Finestrat

Finestrat: Where Mountain and Sea Meet on the Costa Blanca

Finestrat is a unique gem on the Northern Costa Blanca. It combines the authentic Spanish tranquility of a historic mountain countryside with the vibrancy of a modern coastal destination.

Origin and History

Finestrat owes its name to the Latin Finis Terrae ("end of the land") or Fenestra ("window"), referencing its panoramic location and unique gap in the mountain range. Its strategic location on a ridge—offering a direct view of the Mediterranean Sea—led Iberian tribes, Romans, and later the Moors to build watchtowers here to protect the coast from pirates.

The old town (Pueblo) has preserved its traditional Moorish street layout. One of its most striking features is the casas colgantes (hanging houses), built right on the edge of the cliff face.

The Legends of Puig Campana

Rising to 1,410 meters, Puig Campana is the second-highest peak in the province of Alicante. Its most eye-catching feature is the distinctive notch at its summit, surrounding which two famous legends exist:

 Roland and the Sword Strike: According to French legend, the knight Roland engaged in battle with a Moorish leader. When the fight reached its climax at the peak, Roland swung his magical sword Durandal with such force that he struck a corner out of the mountain. The severed rock rolled into the sea and formed the island just off the coast of Benidorm (Isla de Benidorm).

 The Giant's Love: A local tale speaks of a giant living on the mountain who fell in love with a village girl. When she was struck by a curse and set to die at the last ray of sunlight, the giant struck a piece out of the mountain top with his fist to allow the sun to shine just a little longer.

Sports and Mountain Hiking

For active residents and holidaymakers, the area offers excellent sports opportunities:

 Walking & Hiking: The ascent of Puig Campana (PR-CV 289) is a classic route for experienced hikers. Additionally, there are accessible hiking trails through the Font del Molí nature reserve.

 Cycling & Road Biking: The winding mountain passes around Finestrat serve as a regular training ground for professional cycling teams.

 Water Sports & Padel: Water sports such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and jet skiing are available at La Cala. Finestrat also features several modern padel and tennis clubs.

Sights in and around Finestrat

In Finestrat:

 El Castell: The highest point of the old village, built on the remains of an ancient Moorish castle, offering panoramic views of the coastline.

 Iglesia de San Bartolomé: The 18th-century Baroque parish church.

 Font del Molí: A natural water spring at the foot of Puig Campana with picnic areas and trailheads for hiking routes.

In the Immediate Area:

 Villajoyosa: Famous for its brightly colored fishermen's houses and the artisanal Valor chocolate factory.

 Altea: The iconic artists' village featuring white cobbled alleyways and the blue-tiled dome of its church.

 Guadalest: A historic castle village built on a rock high above an emerald-green reservoir.

Beaches: La Cala de Finestrat

Finestrat boasts a unique geographical layout: although the historical town center lies in the mountains, the municipality has its own coastline. Cala de Finestrat is a sheltered sandy bay with crystal-clear waters, awarded the European Blue Flag. The beach features a lively promenade with restaurants, lounge bars, and cafés.

Accessibility, Airports, and Tram Connection

Finestrat has an excellent infrastructure via the AP-7 motorway and the N-332 main road.

 Train / TRAM Alicante: The TRAM Metropolità (Line 1 and Line 3) connects Alicante with Dénia. The La Marina / Finestrat station provides a direct connection to Alicante, Benidorm, Altea, Calpe, and Dénia.

 Distances to Airports:

 Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC): Approx. 55 km (approx. 35-40 minutes drive).

 Valencia Airport (VLC): Approx. 145 km (approx. 1 hour and 25 minutes drive).

Golf Courses

The region around Finestrat is a favored destination for golfers:

 Villaitana Golf: Two 18-hole golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus (Poniente and Levante) offering views over the Benidorm skyline.

 Altea Club de Golf & Puig Campana Golf: Shorter, challenging courses just a short drive away.

Shopping Center La Marina

Located at the foot of Finestrat is the Centro Comercial La Marina, an indoor and outdoor shopping complex. It serves as the commercial hub of the region with over 100 shops (including Zara, Mango, Massimo Dutti), a large Carrefour hypermarket, a cinema complex, fitness centers, and various dining options.

Top Restaurants

Finestrat offers culinary options ranging from traditional rice dishes to international cuisine:

 Rice Restaurant: Renowned for its gourmet paellas and modern interpretations of local dishes, set against mountain views.

 Puig Campana Restaurant: Located in the old town, specializing in traditional Spanish meat and stew dishes.

 Restaurante La Boibella (La Cala): Excellent choice for fresh seafood and Mediterranean meals by the beach.

Weekly Markets in the Region

In and around Finestrat, you can enjoy charming local weekly markets almost every day of the week. On Fridays, there is the cozy village market in Finestrat Pueblo (Plaça de la Unió Europea), while on Tuesdays and Saturdays, a market takes place by the sea at La Cala de Finestrat (Carrer Tramuntana). The neighboring towns are equally lively: Villajoyosa holds its market on Thursdays, Altea on Tuesdays, Calpe on Saturdays, and Benidorm on Wednesdays and Sundays. For those who enjoy a Sunday stroll, the large and popular weekly market in El Albir (Alfaz del Pi) is a must-visit.

Healthcare & Hospitals

Medical facilities around Finestrat are among the finest in the region:

 Hospital Marina Baixa (Villajoyosa): The main public hospital, less than a 10-minute drive away.

 Hospital HCB Benidorm & Hospital IMED Levante: Private hospitals featuring multilingual medical teams (including Dutch- and English-speaking doctors).

Residents: Locals, Expats, and Tourists

Finestrat is home to a dynamic mix of residents:

 Locals: Residing mostly in the historic village center, preserving traditional Spanish lifestyle and festivities.

 International Residents: Modern villa and apartment developments (such as Sierra Cortina, Camporrosso Village, and Balcón de Finestrat) attract an international community, mainly from Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, and Scandinavia.

 Tourists: Along the coast (La Cala), the population is more seasonal, whereas the inland areas offer a stable year-round living environment.

Holidays, Living, and Investing

 Holidays: Finestrat offers the ideal combination of peace, beach, nature, and close proximity to vibrant cities like Benidorm and Alicante.

 Year-Round Living: Thanks to outstanding healthcare facilities, international schools, shopping centers, and a mild microclimate (boasting over 300 days of sunshine per year), it provides a comfortable setting to live all year round.

 Investing: Real estate in Finestrat has shown strong and steady appreciation over recent years. Given the high demand for both permanent residences and luxury holiday rentals, new-build and modern properties offer attractive yield potential.

Whether you are looking for your dream home, wish to rent a worry-free holiday property, or seek professional management for your real estate: our team at ImmoMoment is at your service at our local office in Camporrosso Village (Carrer de Colombia 4, Bloque Altea Planta Baja C) to assist you with sales, rentals, and Property Management.