Castell de Castells between Rock Art and Mountain Landscapes

Castell de Castells combines the rock art of Pla de Petracos with mountain landscapes, hiking trails and regional cuisine. This makes it possible to plan a stay between culture and nature without equating the individual aspects of the area: the sanctuary, the route via El Castellet, an ethnographic museum and a restaurant each offer a different focus.

Rock Art and Regional Culture

The Pla de Petracos sanctuary in Castell de Castells is one of the most significant examples of macro-schematic art in Europe and has been recognized both as an Asset of Cultural Interest and as a World Heritage Site. The complex comprises a total of eight rock shelters. In Castell de Castells, an exhibition presents a reproduction of the rock paintings from the sanctuary’s rock shelters. The Museu Etnològic d'Art Macroesquemàtic de Petracos houses an ethnographic collection with objects relating to traditional ways of life and rural society in the mountains of Alicante province.

Routes via El Castellet

The PR-CV 149 El Castellet route leads to the Portet de Castells. At this pass, the last foothills of the Sierra de Serrella and the Sierra d’Aixortà meet; from there, the Guadalest Valley can be viewed. The El Castellet recreational area can be reached from Castell de Castells by heading towards Tárbena: after 800 metres, a road branches off to the right from the CV-752 at kilometre 11.58; the area is 150 metres from the road. The hiking trail from the museum to the sanctuary coincides with the PR-CV 168 route along certain sections.

Getting There and Dining

From Alicante and Benidorm, the municipal access route follows roads towards Callosa d’En Sarrià. From there, continue along the road to Tárbena and, shortly after the town, turn left towards Castell de Castells. Callosa d’En Sarrià is approximately 19 kilometres from Castell de Castells.

At Plaza de la Iglesia 5, the Ca Joan Bar-Restaurant serves popular breakfasts, daily set menus and dinners featuring traditional cuisine, signature tapas and homemade desserts.

Destinations in the Wider Region

The wider region is home to several independent destinations: Terra Natura is a zoo; the Museo al Aire Libre Villa Romana de l'Albir, the Museo Municipal de la Boca del Calvari and the Sala de Exposiciones Ajuntament Vell are museums. Mirador Monte Toix is a viewpoint. The area around Castell de Castells also includes Almiserà mountain and the peaks of El Portixol and El Rellotge.

Choose Accommodation Based on Your Travel Interests

When choosing your accommodation, the interests can be clearly separated: Pla de Petracos and the museums represent art, ethnography and culture; PR-CV 149, El Castellet and the trail along PR-CV 168 represent routes and mountain landscapes. When choosing a hotel, you can use these focuses as criteria for planning your trip and combine culture, nature and regional cuisine according to your own daily rhythm.

More places to explore: Tabarca, Santa Pola, Benejúzar, Monforte Del Cid, Montesol, Abdet, Muro De Alcoy, Beniaia.

To the main travel overview: Alicante.