surroundings
Alcossebre is a holiday resort on the Costa de Azahar and is located directly on the Mediterranean Sea.
From a simple fishing village, a popular holiday resort has developed over the past decades. Numerous restaurants, shops and some hotels are available. The natural charm has been preserved. This is mainly due to the fact that Alcossebre has been spared from architectural blunders, prefabricated buildings and high-rise buildings.
Around 4000 - 5000 people live in Alcossebre during the winter months. The villas, fincas and holiday apartments by the sea developed into a very popular holiday destination for the Spaniards and the French.
Unlike other tourist resorts, Alcossebre has a densely populated historic town center with many small whitewashed houses that are traditionally built close together and narrow streets with romantic shops and cafes and tapas bars. So if you don't feel at home between the huge, artificially designed hotel complexes that try to outdo each other with their entertainment programme, a feel-good factor is pre-programmed here.
cultural
In the summer months, the number of people in Alcossebre doubles.
Many locals in the region spend their holidays relaxing by the sea, but many French people also found their way to the Valencian province, as did a handful of Germans and Dutch. This coastal town is therefore an insider tip among travelers who want to get to know the unadulterated culture of Spain and immerse themselves in the traditions without finding overwhelming mass tourism. Here the alienation of one's own homeland has not progressed as far as in comparable holiday regions in the Mediterranean. A cultural and entertaining program regularly provides variety.
Alcossebre impresses with its naturalness of architecture that is second to none. You won't find big beds here. You can go a long way with a little Spanish. But some of the residents also speak English and French. With a little Spanish, English and French you can get along well. In addition, some ethnic Germans have settled in Alcossebre. At the port, for example, there is a bar under German management.
gastronomic
Very popular with many tourists, but not with the residents of Alcossebre, the hotels are 'all inclusive', which is why there are only a few hotels in Alcossebre with the well-known buffet in the huge dining room.
The tourists who visit the place prefer to sit down in a cozy tapas bar or go to a restaurant, of which there are countless in Alcossebre. There are also a few very excellent restaurants. Among other things, the restaurant 'El Pinar'. Our immediate neighbor of Villa la Vista!!!
landscape and beaches
Also noteworthy are the beaches, which have won awards for their water quality and cleanliness.
In the town center next to the harbor you will find the "Playa las Fuentes", from which spring natural fresh water from the nearby 'Sierra de Irta'. In addition to the port and the historic city center is the "Playa Carregador": the longest and largest beach in Alcossebre, with the best connection to the center. Next to it, separated by a narrow promontory, is "Playa Romana", the second largest beach. "Playa de Moro" and "Playa Tropicana" follow.
However, behind these beaches it goes on, natural beaches with stones, where you can fish excellently and where you can even park your caravan to vacation there. Also worth mentioning are an old dried-up river bed of a delta and the nudist beach, which is bordered at the end by Cap i Corb, a promontory with an old castle with a great restaurant called "ELTunel". Behind 'El Tunel' comes the untouched nature where you can surf and hardly meet another soul.
worth seeing
A visit to the former monastery "Ermita Santa Lucia", high above the town of EL Pinar, is worthwhile.
The whitewashed walls of the church and the plateau in front of it have recently been restored. The view from the top is really breathtaking and very romantic. It is possible to see the Costa de Azahar down to Oropesa de Mar (this is about 50-60km distant view). If the weather is sunny and clear, you can see the volcanic Islas de Clombretes, about 50-60km away, even without binoculars. A special tip is to watch the sun set at the top of the site - after it sets and twilight sets in, the neighboring towns along the coast begin to twinkle and glitter.
Picturesque, marked hiking trails run from the Ermita in the middle of the mountains into the Sierra de Irta nature reserve, which you should definitely walk at least in part. Unique flora and untouched mountain world are sure to amaze hikers. It is also possible to hold a hike lasting several days. The simplest and most popular, however, is the short descent from the Ermita on foot. You can get out in the village and you don't need proper hiking equipment.
activities
In Alcossebre you can go on long (or short) hikes in the adjacent Serra d'Irta nature reserve (Segway tours are also possible).
This mountainous country offers picturesque flora and wildlife for the nature lover. Genets, badgers, snakes, small tortoises and numerous bird species will amaze you. Between boulders and mountain herbs there are undiscovered caves, enter at your own risk! You can also enjoy the sun and the sea, do water sports (jet skis can be rented at the port, boat rentals, fun water sports on the large beaches), explore the Islas Columbretes with diving and visit various cafes and bars, restaurants, etc.
At the end of August, the Festes Patronals begin. They last about a week and take place in sequence in Alcossebre or the neighboring towns. They include cultural events such as music, bands, dancing, street parades, street festivals, market stalls, running of the bulls (no killing!) etc. And the best thing... there is no entrance fee! You can also visit the Harley Davidson biker weekend (always around the last weekend in August). Hundreds of motorcyclists come to the village with their machines and celebrate peacefully to live music and bands, everyone can admire their machines, they are exhibited on the city promenade, admission is also free. There are also market stalls with leather clothes. The motorcyclists are by no means dangerous or aggressive, here small children party next to adult bikers.
The long, fine sandy beaches of Carregador, Romana and Tropicana are particularly attractive. A visit to the weekly market on Tuesdays is also interesting and advisable. It takes place in season on the Passeo and the other streets just above the port. Here hawkers offer their goods, from clothing items to Spanish fast food (los churros), children's toys, art from far away abroad and regionally grown food you can find almost everything here. Alcossebre offers secluded, unspoilt bays and high-quality, wide sandy beaches.
shopping
Many shops, restaurants, bars, as well as a doctor and pharmacy can be found in the quickly accessible town of Alcossebre (approx. 3 km)
- Panadería Manel's in the old town center
- Butcher Antonio who make their own sausages
- Supermercado Consum with freshly caught fish, meat products, pastries, etc. The Consum is open until 10 p.m.!
- Spar supermarket, open until after 11 p.m. in high season.
- Several butchers and bakers can be found right in the city center
- along the beach promenade of "Playa Carregador" there are many restaurants and tapas bars
- many small shops and boutiques invite you to linger