Road trip through the castles of the Vinalopó, in Alicante

Everyone knows Alicante for its pleasant climate, beautiful beaches and excellent gastronomy. However, far fewer people know that it is also one of the most mountainous provinces in Spain. For centuries, this geography made it an ideal location for castles and fortresses. Alicante holds an impressive architectural and historical legacy linked to its strategic importance in past military defence, when kings ordered castles to be built on key elevated points along coastal routes or near rivers. This is how, hundreds of years later, we now have the road trip through the castles of the Vinalopó. 

The Vinalopó River crosses much of the province and has historically shaped the development of many towns. In a time when having access to a constant water supply was essential, settlements grew along its banks. To protect this territory, numerous castles were built, and nine of them have survived to this day in very good condition. Today, they can be visited on a simple road trip by car, with short distances between stops and always close to towns where you can rest, enjoy a meal or complement your visit with other activities. 

Where does the road trip through the castles of the Vinalopó begin? 

This route passes through the towns of Villena, Biar, Banyeres, Castalla, Sax, Elda, Petrer, Novelda and Elche. You can follow the route either from north to south or from south to north—both options work perfectly well. The key question is simply where you decide to begin. 

For example, imagine starting at Alicante–Elche Airport. As soon as you land, you can collect one of our hire cars and begin your journey. The route can easily be completed in a single day, although it’s recommended to take a break halfway through. Even if you’re staying somewhere along the coast, the distance between stops rarely exceeds two hours. 

Our suggestion is to begin the road trip through the castles of the Vinalopó at the point closest to the airport—Elche—and gradually make your way north to Villena. 

Discover the castles of the Vinalopó 

The Altamira Palace, in the heart of Elche, is an excellent place to start. It is very well preserved and can be visited free of charge. It also houses the Archaeological and History Museum of Elche, and nearby you will find the Basilica of Santa María. From here, continue to Novelda, where you can visit the Castle of La Mola, of Almohad origin. While you are in Novelda, it is also worth visiting the Sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena, located right next to the castle. 

Next, continue in this order to the castles of Petrer, Elda and Sax. All three are of Muslim origin and remain in excellent condition. Of these three towns, we recommend spending a little more time in Elda, as it offers other points of interest such as the Church of Santa Ana and the El Monastil Archaeological Site. 

To continue the road trip through the castles of the Vinalopó, the next stops are Castalla, Banyeres and Biar. The highlight of the route is saved for last in Villena, where you will find the Castle of La Atalaya. It is the largest fortress on the route and has been the setting for numerous battles throughout Spanish history. 

Here ends the road trip through the castles of the Vinalopó, but not your journey. With your hire car from Lara Cars, you can continue exploring the province of Alicante in complete comfort, with the best guarantees and friendly service. Because every kilometre is an opportunity to discover new landscapes, towns and stories. 

And most importantly, you can travel with complete peace of mind thanks to insurance with no excess, 24-hour roadside assistance, and all the facilities you need so that your only concern is enjoying the journey.