Getting there
Fly into the main regional gateway for Valencian Community. Reserve airport pick-up or the fastest train link into the centre.
Itinerary · Valencian Community · 5 days
5 days in Valencian Community · the essential route
Valencian Community in 5 days — hubs, beaches and bookable tours
A 5-day plan to see the best of Valencian Community without wasting time on transfers. Each day pairs one hub with the sights worth queueing for, a beach or excursion for the afternoon, restaurants worth booking and 1–2 Viator tours that fit the rhythm of the day.
- Ideal for
- First-time visitors · slow travellers
- When
- May–June and September–early October
- Budget
- 1100–1900 € per person (accommodation + tours, excluding flights)
- Duration
- 5 days · 4 noches
Getting around
Rent a car for inter-hub transfers; use taxis inside town centres.
Where to sleep
Split your nights across the hubs listed below, one to two nights per base to avoid check-in fatigue.
Trip index
5 days, día por día
Day 1
Valencia — Paella's birthplace
Day 2Alicante — Santa Bárbara castle over the Explanada and 7 km of urban beach
Day 3Benidorm — The Manhattan of the Med and Spain's original resort
Day 4Altea — White-washed Costa Blanca village crowned by a blue-tile dome
Day 5Calpe (Calp) — Home of the Peñón de Ifach
Day 01
Valencia — Paella's birthplace
Sleep in · Valencia
Day 1 centred on Valencia. Paella's birthplace, Calatrava's futurist city and 300 sunny days. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Valencia: Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias and Cathedral & Holy Grail chapel.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Malvarrosa (or Las Arenas if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Ricard Camarena (2★) (back-up: El Poblet (2★)).
Where to eat
- Ricard Camarena (2★)
- El Poblet (2★)
- Casa Carmela (wood-fired paella)
Bookable for day 1 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 02
Alicante — Santa Bárbara castle over the Explanada and 7 km of urban beach
Sleep in · Alicante
Day 2 centred on Alicante. Santa Bárbara castle over the Explanada and 7 km of urban beach. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Alicante: Castillo de Santa Bárbara and Barrio de Santa Cruz.
Afternoon
Afternoon at San Juan (7 km) (or Postiguet (city) if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Monastrell (1★) (back-up: Baeza & Rufete).
Where to eat
- Monastrell (1★)
- Baeza & Rufete
- Dársena
Bookable for day 2 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 03
Benidorm — The Manhattan of the Med and Spain's original resort
Sleep in · Benidorm
Day 3 centred on Benidorm. The Manhattan of the Med and Spain's original resort. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Benidorm: Balcón del Mediterráneo and Sierra Helada natural park.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Levante (or Poniente if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Ulía (back-up: La Cava Aragonesa).
Where to eat
- Ulía
- La Cava Aragonesa
- Aitona
Bookable for day 3 · Viator
2 recommended tours
Day 04
Altea — White-washed Costa Blanca village crowned by a blue-tile dome
Sleep in · Altea
Day 4 centred on Altea. White-washed Costa Blanca village crowned by a blue-tile dome. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Altea: Casco Antiguo & Iglesia de la Virgen del Consuelo and Plaza de la Iglesia sunsets.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Cap Negret (pebbles) (or La Roda if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at El Cranc (back-up: Bacus).
Where to eat
- El Cranc
- Bacus
- Oustau
Day 05
Calpe (Calp) — Home of the Peñón de Ifach
Sleep in · Calpe (Calp)
Day 5 centred on Calpe (Calp). Home of the Peñón de Ifach — the Rock of the Costa Blanca. Sleep locally to make the most of the evening light and beat the morning coach parties.
Morning
Morning in Calpe (Calp): Peñón de Ifach natural park (332 m) and Baños de la Reina Roman ruins.
Afternoon
Afternoon at Arenal-Bol (family) (or La Fossa (Levante) if the wind turns).
Evening
Evening drinks and dinner at Beat (1★) (back-up: Audrey's (1★)).
Where to eat
- Beat (1★)
- Audrey's (1★)
- El Bodegón
Before leaving home
Packing and logistics tips
- 01Layer for cool mornings and hot midday sun
- 02Book restaurants and top-tier tours 2–3 weeks ahead
- 03Comfortable walking shoes — most old towns are cobbled
- 04A small day-pack for water, sunscreen and a light shell
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