Walks from Benidorm – Albir Lighthouse

Think Benidorm is all stag parties and discos? We thought so too before we came but having spent 10 days here we’ve been able to see so much more of Benidorm town itself and the surrounding areas. There are some lovely walks in the area and whether you want to take an easy stroll or go on an athletic adventure, there is a walk suitable for everyone. Today I’ll share with you our walk up to the Albir lighthouse.

Walking to Albir Lighthouse

There is a car park, drinking fountain, information centre and WC at the start of the walk out to the Albir Lighthouse. You can follow the brown road signs up to the car park from the town, or if coming in by car, motorbike or cycling, look for the car park on Google Maps at Parking Albir Faro.

Remember to fill up your water bottles here because there isn’t any water available at the lighthouse and it can be a hot walk.

Once through the information centre, on the right you’ll see a signpost for a much harder and steeper walk that will take you right up to the top of the hill. Attempt that one if you are feeling fit and athletic and have the right footwear. Otherwise, stay straight ahead on the paved road for the easy walk to the lighthouse.

You’ll pass a nice shaded picnic area on the left hand side where you can stop and enjoy your lunch on the way in or out of the walk. It’s very popular here at the weekends, but there were still a couple of tables available when we came past.

Now you just follow the winding road up through the hills and you can’t get lost. There are some small miradors or view points just off the main way as you progress which offer stunning views of the coastline and to Albir and Altea below. The local authority has even thought to include suggested places for you to stop and get your instagram moments, and use the hashtag #InstAlbir

The first quarter or so of the walk is fairly shaded and has trees, but as you round the corner, you come to the sunny side and the plant life changes more to sun-loving and arid climate planting, with few trees and no shade. It can be HOT! Make sure you have a hat and appropriate sun protection.

Along the way, there are information boards about the plant life on the rock which are available in English, and about the small ochre mines that used to be worked here, and the history of the towers and defences of the area. You can take a small side-track off to see the remains of the mines and the buildings that were there at the time.

The walk out to the lighthouse is 2.2 km from the information center and there are markers at the one and two kilometre marks. Just when you think you are getting close, you turn a corner and find the route winds just a little further as it hugs the cliff in its roundabout way.

But eventually you find your way on the final short climb up to the lighthouse. The paved path is fairly flat most of the way with just short sections at the start and the end where it is a bit steeper. The lighthouse is unmanned and has solar panels on the roof. There is a small information board but the real reason for visiting is the stunning views.

Completed on 30 April 1863, the original approach to it was via a winding and often treacherous pathway close to the sea and only accessible by donkey or on foot.

In days gone by, when the light was oil powered, the oil had to be brought in by donkey, and the path was not paved and wide like it is today.

Look out for the fish farm, the glorious views of the coastlines of Albir and Altea and the awe inspiring rock formations that fall almost vertically into the sea. You may be lucky to see fishing boats coming home, surrounded by flocks of sea birds. Or even luckier and see a pod of dolphins that is known to frequent the area around the fish farm. Use the free telescope to check them out.

Sadly there are no refreshments at the top. It would surely be fantastic to sit and enjoy a coffee, a beer or an ice cream with that fantastic view, but it is not to be. Time to turn and make your way back the way you came along the path down to the information center. But surely there is time for one last stop and another photo before the journey home.

The walk up to the Albir lighthouse is always open. It can be hot in the summer as there isn’t much shade on the sunny side, and it’s busier at the weekends than it is mid-week. Total from carpark to the lighthouse and return is about 4.5km or 2.8miles.