It’s pretty hard to find fault with Spain’s Costa Blanca. It is blessed with a beautiful temperate climate (with over 300 days of sunshine a year), and a host of coastal cities, towns and villages each with their own personality, in which to enjoy a relaxing sun-kissed break. Add to that the region’s accessibility, great accommodation, and delicious regional cuisine, and pretty much anywhere you choose as a base will serve you up a winner.
For anyone looking for a slighter slower pace and a more laid back, intimate ambience, though, Albir is a wonderful option. There’s the beautiful blue-ribbon beach, of course, gorgeous tree-lined streets, invigorating coastal and inland walks, a satisfying selection of cultural highlights, and a surprisingly diverse array of eateries to sample the wonderful local gastronomy.
Let’s go on a whistle-stop food tour of the region, so you won’t miss out on trying any of the “must-have” traditional dishes. You can thank us later!
Albir Beyond the Beach: Focus on Food!
The Costa Blanca boasts a wonderful Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, packed with fresher than fresh seafood (naturally), countless variations on the theme of rice, tempting tapas, and tantalising desserts to satisfy the sweetest of sweet tooths.
Tapas
It’s Spain, so tapas is always on the menu, and in Albir there are plenty of options to find in a cosy bar or restaurant and nibble your fill of delicious morsels. This way of eating is about more than the food; it’s quite literally a way of life, and going out in the afternoon or evening for tapas becomes a social occasion that’s enjoyed with gusto. It’s a fantastic way to not only sate your hunger, but to get a genuine insight into the gastronomic influences of the region, with a wealth of flavour packed into every bite-sized tapa.
Some of the signature local tapas you’ll encounter in Albir include, gambas, tortillas, croquetas, patatas bravas, seafood paella croquettes, pulpo al Gallega, chorizo al vino, and delicate cheese and charcuterie boards. A good rule of thumb when ordering is to start with a couple of dishes per person, then order from there as needed – accompanied by wine, of course!
Arroz Alicantino
This delectable rice dish is the hero of Alicante-style cuisine and is served up in a variety of ways, each as delicious as the next. The most common (and popular) is the seafood version, made by slow cooking rice in a rich seafood broth, giving it a magnificent depth of flavour and texture. You’ll also be able to try versions made with duck, chicken, mushrooms, artichokes, cuttlefish, prawns, shellfish, and even Arroz con conejo y caracoles – a combination of rabbit and snails.
Caldereta de Pescado y Marisco
This irresistible seafood and fish stew really is the definition of Albir on a plate! A mixture of sea bass, monkfish, sea bream, hake, clams, mussels, langoustines and prawns is slow-cooked in a flavoursome, pungent sauce of herbs, onions, tomatoes, white wine, garlic and capsicum. Served sizzling in the pot, the aromas that emanate from this much-loved dish are dizzying and, once tried, it’s definitely never forgotten. While there are various regional versions enjoyed around Spain, the inclusion of just-caught seafood is what makes it particularly special here.
Turrón de Jijona
If you’ve got a hankering for something sweet at any time of the day, you can’t go past the traditional Alicante nougat, Turrón de Jijona. Although originally it was reserved as a sweet to be eaten around the festive period, these days there’s no need to wait for a special occasion to try it. The thick, sweet nougat is made with local honey, sugar and ground almonds, then left to cure until it reaches the desired consistency. The flavour is not like nougat you’re probably used to, with an striking intensity and a lingering, fragrant aftertaste. Stock up and take some home, because it’s definitely addictive!
That’s just a very small slice of the flavour of Albir, and even on a short two or three day break you’ll have plenty of opportunities to sample the extraordinary gastronomic offerings this wonderful region offers in its markets, cafes, street stalls, family-run restaurants and fine dining establishments.
Where to Stay
KAKTUS Hotel: With a sublime location right on the stunning beach, this quality hotel offers beautiful sea views and a host of amenities on site. Featuring well-appointed rooms with balconies to take in the ocean views, 2 swimming pools set within beautiful gardens, a sun terrace, games room and international restaurant, it’s the perfect bolt hole from which to explore Albir and surrounds.
