Places of interest close to Can Elisa
Feast your eyes!
PLACES OF INTEREST
The direct surroundings of Can Elisa are characterized by the breathtaking landscape with unspoiled mountain ranges and within driving distance you will find several attractions that you should not miss when you stay at Can Elisa.
MOUNTAIN RANGE SIERRA THE BERNIA & FORT BERNIA
The Sierra de Bernia is an eleven kilometer long mountain range in Alicante and forms the backdrop of Altea and Albir. The chain is part of the Cordilleras Béticas and extends east-west, close to the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a hikers heaven: the Sierra de Bernia offers various hiking trails for both beginners and experienced hikers. You can walk to vantage points from where you have beautiful views of the mountainous surroundings. In total Sierra de Bernia has an area of 1900 hectares. The highest point of the mountain range is 1,128 meters above sea level.
On the south side of the mountain range is the Fortress of Bèrnia, at an altitude of 803 meters. The fort was built by the Italian architect Juan Bautista Antonella in 1562 – commissioned by Philip II of Spain – and functioned as a place to protect the coastline from attack by pirates and prevent any Moorish uprisings. After the Moors were expelled in 1609, the fort was no longer used from 1612 and destroyed because of inefficiency. A ruin remained, of which a few rooms and bastions are still visible. P>
COLL DE RATES
The viewpoint ‘Coll de Rates’ is located in Sierra del Carrascal, seven kilometers from Tàrbena. The summit is 750 meters above sea level. From this point you have a beautiful view of the Vall de Pop and the Mediterranean Sea. You can even see the island of Ibiza on a clear day. On top of Coll de Rates you will find a restaurant where you can eat delicious apple pie.
GUADELEST
Tucked away in the mountains of the Costa Blanca and a 40 minute drive from Tàrbena, lies the more than one thousand year old village of Guadalest. It is a one and a half hour drive from the towns of Benidorm and Altea and the route there is beautiful. You drive by car on winding and climbing roads and can regularly enjoy beautiful views. The village has about two hundred inhabitants, consists of a maze of small alleys and has an atmospheric market place. You can also visit two museums. The town is mainly known for El Castell de Guadalest castle.
For many years El Castell de Guadalest was an important defense point for the Moors against the Spaniards and is now a castle ruin from the 11th century. The ‘hanging castle’ can only be reached through a tunnel through the rocks and towers above the rocks like an eagle’s nest.
LES FONTS DE L’ALGAR
At fifteen kilometers from the city of Benidorm and eight kilometers from Tàrbena are the beautiful waterfalls of Les Fonts de l’Algar. The area has been declared a protected area by the government of Valencia and is characterized by the crystal clear water and the surrounding hiking trails. These trails are a total of one and a half kilometers long and lead you along the river Algar, the waterfalls and the natural pools. You can also follow a route to Fort de Bèrnia; this takes you to, among other things, old plots and a cave that used to be used as a resting place for cattle. Fancy a refreshing swim? That’s possible! The natural pools of Les Fonts de l’Algar are known as ‘source of health’ and you can swim between the tourists and the locals. The water is cold, but very refreshing. P>
EL PEÑON DE IFACH
In the heart of the province of Alicante and nestled in the mountains lies Tàrbena. A small village with winding narrow streets, views and a number of natural water sources. Tàrbena is surrounded by almond groves and there is a peaceful atmosphere. Between January and March the mountains around Tàrbena color white and pink because then the almond trees are full of flowers with blossoms. The area is ideal for all kinds of activities, such as hiking, cycling, photographing and spotting birds.