Alcocebre has been a small farming community for many centuries. While today it’s an all-year-round holiday resort, with many sporting and cultural amenities, it still retains much of it’s original character. For many years it has been a much loved summer retreat for the city dwellers of Valencia, Barcelona and Madrid. In fact, for such a small village it’s amazing how well known and highly regarded it is with the Spanish people.

The village is surrounded by fields of almonds, oranges, olives, tomatoes and the local delicacy alcachofas (artichokes). The region is called La Costa Azahar (the Orange Blossom Coast), but it could better be called the Almond Blossom Coast, as throughout February and March the fields are a riot of white and pink almond blossom. Alcocebre village has an all-year-round feel to it. It’s very quite outside of the main holiday season, but the local community have activities the whole year round and there are shops, bars and restaurants open in all seasons.

The main beaches of Playa Carregador, Playa Romana and Playa Moro are stunning; they are ‘Blue Flag’ beaches, therefore clean and well kept. The village sits between the sea and the hills of the Siera de Irta. The white Ermita de Santa Lucia and Sant Benet looks down on the village and the area called Cap y Corp.

Cap y Corp is a large agricultural plain that has many fincas and villas dotted around with no apparent plan! Narrow roads wind through the area, where the same families have farmed these small fields for years. Some fields are well tended, some not so well tended. On weekends and evenings you will see families working the fields, then during the week, you will see the same families working around the village.

Las Fuentes is to the north of Alcocebre, but you won’t find a gap between the two villages, the Paseo Marítimo links the two villages. Las Fuentes has developed slowly over the last 30 years and now covers the area between Alcocebre and the Siera de Irta. It is where you will find the Marina and a good number of restaurants and bars.

As it’s name suggests, the main beach of Las Fuentes has several underground springs that emerge and cross the sand into a small bay. It’s a well protected bay with safe swimming and super views. It’s also only a short walk to several bars and restaurants.

With a population of around 6,400, Alcalá de Xivert is the historic and administrative centre for the area. It was granted it’s “Carta Pobla” (it’s recognition of being a settlement) by the Knights Templers in 1250. It’s centrepiece is the 68 meter high tower of the church of Saint John the Baptist. The tower is the first thing you will see when approaching the area from the north, along the main coastal routes (the N340, AP7 or the Barcelona to Valencia rail-link). It took some 19 years to build and was completed in 1803. Floodlight at night, it makes a welcoming beacon to those arriving in the area after their journey from the UK. 

Looking down on the town, from the hills of the Sierra de Irta is the 10th century Castle of Alcalá de Xivert. Once held by the Knights Templers, it is just one of the many historic fortifications in the area that reflects it’s fascinating history.

The flora, fauna and topography of the area is varied and unspoiled. It is a region with much to explore.