Alcalalí Tower

Alcalalí Tower stands on a hilltop above the small town of Alcalalí, in the Marina Alta region of Alicante province. It is one of the area's most recognizable landmarks, visible from a distance thanks to the glass-and-steel viewing platform added to its top during a modern restoration.

How do you get there?

Alcalalí sits inland in Marina Alta, between Xàbia and Benissa, roughly a 30–40 minute drive from the coast (Calpe, Xàbia, Dénia). Driving is the easiest option, since the town is small and the tower stands on a rise near its centre — park at the foot of the hill and walk up the last stretch. The nearest major airport is Alicante, about an hour away by car.

What will you see?

The tower has an almost square, battered base measuring roughly 6 by 8 metres, built from rubble masonry reinforced with ashlar stone at the corners. Inside, a spiral staircase links its five floors. It was raised at the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries on the orders of Mosén Pedro de Castellví, then lord of Alcalalí and Jalón, and his wife Yolanda Pardo — built as a watchpoint and last refuge for residents against pirates and bandits entering through the Coll de Rates pass.

In 1599 a new owner, Eiximen Ruiz de Lihory, acquired the estate and added a palatial residence next to the tower, linked to it by a drawbridge, creating the complex now known as the Torre y Palacio de los Rois de Liori. During a 1992 restoration the tower was topped with a contemporary steel-and-glass lookout that deliberately contrasts with the original defensive stonework and today serves as a viewpoint over the valley and surrounding hills.

When should you visit?

Spring and autumn bring the most comfortable temperatures for exploring this inland part of Marina Alta, when the countryside around the Coll de Rates turns green after rain. Summer midday heat can be intense, especially on the shadeless walk up to the tower, so mornings or late afternoons are the better choice — that's also when the light does the most for the valley view from the lookout.

Why is it worth visiting?

Alcalalí Tower pairs centuries of genuine defensive history with an unusual architectural gesture: a glass lookout that doesn't hide the past but sets it in clear contrast with the present. It's a rare case of a watchtower still doing what it was built for — letting people look far into the distance, only now for the view instead of for pirates.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the tower? The tower has five floors connected by a spiral staircase, but access depends on locally set opening hours — check with the Alcalalí town hall or tourist office before your visit.

Where does the tower come from, and who built it? It was built at the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries by Mosén Pedro de Castellví and his wife Yolanda Pardo, as a defensive point protecting residents from pirates and bandits who entered through the Coll de Rates pass.

What is the glass lookout on top? It's a modern steel-and-glass structure added during the tower's 1992 restoration, replacing the original crown and now functioning as a viewing platform.

Is there anything else to see nearby? Yes — in 1599 a palatial residence was built next to the tower and linked to it by a drawbridge, forming the Torre y Palacio de los Rois de Liori complex. Alcalalí itself sits in the scenic Marina Alta region, at the foot of the Coll de Rates, a favourite spot for cyclists and hikers.