Visiting Polop Spain: Pretty Views, Old Walls.

Why Bother Visiting Polop?

Tucked away in the hills behind Benidorm, this is one of those Spanish villages that looks like a postcard… until you realise climbing to the top will leave you gasping for air and questioning your cardio fitness.

If you like medieval walls, panoramic mountain views, and feeling smug that you found somewhere less touristy than the Costa Blanca coast, Polop’s worth the detour.

🏰 A Brief History of Polop (Without Putting You to Sleep)

Like most villages in this part of Spain, Polop has seen its fair share of drama over the centuries.

✅ Originally a Moorish fortress town, perched on a hill for defensive reasons (and to make modern-day tourists sweat getting to the top).

✅ After the Reconquista, the village shifted from military outpost to sleepy agricultural hub.

✅ The remains of the old castle walls still crown the hilltop—now a popular walking route, with great views over the surrounding valley and towards the Mediterranean.

🌟 What’s Polop Best Known For?

✅ The hilltop castle ruins and panoramic views
✅ The famous “Fuente de los 221 Chorros” (Fountain of 221 spouts)—yes, it’s literally just that… a wall of water spouts. But it’s oddly photogenic.
✅ Being a quiet, pretty village with whitewashed houses and narrow streets
✅ Popular stop for cyclists, hikers, and people escaping Benidorm for the afternoon

🗺️ Where Exactly Is Polop?

✅ In Alicante Province, Marina Baixa region
✅ About 15km inland from Benidorm
✅ Roughly 20 minutes’ drive from Altea
✅ Just up the road from La Nucía

✈️ How to Get Here

By Air:
Nearest airport: Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) – about 50 minutes by car

By Train:
No direct train service to Polop.
Closest you’ll get is Benidorm Tram Station, then it’s a bus or taxi ride up the hill.

By Car:
✅ From Alicante: Take the AP-7 motorway, exit towards Benidorm, then follow signs for La Nucía and Polop.
✅ Easy drive… until the last kilometre when the roads get steeper and narrower.

By Bus:
✅ From Benidorm, you’ll find local buses running to Polop, but check timetables… service can be patchy on weekends and fiesta days.

🚶‍♂️ Are There Tours To Polop?

✅ Some day tours from Benidorm and Altea include Polop, often bundled with Guadalest.

✅ If you’re into hiking or cycling, guided bike tours from the coast sometimes include a stop here.

✅ Not a huge range of “formal tours”, but plenty of self-guided day-trippers head up here.

Search on Viator, GetYourGuide, or local tour providers.

🏞️ Things To See and Do in Polop

✅ Castle Hill (El Castillo de Polop):
Climb to the top. Enjoy the views over the Costa Blanca coastline, the Puig Campana mountain, and the surrounding countryside.
Bring water. And patience.
✅ Fountain of 221 Spouts (Fuente de los 221 Chorros):
A long wall with… well… 221 water spouts.
Popular for selfies and cooling off in summer.
✅ Old Town Streets:
Wander the narrow, cobbled streets, spot ceramic street signs, and admire the traditional whitewashed buildings.
✅ Town Square (Plaza de los Chorros):
Small but charming. Good spot for a cold beer after your uphill adventure.
✅ Cycling and Hiking:
Polop is part of several popular cycling routes through the Marina Baixa hills.

🍷 Food and Drink in Polop: What To Try (And Where)

✅ Local Spanish home cooking—think paella, cocido, and grilled meats.

✅ Traditional menu del día deals (3-course lunch + drink) available for €12–€15 at local bars.

Recommended spots:

Bar La Font – Traditional, affordable, and with a decent terrace
Bar El Castell – A heck of an uphill hike, but the views are well worth it
Casa Cordero – Good reviews for rustic Spanish cooking
Any small village bar with locals in it at lunchtime = always a winner

🏨 Where To Stay in Polop

Polop isn’t exactly packed with hotels, but:

✅ A few small rural guesthouses (Casa Rurales)
✅ Nearby towns like La Nucía, Altea, and Benidorm have far more options.

If peace and quiet is your thing… staying in Polop is perfect.

If nightlife is your thing… stay in Benidorm and day trip here.

🕑 Best Time to Visit Polop

✅ Spring (March–May): Perfect hiking weather
✅ Autumn (September–November): Cooler temps and fewer visitors
❌ Peak summer (July–August): Hot, dusty, and let’s be honest… a bit sweaty for long walks uphill

✅ Useful Tips for Polop

✅ Wear decent shoes. Those cobbles will chew up flip-flop wearers.
✅ Take water if you’re doing the castle walk. Shade is limited.
✅ Avoid driving right into the village centre with a large car. Streets are narrow, and Spanish parking techniques (AKA: park wherever you feel like) make life interesting.
✅ Visit mid-morning or late afternoon. Avoid the full midday sun if you value your body temperature.
✅ Stop for a beer or coffee at the square before leaving. You’ve earned it.

🚩 Quick Practical Info

Not great for pushchairs or wheelchairs—too many steps and slopes
Limited public toilets (plan ahead)
Mobile signal can be patchy on some walking routes
Small village = things shut early, especially in winter

✅ Useful Resources for Visiting Polop

Final Word:
“Polop won’t give you rollercoasters or beach bars… but if you want views, fresh air, and a bit of rural Spain without the tourist hordes… it’s absolutely worth the drive up.”

But if you like a cold beer and excellent views, then Bar El Castell needs to be on your list of places to visit. The hike up is going to test your calf muscles, but after a couple of cold ones, you’ll not notice.