A few miles down the road from Benidorm, the small town of Albir is a tranquil getaway for winter sun-seekers. Much quieter than its noisy neighbour, Albir is known for its slow beach life and calming atmosphere. The beaches are well-respected throughout the region and in Europe, and many have been awarded the EU Blue Ribbon for their high quality of water and sand. While lounging on the beaches, tourists enjoy the warm climate all year round – in winter, temperatures often still reach 20 degrees Celsius!
Peace and Pampering
The combination of warm climate and soothing environment makes Albir an ideal destination for winter relaxation. Many Brits leave the wet and cold behind each winter and head off to Spain for sunshine and pampering. With that in mind, these are a few of Albir’s best tonics for ridding you of that cough or cold and giving you a much-needed winter boost.
Relax on Playa de Racó de l’Albir
This 600-meter-long beach is one of the finest in the whole region. With a Blue Flag for quality, the beach itself is so large that it never feels too crowded, especially in the winter. For a lazy day, why not grab a beach towel with one hand, a cocktail with the other, and enjoy the soft sand and beautiful views of the sea and surrounding mountains?
Walk to the Albir Lighthouse
Splitting this resort from Benidorm is the Sierra Helada Mountain, at the top of which sits the El Faro Lighthouse. A trip to the lighthouse involves a bit of a climb, but at its peak wanderers have a spectacular view over the whole of Albir and beyond. And, even better: the lighthouse has a free telescope, which visitors can use to spot dolphins in the sea.
Top Tip: The walk to the lighthouse is fairly low-key and doesn’t take too long, but remember to bring plenty of water and to wear some robust shoes.
Visit the Sunday Market
Locals and tourists come from miles around to enjoy Albir’s Sunday market. From food to jewellery to clothes and household items, everything is on offer here. The prices are good and the products are even better. However, the food stalls are the highlight of the show, boasting magnificent cheeses, breads and pastries. An edible present always goes down well with family members back home, and the market is the perfect place to find one.
Top Tip: If you are thinking about taking the family along for your next trip to Albir, here is a guide to the town’s best family friendly activities.
Dine in the Bulevard dels Musics
Bulevard dels Musics is the town’s main eating street, and is peppered with restaurants that serve every type of type of cuisine: from traditional Spanish to Caribbean and Indian, you’ll find everything from the expected to the unexpected! It can be difficult to choose where to go because there are so many options, but here are two that really stand out:
Le Boulevard: For a sophisticated and high-quality dining experience, try Le Boulevard. Don’t expect to find a printed menu here, as Chef Fienus Kramers alters what’s on offer each day, depending on the fresh ingredients he picks out that morning. With no rigid menu structure, guests can ask for additions and alterations to dishes, which the chef is generally more than happy to provide.
Zero Zero: Zero Zero is a great meeting place for lunch or for cocktails and nibbles. This restaurant does great quick Spanish food, such as deep fried fish and delicious paella dishes. The eatery also has a stunning sea view and a pool, so you can take a dip in between enjoying courses and cocktails if you fancy it.
How to Get There
Getting to Albir is a breeze. The quickest and best way to arrive is via a direct flight from London to Alicante Airport. The flight takes around 2½ hours, and the route is serviced by major budget airlines such as easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair.
Once you touch down, airport transfers can take you straight to the hotel in around 45 minutes. Shuttle Direct provides a quick and easy transfer service, which takes the strain off travelling. Book a transfer with Shuttle Direct beforehand, and they will sort out the rest, waiting for you upon your arrival and speedily whisking you from the airport terminal to the beach.
Where to Stay
Kaktus Albir – Maximum relaxation is the name of the game and this hotel. With the beach only a one-minute walk away, you are always in touching distance of the sand. If you prefer to sit by the pool, the hotel has a large outdoor pool, as well as an indoor pool with a hot tub. Next to the outdoor pool, you’ll find a large boat-shaped bar that serves drinks all day and well into the evening, and live music starts up as the sun goes down. What’s more, the private rooms are spacious, featuring tiled floors and stylish bathrooms.
Hotel Sun Palace Albir & Spa – Situated slightly further from the beach (around a seven-minute walk), this hotel and spa boasts all of the pampering facilities that you could desire. With a hot tub, Turkish bath, sauna and indoor pool, the spa area does not disappoint. The rooms are also nicely designed and have air conditioning and a furnished balcony.
About Shuttle Direct
Tourists have been enjoying Shuttle Direct’s reliable and affordable service for many years. Agree a fixed fee with them before you depart and avoid the haggling and hassle of local taxi services. If you let Shuttle Direct know in advance, they will also bring along any extra golf equipment without charging an additional fee.
