What to see and do in El Campello?

El Campello (Alicante) is an idyllic town located on the Costa Blanca next to San Juan de Alicante. Bordered by Muchavista Beach, it boasts one of the most sought-after coastal areas for visitors to the area.
Muchavista Beach
Perhaps one of the area's greatest treasures, Muchavista Beach stretches for 4 km, from Carrer La Mar Beach all the way to Alicante. It is the longest beach in El Campello and is characterized by its fine, golden sand. Beneath this blanket of powdery sand, a picture-perfect landscape reminiscent of the famous Californian beaches can be glimpsed. A fantastic place where the Mediterranean Sea provides a unique landscape where all kinds of water sports, such as kitesurfing, are also common.
Traditional Festivals of El Campello
El Campello is proud to be one of those towns in Alicante that maintains its traditional festivals.
In recent years, the city has made an effort to give them greater splendor and popularity each year for the enjoyment of residents and visitors. This begins with the main national and regional holidays, such as Christmas (with its traditional Three Kings' Parade), Carnival, Holy Week, and the Fiestas de la Cruz (Festival of the Cross).
But above all, there are two festivals that make all the people of Campello proud above all others. First, the Fiestas de la Virgen del Carmen (Festival of the Virgin of Carmen). If you're staying in our Las Lanzas I apartments in mid-July, you can't miss them. Around July 16th, a host of activities take place, lasting several days and culminating with the seafaring procession and the singing of the Salve (Salve). A true spectacle not to be missed.
Three months later, it's the turn of El Campello's other most important celebration: the Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians Festival). From October 11 to 15, the Campello residents transform the city and reenact various historical moments from the Moorish era and the Reconquista. From the Moorish landing on the beach, through the multitude of events, including embassies, colorful parades, and flower offerings, to the finale with the spectacular fireworks display that will leave an unforgettable memory.
Here we share more information about the festivities in El Campello.
Illeta dels Banyets
The oldest remains are found in Illeta dels Banyets, a privileged space for learning about our history. Now that its "museum" process is complete, we can say that it is one of the best Archaeological Parks in the Mediterranean. The first settlements we will see here date back to prehistoric times, the Bronze Age, in the second millennium BC. Of particular significance are the remains of the Iberian settlement, unique in its characteristics and considered one of the most important in the Mediterranean.
The discovery of few dwellings and many warehouses and ceramic remains has led to the conclusion that significant productive activity existed, commercially related to other Mediterranean cultures. Two temple-like buildings have been found within the settlement, with unusual characteristics for this type of settlement. Notable from the Roman period are small thermal baths and, especially, the fish farms, fishponds cut into the stone that have given the site its name through popular tradition, known as Els Banyets de la Reina (Queen's Baths). The pools, which according to this tradition were for the use of a beautiful Moorish queen, are actually very important constructions at the time, used to preserve fish and which gave rise to a significant industry of salted fish and the highly prized "garum" sauce.
Illeta Tower
The nearby Aigües ravine held great historical significance as a border between the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon. In 1296, King James II annexed these territories permanently to the Aragonese crown and, with it, to the Kingdom of Valencia. The constant incursions of Barbary pirates into the nearby coastal areas led to the construction of a surveillance system consisting of circular towers along the entire coast in the 16th century to facilitate the defense of a frightened and dispersed population, thus preventing them from becoming victims of pillage and plunder.
The Aigües Ravine Tower and the Illeta Tower are examples that have survived to this day. The latter, completed in 1557 and restored at the end of the 20th century, is a symbol for the people of Campello; it is used as a setting for various events and is the town's emblem. Seeing it lit up at night while strolling through the port shouldn't be missing from your list of things to do in El Campello.
Other places in El Campello that you can't miss
But we don't find the real origins of the town until the 18th century, when the owner ofThe lands were occupied by Don Nicolás Pérez de Sarrió, who brought the first settler families to cultivate the land. The Convent of the Mercedarians, the first parish church in the then-district, dates from this period. At the end of this century, the first shipyard was built at the mouth of the Seco River (Montnegre), the seed of an emerging fishing industry that, in some ways, still survives, and which boasted one of the largest fleets in the Mediterranean. This led to the development of the fishing district, which has now become a tourist attraction.
