A guide to some of the major attractions in our area.

Terra Mitica - Benidorm:

The largest amusement theme park in the Mediterranean, only a 40 minute drive from Oliva. Terra Mitica is Costa Blanca’s famous theme park which is reputed to be one of the best in Europe.

The theme park is divided into five themed sections with rides and restaurants suited to each particular theme. The park is suited for all ages and interests and there are enough sites and shows on offer to cater for several days.

Upon entering Terra Mitica, you will be transported back in time to ancient Egypt surrounded by pyramids on the Nile River. Relaxing river cruises are available to enjoy the spectacular views or you can enjoy a more exciting version down the rapids in a log. Just down the river, you will find the Iberian themed park with the craziest train ride you will ever experience. You can opt to visit Greece and Rome and enjoy some ancient mythological rides and stories. The Flight of Phoenix in Rome is an adrenalin filled rush which takes you to heights of 70 metres before plunging you back down at high speed. The Mediterranean Islands tempt you to try to rescue Ulysses and offer several water rides and enjoyment.

Terra Mitica features many restaurants serving traditional Mediterranean food from each of the themed areas. Fast food places are numerous, as are snack bars and shops. Theatres and stages are found throughout the park featuring various shows including fighting gladiators, singers and traditional dance.

Official site: www.terramiticapark.com

Aqualandia - Benidorm:

Aqualandia is reputedly Europe's largest water park standing behind the northern end of Playa Levante right next to Mundomar. It is a must for fans of water slides that will easily be able to spend a full day here.

There's a great range of attractions within the park such as the huge Atlantic wave pool, the springboards of Laguna, the beach and caves of Niagara and Adventureland which has been developed specially for young children. There are plenty high adrenaline rides with scary names such as Kamikaze and Black Hole as well as Big Bang which is Europe's highest chute ride.

During the peak season you'll have to queue for slides.

Official site: www.aqualandia.net

Mundomar - Benidorm:

Mundomar means “world sea”.  It is a marine and exotic animal park that provides fun for all the family.  Seeing these exotic birds such as flamingos, pelicans, wild swans and geese as well as the marine animals in their natural environment is a wonderful experience.

At Mundomar there is a large collection of parrots and other species that have a remarkable variety of plumage. The parrot show is very amusing. They show off to the crowd their cleverness and skills as well as their ability to chatter. There is also a show with sea lions that is well worth seeing.

Amongst other entertainments there is a show called Star that involves five dolphins and six professional swimmers that do a wonderful display of synchronised swimming and perform various acts with the dolphins such as jumping, pirouetting and ball balancing.

Official site: www.mundomar.es

Ciudad de las Arts y las Ciencias - Valencia:

Built in the dried up river bed of the Turia, the City of the Arts and Sciences is an architectural ensemble comprising a science museum (El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe), planetarium (L'Hemisfèric), opera house (El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía), promenade (L'Umbracle) and a parking structure.

Built between 1998 and 2003, the buildings are surrounded by shallow pools. Two streamlined bridges, also designed by Calatrava, cross the promenade between the opera house and the planetarium. Other than the water, Calatrava also used white concrete and shattered tiles to tie the various buildings together into a whole. Closest to the city centre, the 75m high opera house acts as an urban landmark. Its most striking features are the shell that wraps the buildings volumes as well as an enormous cantilevered plume. The planetarium occupies the centre of the complex. Like a colossal eye, its glass facades open to reveal the spherical theatre.

Official site: www.cac.es

Guadalest:

Twenty-five kilometres inland from Benidorm in the foothills of the Sierra de Aitana mountain range you will find the picturesque village and ‘Castell de Guadalest’. This famous fortress was built by the Moors nearly 1,300 years ago and it was then only accessible through a 15 meter long tunnel through solid rock. The tunnel called the ‘Portal de San José’ is to this day still the only point of access. The fortress was a look out point for the ‘Moros’ who occupied Spain in the twelfth century. In later times it was conquered in turn by the Kings of Spain and the Moors until eventually in 1609, Felipe the third, ordered all the Moors to be expelled, which led to yet another uprising in Guadalest. After this uprising the Moors were defeated and fled from Spain.

After an explosion in 1848, when the powder reserves blew up, the fortress was abandoned. To this day the history books tell us that it is not known if the explosion was an accident or planned. Guadalest, which is set on a pinnacle, is unlike any other village in Spain and because of this it has a most unique appeal. The houses creep up towards the top in a most fascinating way. The little array of caves winding up to the top of Guadalest are now museums and quaint little shops selling fine leather handbags, gifts, crafts, wines of the area, honey, lace table covers, porcelain to name but a few.

Official site: www.guadalest.es

El Vergel Safari Park:

Enjoy a lovely day out at the Safari Park in El Vergel, 35 hectares of land that is home to 1,400 animals and 145 different species. Only 10 minutes drive from Oliva the park has a wide selection of exotic animals – lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, zebras, primates, Iberian wolves in open fields, a reptile house, aviary, sea lions and a parrot show – Vergel Safari Park is an excellent place for children.

You will drive through wide open natural terrain to see tigers and  lions and although it is tempting, keep the windows closed at all times. In the less dangerous areas you can walk around the park to see the monkeys, apes, wolves, zebras, ostriches, and lots of other animals. There are numerous open grassed areas where you can have a picnic. Enjoy the sea lion and parrot shows during your visit. After you have gone through the park there is a bar and restaurant and numerous attractions for children including trampolines, a train ride, boating lake and a playground.

During the summer months, the park is open from 10am to 7pm, while in winter you can visit between 10am and 5pm.

Official site: www.safaripark.es

Oliva – Pego Nature Park:

The Natural Park of the Oliva Pego Marshes are abundant in wildlife both flora and fauna.  The park is used by migratory birds and you can see flamingos, ducks, coots, heron, storks and plovers.  The park is a damp and boggy area of fresh water lakes which encourages the growth of many varieties of vegetation. There is also a huge variety of fish including eel, bass, loach, redfish and catfish. It is a protected area within the EEC.