Albir is one of those rare places that works perfectly as a holiday base — calm enough to relax in, but strategically positioned so you can be almost anywhere on the Costa Blanca within an hour. After ten years of living here, I still find myself discovering new corners of this coastline on day trips from Albir. Whether you're after medieval hilltop towns, dramatic mountain roads, flamingo-filled wetlands or buzzing city markets, you don't need to go far.
Here's my honest, personal guide to the ten best day trips you can do from Albir in June — when the days are long, the sun is fierce by midday, and timing your excursions smartly makes all the difference.
---
JV Properties
Looking for accommodation in Albir?
Book direct with JV Properties and save up to 18% vs Airbnb. No commissions, personal service.
Find rentals →1. Guadalest: The Fortress Village in the Sky (45 minutes)
This is the non-negotiable day trip from Albir. Guadalest is a medieval fortress village perched on a needle of rock above a turquoise reservoir, and it genuinely looks like something from a fantasy novel. Go early — by 10am the coach tours arrive and the narrow streets get busy. Park at the lower car park (around €2) and walk up. Allow two hours minimum. The Museo de Miniaturas is kitsch but entertaining, and the views over the Embalse de Guadalest are spectacular. On the drive back, stop at the village of Confrides for a coffee and a slice of almond cake — the almond orchards here are famous throughout the region.
Distance from Albir: 45 minutes via the AP-7 and CV-70. No toll needed on this route.
---
2. Altea Old Town: Art Galleries, Tapas & Cobblestones (15 minutes)
Albir and Altea practically share a border, but Altea's old town up on the hill deserves its own dedicated visit rather than a quick browse. In June, the evening light on those whitewashed walls and the blue-domed church is genuinely beautiful. Go late afternoon, walk up through the galleries and ceramic shops, find a table at one of the terrace restaurants in the main square, and stay for dinner. El Portal or La Costera are my personal recommendations — both serve excellent grilled fish.
Distance from Albir: 15 minutes by car, or take the TRAM (local tram line) for €1.85.
---
3. Benidorm: Beaches, Skyline & Surprisingly Good Food (20 minutes)
Yes, I know. But hear me out. Benidorm in June, on a weekday morning, is actually worth a visit — especially Levante Beach, which is one of the finest urban beaches in Europe. The old town (Casco Antiguo) up on the headland has some genuinely good tapas bars and a viewing point that puts the city's Manhattan-style skyline in perspective. Grab lunch at one of the restaurants in the old quarter, visit the fish market at Rincón de Loix, and head back to Albir before the afternoon traffic builds.
Distance from Albir: 20 minutes. The TRAM stops right at Benidorm's centre.
---
4. Calpe: The Rock, Salt Flats & Excellent Seafood (30 minutes)
Calpe is dominated by the Peñón de Ifach, a 332-metre limestone monolith that rises straight from the sea. You can hike to the top in about 90 minutes (take water — it's exposed) for panoramic views stretching to Ibiza on a clear day. Afterwards, the salt flats (Las Salinas) just behind the beach are home to flamingos in summer — a genuinely surprising sight five minutes from a busy resort. Lunch at one of the fish restaurants on the Playa Arenal-Bol is mandatory. Try arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish stock) — Calpe is famous for it.
Distance from Albir: 30 minutes north via the N-332.
---
5. Villajoyosa: The Painted Houses & Chocolate Town (20 minutes)
Villajoyosa is criminally undervisited. The old fishing quarter has a row of brightly coloured houses right on the seafront — painted in vivid pinks, yellows and blues, traditionally so fishermen could spot their homes from the sea. The town is also home to the Valor chocolate factory, which offers guided tours and a fantastic shop. The Thursday market in June is a good one. And Playa Centro is a lovely, local-feeling beach without the crowds of Benidorm or Albir.
Distance from Albir: 20 minutes south. Easy free parking near the old town.
---
6. Denia & the Montgó Natural Park (1 hour)
Denia is a proper Spanish town — a ferry port for Ibiza and Mallorca, a huge Friday market, and a castle overlooking the sea. In June, the red prawns (gambas rojas) are outstanding at the port-side restaurants. If you're feeling energetic, the Montgó Natural Park offers hiking trails through wild rosemary and thyme with views across to the Balearics. Combine market, castle, lunch and a short walk for a full and very satisfying day.
Distance from Albir: 55 minutes north. Worth the drive.
---
7. Alicante City: Castle, Market & Marina (45 minutes)
Alicante is an underrated city break hidden in plain sight. The Castillo de Santa Bárbara sits on a cliff above the city and is free to enter (take the lift from the beach tunnel). The Mercado Central is one of the best food markets in the region — arrive before noon. Walk the Explanada de España promenade, have lunch at one of the restaurants around El Barrio (the old quarter), and you've got a genuinely excellent city day out. The holiday rentals in Albir put you in a perfect position — Alicante is 45 minutes without any motorway drama.
Distance from Albir: 45 minutes south on the AP-7.
---
8. Fontilles & the Vall de Laguar: The Road Less Travelled (50 minutes)
This is my personal favourite recommendation for people who want to escape the coast entirely. The Vall de Laguar is a remote valley in the mountains above Orba with a dramatic cliff path called the Barranc de l'Infern — 'Hell's Gorge'. It's a full-day hike (12km return) through a limestone gorge with natural swimming pools. Take a picnic, start early, and expect to have it almost entirely to yourself even in June. The drive through the villages of Orba and Fleix alone is worth it.
Distance from Albir: 50 minutes via the AP-7 and CV-721.
---
9. Xàbia (Jávea): Three Beaches, One Perfect Town (40 minutes)
Jávea has three completely different environments — a working port town, a fine sandy beach (Playa del Arenal), and a dramatic rocky cape (Cabo de la Nao) with crystal-clear coves. In June, the water temperature is perfect for swimming and the town isn't yet as crowded as it gets in July and August. La Siesta beach bar at El Arenal serves good paella and has great shade. The old town up on the hill is quiet, cool and full of good restaurants for lunch.
Distance from Albir: 40 minutes north on the AP-7.
---
10. Valencia: City of Paella, Architecture & Markets (1h 45min)
This is your big day out. Valencia is one of Spain's finest cities — the City of Arts and Sciences is genuinely jaw-dropping, the Central Market is the most beautiful food hall in Europe (I will die on that hill), and the old quarter around the Cathedral has excellent bars and restaurants. Leave Albir by 8am, arrive before the heat builds, spend the morning in the market and old town, have paella for lunch (this is the city that invented it — try Restaurante La Pepica on the beach), and head back by 5pm to miss the motorway congestion.
Distance from Albir: 1h 45min on the AP-7. Worth every kilometre.
---
Practical Tips for Day Trips from Albir
Car rental: Most of these trips are best by car. There are several reliable rental companies in Benidorm and at Alicante Airport. Book in advance for June — availability drops sharply.
The TRAM: The coastal tram line connects Albir (L'Alfàs del Pi station, 10 minutes walk from town) to Denia in the north and Alicante in the south. It's cheap, scenic and avoids parking stress for coastal destinations.
Timing: In June, aim to be at your destination by 9-10am and plan to be back at the beach or pool by 2-3pm. Save your inland excursions for slightly cooler morning starts.
Staying in Albir: One of the things I love most about this town is exactly this — it has everything you need on your doorstep, but everything else is within easy reach. Browse our holiday apartments in Albir and search all available properties — booking direct with us saves you up to 18% compared to Airbnb, with no hidden platform fees and a genuinely personal service.
Albir is the perfect launchpad. Now go explore.
