Car route through the villages of the Mediterranean: From Alicante to Barcelona travelling through Valencia

You have finally decided on that roadtrip through the villages of the Spanish Mediterranean, the perfect plan to discover beautiful towns both inland and on the coast. Let yourself be carried away….stroll along the lovely beaches or walk in the mountains. Where shall we start? Renting a car is the perfect way to discover Spain.

The best villages in Alicante

Start your route inland and in rural Alicante. Your first stop is Guadalest, a town of 200 inhabitants where the streets take you back to the ancient Al-Andalus. Here you can visit the famous Castillo de San José, built during the time of the Muslim conquest and whose remains have survived several earthquakes and the War of Succession. From this point, you have some spectacular views of the whole village.

Our route continues along the Alicante coastline. Calpe is a picture postcard village, with its famous ‘Peñon de Ifach’ rock some 332mts high; a symbol of the Costa Blanca. Visit this natural park and lose yourself in the views of the Mediterranean.

You can’t leave Alicante without visiting Denia and enjoy the amazing Gastronomy on offer which has been declared by the UNESCO as a Creative City of Gastronomy. The popular dish are the fresh, boiled prawns, but do not miss a chance to try dishes such as fish stew, octopus or mistela (sweet wine).

The charming villages of Valencia

From Alicante we enter into Valencia and visit Bocairent, a town full of magic and charm. The ‘Covetes dels Moros’ of the Andalusian period is a symbol of this historic village.

A little further north we reach Cullera, an essential visit on our route through Valencia. Don’t miss the lighthouse (1958) and the letters with the name of the town in the middle of the mountain just like in Hollywood. Here you can find numerous restaurants and a bustling nightlife.

Our next stop is Sagunto, a legendary & magical town and where you must take in a visit to the Jewish quarter and Roman theatre from 50 BC.

Barcelona and its magical villages

We enter Catalonia and start in Barcelona with a coastal town. Today, we are leaving the capital city aside and we wander into Sitges, a place known for its beautiful beaches and partying. Then as a contrast, we go to Casteldefels also on the coast. Here there are several climbing areas such as the ‘Roca Negra’ (Black Rock) and ‘Penya Ginesta’. Don’t forget a visit to the X century castle.

Montserrat could be your next stop with a visit to the monastery dating from the 12th century. It is located on one of the most important mountains of all of Catalonia. Architecture and geology join together to make this an amazing route to enjoy.

Adventure and get more out of your car hire

On your route through these Mediterranean villages, there are many places for you to discover and enjoy. Go on your adventure and discover Spain from another point of view by renting a car and enjoying the freedom of the road.