Great Things to Do Near Casa Sabater
Nearby beaches
The tranquil coves of Moraira, El Portet and Playa L’Ampolla are just a short drive, with tapas bars and bistros located in the upmarket, compact resort centre. Xàbia’s La Granadella beach may take a little more seeking out than its other beaches, but you will be generously rewarded for your persistence with amazing photo moments in this natural cove. Denia’s (Las Marinas) 16km stretch of natural coastline offers virtually every type of beach you could ask for whilst Calpe’s beaches of L’Arenal-Bol and Levante are very child-friendly, have plenty of amenities and numerous places for a snack lunch.
Local Markets
This stretch of the Valencian coastline boasts a vibrant local market somewhere, every day of the week. By far, one of the most popular is the ‘Rastro’ in Jalon on a Saturday morning, where locals from surrounding villages congregate along the river bank, to sell local products such as honey, olive oil, sweet almond pastries and crispy ‘Churros’ (a doughnut mixture) to dip in thick, rich chocolate. Leather handbags, beach dresses and lace tablecloths sway in the breeze, intermingled between stands laden with hand-crafted wooden figurines, colourful ceramic dishes and an endless array of shoes. The hum of traders chanting today’s special offer, a solitary guitar strumming in the distance and the chance to barter for a bargain whilst buying a week's supply of fresh fruit and veg makes for a fun morning, mingling with the locals. Other markets of note take place in Xàbia (Thursday), Moraira (Friday) and Dénia (Monday). Market times are 0930h – 1400h.
A Day in the Valleys
Village hopping is the order of the day in the lush green valleys of Jalón and Orba, collectively known as Vall de Pop. The villages of Jalón, Lliber, Alcalalí, Parcent, Murla and Orba are just a few to mark on your itinerary for the day. Popular with cyclists and hiking groups, this area provides walking trails linking one village to another for the more energetic, whilst an exhilarating mountain drive over the ‘Coll de Rates’ is always a favourite for those whose preference leans towards four wheeled activities. Wine tasting in the Bodega, climbing the medieval tower for breath-taking views, learning how the local honey and olive oil is produced or just sipping an espresso whilst ‘people watching’ in one of the village plazas. A ‘Menu del Dia’ will provide a filling 3 course set meal, including wine, for excellent value and give you the opportunity to taste some of the inland gastronomic delights of living in the mountains.
Local Boat Trips
Motorised boats provide a link between the ports of Altea, Calpe, Xàbia and Dénia on a regular basis during the summer months. A great way to view the rugged coastline from a fun point of view. Glass bottom boats chug out to coral reefs to take a peak and admire the marine life just offshore and Catamaran Sunset Cruises are very popular, setting sail late afternoon from the same ports.
Visiting the Old Quarters
Each resort has lovingly preserved its original old quarters (El Casco Antiguo), comprising of a maze of cobbled streets, terraced houses, archways and alcoves, shady plazas, with a cocktail of absorbing aromas emanating from the occasional bar or restaurant located on the ground floor of someone’s house. No two 'Casco Antiguos' are the same, but are always perched on a hill, going back to the constant fear of attack by Pirates and the Moors endeavouring to conquer the land many centuries ago. These characterful pockets of history are resilient to any changes that may take place in the surrounding area, promising a delightful ambience for evening dining. Altea, Calpe and Dénia prove to be the most popular venues, with elegant dining as well as less formal Bistros and Pizzerias.
Castles
The shady ramparts of Denia Castle enjoy magnificent views of the harbour and the intricate labyrinth of narrow streets belonging to its old town below. A moderate climb will take you to the top of this historic landmark with panoramic views of the town and coastline. Inland, nestled in the neighbouring Sierra Aitana Mountains, the inspiring Castle of Guadalest is affectionately called the ‘Eagles’ Nest’, prompted by the way it is perched on the peak of a rocky pinnacle. There are still some residents living in the centre of this Moorish village, making their living by selling handmade lace, almond and honey products to visitors who pause to enjoy the far-reaching mountain views.
Join in with a festival
Whichever month you decide to visit, there’s a good chance that jovial fiestas will be in full swing. After months of planning, making costumes, band practise and dance rehearsals, the whole town comes together to celebrate just about anything: Grape Picking Week, Almond Blossom Season, The Blessing of Pets Day, anyone with the name Juan and so the list goes on. There are of course the more serious, historical dates and skilfully synchronised, so as not to overlap with other neighbouring gatherings, the battle of the Moors and Christians (Moros y Cristianos) is considered one of the main events for diaries within the region. Mock battles, brass bands, processions, fireworks and white knights conquering black knights all take place around a papier-mâché castle, to the aroma of candy floss and sugar-coated almonds, warming in large oil drums just a few steps away. The Moors and Christians Fiestas take place in: Moraira-June, Xàbia-July, Dénia-August, Calpe-October.
Caves
Cueva Del Rull in Vall d'Ebo and Cueva de Las Calaveras in Benioleig are both prime examples of the typical rock formations that hug the coastline, creating the ‘microclimate’ that this part of the peninsula is so famous for. These caves are close to hand and definitely worth a visit, as well as a perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day, with parking provided and a small entrance fee. Xàbia’s coastline has more clandestine caves, such as Cueva del Llop Marí and Cova Tallada, which are only accessible by kayak, making the journey getting there as much fun as exploring the caves.
Theme Parks
The Costa Blanca has its fair share of theme parks and water parks, and for all the thrills and screams of white-knuckle rides one only need drive 40 minutes to reach a cluster of waterslides, wave pools, safari parks, dolphin shows, life-size robotic dinosaurs and a world of mythical lands. A little more demurely, the City of Arts and Science is a vast complex on the outskirts of Valencia, incorporating an interactive Science Museum ('El Museo') for hands-on educational fun for all ages, 'L’Hemisferic', a magnificent planetarium with IMAX cinema screen in a building the shape of an eye, and 'L’Oceanografic', the largest aquarium of its kind in Europe, built in the form of a water lily, with separate areas depicting different aquatic environments: the Mediterranean, Tropical seas, the Red Sea, Antarctic and Arctic.
Valencia City
A diverse city, from the ramparts of the medieval old quarters with shady plazas, narrow cobbled streets and an abundance of historical buildings, to the modern, state of the art architecture of the 'Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias', Spain’s third largest city is close enough for a perfect day trip. A horse drawn carriage or open top tourist bus provide tours of the most emblematic sites, whilst ‘retail therapy’ takes on a whole new definition amidst the buzz of scurrying shoppers darting between the trendy boutiques and department stores of Calle Colón.
