Polop: The Perfect Day Trip From Benidorm

How to get to Polop from Benidorm

It’s no more than 8 miles from Benidorm to the heart of Polop.

And whether you prefer the flexibility of hiring a car, jumping on a local bus or booking onto an organised trip, getting to Polop is pretty straightforward.

Benidorm to Polop by Car

For many people hiring a car on holiday can be a little unnerving, wrong side and all that!

But once we took the leap and took to the road for the first time, it is hard to imagine our holiday without hiring a car for at least one day.

The flexibility it provides is unbeatable; so you could spend time in Polop, wind your way up to Guadalest, descend down into Altea and through Alfàs del Pi before returning back to Benidorm.

In Benidorm we always use Centauro for our car hire. A genuine Benidorm company who’ve been in resort for decades, an easy to get to location and a name you can trust.

Once you’re in the car you want to be heading for the CV-70, heading towards La Nucía. The best way is to exit Benidorm via Avenida de Europa which will bring you onto the CV-70.

You will then be driving through an expanse of residential urbanizations until you arrive at the roundabout for La Nucía’s famous sporting complex, Ciudad Deportiva Camilo Cano.

View from La Nucia

Rather than continue on the CV-70 we would recommend switching to the CV-715 through La Nucía so that your first sight of Polop will be the majestic view of the whole town perched high on the hill.

Parking is free in Polop and there are several open air plots as well as the covered car park on Carrer Llavador.

Car Park, Carrer Llavador

Benidorm to Polop by Bus

Getting to Polop by local bus from Benidorm is a doddle.

Avanza Group acquired old Llorente Bus some years back and now runs local bus services across Benidorm and throughout the Marina Baixa region.

They replaced the famous blue and white bus livery of Llorente Bus with their red and white, so whenever you see the red and white buses you’re halfway there – you just need to know which one is heading to Polop!

Avanza Bus #52

The Number 52 is the most frequent Benidorm to Polop service, with the first bus leaving at 06:55 and subsequent ones every 35 minutes thereafter.

The bus stop is on Avenida de Europa, just after you pass Calle Lepanto.

The bus goes no further than Polop so no worries about missing your stop – the drop off is ideally located at the entrance to the town.

The return bus back to Benidorm also runs every 35 minutes with the last bus at 20:15, so more than enough hours to enjoy your day in Polop.

All Benidorm to Polop Buses

Other buses from Benidorm to Polop include numbers 16, 18 and 53 – you can find more timetable and route information on the Avanza Group website.

Organised Coach Trip

Sometimes it’s just a little less complicated if you book onto a coach trip.

And if you book the Magnificent 7 Day Trip you will not only get to spend an hour in Polop, the tour also passes through other Marina Baixa towns and villages with an additional stop in Altea.

Lasting about 7 hours, it’s a full-on day providing a fabulous insight into the area beyond Benidorm, a region close to our heart!

What To See and Do in Polop

Originally a Moorish settlement, Polop’s history stretches back over a millennium.

The village was conquered by Christian forces in the 13th century during the Reconquista, and remnants of its medieval past are still visible today.

The impressive castle ruins that crown the village once formed part of a defensive network that protected the region against invasion.

While today, Polop is home to approximately 5,000 residents, with around 20% being expats who have been captivated by the village’s quiet charm and laid-back lifestyle.

Many British, Dutch, and German nationals have established themselves here, creating a welcoming multicultural community while still preserving the town’s distinctly Spanish character.

Polop Old Town

The reason many people visit Polop, especially when on holiday in Benidorm, is to experience a traditional Spanish town.

And walking the streets of Polop Old Town offers a glimpse into how real Spain looks and feels away from the coast.

Rooftops in the Old Town

We often say to people who intend to visit Polop that nothing much happens on the best of days. But that is part of the attraction.

As you meander from one hushed street to another, past the church and into the square, it quickly becomes apparent the residents of Polop adore their town.

Flowerpots adorn doorways and window ledges, brightly colour paint covers each house and the odd resident can be seen sorting olives outside of their home during the picking season.

And some just having a nap in a warming sun.

Old Town Houses, Polop

Wander through the labyrinth of ancient streets and observe the peace and quiet, especially in summer during siesta.

A loud silence pervades although occasionally disturbed by the intermittent chatting of a Spanish family behind a closed door, the faint sounds slipping through a slightly ajar window.

