Discover El Campello: The Fun Sights and Insider Tips
Did you know that El Campello is one of the nicest hidden gems on the Costa Blanca ? As a true local I’ll take you along cosy little beaches, atmospheric restaurants and the car‑free promenade . Here you can enjoy the weekly market full of nice souvenirs and there’s something to do all year round for children. In this blog I share my best insider tips for a perfect visit to El Campello!
This blog was brought up to date on 13/03/2025
How do I get to El Campello from the airport?
El Campello is about a 20‑minute drive from the airport. Renting a car? Outside high season you can easily park on the large sand car park on the promenade by the harbour. In high season it’s best to park in the parking garage near Mercadona. Staying in the centre? Then you can park for free at the roadside. But sometimes it takes a bit of searching to find a spot!
Online travel guide
Did you know I wrote an Online Travel Guide with the best travel tips for Alicante and surroundings? El Campello is covered too!
Download it here for just €19.90
Discover El Campello: the best restaurants, beaches and sights
Non‑stop ice cream at Mira
Mira ice‑cream parlour. For years on the corner next to the sand car park on the promenade. The ice cream is homemade, downstairs in the parlour’s cellar. And it’s delicious! Try turrón — Spanish nougat. Or tarta de queso — cheesecake. Or simply strawberry. Or an icy Spanish horchata drink or granizado de limón. You won’t believe the flavour! Nicely priced and a big danger… because you’ll go far too often. Open from March to the end of October. Be there!
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The Wednesday weekly market
El Campello has a really fun market. What shouldn’t you miss? First of all: fresh fruit. You’ll find it downstairs in the market hall, right next to the clothing market. Your eyes will pop — peppers are three times as big as in the Netherlands and you’ll see “forgotten vegetables” at every stall which here are simply called “vegetables.” Cheap and very tasty.
There are also colourful bikinis in stalls with enthusiastic Spanish vendors, sunglasses in every colour and size, beautiful beach towels from Barcelona and Madrid (and the Minions…), fresh flowers and last but not least… flamenco dresses! In every shape and size. With matching Spanish earrings.
Every Wednesday from 08:00 to 14:00. And nowadays also every Sunday! Also roughly from 08:00 to 14:00.
Shopping in Campello
Shopping is fun in Campello — especially for souvenirs and summer clothes. Along the promenade you’ll find lots of little shops with cute bracelets, caps, sandals, good and affordable shoes, bags, etc. Definitely worth a browse. My favourites are Gabriela for pretty straw bags and By Steph on the edge of El Campello and San Juan.
Best restaurants in El Campello
1) Restaurant La Cena by Nola
On the promenade you’ll find the cosy restaurant La Cena by Nola. It has a Dutch owner. So this isn’t the place for the best paella. But it is for a convivial evening eating satay among other Dutchies on the terrace. Or a nice steak or burger. They also have locations in Altea, La Nucia and Moraira.
2) Merfin La Solera Restaurant
Oh dear, now I’m going to say something locals might not like — because suddenly the restaurant will be full of Dutch people! But I’m naming it anyway, because it’s just too nice. Hidden on the little square up in the village of El Campello. A fine walk from the promenade. Inside is cosy, but the terrace out back is even nicer. Order the breaded chicken bites, the delicious BBQ burger or the enormous tortilla de patatas!
3) Menu Restaurant Paquito
More and more tourists are finding their way to Menu Restaurant Paquito in El Campello. For about €10 you get a typical Spanish three‑course menu. You can choose from several starters, mains and desserts. Plus you get a salad and a basket of bread. And a homemade Spanish dessert! You don’t need to speak Spanish to eat here, but the staff don’t speak much English either. Just point at the list the waiter carries and try something! They have tasty soups like Gazpacho Andaluz, garlicky fish and homemade natillas (a bit like crème brûlée).
Address: Carrer de Valencia, 7, 03560 El Campello, Alacant
Festivities in El Campello
→ 16 July Virgen del Carmen It’s a religious festival in honour of the Virgin Carmen , the patron saint of fishers and seafarers. It’s celebrated in many Spanish coastal towns , including El Campello, Benidorm and Villajoyosa . See the current Spanish programme here.
For Campello this is one of the most important festivals of the year. A statue of the Virgen del Carmen is taken out to sea on a decorated boat. There’s live music, children’s activities and events on the promenade.
→ 11–15 October Moros y Cristianos: The Biggest Festival of El Campello! If you’re in El Campello in October, you really mustn’t miss Moros y Cristianos ! It’s the biggest festival of the year and brings the village streets to life with parades, impressive costumes and a beach “battle.”
