idea what an idyllic place we were about to enter. 

Drive from Font de L’Algar to Polop 

Driving from Fonts de l’Algar to Polop takes only 15 minutes. It’s a picturesque drive through green hills, admiring the avocado plantations and the spectacular view of the Ponoig Mountains. 

Explore the old town 

You will love taking a stroll on the streets of the old town. We wandered on the narrow, cobblestone streets and had the impression that time stood still. The white houses, with their specific Mediterranean architecture and flowers at their doorsteps, brought a sense of serenity I missed while living in Elche. 

Visit the Castle of Polop, San Pedro Chruch and Gabriel Miro Museum 

The small town has had a strategic military position throughout history due to the castle that dominated the hill. It went through a lot of battles and was conquered many times. Initially, it was a part of the Kingdom of Valencia until it was conquered and the borders re-established. At that time, Polop remained in the possession of the Conqueror King. Then, it was ceded to several nobles of the region until, finally, it entered the possession of the Fajardo family around 1457. It remained that way until the 19th century. Many Moriscos lived in the city until the 16th century. The castle was originally of Muslim origin. After the Civil War, it was transformed into a cemetery. 

We stopped to admire the San Pedro Church on our way to the castle. It dominates the view from afar when approaching the town and dates back to 1723. 

Another must-see is the Gabriel Miro Museum in Plaza de los Chorros, which you can visit for free. Gabriel Miro was a great Spanish writer who lived in Polop for long periods and created one of his greatest works here. (Años y Leguas -Years and Leagues). I completely understand why he found living in Polop so inspiring for his work. 

The 200 Fonts Square

200 Fonts Square is, in fact, the main square of the town, and it has over 200 pipes (221, to be more precise). When we visited, it was dry, but I imagine people came here from far away to take water. It is said that this water source allowed Benidorm to develop. 

Polop’s irrigation system, built in the 17th century, allowed it to develop and thrive. It’s still used today. Because of its water resources, Polop’s population and economy constantly grew. 

Sunset views from Polop

The best time to visit Polop Castle is at sunset. We were lucky enough to catch this magical time of day right on top of the hill. The views were breathtaking. The Dormant Leon – as they call the Ponoig Mountain – stood proud over the horizon, almost like a God, spreading the sweet sunset light over us. If you look on the mountain’s opposite side, you can also see the deep blue sea from the road to the castle. It’s difficult to put into words the serenity and stillness of the place. Hard to imagine there were so many revolts and conflicts in the past in this tranquil place. Today, we remained in awe, seeing the endless beauty expanding before our eyes.  

Evening: Dinner and relaxation 

After experiencing nature’s spectacle, we headed downhill and stopped at Bodega Celia, a tavern we passed by a bit earlier. There was live music, and people had a really good time. 

It was an excellent choice. Here are some tapas we ate that evening. 

Local dining recommendations

Another interesting option is the Bar El Castel near the Polop Castle. It has an incredible view over the coastline. The only reason why we didn’t stop by was that it was very quiet and we felt like we needed some lively atmosphere that evening. 

Practical information for travelers

If you travel to these locations during summer, remember to bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and water. The temperatures are pretty high until early evening. 

We found a free public parking lot to leave our car in Polop. You’ll find it on Google Maps, marked as Jazzpolop. There was plenty of space, and we could quickly go to any part of the town. The streets are very narrow in the old town, and there are no parking spots, so this is an excellent choice if you want to leave your car and then explore the old town on foot. 

Polop is just 17 minutes away from Guadalest, which is thought to be one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. It is definitely worth a visit. 

Where to stay in Polop?

If you decide there is more to explore in the area and want to prolong your stay, you can stay at Rural House Ravalet 21. The authentic Spanish design and furniture will make you feel like you’re in a movie. And the views from your balcony are simply unforgettable. 

Conclusion 

In the end, you don’t have to visit only the highlights of an area when you are on holiday. Fonts de l’Algar offers a well-deserved escapade into a captivating natural landscape, unique and vibrating with life. At the same time, the village of Polop will take you back in time. Its medieval architecture and friendly people create a unique artistic atmosphere that’s hard to forget.

The day was a total blast. We relaxed on the shore of the Algar River, dipped into the ice-cold water (brrrrrrr!…), spent some time reading, and then continued our journey to visit romantic Polop. Here, we admired the sunset from the castle on the hill, strolled the streets, took pictures of the San Pedro Church, and visited 200 Fonts Square. We did all this at a relaxed pace, just enjoying a summer weekend day on Costa Blanca. 

This 1 Day itinerary is an ideal blend of nature, history, and culture. Whether you travel as a couple, with a small group of friends, or as a family with kids, it’s perfect. 

What other place do you plan to explore in Costa Blanca? Let me know in the comments. 🙂