An Old Town Street, Polop

Often you will come across a Calle with an astonishing view of the Ponoig mountain which is referred to by the locals as León Dormido – Sleeping Lion – because of a close resemblance to a large lion in repose.

View to the Ponoig Peak

Also look out for San Pedro Apóstol Parish Church which dates back to 1723.

Like most, if not all Spanish towns and villages, the church is an essential part of Spanish life, cementing a sense of place and history.

And a pivotal location for the religious festivities and fiestas that take place during the calendar year.

Iglesia Parroquial de San Pedro Apóstol

Plaza de Los Chorros

The jewel in Polop’s crown is undoubtedly the Plaza de los Chorros (Fountain Square).

This picturesque square features a circular fountain wall with 221 spouts streaming crystal-clear mountain water.

Plaza de los Chorros

Local legend claims that anyone who drinks from all the spouts will be blessed with good fortune and return to Polop someday.

Surrounded by towering plane trees that provide welcome shade during summer months, the square is a perfect spot to relax with a cold drink.

The space is very much a meeting point for the people of Polop, a serene resting place with the tinkle of running water soothing the senses. However, it becomes alive and full of vitality when acting as the epicentre of the town’s cultural activities and festivals.

Central Meeting Point

Polop Castle and Cemetery

Climb to the top of the village to explore the ruins of Polop Castle, which offers a panoramic vista of coast and country.

You can easily make out Altea’s blue-domed church in the distance and a glistening Mediterranean Sea.

View from Bar El Castell

The path up is steep but rewarding, with strategic viewpoints along the way including at Bar El Castell for that all important thirst quencher!

Path up to Bar El Castell

Adjacent to the castle is the unusual walled cemetery, with its white crypts and vibrant floral tributes creating a strangely beautiful and peaceful atmosphere.

Polop Cemetery

Here you will find the Gabriel Miró statue, a lasting tribute to one of Spain’s most famous modernist writers who spent so many years in his favourite town of Polop.

Although Miró was not a native of the town, the townsfolk of Polop regarded him as one of their own and to such an extent there is a Gabriel Miró museum on Avenida de Sagi Barba.

And even if literature is not your bag the home of Miró is worth a visit as it evokes a point in time, reminiscent of Old Spain and a period in keeping with Polop’s very own Old Town.

Miró statue in Polop Cemetery

Where to Eat and Drink in Polop

There are several places to enjoy an al fresco lunch in Polop, or maybe just a drink and a shared plate or two of tapas.

Plaza de la Purisima

Tasca l’Albarda

If you are in Polop you need to guide yourself up to Plaza de la Purisima.

A delight of a square, easy on the eye and the perfect spot to rest for a while.

And there’s no better place to rest than at Tasca l’Albarda.

Tasca L’Albarda

We love this place for the tapas, the music and the general bonhomie.

During the summer the tables are set up outside, with the occasional band hired to play in the square.

A pit-stop here will only enhance your visit to Polop, offering you that real taste of Spain.

Bar La Font

Again, located in Plaza de la Purisima, on the other side of the square to Tasca l’Albarda, Bar La Font is owned by Brits (Debbie and family) and is a fabulous spot to enjoy a long lazy lunch.

You can take a table inside but most people opt for the outdoor terrace, especially when the sun is out.

They have a comprehensive menu which includes the classic British Sunday Roast (so Sunday is a good day to visit!).

Bar La Font, Plaza de la Purisima

Bar El Castell

Located halfway up the incline that takes you to Polop Castle and Cemetery, Bar El Castell has, unquestionably, the most amazing views in Polop.

It’s become, over the years, as much of a tourist attraction itself as well as a gorgeous little tapas bar.

Bar El Castell, Calle del Castillo

If you’re an Insta-lover, you are in the right place with views across the valley towards the Med and some of Costa Blanca’s stupendous mountain ranges.

And if you’re a Spanish food and tapas lover, well, it serves up a pretty tasty menu for you, too.

Menu, Bar El Castell

Being so close to Benidorm, it would be a shame to miss out on a visit to Polop.

Just the simplicity of the place, the serenity and the beauty, all combining to provide a little sanctuary from the full-on intensity of Benidorm.

So, next time you’re here, make a date with Polop.