Once again the MACMA team accepts the exciting proposal made to us by our colleagues from Passaport Marina Alta CREAMA and on this occasion, between vineyards and wineries, we will walk through the towns of Parcent, Alcalalí and Xaló on a first route and through those of Llíber, Benissa and Teulada on a second route.
Passaport Marina Alta
You can download them and consult the complete information at the following links:
Route 1 [Downloadable PDF]
Route 2 [Downloadable PDF]
A LITTLE HISTORY. We know where we come from to decide where we are going.
Marina Alta is extremely lucky to be located in a privileged geographical location, between the sea and the mountains and with an excellent climate that allows the cultivation of many species, mainly citrus fruits but also vineyards.
The tradition of cultivating vineyards dates back a long time in our region, in fact the trade in raisins through the port of Dénia structured part of the region during the 19th century, allowing production from the area near Xaló to be transported by ship to England and other markets.
Dénia, like other nearby towns, has historically been a prominent producer of raisins, a variety of grapes that are dried in the sun to preserve them, and their trade used to be an essential activity for local farmers. However, over the years, raisin production has decreased compared to other crops and now it is the direct production of wine that predominates.
The wines of the region
The wines of the Marina Alta are found under the Designation of Origin Vins d'Alacant , but they have their own characteristics that make them unique, they are fresh, balanced and with Mediterranean notes in their taste. Two grape varieties stand out mainly, Moscatel and Boval.
Muscat is the most emblematic variety of the region and is mainly grown for the production of sweet wines, such as the famous Muscat d'Alexandria. The area has a warm and sunny climate, which favors the ripening of this grape, giving it a fruity and floral flavor that is very appreciated in the production of aromatic and dessert wines.
The combination of the Muscat grape variety and traditional winemaking techniques has given rise to unique wines with great personality, both white, red and sparkling.
The Giró grape variety is another of the native varieties grown in the region, although less well known than Muscat. It is mainly used in the production of red wines, and the variety stands out for its adaptability to the area. These wines can be fresh and fruity, or more robust and complex depending on the winemaking process.
But wine is not only a consumer product in the Marina Alta, but also a deeply rooted cultural element. The region's wineries have become a tourist attraction, offering guided tours, wine tastings and a complete experience of the production process. In the wine-growing villages of the region, events are held in honor of wine, such as the Harvest Festival in Xaló, which highlights the beginning of the grape harvest.
In short, wine in the Marina Alta is a reflection of tradition, quality and Mediterranean flavor, with a growing presence in the wine market, both national and international, thanks to the efforts of small producers and wineries like those we will find along these routes that we propose.
PROPOSED DAYS. Step by step we are making our way.
The proposed experiences are short-term trips, excursions that will take you as long as you want, from a couple of hours to a couple of days, depending on the pace you want to set and the time you have.
In any case, we recommend that you practice slow tourism , a way of traveling that focuses on connecting with local people, food, cultures and music.
In essence, those who travel in this way seek to educate themselves and feel the typical emotions generated by travel and discovery of new places, in a responsible and conscious way, delving into tradition and the local community.
If you have time and feel like staying overnight in some of the towns, the interior of the region has plenty of charming accommodation along the entire route. You will find the links at the end of this page.
First route
“A world of wines: Parcent, Alcalalí, Xaló” is the first route we propose, you can do it in one direction or the other, depending on your starting point.
We will start in Parcent , a town full of charm where you can taste and sample the wines of the surrounding area at the Bodega Parcent , the Bodega Gutiérrez de la Vega or visit the Cooperativa El Progrés .
If you are a hiker, you can also do one of these two routes: the climb to the Nevera or the climb to the Penyó which starts, precisely, from the Cooperativa.
When you decide to continue on your way, take the CV-720 and you will arrive, in a few minutes, at the municipality of Alcalalí and from there to Xaló.
If you already know Alcalalí, you can leave Parcent and change route, taking the opportunity to visit the Hermitage of St. Joan de Mosquera and then head directly to Xaló.
But if you stop in Alcalalí , you will find that it is a good starting point for various cultural and nature activities, of which perhaps the most distinctive of the town is the Feslalí: Alcalalí en flor , which celebrates the flowering of the almond trees, usually at the end of February. It is a festival with a diverse and exciting offer that changes every year.
You have to forgive us because with so many activities and interesting places it's hard not to stray from the route, but in reality it doesn't matter, right? As we've said many times, the route is the destination and it's worth stopping at all the places of interest that you can and that you feel like visiting.
