La Cala Finestrat area information.

About 5kms South of Benidorm just over the headland at the end of the Poniente promenade is the small tourist resort of La Cala de Finestrat. The resort is built around a blue flag sandy bay, here the sand  gently slopes into the sea, making it ideal for children.  Wade 20 yards out and the sea is still only three or four feet deep.  Looking out from the beach which is lined with cliffs along the right hand side, gives an uninterrupted view onto the med.  Around the bay there are many Spanish and English restaurants and bars. 

In the past four years a new development has been built. On what was scrubland there are now apartment blocks stretching back to the main road into Benidorm and an attractive boulevard lined with trees.  Along the boulevard many new bars, cafe`s and restaurants have to opened.  This will continue to develop now that most of the apartment blocks have been completed. Facing the beach but not yet completed is a new hotel, which will be the largest sea front hotel in Europe offering over 33 bars & restaurants.  Problems with the construction and planning, delayed the building work for three years but the project is now back on track and looks likely to be finished within the next year.  In June, La Cala Finestrat is home to the festival of St Juan.  This is well worth visiting, families gather on the beach with picnics and barbeques.  The whole place is absolutely throbbing with people and the atmosphere is fantastic.  Close to midnight many poeple gathers at the water's edge ready to wade into the sea at the stroke of twelve.  This is supposed to bring good luck.  The night ends with an amazing firework display.

The proximity of La Cala de Finestrat to Benidorm makes it an ideal choice for anybody who wants to enjoy some of Benidorm's nightlife but would prefer not to stay in the resort.  From La Cala to Benidorm is ony 15 mins  using the number 12 or 41 bus and costs only one euro.  La Cala de finestrat is close to all amenities including a large Carrefour supermarket and the Marina designer shopping centre which is home to a cinema complex and bowling alley.  Benidorm's two new theme parks Terra Mitica and Terra Natura are within walking distance but there are buses available.  The restaurants and bars at the new Real de Faulla hotel complex near the Terra Mitica theme park can be used by non residents. For golfers, there are two top class golf courses alongside the hotel.  The hotel complex has been designed as a Spanish village complete with a mock blue domed church with a bell tower.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS IN LA CALA DE FINESTRAT BAY.

OLD SHIP 

The Old Ship was La Cala's only  pub a couple of years ago but it now has competition from Molly Malone's and the Bay View.  The Old Ship is always popular with British holidaymakers, they have regular entertainment including quizzes and bingo.  The full English breakfast is a favourite.  There are number of small screen TV's showing English premiere league via satellite.

OLE SOLE MIO (not to be missed)

Ole Sole Mio as the name implies is an Italian restaurant, It has seating inside and out.  The food ranges from a large variety of pasta dishes to fillet steak and shoulder of lamb. There are also a few fish dishes including sea bass (Lubina) Swordfish (Emperador) and Sea Bream (Dorada)  The shoulder of lamb is slow cooked and tender.  The fillet steaks are excellent and good value for money. The seafood spaghetti ( Spaghetti Marinara) is always good as are most of the pasta dishes. If you're going for one of the more expensive dishes, splash out on a decent bottle of wine (Rioja Campo Viejo is a good choice for red at about 11 euros and  for the white, try Frascatti which is about the same price). The price of the meal will obviously be reflected in what you choose.  If you choose one of the higher priced dishes, with a decent bottle of wine expect to pay about 40 euros for two but a pasta dish with house wine more like 20 euros. I can recommend this resaurant personally, Everytime I visit La Cala Finestrat I make a point of booking a table. The staff are very warm and friendly & will without doubt make you very welcome.

BAY VIEW

This, recently replaced "Changes" and to my knowledge has continued in much the same way.  Open for coffee in the mornings and a full menu at lunch time and in the evening.  The food is based on a standard "English" menu's steak and chips etc.  Large screen TV showing English premiere league football via satellite.

MOLLY MALONES

This took over from the Spanish Zarzuella restaurant in 2007.  The owners run a successful bar in Benidorm and there is no reason why this shouldn't be as popular.  A large wooden decked patio area gets the sun most of the day, the food is good down to earth British with occasional Indian, Italian and Irish dishes.  If you fancy a cold Guinness, being an Irish pub, this should be the place.  Large screen TV showing most of the English premiere league games on satellite in high definition. 

PUIG CAMPAŅA

A Spanish restaurant spacialising  mostly in seafood.  Some really good dishes well presented and excellent wine. Very popular with the Spanish but the waiters speak decent English. A bit pricey but if you enjoy seafood, worth splashing out for a special meal.  Excellent wine choice and the waiters seem to know which wine goes best with the food.  Expect to spend around 60 euros for a meal for two.

EL ARENAL

Recently given a makeover, El Arenal is a Spanish restaurant with a varied menu.  A lot of seafood dishes but also the usual chicken, steak etc.  Fairly basic but seems quite popular.

CALA FIN

Large outdoor eating area, Spanish but catering for the tourist.  Very reasonably priced. Varying reports, some people saying the food was great but others not very impressed.  I haven't tried this one so I can't give a personal opinion.  Expect to pay around 20 euros for two people with wine.

