23 February 2024 , 06:00
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A small Spanish medieval village just 20 minutes from Benidorm has beautiful views of the coast and mountains.
For the majority of Brits, trips to Alicante primarily involve a boozy weekend in the coastal retreat of Benidorm or a night-out in the slightly more upmarket provincial capital which shares its name. There are plenty of smaller, lesser known destinations in the area that are well worth visiting if you're in the mood for an adventure and a bit of a journey.
The village of Polop is 20 minutes inland from Benidorm in an area known as the Marina Baja, where almond, citrus fruits and olive trees line the hills. The settlement itself is a hodgepodge of buildings from across the centuries, with some dating back to the medieval period and others more recent 18th century constructions.
The hill, where the old castle used to be, is encircled by a medieval wall and is a great route to walk up on a sunny afternoon. The San Pedro church halfway up the hill is a focal point in the village. At the top you'll find the old Municipal Cemetery and some fantastic views of the surrounding area.
The village is nestled in the foothills of mountains (Alamy Stock Photo)On a clear day you can see all the way to Altea on the coast and inland to Callosa and the Sierra Bernia. Polop is also known as a great access point to the mountains and lies beneath the Leon Dormido - also known as the sleeping lion mountain.
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Many of the homes that sit in the centre of the village are typical of those found in Spain's mountainous regions, with large wooden doors and wrought iron balconies. Late into the evening you will find families out on the street chatting to their neighbours.
It is advisable to visit the village on a Wednesday when a small street market is held in the morning. Another attraction well worth catching is the museum of Gabriel Miro, who was a famous writer and poet who lived in Polop in the early 1900’s. In homage to its most famous son, Polop has turned his house into a free museum.
Another fascinating spot is the Costa Magic museum which houses the works of Antonio Marco. The model maker spent his days creating scenes of Valencia in miniature. Polop is home to a number of these models, including the Cathedral of Valencia and the mirador of Benidorm.
If you are in the region and fancy visiting the village, then it's a 20-minute, 12km taxi ride away or a 40-minute bus ride from the centre of Benidorm.
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