But let's get back to the world of wine!
In Alcalalí, the Bodega Cap de Nit awaits us and then we can have lunch at any of the restaurants in the town and taste a cod paella or the typical rice soup.
On the way to Xaló along the CV-750, we suggest you visit the Bodega Xaló , the Bodega Riko , the vineyards of Manu Guardiola Viticultor , the Vinyaters Aida and Luis or the centennial farm Uvas Cabrera ...
You have a lot to choose from, because wine and its industry have been part of the essence of our region since the 8th century BC in the Alto de Benimaquia (first known wine cups).
In Xaló there are plenty of establishments where you can eat and drink well, and on Saturdays the town is especially lively because the Xaló Flea Market and the Earth Market are held weekly , with natural products sold directly by local producers.
If you plan to stop at all the wineries, it may not be a good idea to take the car to do this route. Remember that it is also an ideal route to do by bike or on foot, as the distances are short and there are paths that allow you to do it safely.
Second route
“Among vineyards: Llíber, Benissa and Teulada” is the second of two CREAMA passports dedicated to the world of wine in our region.
If you like nature, wine and good food, this second itinerary will not leave you indifferent, as it has all the ingredients to spend an unforgettable day.
The route can be done in both directions, from the coast to the interior or vice versa. We suggest you start in Llíber , where you will find a very well-preserved urban center between mountains and vineyards.
Several artisan producers open their wineries for guided tours and wine tastings. If you have time, stop by the Casa agrícola Pepe Mendoza , pioneers of sustainable wine tourism in the province of Alicante, concerned with the conservation of native varieties, the buildings typical of the area and the landscape of our region.
From Llíber to Benissa you will have to take the CV-750 road, the route is only 11 km and can be done in 15 minutes, but it will certainly take you longer, since the temptation to stop to take photos of the surroundings or to catch a glimpse of one of the birds that populate the sky of the region is great. If you bring a sandwich, try to find a good place to sit and contemplate the landscape. Don't be in a hurry, you have time to get to Benissa and discover its charms.
The municipality of Benissa is quite wide, and goes from the sea to the interior, taking in part of the Serra de Bèrnia . As for the world of wine in Benissa, again Moscatel is the star product and several wineries offer tastings and diverse experiences, from pairings with local food to guided tours of the facilities to learn first-hand about the winemaking process.
Initiatives by innovative young winemakers such as Òscar Mestre with his wine project or the Celler Joan de la Casa show us how wine producers in the Marina Alta are leaders in their projection and pursuit of quality.
Leaving Benissa, take the N332 and the CV-740 to reach the municipality of Teulada, located just 6 km away where you will find, among others, the Celler Montesanco , the Bodega Teulada , the Finca L'Alberca Celler M de Alejandria or the Bodega Antonio Llobell Cardona , places where you can taste local wines, learn about the native Teulada-Moraira grape variety and taste the most typical sweet wine of the area: mistela.
Don't leave Teulada without buying some of the local products offered by the town's establishments, we're talking about wines of course, but also other delicacies. Artisan products that you won't find in supermarkets and that you certainly won't want to miss.
If you want to further improve your day, we recommend going from Teulada to Moraira on the CV-743. Although it is the same municipality, the two towns, the center of Teulada and the beach of Moraira, are about 7 km apart.
There, in front of the sea, is the ideal place to look for a restaurant and enjoy the local gastronomy... with wines from the region, of course!
If you are interested in knowing even more about this topic, you should know that the Xaló Tourist Office recently presented the Marina Alta Winery Passport 2025 initiative , with the participation of eleven wineries and with the aim of deseasonalizing wine tourism in the Marina Alta.
We have already met most of them during our route, but it is worth taking a look because there are also wineries that can be visited in other towns such as Xàbia, Pedreguer or Jesús Pobre.
Finally, if you can't travel to do these routes, but you've got a huge desire to drink wine from the Marina Alta, remember that you can contact several establishments that will deliver it directly to your home. You can find more information about wineries, wine production and wine sales establishments on our website .
*This experience is designed to be done in two days, either consecutively or on two different days. The MACMA team proposes routes, spaces and buildings to visit, but each person can adapt the experience to their abilities, physical resistance and interests. If you want more information or elements to visit in each town, you can enter the website of Descobrim la Marina Alta and adapt the experience to your tastes with the backpack.
AND MORE. On the table and in bed at the first cry.
 Where to buy |  where to eat |
 where to sleep |  Activities and others |