This charming village is located close to other more touristic places such as Gandía, Denia or Benidorm. If you enjoy a holiday in this area, visiting Guadalest is a very interesting excursion to combine with days of sun and beach.
Situated on a huge rock in the highest part of the village, the origin of the castle of San José or castell de Guadalest dates back to the Hispano-Muslim period in the 11th century.
This building not only served as a defensive bastion, but also became a distinctive symbol of the area. For centuries, the Muslim population played a crucial role in the development and cultural configuration of Guadalest, until, in the 17th century, King Philip II decreed the expulsion of the Moors, which in turn had an impact on the uses and architecture of the fortification.
In 1974, Castell was declared a Historic-Artistic Site and an Asset of Cultural Interest, which led to greater investment in the preservation of the town. In 1994, the municipal purchase of Casa Orduña was agreed and it was refurbished to be transformed into a Municipal Museum.
In 2015, after passing a series of audits, the municipality became part of “The Most Beautiful Villages of Spain” and in 2016 it joined the Federation of the Most Beautiful Villages in the World, making it one of the most visited towns in the world.
If you arrive by car in Guadalest there is no parking problem as there is a free public car park. It is a good place to start your visit to the most important places in the village due to its proximity to the centre.
St Joseph’s Gate
It is the only access to the old wall of Guadalest, it is a tunnel excavated in the rock that displays the coat of arms of the town on its main façade. Crossing this tunnel immediately shows us the atmosphere of the village and prepares us for the steep streets that we will find. Despite this, it is well worth the effort. Try to avoid the hottest hours of the day if you visit during the summer months to make the walk more bearable.
The Alcozaiba Fortress
Also known as Alcazaba de Guadalest, it is a structure built by the Muslims in the 11th century, currently only a ruined tower remains standing. It formed part of the domains of the former House of Orduña, a Basque family who established themselves as the fortress’ commanders and governors of the marquisate for 300 years.
The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
It is a small baroque temple from the 18th century. Although it has undergone significant alterations due to looting and even fires during the Civil War and later the removal of parts of its structure in 1962, these changes are part of its charm and history.
The prison-cistern
Built in the 12th century and located on the ground floor of the Town Hall, it is impressive for its small size despite being the site of trials and imprisonment.
The Orduña House
It was built after the great earthquake of 1644 that devastated the region and destroyed the castle buildings.
The Orduña family provided its members, not only with good economic relations or social influence, but also with the best cultural training that it was possible to acquire in the second half of the 18th century and throughout the 19th century. Among its members we find, fundamentally, lawyers and military men.
The house has preserved its original furniture, decoration and paintings from the period. It also houses an exhibition space.
San Gregorio Square
This is where the Town Hall of Guadalest is located, as well as the medieval dungeons.
But what stands out most is not the square itself, but the views of the Guadalest reservoir from the viewpoint of the square.
Guadalest viewpoint
In addition to the viewpoint overlooking the reservoir which is located in the Plaza de San Gregorio, if you continue a little beyond the square you will be able to contemplate the walls of Guadalest.
The town with the most museums per inhabitant
Guadalest is not only a charming village in the province of Alicante, but it also holds some interesting secrets. Did you know that it is the Spanish municipality with the highest density of museums per inhabitant? In addition to the Casa Orduña Museum, it has eight other equally fascinating and surprising museums, each with its own unique appeal.
- Museo Belén y Casitas de Muñecas: an establishment where you can see the nativity scenes and dolls’ houses of the artist Antonio Marcos.
- Microminiatures Museum: monuments, works of art and other elements of sculptural art at minimum size or camouflaged in other utensils.
- Salt and Pepper Shakers Museum: one of only two museums in the world on these objects (the other is located in Tennessee, USA). It has more than 20,000 original pieces.
- Ethnological Museum: exhibitions on the life and inhabitants of Guadalest over the centuries.
- Medieval Historical Museum: a large collection of tools of torture and capital punishment.
- Microgigante Museum: another centre where everything is built in miniature size, but this time with the stamp of the artist Manuel Ussá.
- Museo Colección Vehículos Históricos Valle de Guadalest: lovers of old vehicles should not miss this museum. The extensive collection includes more than 140 motorbikes and microcars that were used between 1920 and 1970.
These are the most interesting places to visit in this fascinating town. If you are thinking of renting a house near the beach in Alicante, remember to reserve a day to go inland and enjoy the nature, history and views that destinations like El Castell de Guadalest have to offer. You won’t regret it!
