Polop

If you love the Costa Blanca but also crave the peace and quiet of a traditional Spanish village then try Polop; it’s near Benidorm but feels a world away.

Famed Spanish writer Gabriel Miró Ferrer described Polop as an ‘Oasis on the Costa Blanca’. That’s even more true today than it was in Miro’s time. This pretty town is just 15 kilometers away from the bright lights and tower blocks of Benidorm but couldn’t be more different.

In Polop you’re never far from a breathtaking view or slice of history. Climb the zig zag path to the ruined castle at the top of the town and you’re rewarded with views of the sea and the Leon Dormido the famous ‘sleeping lion’ mountain. Look a little harder and you might find the cave where the military leader El Cid is said to have sheltered during the wars between the Moors and Christians.

Polop is a traditional ‘white and blue’ village of the region where you can happily spend days getting lost in its winding streets or rest in the town square and drink natural water direct from one of its 200 fonts. Take a stroll into the countryside and you’re quickly surrounded by scents of citrus, olives and almonds and, if you’re lucky, a sighting of some enchanting wildlife including eagles, wildcats and even the occasional wild boar.