One of the things I love most about living in Albir is that it sits right in the sweet spot of the Costa Blanca. Within an hour's drive in almost any direction, you've got dramatic mountains, UNESCO-listed towns, hidden coves, desert landscapes, and one of Europe's most underrated cities. After ten years here, I've done most of these trips more times than I can count — and in September, they're honestly better than they are in peak summer. The crowds thin out, the temperatures become genuinely pleasant for exploring, and everything just breathes a little easier.
Whether you're staying in one of the holiday rentals in Albir for a week or a fortnight, you won't be short of reasons to venture beyond the beach. Here are my eight favourite day trips from Albir — ranked loosely by how often I personally recommend them to guests.
1. Guadalest: The Mountain Village That Stops You in Your Tracks
Going to Albir and skipping Guadalest is like going to Paris and skipping the Eiffel Tower. About 30 minutes inland from Altea, this extraordinary village is perched on a needle of rock with a castle at the very top. The views over the turquoise reservoir below are genuinely jaw-dropping, and in September you'll find the tourist crowds have eased significantly compared to August.
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Find rentals →Drive up through the orange and almond groves — the road alone is worth it. Park in the lower car park (€3-4) and walk up through the stone tunnel carved into the rock face. The village has about 200 permanent residents and a handful of excellent museums, including one dedicated to miniatures and another to antique dolls. Allow 3-4 hours. Go on a weekday morning for the quietest experience.
2. Altea Old Town: 15 Minutes and a World Away
I know Altea isn't technically a "day trip" — it's only 5km from Albir — but it deserves its own dedicated visit, not just a passing glance from the promenade. The old town sits on a hill above the coast and is one of the most beautiful places on the entire Costa Blanca. The blue-domed church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo is the postcard image everyone recognises, but the labyrinth of white-walled streets around it is where you should actually spend your time.
Have lunch at one of the restaurants on the square — I'm partial to La Costera, which has been there for years and does excellent local rice dishes. Then walk back down to the harbour for a coffee watching the fishing boats. September is perfect for this: warm enough to sit outside, cool enough to actually enjoy the uphill walk.
3. Benidorm: Yes, Really
I know, I know. But hear me out. Benidorm is only 8km from Albir, and while it's not somewhere I'd want to stay, it's genuinely fascinating as a day trip — especially if you take the time to go beyond the strip. The old town has a beautiful mirador (viewpoint) over Levante beach that's spectacular. The market on Sunday mornings is enormous and great fun. And if you've got kids with you, Terra Mítica or Aqualandia are full-day entertainments that are hard to beat.
I've written more about this in our Albir vs Benidorm guide, but the short version is: Benidorm is better experienced as a half-day than a two-week base.
4. Alicante City: A Proper Spanish City Break
Alicante is 55km south of Albir — about 50 minutes on the AP-7 motorway — and it's one of my favourite cities in Spain. The Castillo de Santa Bárbara sits above the city on a rocky promontory and is free to enter (take the lift from the beach tunnel). The Explanada de España promenade is one of Europe's most beautiful seafront walkways, lined with palm trees and mosaic pavements.
Spend the morning at the castle, have lunch in the Mercado Central (the covered market on Avenida Alfonso el Sabio is brilliant for fresh seafood), then walk the Explanada in the early evening when the light turns golden. The MARQ archaeology museum is also genuinely excellent if that's your thing. Alicante in September is warm but manageable — around 27°C — and the city is buzzing after the summer.
5. Calpe and the Peñón de Ifach
Calpe is 20 minutes north of Albir, and its defining feature is the Peñón de Ifach — a 332-metre limestone monolith that juts out of the sea like something from another planet. You can hike to the top: it takes about 2 hours return and involves a tunnel carved through the rock (bring a torch). The views from the summit take in the whole northern Costa Blanca on a clear day, and in late September you might well have the trail largely to yourself.
Calpe town itself has good restaurants and a lovely salt lagoon (Las Salinas) where flamingos sometimes appear in autumn. Have lunch at one of the chiringuitos on Playa de la Fosa before or after the hike.
6. Denia and the Montgó Natural Park
Denia is about 40 minutes north of Albir and well worth the drive. It's a proper working port town with a castle, a fantastic covered market, and arguably the best rice dishes on the Costa Blanca — arroz a banda is the local speciality and you should order it. The Montgó massif looms over the town and offers several walking routes, though in September the lower trails are more manageable than the summit hike.
The port area has excellent restaurants and in the evening there's a genuinely local atmosphere that's quite different from the more tourist-facing resorts further south.
7. Font Roja Natural Park (Near Alcoi)
This is the one that surprises most visitors. About an hour inland from Albir, Font Roja is a natural park in the mountains above Alcoi that feels nothing like the Costa Blanca coast. It's forested — genuinely forested with oak, maple and yew — with marked walking trails, a sanctuary at the centre, and in October-November, autumn colours that rival anything in northern Europe.
In late September you're right at the start of this colour change. It's cool up here (around 5-8°C cooler than the coast) and utterly peaceful. Take a picnic. This is one of those places that changes how you think about what the Valencia region actually looks like.
8. Tabarca Island
Tabarca is Spain's smallest inhabited island and lies about 20km off the Alicante coast. Boats run from Alicante, Santa Pola, and occasionally from Denia. The island is tiny — you can walk the perimeter in 20 minutes — but the snorkelling in the marine reserve around it is some of the best in the Mediterranean. The water is clear, there are octopus, sea bream and posidonia meadows, and because it's a protected area the sea life is genuinely abundant.
Book the boat in advance in September as it's still popular. Take lunch at one of the island's restaurants (there are about three) and order the caldero — a traditional rice and fish stew that's the island's signature dish.
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Practical Tips for Day Trips from Albir
Getting around: A hire car gives you the most flexibility. Most of these destinations are accessible by bus via the ALSA network, though journey times are longer. The TRAM train runs from Benidorm to Alicante via Altea and is excellent for the southern trips.
September timing: Start early — by 10am — to make the most of the cooler morning hours for any hiking or walking. By September evenings arrive earlier (sunset around 7:30pm), so plan your return accordingly.
Costs: Most of these trips cost very little beyond fuel and food. The Castillo de Santa Bárbara in Alicante is free. The Peñón de Ifach nature reserve charges a small entry fee (around €6). Guadalest car park is €3-4.
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Basing yourself in Albir for day trips is genuinely one of the best decisions you can make for a Costa Blanca holiday. The town is calm and beautiful, the beach is clean, and within an hour you can be almost anywhere on this remarkable stretch of coastline.
If you're still sorting accommodation, take a look at our holiday rentals in Albir — booking direct with us saves you up to 18% compared to Airbnb, and you'll deal with real people who actually know this area. Browse all available properties and see what's available for your dates.
Any questions about these day trips? Drop us a message — happy to give personalised recommendations based on who you're travelling with.
