Road Trip: Valencia to Alicante

Amid the scorching Mediterranean summer and the peak of the frenzied, unprecedented state of Covid-19, we thought it would be the perfect timing to take a gamble and embark on a road trip along Spain’s south-eastern coast.

Within just two days, we decided to venture from Valencia's vibrant metropolis down to the oh-so-idyllic Alicante.

As with any good road trip, we had to allow room for spontaneity, unexpected mishaps, and time to discover the hidden gems.

We opted for the routes winding through the undulating mountain ranges and leading to the major hot spots (hordes of tourists would otherwise frequent that. Thanks, Covid!).  

Early one foggy Friday morning, we caught a regional bus with ALSA from Barcelona to Valencia for around €20,00.

A brief four hours later, thanks to our bus driver’s need for speed, we arrived at the main bus terminal in Valencia.  

The owner of AssoRent was kind enough to go out of his way and drop off our motorbike, and before you even knew it, we were on our way. 

We succinctly manoeuvred around the heart of the futuristic, Valencian capital, then set off in a pink-lit sunset through the Parc Natural de l’Albufera. 

We then arrived in Gandia for our first night and on the eve of my birthday. We were surprised to find out that the Airbnb we booked had turned out to be a scam, leaving us nowhere to stay. Yowza.

After a few frantic phone calls, we managed to book ourselves a hotel last minute. Thank you, Covid-19, for an opportunity that would’ve been somewhat next-to-impossible on such short notice during Spain’s peak season! 

The following day, we dragged ourselves out of bed at 5:30 am and delved into the verdant village of Oliva. We whipped out the drone to get a Birdseye view and have a play around as we explored the Parc Natural de Marjal de Pego-Oliva. After a much-needed coffee stop, we returned to Gandia for a quick bite and grabbed the rest of our gear.

This probably wasn’t the most brilliant move… Looking back, I realised it would’ve been best to take our stuff with us before we left at 5:30 am… Oh well… You live and you learn, right? 

We set our sights on the Cova Tallada, nestled in the region of Xàbia.

Not long after we arrived, we were told that you had to make an appointment before visiting (due to the Covid-19 restrictions)—a massive fail.

Nevertheless, we soldiered an additional hour until we finally reached the Mirador Ambolo, only to be told the exact same thing.

At this point, I looked like a freshly cooked lobster, and I was well and truly more than prepared to smash the security guards to the ground, nuts first, as I pranced towards that glimmering ocean.

Luckily, my ex-boyfriend was there to stop me from causing a scene. No karate business went down.

I’d like to say that this was when we discovered the beautiful beaches of Moraira, but that, unfortunately, was not until our very last day… We unknowingly drove past what would later become my favourite beach in all of Spain…

We had a quick splash and a fair serve of sun and sand in the Cala L’Andragó.

We headed on our way, winding through the soaring limestone mountains and quaint Spanish towns.

An hour later, we arrived in Alicante. 

Initially, I felt drawn to Alicante’s rich medieval history, colourful architecture, and beaches that are brimming with an eclectic array of hidden coves, turquoise waters, and blissful bays, all pouring onto the golden sand.

To my surprise, I discovered there was a hell of a lot more to it. Alicante is replete with hidden gems that are tucked in every nook and cranny, and we wouldn’t have discovered these sublime spots if it weren’t for my horrific directional skills. To be frank with you, I am an absolute disaster with Google Maps. Always have been and always will be. 

After a well-deserved round of birthday drinks and a hefty, somewhat dangerous amount of pasta and pizza, we chose to spend the night in.

We woke up at 5:30 am the next day to head out the El Campello. We watched one daring, elderly man brave the crisp waters of the Cala Coveta Fuma…

Despite how alluring that water did look, I simply didn’t have the balls to jump in.

We headed towards El Campello’s highland, hoping to catch the fleeting golden sunrise illuminating the fields of yellow.

We put the DJI Mavic drone up and over the surrounding mountain ranges.

After a nasty allergic reaction, we decided it was time to move our asses to the next destination. 

I had my heart set on visiting the Queen’s Baths, otherwise known as the Baños de la Reína, but we ended up in the centre of the city, at the old bull-fighting ring, locally known as the Plaza de Toros.

After spending a few hours exploring the cobblestone backstreets of the Old Town, we went further south to the not-so-pink Laguna Rosa in Torrevieja. I’m going to give it to you straight. The Pink Lake was not pink at all. Not even one bit.

