Finestrat - A real paradise on the Costa Blanca

Finestrat town in Spain - Guide to Spain

Finestrat is a green city located between Costa Blanca and the mountains in the province of Alicante, Valencian Autonomous Community. This is one of the quietest corners of Valencia and the most attractive place on the sunny coast.

Climate

One of the main reasons of Finestrat’s attractiveness is the local climate — 320 sunny days a year. In addition, it is not hot in summer and not cold in winter. The average annual air temperature here is +18 degrees. A low-level piny mountain protects the sandy coast from cold winds, so even in winter you can meet leisure travellers on the beach. It is not for nothing that in 1986, the World Health Organization recommended the local climate as "one of the most favourable for living and recreation."

Location

The location of Finestrat is really unique. Covering an area of 43 km2, the city is protected from cold winds by the mountains and hills covered with pine forests. It's hardly ever cloudy here. And rains are a very rare occasion. The average annual air temperature is + 19℃. The climate here is like something from a fairy tale – 320 days a year are sunny. An incredible number of green parks with long alleys for walks, lots of protected areas with unique plants and trees make Finestrat a really special city. Not for nothing (in 1986) The World Health Organisation has named the local climate "one of the most favourable in the world for living and recreation."

Finestrat is actually a suburb of the famous city of Benidorm, its elite area. Therefore, most tourists and guests practically do not distinguish these two cities. But if Benidorm is completely focused on tourism and is famous for constant noisy parties and entertainment, Finestrat is just the opposite. It is a city of tranquillity, silence, solitude and is designed for permanent living. The length of the sunny coastline near Finestrat is about 7 km. At the same time, all the main beaches are covered with high-quality sand and marked with "blue flags of UNESCO" for their impeccable cleanliness and well-developed infrastructure.

• Playa de Poniente,
• Playa de Levante,
• Playa de Mal Pas

They are cleaned daily with the help of special equipment. There are also three small rocky coves, where you can dive - Cala de Finestrat, Cala L'Almadrava and Cala del Ti Ximo. They are well located on the mountainous terrain, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. And the water temperature in the summer is about 27°C. A couple of kilometres from the coast there is an uninhabited island named Isla de Benidorm with several semi-wild beaches.

Infrastructure

A huge advantage of Finestrat, both for life and for recreation, is its excellent infrastructure. Both in Finestrat itself and in Benidorm, there is everything needed for a comfortable life: lots of bars and restaurants with diverse cuisine, large shopping and entertainment centres, beauty salons, sports grounds, fitness centres, kindergartens, schools, and much more.  There is even its own cultural centre.

If you want to try the authentic Spanish cuisine, we recommend visiting the famous Tapa Street - Calle Santo Domingo in Benidorm. Numerous cosy cafes, bars and small restaurants will definitely impress the true foodies. A few minutes’ drive from the city, there is one of the largest shopping and entertainment complexes of the Valencian community - the famous Centro Comercial La Marina. About 100 branded stores under one roof. Yes, Spain is famous for its shopping! 10-15 minutes away from the city there are many amusement parks, water parks and zoos:

• Terra Natura
• Aqua Natura
• Callosa d´en Sarriа
• Safari Aitana

There is also Aqualandia here - the biggest water park in Spain and one of the biggest ones in Europe. On the area of 150 thousand m2 you will find many water rides, both for kids and adults, that will turn one day of your life to an endless festivity. Do you like speed or Formula-1? Go Karting Finestrat offers various possibilities to feel as if you are a real pro racer. But one of the largest amusement parks in Spain and Europe, Terra Mitica (translated as "Land of Myths"), deserves special attention. More than 20 huge theme attractions on the area of 100 hectares will literally plunge you into the world of myths, where legends come to life.

Also, you can easily arrange a real holiday for your children, thanks to the huge number of various playgrounds that are scattered all along the coast.
The city also has well-established transport links with other cities of Costa Blanca. Since the A7 highway passes near Finestrat, it is convenient to travel by car to other cities in Spain and Europe from here. And Alicante International Airport is only 35 minutes (55 km) away.