🚤 The highlight? The Desembarco Moro! At sunrise the Moors storm the beach from the sea, ready for the “battle” with the Christian troops. This spectacle is enacted on a grand scale, complete with cannons, swords and fireworks. It feels as if you’ve landed in the middle of Spain’s history! Note: it starts at 7:00 in the morning!
What else is there to see?
- Colourful parades with music, dance and floats
- Street parties that go on until the early hours
- Traditional tapas & drinks to complete the festivities
💡 Local’s tip: Want to experience it truly like a local? Go to the beach early in the morning for the Desembarco and find a good spot at one of the cosy terraces on the promenade! Can’t be there live? These days it’s even streamed on YouTube!
→ Christmas in El Campello
Christmas is celebrated in a big way on the Costa Blanca. Every year I write an extensive blog with tips for the best Christmas activities in Alicante and El Campello.
El Campello with kids
⇒ Near the market, up in the village, there’s a traffic park for little kids. So much fun! With real traffic lights, signs and little roads where they can scoot, cycle and play safely. It’s behind the police station in El Campello.
⇒ Gently shelving beach
El Campello is a very family‑friendly village. The beach shelves gently and is very manageable. There are hardly any waves thanks to the breakwaters. Toilets, bars and ice‑cream are within easy reach. And the atmosphere is wonderfully family‑oriented. Don’t be surprised if Spaniards set up almost on top of your towel — even when there’s plenty of space, they prefer to be close by. Always nice at 33°C 😉 There are playgrounds on the beach too, so while your kids whizz down the slide you can top up your tan!
⇒ Fishing for little fish in the harbour
This might be the activity kids remember most from the whole holiday. All you need is a bucket, a stick (or not), a line and a hook — and a leftover piece of baguette from mum. Tie the hook to the line and fish in the harbour! In the evening lots of kids gather here to catch little fish, crabs and other sea creatures. A great pastime — you’ll be amazed at what they pull from the water!
⇒ Short, fun walk in El Campello: From the harbour to the lighthouse
Fancy a nice walk in Campello? Walk the promenade towards the marina. Go round the corner past Club Náutico. On the way you can stop for coffee and/or tapas at the “chiringuito” — that ugly white building with the terrace on the water. It runs like clockwork! Sometimes you even need a reservation to eat there. Then continue up the slope around the corner. You’ll see the Roman ruins you can visit.
A fun idea is to take your snorkel and walk around the ruins. On the back side, jump into the water and watch the fish. Great fun! The lady with the ponytail gazing over the water you’ll pass along the way is Virgen del Carmen — the protector of all seafarers. Every year on 16 July Virgen del Carmen is celebrated with parades, music and lots of food and drink.
E‑book with tips for families
You’ll find more specific children’s and family tips in my e‑book “Family Holiday in Alicante.”
El Campello: The Best Hotels, Apartments & Beachfront Stays
♥ Hotel La Jova Once you’ve seen this place in real life, you’ll never want to leave. Homely feel, cosy vibe, good food, great breakfast/brunch, a room with Rituals products, lovely terrace and sea view. I say: book it!
♥ Jova Rooms: a recently opened hotel from the hotel above. These rooms are in the little street behind the promenade — one minute’s walk to the beach, cosy bars and nice restaurants.
♥ Ático en Playa Muchavista: This apartment suits a large family. A great spot for holidays year‑round. Tram nearby for Alicante, beach on your doorstep, Campello centre a few minutes away.
♥ Hostal 12 : “Hostal” can sound cheap and musty — but this one is hip, new and nice and centrally located. Ten minutes’ walk to the beach and two minutes to the tram station for Alicante centre or Benidorm. Recommended!
♥ Holiday Home Bahía Verdosa : Located outside Campello centre — so you’ll need a car. A wonderful holiday home with everything you need for an unforgettable stay!
My experience with El Campello
Before I came to Spain I’d already travelled quite a lot. But I still liked ending up in a village vibe instead of a big city like Madrid or Barcelona. You remain an Achterhoeker after all, right? A lot has changed in El Campello by now.
From fishing village to respectable tourist destination — without “Piet’s Chips” and a Dutch supermarket. And I hope it stays that way for a long time. Most tourism in El Campello is Spanish. Many people from Madrid have a second home on the coast and come to Campello at weekends and during holidays. The photo below shows how lively El Campello is in the evenings!
People often ask me whether El Campello is nice year‑round. Personally I think so. Because there are many permanent residents, there’s always something going on! You’ll never end up on a deserted promenade — unless it rains, of course. Then Spaniards prefer to stay indoors…
