All about Albir, general & practical information

Getting to know Albir and its history

Did you know that…

• Albir was called Alfaz del Polop in the 16th century (because it belonged to Polop);

• L’Alfas del Pi has one of the oldest trees in Spain, presumably a carob tree of approximately 850-950 years old;

• the 17th-century system of water canals is still largely intact some 345 years later;

• Albir has been developed since 1995 on land mainly used for citrus production;

• L’Alfas del Pi has the highest percentage of Norwegian speakers of any settlement anywhere in the world outside Norway.

The history in brief

During Moorish rule, Albir was primarily an agricultural area, where crops such as almonds, olives and grapes were grown.

Around the 13th century, Albir came under Christian rule. It remained a small fishing village until the 18th century, when winegrowing flourished in the region. At that time, Albir still belonged to the municipality of Polop.

After a long struggle for independence, (the municipality of) Alfaz del Pi, which includes Albir, officially became an independent municipality in 1836.

In the 20th century, Albir developed into a popular tourist destination. The beautiful beach, the long boulevard and the favorable location on the Costa Blanca attracted more and more visitors.

The name ‘Albir’ and ‘Alfaz del Pi’

It is unclear where the name ‘Albir’ comes from. Possibly it is a corruption of ‘Alfaz del Pi,’ as that name originated in 1786.

After a long struggle for independence, the planting of a pine tree in the village square symbolized the new name: Alfaz del Pi. Alfaz refers to the fertile valley, while Pi (pine tree) in Valencian represents the tree in the square.

Geography & neighborhoods in Albir

The location of Albir

Albir is a seaside resort on the Costa Blanca that is part of the municipality of Alfaz del Pi. Its Mediterranean location is centrally located between the historic core of Altea and the busier town of Benidorm.

The area is characterized by the foot of Sierra Helada Natural Park with high cliffs and the famous lighthouse. Its small scale and good connection to main roads make the place a quiet base for travelers in this region.

The map of Albir

The neighborhoods in Albir

Albir is a relatively small town on the Costa Blanca and therefore has no neighborhoods in the traditional sense of the word. Nevertheless, there are some areas in Albir that are well known and have their own character, such as:

• Playa del Albir: this is the beach area of Albir and the most touristy part of the city. It has a long boulevard with restaurants, shops and entertainment venues;

• Centro de Albir: this is the center of Albir, which mainly consists of a long street with various shops, restaurants and bars;

• El Pinar: this area is located in the north of Albir and mainly consists of villas and apartments;

• Foya Blanca: this is a residential area west of Albir, with mainly detached houses and villas.

The climate & nature in Albir

A Mediterranean climate

With more than 300 sunny days a year, it is almost always summer here. The average annual temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius, but in the summer months the temperature can easily rise to 30 degrees Celsius.

The surrounding mountains provide a microclimate that protects against strong winds and ensures a pleasant, peaceful atmosphere. This makes Albir an ideal destination for a relaxing holiday all year round.

The weather, the average temperature

Below is a table showing the average temperatures in Albir per month:

The nature around Albir

The ‘natural’ highlight is the Parque Natural de la Serra Gelada. This protected nature reserve consists of rugged cliffs, pine trees and Mediterranean flora. It is a paradise for hikers and cyclists. The area covers more than 5,600 hectares and reaches heights of more than 300 meters.

Lovers of a good hike can head into the area from Benidorm. It is also possible to walk a shorter stretch from Albir. You then walk toward the Albir lighthouse.

Other highlights in the area include:

• Guadalest: this picturesque village is located in the mountains, about a 30-minute drive from Albir. The village is famous for its castle, the Guadalest dam, and the beautiful views;

• Fonts de l’Algar: this nature reserve with waterfalls and pools is located in the municipality of Callosa d’en Sarrià, about a 15-minute drive from Albir;

• Sierra de Bernia: this mountain area with peaks up to 1129 meters high is located about a 40-minute drive from Albir.

The gastronomy of Albir

Restaurants in Albir

Despite being among the small towns on the Costa Blanca, Albir offers a wide range of restaurants and bars. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner there. There is plenty of choice in the center or along the promenade.

Supermarkets in Albir

Dutch supermarket

Have you emigrated or are you on vacation and can’t miss Dutch products? Then you can visit SuperCostaBlanca: a Spanish supermarket with products from the Netherlands, but also Germany, England, Norway and Sweden.

Dutch delicatessen store

Are you in the mood for Dutch cheese and nuts? Then you should go to Don Panchito in Albir. This Dutch delicatessen store sells various types of cheese, including Beemster van ‘t Mes and Boerenkaas. They also have a wide range of nuts such as nut mix, peanuts, dried fruit, Japanese nuts and seeds & kernels.

Transportation & accommodation in Albir

By plane to Albir

Do you want to go on holiday to Albir? Then it is best to fly to the airport Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández (ALC). From here it is about 60 kilometers to Albir, a car ride of about 45 to 60 minutes.

From various airports in the Netherlands and Belgium, companies such as Transavia, KLM, Vueling, Ryanair and TUI fly fly directly to Alicante.

On holiday in Albir

Albir is a versatile destination with something for everyone. The possibilities for a relaxing or an active holiday are very diverse:

• Sun and beach holidays: with its extensive pebble beach and pleasant climate, Albir is the perfect place to enjoy the Spanish sun, even last-minute;
• Active vacations: the surroundings, especially the Sierra Helada Natural Park, are excellent for hiking and biking. There are also plenty of opportunities for water sports;
• Wintering: thanks to the mild microclimate, Albir is a very popular destination for winter visitors from all over Europe;
• Cultural trips: due to its central location, Albir is an ideal base to further discover the Costa Blanca, with places such as Altea, Guadalest and Benidorm.

You can opt for a package tour, where flight and accommodation are included, or book your flight and stay separately.

Holiday stay in Albir

• Hotels: from luxury resorts with extensive facilities such as swimming pools and wellness centers to smaller, cozy family hotels;
• Apartments: a popular choice in Albir. You can opt for an apartment in a complex with a shared swimming pool or an independent apartment. This offers more freedom and is ideal for families or longer stays;
• Holiday homes and villas: for those looking for more space, privacy and luxury, there are various holiday homes and villas for rent, often with a private swimming pool and garden.

Most accommodations are within walking distance of the beach, the boulevard and the center.

Parking in Albir

You can park in Albir both in the center and on the boulevard. Parking is free everywhere. If you park in the center, you can go to the large parking lot where the flea market is normally held. From there you can walk via ‘the main street’ ‘Av. de l’Albir’ towards the boulevard.

It is also possible to park your car in Altea. From there you can walk along the water towards the promenade of Albir.

Everything at hand with the free Albir app

Do you want to be sure that you don’t miss anything from your favorite place on the Costa Blanca? Then download the free app and turn your phone into the ultimate travel guide for the entire region:

• All ‘website’ content is available: all travel guides, blogs and other tips for restaurants, activities and sights, but also accommodations;

• Simple navigation: all available information is clearly presented (per location) and you can easily navigate back and forth;

• Interactive map: explore the Costa Blanca and easily plan your routes to the most beautiful places;

• Smart location recognition: when you approach a place on the Costa Blanca, you automatically receive a notification that allows you to directly open the travel guide for that place;

• Your favorites: you can save your favorite locations, such as restaurants, and easily find them again;

The CostaBlanca.nl app is completely free to download and use. Start planning your perfect trip today!

Question & answer (FAQ)

Handy links

• Visit Albir (Tourist information)
• Albir Wikipedia (General information)
• Spain.info Albir (Tourist information)

More tips for your visit to Albir