Best Things to Do in Albir, Costa Blanca — A Local's Guide

If you've been Googling things to do in Albir and ended up here, consider yourself lucky — because most travel sites give you the same three bullet points and call it a day. I've lived on the Costa Blanca for ten years, and Albir is honestly one of my favourite spots on the entire coast. It sits right between the flashy Marina of Altea and the concrete sprawl of Benidorm, yet somehow manages to stay quietly charming, genuinely clean, and blissfully crowd-free compared to its neighbours — especially in May, when the weather is perfect and the summer hordes haven't arrived yet.

Here's everything worth doing in Albir, from the beach to the lighthouse, the restaurants to the hiking trails — with honest opinions from someone who actually lives nearby.

Albir Beach (Playa del Albir) — Why It Beats Most of the Coast

Let's start with the obvious. Playa del Albir is a long, wide, grey-pebble beach that stretches for about 1.5 kilometres between the town and the base of the Sierra Helada headland. It's Blue Flag certified year after year, and the water clarity here genuinely rivals anything I've seen in the Balearics. There are no jet skis, no pedalos, no loud beach bars pumping reggaeton — just sun loungers, calm turquoise water, and the occasional sailing boat drifting past.

In May the sea temperature is already around 19–20°C — perfectly swimmable for most people — and you can still get a sunbed without fighting for space. The beach has accessible walkways, clean toilets, showers, and a handful of chiringuitos where a cold Estrella Damm costs you around €2.50. My personal favourite spot is the northern end, closer to the lighthouse path, where the pebbles give way to slightly larger rocks and the water is even clearer.

Practical tip: Parking in Albir can get tight in July and August, but in May you'll almost always find a free space on Avenida de la Marina or in the streets just behind the promenade. Don't even think about driving to the Sierra Helada trailhead — park in town and walk.

Sierra Helada Natural Park — The Best Free Hike Near Benidorm

This is the one thing most visitors completely miss, and it's arguably the highlight of any trip to Albir. The Sierra Helada Natural Park is a dramatic limestone headland that juts out between Albir and Benidorm, rising to over 400 metres above sea level. The main trail from Albir to the lighthouse (Faro del Albir) is about 4 kilometres return and takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours at a relaxed pace.

The path starts at the northern end of the promenade and winds up through aromatic scrubland — wild rosemary, thyme, esparto grass — with increasingly jaw-dropping views over the bay of Altea to the north and the Benidorm skyline to the south. On a clear May morning (and most May mornings here are clear), you can see the Peñón de Ifach at Calpe and sometimes even Ibiza on the horizon.

The lighthouse itself is an early 20th-century beauty and there's usually a small colony of Hermann's tortoises living in the scrub just below it. Take water, wear proper shoes, and go early — by 11am even in May it can get warm on the exposed sections.

Cost: Completely free. One of the best free things to do in the entire Costa Blanca.

Albir Town — Eating, Drinking, and the Paseo

Albir has a genuinely lovely pedestrianised centre with a relaxed, international feel — you'll hear as much Dutch and German as Spanish, which tells you something about who discovered it years ago and kept quiet about it. The main street, Carrer Ponent, is lined with restaurants, ice cream shops, and small boutiques that are actually worth browsing.

For food, I'd point you first to La Barca del Albir near the beachfront — grilled fish, sensible prices, no tourist-trap energy. For something more casual, the terrace at La Guardia does an excellent bocadillo de calamares and a cold glass of Moriles that will set you back about €7 combined. If you're after tapas rather than a sit-down meal, walk five minutes inland to the older part of town where the local Spanish bars are still doing €1.50 tapas with every drink.

The Paseo de la Playa (the beachfront promenade) in May is magical — warm evenings, fairy lights strung through the palm trees, families out for their evening stroll. It's about 1.2 kilometres end to end and absolutely flat, making it perfect for an after-dinner walk or an early morning run.

Day Trips from Albir: Altea and Calpe

Albir's location is genuinely excellent. Altea is 10 minutes north by car and is one of the most beautiful old towns on the Costa Blanca — blue-and-white tiled church, cobbled streets, artisan shops, and some seriously good restaurants. Calpe is 20 minutes north and worth going to just to see the Peñón de Ifach, the enormous limestone rock that rises out of the sea like something from a fantasy novel. You can hike to the top with a free permit (get it online in advance).

Benidorm is 10 minutes south if you want a contrast — theme parks, beach clubs, the works. I prefer to go for one evening, eat well in the old town, and drive back to the peace of Albir.

Where to Stay in Albir — Why You Should Book Direct

Albir has a really good selection of holiday apartments and villas — mostly well-maintained, modern, and within walking distance of both the beach and the Sierra Helada trailhead. When you're looking for a holiday rental in Albir, I'd strongly recommend booking direct rather than going through the big platforms. Booking directly through JV Properties saves you up to 18% compared to Airbnb or Booking.com — that's money that stays in your holiday budget for extra dinners at La Barca or a boat trip from the marina.

Direct bookings also mean you deal with real people who know the area, can answer your questions before you arrive, and genuinely care whether you have a good time.

Best Time to Visit Albir

Honestly? May is my favourite month on the Costa Blanca. The wildflowers are still out on the Sierra Helada, the sea is warm enough to swim, the restaurants aren't overbooked, and the beach isn't crowded. June is also excellent. July and August are busy and hot (35°C+ is normal) but the resort handles it well. September and October are brilliant for hiking and beach. Even winter here is mild — January average of 17°C — and the town stays alive year-round.

Ready to plan your Albir holiday? Browse available apartments and villas in Albir and book direct to save up to 18% on your stay.