Alcoy offers several distinct reasons to visit: Iberian and medieval history, puppet theatre, museum visits, as well as trails and nature watching. If you would like to combine culture and landscape, these different highlights can help you plan your trip. When looking for a hotel in Alcoy, it is worth first considering whether you want to focus on historic sites and performances or outdoor activities.

History and archaeological insights

El Puig d'Alcoi is a fortified Iberian hilltop settlement dating from between the 7th and 4th centuries BC. The Conjunto Medieval de Alcoy dates back to 1256, when the Villa de Alcoy was founded. The Recinto Amurallado was built in the 13th century. Only a few remains have been preserved, including the outline of the structure and some distinctive towers.

The Alcoy Archaeological Museum displays a thematically and chronologically organised selection of archaeological materials in a permanent exhibition covering 192 square metres. The rock shelters of La Sarga also offer an archaeological focus: they can be visited on guided tours arranged through the museum. It is best to check the availability of a tour in advance.

Festivals, theatre and virtual experiences

The Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos de Alcoy have the status of a festival of international tourist interest and of an intangible cultural asset of particular interest. Betlem de Tirisiti is a puppet theatre featuring rod puppets, which has been running since the late 19th century. Its scenes depict everyday life in Alcoy in the past and parades of the Moros y Cristianos. A municipal designation from 2012 also places Cementerio Sant Antoni Abat on the Ruta Europea de Cementerios Significativos, which is recognised as a European Cultural Route.

The interior of Casa del Pavo is one of four distinctive buildings in Alcoy that visitors were able to explore as part of a virtual reality project, as they cannot be visited in person. QR codes on the façades allowed visitors to access an immersive 360-degree experience using their own mobile devices or Oculus virtual reality headsets. The modernist project included information in sign language and five spoken languages. Check whether this offering is currently available before your visit.

Trails and nature

The Vía Verde de Alcoy is 10 kilometres long and runs among pine trees and viaducts through the Parque Natural del Carrascal de la Font Roja. It can be used on foot, by bicycle and in a wheelchair. Along the Barranc del Cint route, there is an opportunity to watch vultures near a reserve—a different focus from travelling along the Vía Verde.

The Parque Natural de la Sierra de Mariola was declared a natural park by the Valencian Government on 8 January 2002. Another natural highlight is the area along the upper reaches of the Polop River: water is present there year-round, and the large limestone rocks have been shaped by river erosion. Information about trails, nature watching and archaeological tours offers different starting points when deciding whether to focus your stay on culture, activity or landscape.

Discover more destinations: Abdet, Calpe, Benilloba, Finestrat, Santa Clara, Agost, Mutxamel, La Vall De Laguar.

For the main travel overview: Alicante.