PETER'S

Nice family run restaurant.  The food is excellent value for money with meal of the day including wine costing only 9 euros. Always had decent food here, the staff are friendly and helpful.  Both Peter's and Cala Fin are in desperate need of a makeover.  Their current state does not give potential customers confidence that the food will be any good, which is a pity.

BA or SMALL BAR 

This little bar is always immaculate.  There are about 5 tables on a narrow pavement facing the beach.  To make as much of the space as possible the tables are very close together, so a great place to start up a conversation with the other customers.  Inside there are about six tables including one by the window which looks out onto the bay.  The beer is served in iced glasses by very friendly staff.   Not much in the way of food but the burgers are excellent.

UPSTAIRS BAR (STEPS NEXT TO HOTEL LA CALA)

This bar caters mostly for younger people but before it gets too late in the evening, try it, if only for the amazing sea view from the huge balcony window.  This is La Cala's nearest equivalent of a club, it has quite an intimate atmosphere but isn't over the top. There are flat screen TV's, dimly lit nooks and crannies  and some decent background music.  Don't expect to pay the same prices as the other bars.

KALA KALA

This bar stays open late and is frequented mostly by Spanish customers.  There is a large plasma screen  inside usually showing a Spanish music channel.  A lot of money has been spent  over the last few years and the decor is modern and to a high standard.  In the summer months most customers sit outside.

MARINA BAR

This is the expat bar, where everybody knows everyone and can always find somebody to chat to.  Opened about five years ago by two brothers Antonio and Pepe it has been incredibly successful. It is one of the only bars which succeeds in catering to every nationality and is just as  popular with the locals and foreign tourists.  Much of the Marina's success has been achieved by the friendliness of Pepe , Antonio and the waiters, plus the excellent speed of service. The food is mostly snacks but all cooked fresh on a large griddle.  This is the most popular bar in the bay and on hot summer evenings, its difficult to find a place.  A word of warning, if you have a few drinks at the Marina, you will probably get a free one when you come to pay the bill, bear that in mind when you think you've had enough.

OUTSIDE THE BAY

Outside the bay area there are lots of new bars lining the boulevard catering mostly for Spanish visitors.  There are also bars owned by other nationalities.  At the top of the boulevard, there is a very chic bar/nightclub with a large fenced off garden area and an outside bar.  The best beer is the draught Galician served from huge copper vats at the Romanian owned bar just around the first corner as you walk up the boulevard.  Turn right and walk down to the next corner, you can't miss the huge copper barrels in the window. Every drink is accompanied by a tapas, great value.  Walking from the bay to the main road at the top you pass a small Chinese restaurant which never seem very busy and a bit further round on the corner on the opposite side of the road a large new English owned restaurant called Deja Vue, formerly Bizzie Izzy's. There are a few more bars and snack bars before you arrive at another Irish pub called Shenanigans, again showing football on a large screen.  Keep walking up and you come to "Good Vibrations" on the right hand side. With a bit of imagination, this place could have huge potential as a restaurant.  

La Cala Finestrat area further information.

Bus Timetable Benidorm / Finestrat La Cala de Finestrat & Benidorm have a good netwerk of local buses operating throughout the resorts. Fares are very reasonable & children under 4 travel free. The buses are painted blue & white. All information correct but is subject to change, please double check the information displayed at each stop.

BUS 1 & 4 RAILWAY STATION - AQUALANDIA / MUNDOMAR Every 30 min

From Railway Station 07.20 to 22.20hrs ..From Aqualandia / Mundomar 09.19 to 19.49hrs

BUS 33 LA CALA FINESTRAT - Every 30 mins

From Avda Vicente Perez Devesa (La Cala Finestrat) 07.50 to 21.50                          From Hotel Bali (La Cala Finestrat) 08.15 to 21.45 hrs

BUS 11 & 47 CENTRE - AQUALANDIA / MUNDOMAR Every Hour

From Centre 08.05 to 22.25 - From Aqualandia / Mundomar 08.00 to 22.15hrs

BUS 20 BENIDORM - GUADALEST Once per day Monday to Friday

From Benidorm Centro 09.10hrs - From Guadalest 12.30hrs

BUS 5 - DOVE PARK TO LA CALA FINESTRAT

Every 15 mins From Dove Park 0705 to 22.30hrs

BUS 8 RINCON LOIX - CENTRE TO AVDA NICARAGUA Every Hour

From Rincon De Loix 09.00 to 22.00hrs - From Avda Nicaragua 08.25 to 21.25hrs

BUS 10 CENTRE - ALFAZ  - ALBIR - ALTEA Every 15 mins

From Central 07.15 to 22.30  From La Marina 09.30 to 22.30hrs

BUS 12 RINCON LOIX & FINESTRAT  TO CARREFORE & LA MARINA Every 20 mins

From Rincon Loix 08.45  to 22.30  From La Marina 09.30 to 22.20hrs Benidorms new bus station is now in full operation & can be reached by bus 11 & 14 from Rincon or bus 41 from the Poniente end of Benidorm.There is a train that runs along the coast south to Alicante City & North to Denia. So if you fancy a day out shopping & sightseeing catch the train north to the neighbouring towns of Altea & beyound at 8 mins past the hour. The train station is next to La Marina in Finestrat or at the back of the old town next to the old Bull Ring in Benidorm.