La Nucia, Alicante: Holiday Guide for UK Travellers
Provincia de Alicante · Valencia · Spain · 17,874 residents
La Nucia is an inland town of around 18,000 people in the Provincia de Alicante, set about 240 metres above sea level in the Valencia region. It is not on the coast, yet the shore is close: Altea lies about 4 miles away and Benidorm roughly 5, while little Polop sits less than a mile off. For British travellers the practical appeal is simple. Alicante airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is around three-quarters of an hour by car, and the climate brings hot, dry summers and mild winters with highs of about 16°C. It suits a holiday that mixes a quieter base with easy days out.
Why go
- Alicante airport has direct UK flights and is roughly a 46-minute drive away.
- June brings highs around 27°C with only about five rainy days in the month.
- Altea, Benidorm and Polop are all within about 5 miles for easy days out.
Top sights in la Nucia
Activities In and Around Town
La Nucia itself is a small inland town rather than a sightseeing centre, and much of its appeal lies in its position close to the coast and to neighbouring villages such as Polop and Finestrat. Its elevation of around 240 metres gives a different outlook from the seafront resorts a few miles below.
A selection of tours, activities and tickets in the surrounding area can be booked directly from this page, so you can plan outings before you travel or once you have settled in.
We are still mapping the sights for this town.
Tours & tickets in la Nucia
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around la Nucia can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in la Nucia
Choosing a Base in La Nucia
Staying in La Nucia means an inland base in a town of around 18,000 people, generally a calmer choice than the larger resorts nearby. If you want the sea on your doorstep, Altea and Benidorm are only 4 to 5 miles away, with Benidorm the far bigger and busier of the two at around 70,000 residents.
A car is useful wherever you stay here, given the town is not on the coast. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach la Nucia and the villages around it is a hire car from Alicante (ALC), about 46 min away.
Best time to visit la Nucia
When to Visit La Nucia
- 16°CJan16 mm
- 16°CFeb30 mm
- 20°CMar21 mm
- 21°CApr14 mm
- 22°CMay86 mm
- 27°CJun30 mm
- 32°CJul8 mm
- 31°CAug21 mm
- 26°CSept75 mm
- 25°COct45 mm
- 21°CNov17 mm
- 17°CDec9 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
June is the most comfortable month overall, with daytime highs around 27°C, nights near 19°C and only about five rainy days. July and August are the hottest stretch, peaking at about 32°C in July, which is also the driest month with roughly two days of rain.
The wetter spells are less predictable than you might expect: May sees around 86 mm over eleven days and September about 75 mm over twelve, so pack a light layer for those months. Winter is mild rather than warm, with highs of about 16°C to 17°C from December to February and lows near 8°C, which suits walking and sightseeing more than sunbathing.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16°C | 8°C | 16 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 16°C | 8°C | 30 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 20°C | 10°C | 21 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 21°C | 12°C | 14 mm | 12 h |
| May | 22°C | 14°C | 86 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 27°C | 19°C | 30 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 32°C | 23°C | 8 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 31°C | 22°C | 21 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 26°C | 18°C | 75 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 25°C | 16°C | 45 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 21°C | 12°C | 17 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 17°C | 8°C | 9 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flying and Driving to La Nucia
Alicante (ALC) is the nearest airport and the obvious choice: it has direct flights from the United Kingdom and sits about 33 miles away, roughly 46 minutes by car. Valencia (VLC) also has direct UK flights and is around 63 miles off, about an hour and a half's drive. Murcia (RMU), likewise served directly from the UK, is the furthest of the three at roughly 78 miles, close to two hours on the road. Car hire at any of them makes sense, as La Nucia is an inland town.
Driving from home is possible but long: the run from Calais takes around 20 hours behind the wheel, so most people split it over several days. Once here, the port of Dénia, about 21 miles away, has ferries to Ibiza, Formentera and Palma, and Valencia's port, about 58 miles off, adds Maó and sailings to Tangier Med in Morocco.
By air
- Alicante (ALC)33 miles, about 46 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Valencia (VLC)63 miles, about 1 h 30 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Murcia (RMU)78 miles, about 1 h 51 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 19 h 57 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Dénia (21 miles), Valencia (58 miles), Ibiza (87 miles).
Around la Nucia
Day Trips from La Nucia
Polop is practically next door at under a mile, a small town of about 3,400 people. Altea, around 4 miles away, and Benidorm, about 5 miles, bring you down to the coast, while Finestrat sits roughly 6 miles off.
Further afield, the tiny village of Sella, with only around 640 inhabitants, is about 8 miles away, and Relleu, under 1,000 people, is about 10 miles. Villajoyosa and Calp are both around 9 miles away and each has a population above 23,000, making them livelier outings.
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Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to La Nucia?
Alicante airport is the nearest, about 33 miles away and roughly a 46-minute drive. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Valencia and Murcia airports also have direct UK flights but are further, at around an hour and a half and just under two hours by car respectively.
Is La Nucia on the beach?
No, La Nucia is an inland town at about 240 metres above sea level. The coast is close, though: Altea is around 4 miles away and Benidorm about 5 miles, so beach days are a short drive from town.
What is the best month to visit La Nucia?
June is the most pleasant month, with highs around 27°C, lows near 19°C and only about five rainy days. July and August are hotter, reaching about 32°C, while May and September tend to be the wettest months of the year.
Is La Nucia warm in winter?
Winters are mild rather than hot. From December to February daytime highs sit around 16°C to 17°C, with lows near 8°C. December is fairly dry with about two rainy days, which makes winter good for walking and exploring nearby towns.
Do I need a car in La Nucia?
A car is very helpful. The town is inland, Alicante airport is around 46 minutes' drive away, and the most popular day trips, including Altea, Benidorm, Finestrat and Calp, lie between about 4 and 9 miles away, all easily reached by road.