El Campello: Coast, Culture and Hotels

El Campello offers several ways to shape your stay: a 23-kilometre coastline with beaches, cliffs and small coves, archaeological remains and a fishing quarter. When looking for a hotel in El Campello, consider whether beaches, cultural history, seaside walks or local cuisine will define your stay.

Coast, beaches and routes

Platja de Muchavista is 3,300 metres long and known for its fine, golden sand. It also has an accessible beach area for people with reduced mobility; check the current accessibility facilities before your visit. At Platja de Muchavista, you can go windsurfing, stroll or run along a promenade that is more than three kilometres long.

Another stretch of coastline can be explored along the Paseo Marítimo, which runs through El Campello’s fishing quarter and is about a kilometre and a half long. The Paseo de Voramar de les Escultures begins at the foot of the Torre de la Illeta and follows the coast to Playa de la Almadraba. Along the way, the sculptures “La bañista” and “Niña leyendo” by Vicente Ferrero form part of the landscape. They are dedicated to women and integrated into the landscape. Accessible and inclusive information panels were developed in collaboration with MARQ and the Instituto de Ecología Litoral.

Those interested in routes in the municipality can explore the local SL-CV 93 hiking trail in the les Puntes de Gosàlvez area. It is considered a viewpoint with impressive coastal views and forms part of the municipality’s natural and ethnological heritage. The “Los Baños de la Reina” underwater route begins at the northern end of Illeta dels Banyets and is intended for visitors who wish to dive.

Archaeology and architectural history

Illeta dels Banyets lies on a former island that was connected to the coastal area of El Campello by an artificial isthmus. The archaeological remains tell the story of several periods of settlement: they range from the Bronze Age and an Iberian settlement to a Roman villa and Islamic artefacts from sporadic medieval settlement. The Roman period includes small baths and fish tanks cut into the rock and connected to the sea.

The Torre de la Illeta also reflects the area’s coastal history. It was built in 1557 as a coastal defence against attacks by Berber pirates. Visits without a guide are not permitted; check the guided tour calendar at the tourist office before planning a visit.

Further architectural and artistic history can be found in various places. The parish church, dedicated to Saint Teresa, was built in 1849 and later extended, while retaining its original character. The Ermita de la Virgen del Carmen was built in 1960 with donations from local fishermen. Its tiled altarpiece depicts the Virgin as “Stella Maris”.

Gardens, culture and local cuisine

The gardens of Villa Marco were laid out in the early 20th century under René Bardin and given a modernist style influenced by French colonial art. They are divided into five areas: the Arab garden, historic garden, entrance garden, Mediterranean garden and pine grove. The artworks there include two sculptures by Vicente Bañuls, who was born in Alicante: “La Noche” and “La Marsellesa”.

For exhibitions and culture, the Casa de Cultura has an auditorium, exhibition spaces and the FAMEC collection museum. Check the current programme before visiting. Local cuisine is also part of the experience: restaurants in El Campello serve traditional dishes such as Caldero campellero, arroz a banda, fideuà and bollitori; offerings may vary from restaurant to restaurant.

La Lonja’s fish auction offers a special connection to the fishing industry. According to tourist information, it is open to the public year-round; please note that biological closures may apply. From Monday to Friday, around 6 pm, the catch from fishing boats in El Campello is placed in trays and auctioned. The timing may vary depending on fishing activity. Visitors can bid.

Plan your journey

The modern tram connects El Campello with Alicante every 30 minutes. Check the current timetable before travelling.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Coveta Fuma, San Fulgencio, Penàguila, Lorcha, Granja De Rocamora, Benifato, Benimarfull, Montesol

Back to the main travel overview: Alicante.