Finestrat (Alicante, Spain): Everything You Need to Know Before Moving

1. Map and Location of Finestrat

Finestrat is located 8 km north of Benidorm, 40 km from Alicante and 50 km from Alicante-Elche Airport. The old town sits at 267 metres above sea level. The municipality covers 42.5 km2 with a 267-metre coastline, including Cala de Finestrat cove.

Puig Campana mountain reaches 1,410 metres. The Terra Mitica theme park occupies part of the municipality’s territory.

• Province: Alicante
• Population: 6,381
• Area: 42.25 km2
• Elevation: 238 m
• Time zone: Central European Standard Time

Airport Transfer

Transfer providers: ShuttleDirect, BeniConnect, Hoppa.

Prices:

• Standard bus: 6-8 euros per person
• Express bus with minimal stops: 14-16 euros per person
• Private transfer: approximately 70 euros per person
• Distance: 50-60 km, approximately 1 hour travel time

Car rental: approximately 10 companies operate directly at Alicante Airport.

Old Town of Finestrat

• Historic Quarter. Finestrat is one of many charming villages on the Costa Blanca coast preserving traditional house structures. These houses literally hang on the hillside of the historic centre, creating a unique appearance.

• Church of San Bartolome. Construction likely began in the mid-17th century. The church is built in Baroque style, though its facade is quite plain and austere due to early Neoclassical influence.

• El Castell (The Castle). At the town’s highest point stands this fortified Almohad-era castle, conquered by James I.

• Hermitage of Santisimo Cristo del Remedio. Located at the castle site since 1924.

• La Torre (The Tower). Declared a Cultural Heritage Site, located near the town centre. This tower is a fortified Almohad-era structure built in the 12th century.

Cities Near Finestrat

2. Weather and Climate in Finestrat

Mediterranean climate with cool sea breezes in summer, sheltered from cold northern winds in winter by mountains.

• Over 3,000 sunshine hours per year
• Average annual temperature: just above 20 C
• Recognised by WHO as “one of the best in the world” (1986)
• On average 325 sunny days per year

Temperature data:

• Hottest month (August): average 25.3 C
• Coldest month (January): average 10 C
• Most rainy days (January): approximately 13 days
• Driest month (July): approximately 4 rainy days

Average Sea Temperature

• Coldest months (February-March): approximately 14 C
• Warmest month (August): 26-27 C
• Swimming season: May to October

3. Hotels in Finestrat

Five-Star Hotel

Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa (Golf Bahia area)

• Average price: 250-350 euros per night
• 5 minutes from Terra Mitica
• Thai spa centre on site

Three-Star Options (Pueblo area)

Average price: 90 euros per night.

Hotels: La Morena, Nature Suits, Casa Rural, Casa Puig, La Plantacion.

Hotels in La Cala Area

• Magic Tropical Splash - apart-hotel at 100-150 euros, excellent for families offering ultra all-inclusive service.
• Hotel La Cala - popular 2-star hotel, average price 40-50 euros per night.
• Hotel Tropic Relax - 3-star hotel at 50-60 euros per night.
• Hotel Medsur Alone - also 3-star, approximately 50-60 euros depending on season.
• Gran Hotel Bali - upscale 4-star hotel at 200-300 euros. Located between Finestrat and Benidorm.

4. Leisure and Recreation

Go-Karting in Finestrat

• Session duration: 10 minutes
• Track length: 1,260 m, width: 10 m
• Price: approximately 30 euros per person
• Maximum speed: up to 110 km/h
• Small restaurant on site
• Children’s track for young racers
• Bubble football (unique to this area)
• Free playground with bouncy castles, football and basketball courts, slides
• Free taxi: +34 965-972-227 or +34 671-038-202

Golf Clubs

1. Puig Campana Golf (Finestrat)

• 18 or 9-hole course
• Winter hours: 8:00-19:30
• Summer hours: 7:30-20:30
• New facility with thoughtful infrastructure and restaurant

2. Melia Villaitana (Benidorm)

• Two golf courses (Mediterranean and American styles)
• Buggy included
• Higher price segment

3. Las Rejas Benidorm

• Ideal for learning golf
• Best value for money
• Located in Benidorm

Jet Skis

Hire on the western beach:

• Route to Benidorm Island: 75 euros for two, 30-minute ride
• Routes to Sierra Helada and other coves: 125-175 euros, 60-90 minute rides

5. Best Beaches of Finestrat

1. Cala de Finestrat

• Length: 300 metres
• Average width: 51 metres
• Golden sandy beach
• Suitable for families with children (no steep drop-off, safe for toddlers)
• Parking
• Numerous restaurants and cafes
• Children’s playgrounds
• Wide range of water sports

2. Raco del Conill

• Length: 160 metres
• Average width: 4 metres
• Nudist beach
• Located between Finestrat and Villajoyosa
• Wild, unequipped
• Steps for descent and parking available
• Scenic surroundings

3. Playa del Torres

• Length: 560 metres
• Average width: 10 metres
• Rocky beach
• Water sports: kayaking, SUP, windsurfing, diving
• Near Villajoyosa’s main square
• Parking

