Why Bother Visiting Tàrbena?

Visiting Tàrbena Spain: Mountain Views, Sausages… and More Hairpin Bends Than You Bargained For

Tàrbena.
A tiny Spanish mountain village where the air is crisp, the views are stunning, and the drive up will have you questioning your life choices if you suffer from motion sickness. It’s a lovely little place to village, like some of the other villages such as Polop and also Finestrat where there is plenty of colour to be seen.

If you like your day trips served with a side of hairpin bends, sausages (seriously… they’re famous for them), and peace and quiet broken only by the odd cockerel or barking dog, Tàrbena might just be your perfect Spanish escape.

🏰 A Brief History of Tàrbena (Without Boring You to Death)

Originally a Moorish settlement, Tàrbena has existed since the days when Spain was a patchwork of small kingdoms and regular invasions.

After the Moorish expulsion in the early 1600s, the town was repopulated with Mallorcans, and their influence still lingers in the local Catalan dialect and food traditions.

Fun fact:
Tàrbena became known in the mid-20th century for making… wait for it… sausages and cured meats, supplying much of the surrounding region.

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🌟 What’s Tàrbena Best Known For?

Stunning mountain views over the Serra de Bèrnia
Locally-made sausages (Embutidos)
Peace, quiet, and zero crowds (unless a coach tour of German hikers turns up)
Cycling and hiking routes for the brave (and fit)
Spanish rural charm with a hint of Mallorcan influence

🗺️ Where Exactly Is Tàrbena?

✅ Located in the Marina Baixa region of Alicante Province
✅ Around 25 km inland from Altea and the Costa Blanca coast
✅ Roughly 45 minutes’ drive from Benidorm (depending on how brave you are on bends)
✅ Up in the hills, at 560 metres above sea level surrounded by olive groves and almond trees

The old lady mural in the backstreets of Tarbena

The old lady mural in the backstreets of Tarbena close up

✈️ How to Get to Tàrbena

By Air:
Nearest airport: Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) – about 1 hour 15 minutes by car

By Train:
Nope. There’s no train station in Tàrbena.
Closest would be Benidorm or Alicante city, then it’s a car or bus.

By Car:
✅ From Alicante: Take the AP-7 motorway, then follow CV-755 and CV-752
✅ Warning: Lots of mountain bends, but worth it for the views
✅ Driving time: Around 1 hour 15 minutes from Alicante city

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By Bus:
Good luck.
Public transport to Tàrbena is… let’s say… “limited”.
If there is a bus, it’ll probably involve a change in Callosa d’en Sarrià or Altea. Check local schedules (and bring snacks).

🚶‍♂️ Are There Tours To Tàrbena?

✅ Some local cycling tour companies include Tàrbena as a stop
✅ Occasional day trip tours from Benidorm or Altea (especially for hiking or wine-tasting)
✅ No big group tour scene though—this is still off the mainstream tourist radar

Check sites like Viator, GetYourGuide, or Local Walking Groups in the Costa Blanca region.

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🏞️ Things To See and Do in Tàrbena

✅ Stroll through the village square: Small, but charming with views over the valley
✅ Mirador de Tàrbena: Scenic lookout with views across the Bèrnia mountain range
✅ Visit a local butcher: Buy some of the famous Tàrbena sausages and embutidos
✅ Hiking: Several routes including the Camí dels Bandolers (Bandits’ Trail)
✅ Nearby Sierra de Bèrnia: Great for walkers who enjoy rocky trails and mountain views
✅ Cycling Routes: Very popular with serious road cyclists
✅ Enjoy a long lazy lunch at one of the village restaurants

🍷 Food and Drink in Tàrbena: What to Try (And Where)

Tàrbena is all about hearty, rustic mountain food:

Local sausages (Botifarra, Longaniza)
Cocido Tàrbena-style (traditional meat and veg stew)
Wild boar dishes (when in season)
Local wines from the Marina Alta region

Where to eat?
✅ Casa Pinet – Legendary for local dishes and historic photos lining the walls
✅ Restaurante Can Pinet – Another favourite for rustic Spanish grub
✅ Any small bar with locals inside at lunchtime – Always a good sign

🏨 Where To Stay in Tàrbena

✅ Small rural guesthouses (Casas Rurales)
✅ Some lovely B&Bs and small hotels dotted around
✅ For more choice: Stay in Altea or Callosa d’en Sarrià, and day trip up

old lady mural in the backstreets of Tarbena

🕑 Best Time to Visit Tàrbena

✅ Spring (March–May): Almond blossoms, perfect hiking weather
✅ Autumn (September–November): Cooler, clear days for walking
❌ Mid-summer (July–August): Hot, dry, and dusty—unless you love sweating just by breathing

✅ Practical Tips for Tàrbena

If you’re driving up… take it slow. Locals know the bends. You don’t.
Parking is limited in the village centre. Be prepared to park on a slope somewhere on the edge of town.
Eat before 3 pm. The Spanish take lunch hours seriously here. Miss it… and you’re surviving on crisps and olives.
Don’t expect tourist shops or nightlife. This is a place for quiet days and early nights.
Bring cash. Some small bars and restaurants still don’t take cards.

🚩 Quick Practical Info

Not wheelchair accessible in most areas (too many slopes and uneven streets)
Kid-friendly for short visits—but maybe not ideal for pushchairs
Dogs? No problem on hiking routes, but keep them on a lead in town
Opening hours: Classic rural Spain: Late starts, long lunch breaks, early finishes

✅ Useful Resources for Visiting Tàrbena

Final Word:
“Tàrbena won’t give you rollercoasters or nightlife… but if you’re after mountain views, good sausages, and a break from Costa crowds… it’s a cracking little day trip. Just bring your appetite… and your brake pads.”

If you have a car, either a hire car or your own and fancy a break from the concrete jungles of Benidorm, then add this place to your list.