At the foot of the Sierra Aitana mountain range in the Guadalest valley, just above the Embalse de Guadalest dam, lies a cluster of houses with a few tens of houses. Beniardà has great views of the surrounding mountain ranges, but only 252 inhabitants in 2023. When you walk the narrow streets where a few cars try to squeeze past corners made for donkeys and horses, you get the feeling that time has stood still. Here everyone knows each other and everyone greets everyone politely, including strangers, of whom there are more and more.
Originally, people in Beniardà lived by growing olives and almonds and some fruit and vegetables. Today, tourists also contribute to the village's income, but this is still a place where tourism has left few traces. Much of the buildings are as they have been for several centuries.
On Saturday morning something magical happens. Then suddenly a miniature market emerges. A farmer opens the back door of his small van which is blocking a narrow street, and housewives flock from the surrounding buildings to buy vegetables. Small shops of a couple of square meters open a door and a window that only a few minutes ago you assumed was for an apartment. From here you can buy bread and other necessities.
There are few attractions in Beniardà, but even the smallest villages in Spain have three things: a church, a water source and a laundry room. You will also find that in Beniardà. Otherwise, the biggest attraction in Beniardà is the peaceful village life where you can experience Spain as it was long ago.
More excursions: www.turideer.com
This week's excursion: Beniarà - a small mountain village in the Guadalest Valley
Suitable for: Everyone, also with a wheelchair or pram.
Getting there: Take the N-332 exit at Benidorm towards La Nucía. Follow the CV-70 past Nucía, Guadalest and Benimantell. You can also take the exit to Altea from the AP-7 motorway and follow the CV-755 towards Guadalest until it merges into the CV-70 and follow this road further past Benimantell. One kilometer after Benimantell there is a sign down to the right towards Beniardà. Follow this road and park in the car park on the upper side of the village.
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