Polop

At first glance, you can quite easily convince yourself you’re staring at a late 19th-century postcard. Towered over by Mount Ponoig – aka Sleeping Lion because of its shape – and Polop Castle perched at the highest point of the town, this is a place that instantly captures the imagination.

One of Spain’s great early 20th-century novelists, Gabriel Miró Ferrer, frequented Polop so often he now has his own museum, Casa Pepita, a reflection of how the town played an integral part in the life of this son of Alicante province.

With its impossibly attractive cobweb of quintessentially Spanish streets and views as far as Altea, Calpe and the Mediterranean, you quickly fall in love with Polop. As you walk to the top of the hill, pop into Bar El Castell, a majestic spot for some tapas and a photo.

Next on your route is Plaza de los Chorros, another of Polop’s well-known attractions, 221 spouts pouring forth fresh spring water in a quiet pedestrianised square. Onto another square for lunch, Plaza de la Purísima, where you have a choice of the British-owned Bar La Font or Tasca l’Albarda – both are excellent.

When sitting under a parasol, imbibing on a glass of Rioja and nibbling on deliciously warm bread and alioli, you might decide to keep on coming back, just like Miró.

Check out our Benidorm to Polop Day Trip blog to help plan your visit to Polop!