The rural estate Villa Marco, or better known as Villa Marco, dates from the mid-19th century. It is considered one of the most beautiful elements of El Campello's architectural heritage. The estate was of great importance in the agricultural area known as Huerta de Alicante, and at the beginning of the 20th century, under the auspices of its then owner, René Bardin, modifications were made that gave it a residential character and its current modernist style, but with curious influences from French colonial art.
Also dating from this period are the Versailles-inspired gardens, which house flora from different parts of the world, centuries-old trees, and a sculptural group by the celebrated Alicante artist Vicente Bañuls. During the tour of El Campello, another essential stop is the Parish Church, built in 1849, replacing the first one built in El Campello at the end of the 18th century. It is dedicated to Saint Teresa and underwent several extensions between 1909 and 1911. Between the 19th and 20th centuries, the church was rebuilt. In the 19th and 20th centuries, El Campello was already a powerful and independent town and began its own journey, separating from Alicante in 1901 and settling permanently in 1903.
And so it grew to become the great city we all know today. A town with more than 27,000 inhabitants, but boasting a population that almost quadruples in the summer, hosting more than 100,000 people.
But in El Campello, you can do much more than visit historical sites. The city enjoys a privileged location facing the Mediterranean Sea, making it the perfect place for water sports. Not only that, but it's also close to towns you can visit thanks to its good connections and location, such as Villajoyosa, Altea, and Calpe, where you can also enjoy gastronomy that will melt your palate.
Get your sailing license
El Campello has a port with capacity for hundreds of boats. Therefore, obtaining your sailing license can be a fantastic option to then rent a boat and enjoy a day at sea with your loved ones. Here's our option for obtaining your official license for boats (up to 6 meters in length) and jet skis with unlimited power.
Enjoy a refreshing sport like surfing
On Muchavista beach, it's common to see water sports enthusiasts practicing all kinds of sports, such as kitesurfing, sailing, or surfing. The latter is an excellent option, and there are numerous schools offering classes for both beginners and the more experienced. At ATF Turisferr, we offer you the opportunity to learn to ride the Mediterranean waves with a wide variety of programs. Check out all the information and learn to surf this summer.
Tapas route through Alicante with a Mediterranean flavor
Gastronomy is one of the pillars of the El Campello and Alicante areas. The wide variety of restaurants serving all types of cuisine and culture is endless. And as in any self-respecting place in Spain, tapas are also a must-try.
Visit towns that are true Alicante gems
As we've mentioned before, El Campello enjoys a privileged location and transport links. Beyond being close to Alicante and its surrounding areas, other towns in the region are a true delight to visit. This is the case with Altea, with its whitewashed cobblestone streets. Or Villajoyosa, the land of chocolate, whose seafront promenade is known for its colorful houses. You can experience them firsthand on our "Charming Towns" route.
HOW TO GET TO EL CAMPELLO
Getting to El Campello is very easy, and Alicante's excellent connections will allow you to travel comfortably. These are the possible connections available.

By train: Getting to El Campello by train is one of the main and most frequently used options. Alicante has both high-speed and medium- and long-distance train connections that arrive at Alicante Terminal station. Once there, it's very easy to reach the city via Tram lines 1 and 3. Catching the train at either the Luceros or Mercado stops, both lines go to El Campello. You can find all the information on Tram schedules in the following PDF: Alicante TRAM Fare Zone Map
By plane: El Campello also benefits from being close to the Altet Airport (now renamed Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández International Airport). The C6 airport bus line has a direct connection to Luceros or Marq-Castillo, where you can catch the aforementioned Tram lines.
By bus: Another ideal way to get to the city is by bus. Alicante also has a bus station with many arrivals from all over Spain. Once there, bus line 21 toward San Juan-El Campello will take you to the city.