6. Restaurants, Bars and Cuisine

Traditional Dishes

• Arros amb fesols i naps - rice with beans and chard
• Coca gira - savoury pie with vegetables, sausage or fish
• Tarongetes - a type of meatball

Venues in La Cala Area

Avenida Marina Baixa:

• Bar 56 - British and Spanish cuisine at affordable prices
• HAI BIN restaurante - Asian cuisine
• Restaurante Peter - local cuisine, specialising in paella
• Taperia Ayala - tapas and drinks
• Hamburgueseria Yenco - fast food
• Cafeteria Marina - seafront
• Waterfront Bar and Grill - seafront
• Puig Campana restaurante - the most expensive restaurant, best selection of Spanish seafood dishes

Venues in Finestrat Pueblo

Calle Puig Campana:

• Serena’s - bar/pub
• Pizzorante MangiaRe - Italian
• Paradiso Autentica - Italian

Avenida Benidorm:

• La Barra - Spanish
• Pizzeria Ohlala - Italian

Premium Restaurant

Rice Restaurante (Sierra Cortina urbanisation)

• Best restaurant in the Finestrat area
• Michelin-star chefs: Kiko Moya and Alberto Redrado
• Alberto Redrado - Spain’s best sommelier
• Price range: 30-60 euros per person

7. Shopping

Commercial Zone

Between La Cala and Sierra Cortina along the CV-767 road lies a huge commercial zone with numerous stores: Leroy Merlin, Carrefour, El Corte Ingles Outlet and others.

La Marina de Finestrat Shopping Centre:

• European mass-market brands
• Restaurants
• Repair services
• Car wash

Traditional Market

• Address: Calle L’Hort, Finestrat Pueblo area
• Day: Friday
• Hours: 8:00-13:00
• Open year-round
• Goods: clothing, shoes, accessories, fruits, vegetables

Additional Shopping

In La Cala zone: souvenir and other shops along Avenida Finestrat and Avenida Marina Baixa.

For a wider selection, nearby Benidorm provides extensive options.

8. Other Activities

La Font del Moli

Finestrat’s main water source. Usage rules were adopted in 1926. 15 pipes can pump 20 litres per second. Hiking trails and Puig Campana viewing excursions start from here.

Puig Campana

• Height: 1,410 metres
• One of the iconic landmarks of the Costa Blanca
• Ideal for experiencing nature in its pristine state
• Popular among hiking and outdoor enthusiasts

Els Castellets

• An iconic rocky ridge
• Located between Finestrat and the Xarquer Ravine
• Hiking trails and rock climbing
• Professional-level routes
• Picnic area at the foot of the mountain

Theme Parks

Terra Mitica Theme Park:

• Roller coasters and water rides
• Children’s entertainment

Adjacent parks:

• Terra Natura - zoo
• Aqua Natura - water park

9. Property Types in Finestrat: Houses, Villas and Apartments

Average price per square metre: approximately 2,100 euros.

Property Examples

La Cala de Finestrat

A quiet area despite high seasonal tourist traffic. A large seaside park with a palm boulevard. Nearby restaurants, cafes, shops and supermarkets. A commercial zone with well-known brands. Predominantly high-rise residential buildings with private recreation areas and pools.

• Studios from 80,000 euros
• 2-bedroom apartments from 130,000 euros
• Townhouses approximately 300,000 euros
• New-build properties near the beach

Sierra Cortina

The symbol of luxury on the Costa Blanca.

Security:

• 24-hour CCTV
• 24-hour concierge at the entrance
• Comparable infrastructure is difficult to find elsewhere on the Costa Blanca

Amenities:

• RICE Restaurant (Michelin-star chef)
• Spa centre with multiple saunas
• Indoor pool and massage services
• Sports complex with gym
• Yoga and tennis club

Golf Bahia

Part of the Sierra Cortina zone, a sub-urbanisation.

• Excellent infrastructure and service
• Located closer to the sea than the main Sierra Cortina area
• Unmatched nature, excellent ecology, tranquillity
• Proximity to four beaches
• Hypermarkets nearby
• Convenient access to the AP-7 motorway

Balcon de Finestrat - Terra Marina

• Located on the left side of the CV-767 road
• Twice the area of luxury zones
• Lower price category compared to gated urbanisations
• Same advantages as luxury areas
• Good value for money
• New villas/townhouses: 400,000-700,000 euros
• New apartments in residences: 150,000-300,000 euros

Finestrat Pueblo

• Typical Spanish fincas (country houses)
• Mountain and sea views
• Rural lifestyle appeal
• Resale apartments: 50,000-150,000 euros
• Limited demand from foreign buyers in this category
• For investment, new residential complexes closer to Sierra Cortina are recommended

10. Conclusion

Finestrat offers a rich programme of cultural and entertainment events every month. Summer performances take place on beaches and in the Castell auditorium.

The cosmopolitan charm of Finestrat’s coves - a family beach destination - perfectly combines with the tranquillity of mountain peaks and pristine nature.

Visit Finestrat - you will surely fall in love with it and may even want to buy a holiday home here.