Sports

Finestrat will undoubtedly please fans of active lifestyle, since you can do outdoor sports here all year round. Running, cycling, and there are lots of tennis courts and football pitches. The city also offers its tourists excellent golf locations. One of the best golf clubs of Costa Blanca, with two 18-hole golf courses, recognized by the Spanish Professional Golf Association (PGA of Spain) is located here. It is not for nothing that the region is known as a paradise for the fans of this sport and attracts golfers from all over the world. 10-15 minutes’ drive towards Benidorm, there are the best ports of Costa Blanca and several yacht clubs that will delight true water sports fans: windsurfing, kiting, sailing and much more.

And of course, a bright underwater world that will give you an unforgettable diving experience. Another signature feature of Finestrat is its picturesque mountain hiking trails. A walk through the pine nature reserve, especially at sunset or dawn, will be one of your most vivid memories of the city. The views from here are simply stunning. But if you prefer a quieter kind of rest, we suggest taking a walk along the amazing embankment, walking through the Natural Serra Gelada Park and enjoying the incredible atmosphere of a real resort town.

Population

According to the official data in 2022, about 7 thousand people live on a small area of 43 km2. The population of Finestrat has almost doubled over the past 20 years, thanks to the interest in these places of foreigners from the UK, France and Northern Europe. According to the census, they make up 44% of the city population.
Medical care here is at top level. There are both private and public clinics nearby with multilingual doctors. According to the World Health Organisation, Spanish medicine today confidently ranks fourth on the planet – this is the best indicator within the European Union. It is no coincidence that the average life expectancy in the region reaches as high as 84 years.

Food

Finestrat's economy relies on the harvest of oranges, olives, medlar, and almonds, which are successfully grown here.

If you want to buy some fresh vegetables and juicy fruits, nuts, farm cheeses, jamon, and much more, you can have a 10 minutes’ drive from Finestrat and visit a local coastline market operating on Saturdays and Tuesdays.

Healthy lifestyle fans can also purchase various organic products at the local Ecorganic market. So, if you favour healthy diet, Finestrat will undoubtedly delight you.

Attractions

Finestrat is located at the foot of El Puig Campana Mountain and can be figuratively divided into 2 areas – old town and new town. The Old City is built on the ruins of ancient civilizations, in the shadow of mountains, with incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea. It attracts people with its narrow streets, colourful houses and balconies drowning in flowers. At the very top of the city, the remains of an Islamic Mosque were found. And it was here, on the ruins of an ancient church, where the Christian conquerors built an amazing chapel "Ermita del Santísimo Cristo del Remedio" at the beginning of the twentieth century. In the very city centre, on the main Plaza de la Torreta, there is a majestic and incredibly beautiful Baroque church "Iglesia de San Bartolomé", named in honour of the city’s patron, St. Bartholomew. 

We also strongly recommend visiting a full-fledged architectural masterpiece called "balcony of the Mediterranean" (Balcón del Mediterráneo). An amazing observation deck with a magnificent view of the Mediterranean Sea, Benidorm (Cala de Benidorm) and skyscrapers. From the "balcony of the Mediterranean", you can go straight down to the old castle square - Plaza del Castillo. Here you’ll find the Church of St. James and St. Anna (Església de Sant Jaume i Santa Anna). On this square there are also several ancient cannons and a small anchor. This is all that remained of the former port. Walking along Finestrat, you will find many interesting sculptures, each with its own amazing history.

Real Estate

As mentioned before, Finestrat can be roughly divided into 2 areas - the old and the new city. If its old part is distinguished by Spanish flair, history and authenticity, the new Finestrat is a modern, progressive and one of the most elite areas of Costa Blanca in terms of real estate. Being one of the most attractive corners of the coast, it is undoubtedly suitable not only for a wonderful seasonal holiday, but also for comfortable permanent living with the whole family.

To date, a lot of people buy property in Benidorm and Finestrat as an investment and earn on renting out for tourists, as this is a promising business that brings good income. If you want to buy your own property in Finestrat, Benidorm or any other city on the sunny coast of Costa Blanca leave us an inquiry or use the search bar to find the best property for you.

Airport

Finestrat is close to AP7 motorway, making it convenient to travel around Spain and Europe by car. And Alicante-Elche International Airport is just 35 minutes away.