One charming town in Alicante province, on Spain's Costa Blanca, is La Nucía, located in the Marina Baixa region. Set inland between Benidorm, Altea and Polop, and just 9–10 km from the coast, it offers the best of both worlds.
The town has easy access to the Mediterranean alongside a peaceful setting away from the busier coastal resorts.
Authentic Atmosphere and Character
Unlike nearby Benidorm, La Nucía offers an authentic atmosphere, combining traditional Spanish character with modern residential living. The town features a charming old centre with whitewashed houses, narrow streets and a historic church, along with a variety of newer residential areas and villas, alongside a well-established international community.
Beautiful mountain and valley scenery, with views stretching across the surrounding Alicante landscape, is another highlight. The town provides convenient access to the beaches, restaurants and attractions of Benidorm and Altea, while remaining removed from the bustle of a major tourist resort.
Local Cuisine and Michelin-Starred Dining
Food in La Nucía reflects the rich culinary traditions of Alicante and the wider Valencia region, with Mediterranean flavours at the heart of the local cuisine. Expect plenty of rice dishes, fresh vegetables, seafood, meat and locally sourced ingredients, reports the Express.
Rice is a particular highlight, with local menus featuring favourites such as arroz a banda, traditional paella and other Alicante-style rice dishes. The Marina Baixa also has some distinctive specialities of its own. Minxos are small, thin breads or pancakes traditionally made with wheat or corn and served with savoury toppings, while pilotes de dacsa are cornmeal dumplings with a savoury filling.
Another local dish is arroz cuinat, a traditional rice recipe that reflects the area's simple and hearty cooking. With the Mediterranean coast close by, fresh fish and seafood are also widely available, particularly in nearby Altea and Benidorm.
The town is also home to Michelin-starred restaurant El Xato, celebrated as a family-run establishment and "the most prestigious restaurant in the Marina Baixa area". Michelin notes the staff "do everything possible to ensure diners arrive as guests but leave as friends". Chef Cristina Figueira, with the support of her husband Francisco Cano, "demonstrates an inexhaustible spirit", which has seen her rise to become "one of the most outstanding cooks" in the region, owing to her "mastery" of Alicante cuisine, according to Michelin.
Scenery, Property and Population
The surrounding landscape is another of La Nucía's highlights, with beautiful mountain and valley views across the Alicante countryside. At around 226 metres above sea level, the town sits between the sea and the mountains and provides easy access to the spectacular Guadalest Valley, as well as the beaches and attractions of Benidorm and Altea.
Nestled in a valley less than six miles north of Benidorm, La Nucía boasts a population of approximately 19,000. Meanwhile, property prices start from around €200,000 (£171,000) for apartments, with villas typically starting from €300,000 (£276,000) and rising considerably for larger homes with pools or sea views, according to Idealista.
Within easy reach of Alicante and Valencia, La Nucía's inhabitants come from Spain, Britain, Germany, France, the Netherlands and Scandinavia.
Getting to La Nucía
For those looking to spend the night, La Nucía has several accommodation options, with Hostal Sunami, Casa Alice, Casa Rural and Hostal Kaizen amongst the choices listed on booking.com.
Getting to La Nucía from the UK is relatively straightforward, with direct flights available to Alicante–Elche Airport (ALC), the main airport serving the area. Alicante Airport is around 50–65 km from La Nucía, with the journey by car or taxi typically taking around 45–60 minutes.
There are direct flights to Alicante from several UK airports, including Liverpool, with airlines including Ryanair and easyJet; Manchester, which has frequent services with Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2; Birmingham, which also offers direct flights to Alicante; and London, with several airports offering direct services, depending on the airline and time of year.