We then spent the afternoon in the ancient town of Cartagena. Cartagena harbours a rich Roman history, mesmerising marble-made Art Nouveau buildings, and a coastline that epitomises your archetypal Mediterranean summer.

We smashed an obligatory beer or two, which paired nicely with some typical tapas. After soaking up the city's rich history and basking in the heat of the afternoon sun, we hopped onto the motorbike and headed back towards Alicante. 

Later that evening, we decided to trek up to the summit of the soaring Serra Grossa. Overlooking the auburn, rose-coloured sunset painted the sky 50 different shades was an experience I’ll never forget. The Serra Grossa mountain did put on one hell of a show for us.

It’s funny how golden hour illustrates a city’s glimmering glory. 

With the most immaculate, panoramic views overlooking the seaside city and the Mediterranean ocean, I felt like we had discovered one of Alicante’s best-kept secrets.

We returned for yet another Italian-fuelled, food-coma-worthy dinner at La Mafia se sienta a la mesa.

If you don’t know by now, I am fanatical; some might call it overly passionate about Italian cuisine. Viva Italia! 

But seriously, if you’re ever on the hunt for a decent Italian feed, I can happily dish you out the best spots to find an authentic meal.

We pulled ourselves out of bed the next day for yet another sunrise mission. No sleep club! 

We ventured through the strikingly colourful fishing village of Villajoyosa and later enjoyed the blissful beaches in Benidorm. Not long after, we realised that Villajoyosa was home to Spain’s biggest chocolate factory/museum… I was spewing. I didn’t get my grubby little hands on some indulgent chocolate… But I suppose it worked out for the best…

Nevertheless, with Benidorm’s white, fine sand and turquoise waters, I thought we had hit the jackpot, beach-wise. Benidorm’s towering skyscrapers line up along the boulevard, creating the ultimate, Manhattan-like contrast against the beach. A killer spot to bury your butt in the sand, to say the least. 

A few hours later, we continued our hunt for the perfect beach.

Coming from Australia, a country that boasts some of the most paradisiacal beaches in the world, you could say that my expectations were damn pretty high.

We soared through the piles of traffic and into the towns of Calpe and Altea.

I’d recommend taking your time when travelling through. The ocean views are tantalisingly sublime. 

A rough hour later, we found ourselves in Moraira. After a relatively unsuccessful drone mission, we discovered some hidden gems and decided to bask in the sun.

We situated ourselves in El Portet, nestled in a rocky cove aesthetically dotted with whitewashed houses. There were some serious Santorini vibes here! 

El Portet is the epitome of the Costa Blanca, with crystal clear, baby blue waters that slope gently down into the Mediterranean.

This was honestly the best spot we swam in. When I say swimming, I mean doggy paddling. I doggy paddled my goddamn life away.

After a few hours in my absolute element, we jumped back on the motorbike and headed into Valencia. Having previously travelled to the metropolis a handful of times, we were already familiar with the top sights to see. We couldn’t miss out on the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias and the surrounding park built on a dried-up river bed. 

Valencia has strikingly futuristic museums, charming historic alleyways, and a thriving food scene. This is the real birthplace of paella. If you’re a foodie, get ready to stuff your face!

With a wealth of quirky tapas bars and Michelin Star restaurants, we toasted to a spontaneous, successful road trip with a fair few beers as we enjoyed our last dinner. 

FAQS

Where to stop between Valencia and Alicante?

There are many places to stop, whether it’s for a short break or an overnight stay. On your road trip from Valencia to Alicante, consider stopping in Cullera, Gandia, Denia, Moraira, Calpe, Altea or Benidorm.

What is the coast between Valencia and Alicante?

The Valencian Coast stretches between Castellón and Alicante and covers the entire Valencia province.

Which is better to visit, Alicante or Valencia?

Valencia is the best place to visit if you’re looking for a mix of modern and old. If you’re focused on beaches and nightlife, Alicante is the ideal pick. Both boast many day trip opportunities, including destinations like Altea, Guadalest, Canelobre Caves, Sagunto and Albufera Natural Park.

Which beach is better, Alicante or Valencia?

Both Alicante and Valencia boast great beaches, nightlife and attractions. If you’re interested in escaping to quieter beaches, Alicante is a great option.

Well, that’s that. Having tackled a fair few road trips over the years throughout Tenerife, Australia, Spain, Malta, and Andorra, I honestly have to say that this one was well and truly the best. Despite the mishaps, I wouldn’t change anything about this road trip.

If you’re planning a road trip from Valencia to Alicante and have any questions, feel free to drop a comment down below. I would 100% recommend taking this route!