5. The Frontier of Fear Castle Route

Fear of pirates, as well as the desire to fill the coast with settlements in order to establish a population and dissuade a possible invasion, made up the reasons which drove the establishment of some of the most emblematic municipalities of the Mediterranean zone.

Villajoyosa, Benidorm, Altea, Calpe, Xàbia, and Dénia were born as “poblas novas” – founded by the Christian monarchs to establish a sense of cohesion, colonize territory, and construct a seaside border which would be characterized by defense towers and forts.

Today, that stone legacy which once served as a means of defense against Arabic invasion and as an antidote against society’s general fear is yet another reason for visitors to enjoy the charm of a unique coast where the sea and the mountains abruptly converge. Numerous coastal paths offer routes and access to these fortified monuments, while historic city centers make the walls and castles within their boundaries available to travelers who wish to understand the origin of said cities. There is no lack of routes for one to escape to remote, seaside valleys. In a matter of minutes you can access the fortified heart of charming rural settlements such as Guadalest, Polop, the Bernia Mountain Range, Relleu, and Confrides.

El Campello: La Torre del Barranc d'Aigues.

Villajoyosa: La Torre del Xarco, La Torre de Aquiló, Murallas de Villajoyosa.

Relleu: Castillo de Relleu.

Finestrat: Castillo de Finestrat.

Benidorm: Castillo de Benidorm, Torre Les Caletes.

Polop: Castillo de Polop.

El Castell de Guadalest: Castillo de Guadalest.

Confrides: Castillo de Confrides o de Aljofra.

L'Alas del Pi: Torre Bombarda.

Altea: Baluarte y Murallas de Altea, Fuerte de Bernia.

Calpe: El Castellet de Calpe, Pobla medieval de Ifach, Murallas de Calpe.

Teulada-Moraira: Fortín de Moraira, Torre vigía de Cap d'Or.

Xábia: Iglesia fortificada de Xàbia, Murallas de Xábia, Torre Ambolo, Torre Portitxol, Torre de la Granadella.

Dénia: Castillo de Dénia, Murallas de Dénia, Torre del Gerro, Torre del Palmar o de la Almadrava.

El Verger: Palacio de Medinaceli.

Pego: Castell d'Ambra, Murallas.

L'Atzúbia: Castell de Forna.

Murla: Castillo de Murla.

Alcalalí: Torre de Alcalalí.

Castell de Castells: Castillo de Castell de Castells.

Map

You can't miss...

	Natural Parks There’s a little bit of everything. Marshes, like the Pego-Oliva, mountains in front of the sea, like Peñón de Ifach, Montgó, or Serra Gelada, and marine reserves, like San Antonio Marine Reserve.
	Tourism resources Benidorm and its variety of hotel and leisure activities includes theme parks and animal parks. Castell de Guadalest, the historic center of Altea; Xàbia and its lookout points, Dénia, Calpe and the La Marina Valleys.
	Gastronomic offer Dénia’s red prawn lights up a sky in which Michelin Stars abound. We mustn’t forget the suquet de peix, the rices, the salazones, the cocas, and the figatells.
	Typical products Villajoyosa Chocolate, the salazones, mistela de Xaló and Muscat wine, los Callosa plumbs, cherries from La Vall de Laguar and La Vall d’Ebo.
	Beachs Levante and Poniente, in Benidorm, are the most common; however, Granadella, in Xàbia, Moraig, in Benitatxell, Les Rotes, in Dénia, and Solsida, in Altea, give a more private experience.

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