Novelda Holidays: Castle, Museums and Inland Alicante
Provincia de Alicante · Valencia · Spain · 27,135 residents
Novelda is an inland town of 27,135 people in the Provincia de Alicante, set at 247 metres above sea level rather than on the coast. Its appeal is cultural. Mola Castle stands a little outside the centre, while the Casa-Museu Modernista de Novelda and the Museo Histórico-Artístico de Novelda sit within a few minutes' walk of each other in town. Alicante airport, which has direct flights from the United Kingdom, is a 19-minute drive away. Winters are mild, with January highs of 17°C, and July reaches 33°C. Elche, Elda and the coast at Santa Pola are all close enough for an easy day out.
Why go
- Mola Castle, a listed cultural property, lies about 2 miles from the town centre.
- The Casa-Museu Modernista de Novelda puts modernist architecture and design within easy walking distance.
- Alicante airport has direct UK flights and is only a 19-minute drive away.
- Spring and autumn bring comfortable highs of 21°C to 25°C with little rain in April and November.
Top sights in Novelda
Castle and Museums in Novelda
The most notable sight is Mola Castle, a protected cultural property about 2 miles (3.4 km) from the centre. It is the landmark that gives the town its profile and the obvious first outing.
Back in town, the Casa-Museu Modernista de Novelda is roughly 0.2 miles (300 metres) from the centre and is a good choice for families as well as those interested in architecture. The Museo Histórico-Artístico de Novelda is closer still, about 0.1 miles (200 metres) away, so the pair combine easily on foot.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page through the booking cards below.
Tours & tickets in Novelda
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Novelda can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Novelda
Choosing a Base in Novelda
Novelda is inland, so the choice here is about convenience rather than sea views. Staying close to the centre puts both museums within a short walk, while Mola Castle is a quick drive or a longer stroll out of town.
With a population of 27,135, the town is quieter than Alicante or Elche, which suits travellers who prefer a calm base and are happy to drive to busier places. The page shows live hotel prices so you can compare what is available for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Novelda and the villages around it is a hire car from Alicante (ALC), about 19 min away.
Best time to visit Novelda
When to Visit Novelda
- 17°CJan11 mm
- 17°CFeb15 mm
- 21°CMar18 mm
- 23°CApr13 mm
- 24°CMay52 mm
- 28°CJun31 mm
- 33°CJul2 mm
- 32°CAug24 mm
- 27°CSept53 mm
- 25°COct47 mm
- 22°CNov7 mm
- 18°CDec8 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are March, April, May, October and November. Highs run from 21°C in March to 25°C in October, and April and November are particularly dry, with around 3 and 2 rain days respectively.
July is the hottest month at 33°C, with August close behind at 32°C and nights staying around 22°C. July is also the driest month, with just 2 mm of rain. September is the wettest, with 53 mm over 9 rain days, and May can also bring heavier showers at 52 mm.
Winter is mild for the inland: January and February reach 17°C by day and drop to 7°C at night. As Novelda is not on the coast, there is no sea temperature to plan around.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17°C | 7°C | 11 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 17°C | 7°C | 15 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 21°C | 10°C | 18 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 23°C | 11°C | 13 mm | 11 h |
| May | 24°C | 14°C | 52 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 28°C | 18°C | 31 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 33°C | 22°C | 2 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 32°C | 22°C | 24 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 27°C | 18°C | 53 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 25°C | 15°C | 47 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 22°C | 12°C | 7 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 18°C | 7°C | 8 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting to Novelda from the UK
Alicante (ALC) is the nearest airport, about 14 miles away and roughly a 19-minute drive, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. Murcia (RMU) also has direct UK flights and lies about 45 miles away, just over an hour by car. Valencia (VLC), with direct UK flights too, is about 78 miles away, around 111 minutes by road.
Driving from Calais takes roughly 1,224 minutes at the wheel, a little over 20 hours, so most people split the journey. For onward travel to the islands, Dénia port is about 58 miles away with sailings to Ibiza, Formentera and Palma, while Valencia port, about 77 miles away, serves Palma, Ibiza and Maó, plus Tangier Med in Morocco.
By air
- Alicante (ALC)14 miles, about 19 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Murcia (RMU)45 miles, about 1 h 3 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Valencia (VLC)78 miles, about 1 h 51 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 20 h 24 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Dénia (58 miles), Valencia (77 miles).
Novelda is good for
Around Novelda
Day Trips from Novelda
Elda is the closest neighbour at about 7 miles, with Elche around 9 miles away. Alicante, the provincial capital, is about 16 miles off, and Santa Pola, the nearest of these towns on the coast, is roughly 17 miles away.
Heading inland, Villena is about 18 miles away, Callosa de Segura about 19 miles, and both Ibi and the small village of Busot about 20 miles. All are comfortable drives from a Novelda base.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Car hire makes the most sense here: the castle sits outside the centre, the coast is not on the doorstep, and the day-trip towns are spread around the surrounding area.
If you visit in July or August, plan the castle for early in the day, as highs reach 32°C to 33°C and Novelda's inland position at 247 metres brings no sea breeze to soften the heat. In September, pack a light waterproof, since it is the rainiest month of the year.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Novelda?
Alicante (ALC) is the nearest airport, about 14 miles from Novelda and roughly a 19-minute drive. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom, making it the most convenient arrival point for British travellers.
Is Novelda on the coast?
No. Novelda is an inland town at 247 metres above sea level. The nearest coastal town among the nearby options is Santa Pola, about 17 miles away, and Alicante is about 16 miles away.
What is there to see in Novelda?
The main sights are Mola Castle, about 2 miles from the centre, and two museums in town: the Casa-Museu Modernista de Novelda and the Museo Histórico-Artístico de Novelda, both within easy walking distance of the centre.
When is the best time to visit Novelda?
March, April, May, October and November offer the most pleasant conditions, with highs between 21°C and 25°C. July is the hottest month at 33°C, while September is the wettest, with 9 rain days.
Can I fly direct from the UK to airports near Novelda?
Yes. Alicante, Murcia and Valencia airports all have direct flights from the United Kingdom. Alicante is about 19 minutes' drive away, Murcia just over an hour, and Valencia around 111 minutes.
Is Novelda good for a family holiday?
Novelda's two town-centre museums, the Casa-Museu Modernista and the Museo Histórico-Artístico, are suited to families, and Mola Castle makes an easy outing. Elche and Alicante are both close by for a change of scene.