5 Things to see in La Nucía

Looking for things to see in La Nucia? Perfect! La Nucia is a small municipality on the Costa Blanca, in the province of Alicante, just 20 kilometers from Calpe and barely 9 kilometers from the beaches of Benidorm and Altea. Due to its location, La Nucia is an ideal destination for a day trip or excursion, especially if you have rented a holiday home nearby, such as a villa in Benissa or a villa in Calpe. If you want to discover all the things to see in La Nucia and what this place has to offer, don’t miss this post—we’ll tell you everything!

5 Things to Do in La Nucia

We could say that La Nucia is the gateway to the mountain villages inland from Alicante in general and, specifically, to the Guadalest Valley. Due to its unique location, between the sea and the mountains, the essence of typical Mediterranean villages runs through each of its small streets. As a curiosity, we will tell you that the origin of La Nucia is none other than an Arab farmhouse, which witnessed the wars between Christians and Berbers. In fact, Nucia comes from the Arabic term "noziha," which means delicious. No wonder—it's a delight for the senses that you can enjoy with the following things to see in La Nucia.

1. Visit Font de la Favara

Font de la Favara is a small natural setting perfect for refreshing yourself in summer and connecting with nature at any time of the year thanks to La Nucia’s mild temperatures. At Font de la Favara you will find a recreational area with picnic tables and swings, as well as a garden with native species and aromatic plants—great for a walk! But what makes this place a must-see among the things to do in La Nucia are its fountains, with 8 spouts and a 5-meter waterfall surrounded by vegetation, making the site a magical place. Did you know there’s a legend explaining the origin of this waterfall? That’s right! When the Celts ruled, Princess Roxana, the daughter of the king, was chosen to marry one of their gods, which would mean her sacrifice. However, Roxana was in love with another young man, Aituna Ochoa. He promised to free her, and during her escape, the priestess discovered Roxana and turned her into a rock to prevent her from escaping. It’s easy to imagine now that the waterfall is the tears of sadness of the princess. The legend also says that the curse caused everyone who drinks from the waters of Font de la Favara to fall in love with Roxana, whom people still say can be heard when water falls from the cascade. Additionally, Font de la Favara has a lookout point and a small kiosk. During the warmer months, it is also allowed to cool off there, making it an ideal place for a short excursion.

2. The Old Town, the heart of the city

The center of the municipality is undoubtedly one of the things to see in La Nucia. Like many on the Costa Blanca, it is composed of white houses surrounding the Church of La Purísima Concepción. Other points of interest you can discover when visiting include the washhouse, the sports city, or the squares. When exploring, don’t forget to look up and see how mountain peaks peek between the white buildings. You will love it! Furthermore, during spring and summer, the town hall offers guided tours to discover the Old Town and its main attractions up close. These tours are especially designed for families and, if you have a pet, you can bring it along too. The Old Town of La Nucia is located at the lower part of the road that crosses the village.

3. The Rastro of La Nucia

The Rastro of La Nucia, which has been held every Sunday since 1983, is a perfect place for lovers of antiques, curiosities, and in general, for anyone looking for something different to see in La Nucia. It takes place from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, and if you go in summer, we recommend taking advantage of the early hours to explore and be surprised by everything you can find—from household items, clothing, and decor, to furniture and other very curious objects. No wonder— the market spreads over around 2 kilometers with more than 700 stalls.

If you want to visit, the market is set up in the La Alberca Industrial Park.

4. Fonts de l’Algars, pure nature

Although located in the neighboring town of Callosa d’en Sarrià, their proximity, just 15 minutes by car, makes visiting them one of the best things to do in La Nucia.

The Fonts del Algar are a series of waterfalls and natural pools, connected by channels along the Algar River. Their waters form a spectacular course thanks to their color. They are blue and crystal clear and contrast beautifully with the surrounding vegetation. At the Fonts del Algar, you can refresh yourself during the summer months and find many services such as restaurants, bathrooms, a camping area, and a souvenir shop. Despite how busy the landscape might be, it is well-preserved environmentally. An essential thing to do in La Nucia!

5. Visit Dino Park Algar

Did you know that just near La Nucia, you can walk among dinosaurs? It’s a perfect plan for the whole family! Just 20 minutes from La Nucia, you’ll find Dino Park Algar, an adventure park with life-sized robotic, static, and sound dinosaurs. It also has several play zones, including a small pond for the little ones to cool off, a 3D cinema room, a botanical garden, and a dig area where kids can feel like paleontologists.

Dino Park Algar opens every day, except during January and December. Perfect for visiting during your holidays!

Where to stay to visit La Nucia?

If you want to visit La Nucia, the best option is to rent an apartment or villa in a nearby location such as Calpe or Altea. Being a small municipality, it can be visited in a day, making it perfect for an excursion. Therefore, we recommend staying in other nearby seaside towns with more charm on the Costa Blanca. For example, a villa in Altea or a villa in Calpe or even a apartment—your choice!