Sea View Apartment: Stylishly furnished, thoughtfully appointed and perfectly positioned to take in the sea views, this beachfront property has a private pool, well-equipped kitchen and a concierge service. Set right in the heart of the promenade, walking distance to a host of cafes and restaurants, this light and spacious apartment offers a tranquil ambience throughout.
Villa Petit: Authentic, beautifully-presented and air-conditioned, this lovely central apartment has a private courtyard with a pool and is a short, comfortable walk to the beach. Relax in the spacious interiors, cook a meal in the well-appointed kitchen, and relax on the gorgeous patio or in the garden with a sundowner. It’s the perfect home-from-home in Albir, within arms’ reach of all the local attractions and amenities.
Altea Playa del Albir of white stones in Alicante Mediterranean Spain
How to Get There
One of the beauties of visiting Spain for a short break is the ease with which you can get there, and Albir is the perfect example. You can fly from the UK to Alicante Airport (ALC) in around 2 hours and 34 minutes, with a range of airlines servicing the route. These include easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways and Jet2, and depending on the time of year, prices start at just £39 one-way.
The best way to ensure a hassle-free transfer from Alicante Airport to Albir so you can start your holiday as quickly as possible, is to pre-book a shared or private ride with Shuttle Direct. When you land, a friendly driver will be waiting to get you to your final destination in the fastest way – safely, conveniently and comfortably.
Overview
UK to ALC Flight Time: 2 hours, 34 mins approx.
ALC to Albir Distance: 65 kilometres
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 40 minutes approx.
Types of Transfer
Whatever kind of traveller you are, getting from Alicante Airport to Albir will be stress free when you choose to travel with Shuttle Direct. We’ve got an option to suit every budget and every style of travel, for onward transport as individual as you are.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective solution to get you where you need to go, and you don’t mind sharing with other customers, our shuttle bus transfers from Alicante Airport to Albir will suit you down to the ground. You’ll meet at a designated point at the airport, then travel with other passengers to a central drop-off point at your destination. It’s great for the budget and you can even make some new friends along the way!
If you prefer to travel alone, and also want the convenience of a door-to-door service, a pre-booked taxi from Alicante Airport to Albir is a great option. Because it’s booked before you leave home, you won’t have the hassle of standing around in a local taxi queue with everyone else once you land. Your driver will be waiting once you come out of the terminal, and they’ll take you right to the door of your accommodation without any delays.
If convenience, comfort and a touch of luxury are what you’re after, our private Albir transfers are the perfect choice for you. A professional driver will be there to meet your flight when you land, then they’ll escort you to your luxury vehicle for the comfortable journey to your accommodation. The ultimate private service to start and end your holiday on the right note.
For anyone travelling with a larger group of family or friends, pre-booking a minibus transfer from the airport at Alicante to Albir is an excellent way to simplify logistics and get you right to the door of wherever you’re staying. Because of the larger capacity of the vehicle, everyone and their luggage will be able to travel together, saving time, money and potential headaches.
Choosing the Right Transfer
Because people have different budgets and priorities for their travel arrangements, the choice of which airport transfer is the most suitable is solely a decision you can make. However, at the end of the day, to make your choice you can narrow it down to two aspects, and which of them is most important to you: cost and convenience.
Cost:
If you’ve got an eye on the budget and a door-to-door service is not a deal-breaker, our shared shuttle buses provide the comfort and convenience you expect, without the extras. If you don’t mind sharing your ride with other passengers, this is a great way to save money without compromising on quality.
Convenience: If, on the other hand, luxury, privacy and the ultimate in convenience are paramount to you, a pre-booked taxi or one of our top-of-the-line private services from Alicante Airport to Albir will give you what you’re looking for. You’ll travel alone, in a vehicle dedicated to you, and be whisked right to the doorstep of your accommodation in style.
About Shuttle Direct
Here at Shuttle Direct we’re super proud of our reputation for providing onward ground transport to and from a host of destinations all over the world. Our safe, convenient and cost-effective services range from budget-beating shared shuttles, to luxury private transfers with all the bells and whistles. Whatever you’re looking for, and wherever you’re going, we can get you to and from your final destination in style and comfort.
