Four Castles High Above the City and With Fabulous Views

In places like the climb to some castles and the trekking in the hills of the Sierra Mariola, you need to wear comfortable shoes and sun cream, especially if you visit in summer when temperatures are over 30 degrees Celsius.

First stop on the two-day route. Park the car and walk five minutes to the first castle.

Small castle that conserves its triangular tower and part of its walls. In addition to these vestiges of the Almohad period, it is worth mentioning the curious construction of the sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena, located right next door.
Its builder based himself on Gaudí's architecture to build this religious site with reliefs.
Open Hours: Every day: 10:00 - 14:00; 16:00 - 19:00. After visiting the castle, return to the car park in a few minutes to continue to Sax.

At the top of the village and on a hill, the keep of the castle of Sax is the main vestige that remains of this fortress, together with part of the walls and defensive towers.
Although it is not possible to access the interior of the castle, it is possible to cross the difference in level between the fortress and the hermitage of San Blas by means of metal stairs and get a close-up view of the imposing outer walls.
You can park your car next to the hermitage, at the base of the castle.

Are you ready to see one of the best preserved castles in the interior of Alicante? Leave your car in this parking and walk a few minutes to get to the old fortress.

It is the best preserved castle on the whole route and watches over the town of Villena from above. As it can be seen today, it combines the original construction made by the Arabs, visible in the interior wall and the base of the tower of homage, with the improvements introduced during the Christian reconquest. . This castle was used not only as a fortification. Inside are preserved paintings made by prisoners when the place functioned as a prison.
Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 - 14:00. Also, Tuesday to Saturday: 16:00 - 18:00. Guided tours are available by reservation at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30 and 16:30. Please book by email at villena@touristinfo.net.

Modern and elegant restaurant offering a wide variety of menus, especially the menu villenero (local dishes).
Among its delicacies are starters such as longaniza sausage, black pudding, fried cheese with tomato and other cold meats. Gazpacho is another of their classics.
Open Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 13:00 - 17:00. Also, Friday and Saturday: 20:00 - 0:00.
After lunch with local dishes, return to the parking, pick up the car and continue the route.

Arrival at the small village of Bañeres, on the edge of the Mariola hill. A place to visit the castle and take a walk through nature.

Crowning the village of Bañeres, the castle stands on the top of a hill, forming a picture postcard setting next to the historic centre.
Smaller than the castles visited previously, it houses the Festero Museum with typical costumes from the region's fiestas. In addition, the history of the castle is explained together with a model of its original construction.
Opening days and times vary according to the time of year. Consult the official Bañeres Tourism website.
After visiting the castle, it takes about 10 minutes to walk to the parking to pick up the car.

It's time for a bit of nature, doing a little trekking. Leave the car behind, stretch your legs and start.

A footpath area that runs alongside the Vinalopó river with picnic areas, pools of water and small waterfalls.
It has two hiking routes of low physical difficulty to do: the route of the old water mills, ideal to do with children, and the route of the viewpoints. In either case, you will be accompanied by the gentle sound of the riverbed.
After enjoying the natural surroundings, it is time to return to the car and have dinner.

Specialists in grilled food, you have the possibility of eating meat, sausages, seafood or grilled vegetables.
It is a simple restaurant with exceptional service and long opening hours to enjoy its dishes.
Open Hours: Monday to Wednesday: 5:30 - 17:00. Thursday and Friday: 5:30 - 0:00. Saturday and Sunday: 6:00 - 0:00.

Ideal for sleeping in a rural setting and waking up to the sound of birds. The cottages are equipped with everything you need: kitchen, fireplace and TV.
Its style of construction in stone and wooden beams gives it a great charm. In summer, there is an outdoor swimming pool to cool off and sunbathe.