The watch towers that can be seen along the coast of Alicante originate back from when the Berber pirates used to attack the Mediterranean coasts, setting fire to their houses and taking its inhabitants as slaves. This is also the reason for Finestrat having a segment of the coast, known as the Cove, since the land was given to them for their contribution in the coastal defense.
This and their close proximity to the impressive Puig Bell is what make it a unique location and why Finestrat defines itself as “Sea and Mountain”. Nowadays it is known as a city that combines both agriculture with tourism.
There is a great contrast between Finestrat and its surroundings of a highly populated Benidorm and abrupt outline of Puig Campana with its 1.410 mts of altitude. A mountain of awesome proportions and yet only 7km from the Mediterranean Sea. An interesting view are the ‘penyes’ called the hanging houses by the way that they have been constructed on the mountain side and their defiance of gravity.
It is only 8km away from Benidorm and 50kms from the international airport in Alicante, of easy access by the A-7 highway. Finestrat is only 1km away from the beach and there is a train that passes through on the hour with services to Denia and Alicante. There is also a great bus service leading to most places.
Its unique positioning means that you can easily practice or combine water sport activities with those of mountain and rock climbing, or choose between a hard and arduous climb up the Puig Campana or a less tiring walk round it but nevertheless of pretty sceneries all the same (excursions with a guide can be booked).
There is a yearly International Volley ball Tournament that takes place on Cala Finestrat every 15th of August.
Finestrat has a tight knit community and an active council that likes to get involved with its community and is constantly thinking up new ways of building good relationships between itself and its constituents (and local education authorities who also get involved in its events), this year alone they organized a wine tasting and gastronomy event, a sculpture and art exhibition as well as the handcraft ferias that they exhibit in May and September with live celtic music and craft demonstrations.
Finestra stands out for its ingenuity, the inventiveness of its people, a population that has learnt to live alongside the tourists and benefit from it. An interchange of experiences that make it a place of charm of openness, where the people look after their own traditions to then demonstrate these proudly to the visitor.
For those with good taste buds, there are many good restaurants in the area which prepare special and innovative menus and pride themselves in cooking traditional dishes combined with other more daring recipes.
Restaurants: Font del Moli; La Morena; Puig Campana; Casa Modesto; La plantación; and Al Fresco.
The house of culture (Casa de Cultura) is host to courses, conferences, music concerts, theatre productions and dances throughout the year. The locals also pride themselves on their distinctive beach of clean sand and excellent quality of its waters, it has had the blue flag on the mast since 1980, making sure every year that they invest in the personal safety of bathers with coastguards and red cross services plus educating on environmental issues. They have many services available to those visiting the beach with workshops that can be practiced on a daily basis, like aqua aerobics, Volley-ball, Hand-ball, arts and crafts and games; all this is due to their constant strive for a better quality of life and environmental protection.
There are also some very interesting archaeological findings that where found quite by surprise whilst excavating under some existing chalets in the area, irrigation findings from the XIX century and underneath the balconies an Iberian level dated back to 200BC.
Despite growing trend, the village has managed to keep its typical Mediterranean feel and has many interesting spots that deserve a visit:
Mirador del Castell, where chapel of Ermita del Santisimo Cristo del Remedio can be found over the ancient Arab castle, with incredible views over the whole Mediterranean coastline. Right in its centre, the Church; Iglesia Parroquial (1751) with its bell tower and beautiful square (Plaza Torreta) and town council edifice (Ayuntamiento). As you walk through its streets, you will appreciate its Moorish origins with interesting surprises as would be found on the road called Carrer Hostal and Carrer Miquel.
Fiestas
Their patron saints day is celebrated around the 24th of August
A Fiesta in honour of tourists on the beach around mid September
5th January: The cabalgata of the three kings on beach and in village (The arrival
of the three kings to Bethlehem)
17th January: Sant Antoni (celebrated on the nearest Sunday)
3rd February: Sant Blai (also celebrated on its nearest Sunday)
Easter: Friday (Viernes Santo) procession
Appeals to
The community lover: Great opportunities for those who want to be an integral
part of community life.
The family: With beautiful beach, and beach activities to keep the whole family
busy throughout the 3 month school summer holidays.
The sea-mountain lover: combine your love of nature and climbing or hiking with
your love for sea and sea sport activities (for which most if not all are catered
for).
The secret artist: Be it handcrafts or theatre productions, here is your chance
to be discovered, or maybe just make your skills public.
The food lover: Restaurants that promise to be a palatable challenge.
Tourism Office Finestrat
Avda.Marina Baixa, nº 14. Edif. Monika Holidays (La Cala de Finestrat)
3509 Finestrat, Alicante
Email: touristinfo.finestrat@turisme.m400.gva.es
Tel: + 34 966 801 208
Fax: + 34 966 801 272