Alicante: Guadalest, Altea & Algar Waterfalls Day Trip

Three Towns, One Day: Altea, Guadalest & Mountain Waterfalls

You ride in an air-conditioned bus from Alicante through three distinct stops: Altea for its Mediterranean viewpoint and white-walled old town, Guadalest for its castle and galleries perched on a ridge, and Algar Fountains for natural pools and waterfalls. A local guide (English or Spanish) handles the first part of each stop, then you have free time to explore at your own pace. Entry to the waterfalls is included, and the bus handles parking and traffic so you don't have to.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Altea, Guadalest, and Algar Fountains

• Transfer from Alicante or Benidorm
• Transfer to Altea
• Walk Altea old town and viewpoint
• Free time in Altea old town
• Transfer to Guadalest
• Guided visit in Guadalest village
• Free time to visit Castle of San José
• Explore Guadalest museums and galleries
• Transfer to Algar Fountains
• Free time at Algar Fountains nature reserve
• Transfer back to Alicante

The experience

The cobblestone streets in Altea catch you off guard. They're narrower than they look in photos, and the white houses with their fussy balconies crowd right up to the edge. You're walking with a guide for maybe thirty minutes through the old town, learning about the church of Consuelo and how the place became what it is, and then you get ninety minutes loose to wander, sit at a café, or just stand at the viewpoint looking out at the Mediterranean. The bus ride from Alicante takes twenty minutes, and the air conditioning works, which matters when you're heading into the hills.

Guadalest is the stop people actually plan the day around. It's one of Spain's most beautiful villages, and the claim isn't marketing: the castle of San José sits on a ridge surrounded by mountains, and the views are the kind that make you stop talking. The guide walks you through the history and points out the galleries and the Baroque details, then leaves you for two hours to climb up to the castle, eat something local, or just sit with the panorama. The cobblestone streets are steep in places, so water shoes or booties help if you're planning to move around a lot.

After Guadalest, the bus heads to Fuentes del Algar, a nature reserve with waterfalls and natural pools carved into the rock. You get an hour and a half here, and it's genuinely different from the towns. The water is cold, the rocks are slick, and if you brought shoes you can wade into the Estret de Sacos area or just sit by the water. The entry fee (normally eight euros) is already in the price. Then it's the forty-minute drive back to Alicante, and you're done by evening.

What’s included

Your day includes roundtrip air-conditioned bus transportation from Alicante, a local guide in English or Spanish who accompanies you through the old towns and explains the history and galleries, free time to explore Altea's viewpoint and cobblestone streets, two hours in Guadalest to visit the castle of San José and browse galleries, entry to Fuentes del Algar nature reserve with its waterfalls and natural pools, and ninety minutes to swim or walk along the water before returning to Alicante in the evening.

Options for this experience

6 options

Departing from Alicante, in English09:00Meeting point: Sala d'Exposició de la Llotja del Peix, Sala de Exposiciones Lonja del Pescado, Av. del Almte. Julio Guillén Tato, s/n, 03001 Alicante, Spain

Departing from Alicante, in Spanish09:00Meeting point: Sala d'Exposició de la Llotja del Peix, Sala de Exposiciones Lonja del Pescado, Av. del Almte. Julio Guillén Tato, s/n, 03001 Alicante, Spain

Departing from Benidorm, in Spanish09:40Meeting point: Passeig els Tolls, 03502 Benidorm, Alicante, Spain

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Departing from Benidorm, in English09:40Meeting point: Passeig els Tolls, 03502 Benidorm, Alicante, Spain

Option 109:00

Option 209:40

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 09:40

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 54

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Buendía

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want to see three distinct Costa Blanca towns in one day without driving or navigating mountain roads yourself: the bus and guide handle the logistics, which is what makes fitting all three stops into a single afternoon possible. Plan for a full day out with walking on uneven streets and the option to swim, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water shoes if you want to wade.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 8 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How long is the bus ride from Alicante to each town?

Twenty minutes to Altea, then forty minutes to Guadalest, then another forty minutes to Algar Fountains.

Is swimming allowed at Algar Fountains?

Yes. The natural pools are swimmable, and it's advisable to bring water shoes or booties because the rocks are sharp.

How much free time do you get in each place?

Ninety minutes in Altea's old town, two hours in Guadalest, and one hour thirty minutes at Algar Fountains.

What's included in the price?

Roundtrip bus from Alicante, a local guide for the first part of each stop, and entry to Algar Fountains (valued at eight euros).

What should I bring?

Water shoes or booties if you plan to swim or wade at Algar. Comfortable walking shoes for the cobblestone streets. Sun protection and water.

Is there food available at any of the stops?

Altea and Guadalest have cafés and restaurants where you can eat during your free time. There are no facilities at Algar Fountains.

Can I book this tour if I have reduced mobility?

The tour is not recommended for people with reduced mobility due to cobblestone streets, steep slopes, and rocky terrain.