La Marina Baixa

Published on Wednesday 29th of June, 2005

Containing the highest mountain ranges in the province and sharp climatic contrasts, La Marina Baixa has both beautiful beaches and coastline plus scenic peaks and valleys.

The road near the peak of Aitana
The road leading to the peak at Aitana, the tallest mountain in the province of Alicante. The writing on the road is leftover from the Vuelta a España, the national bike race that regularily passes through the Costa Blanca.

La Marina Baja (Baixa in Valencian) is a blessed area of the Costa Blanca, as it hosts some of the nicest beaches and at the same time some of the more spectacular mountain scenery.

Tourists and More Tourists!

It is therefore quite understandable that tourism is the primary industry in this area.

Benidorm

No where is this more evident in the cosmopolitan city of Benidorm, where the beaches mix with the hustle and bustle of the inner streets and markets, and the din of many languages fills the air.

Polop and La Nucia

The attractions don't stop in Benidorm, however, as places like Polop and La Nucia, with it's large Sunday market and pottery shops tend to lure people away from the coastline.

Going Inland

A mountain village.
A picture of the small village of Alcoleja, taken while descending the north-west side of Aitana.

Moving inland from Benidorm, up past Polop and La Nucia you begin to work your way further into the mountains on narrow (but comfortable) winding mountain roads towards places like Guadalest, where you will find el Castell de Guadalest, a castle built into a narrow ridge from which there are spectacular views of the valley to the north.

Through the rest of the interior you will find much of the same - charming little mountain villages spotting the landscape.

Chocolat, Anyone?

If you work your way south from the inland villages and valleys, you will eventually make your way back to the coast and to the capital of La Marina Baja, La Villa Joiosa, a city famous for it's chocolat.