The town of La Nucia is a world away from Benidorm‘s gleaming tower blocks said to be popular with expats. La Nucia’s name translates from Spanish to “delicious” and the village has been hailed as the perfect hideaway by foreign property specialists at Kyero.
Situated in a valley just under six miles north of Benidorm, La Nucia has a population of about 18,000 and the average property is £300,000 (349,000 euros), according to Kyero.
The backdrop to the town is the Puig Campana mountains and beyond it lie small developments Kyero said are popular with expats and Spaniards.
Not far from Alicante and Valencia, La Nucia’s residents hail from Spain, Britain, Germany, France, The Netherlands and Scandinavia.
Pretty town houses, villas and apartments line the town’s streets. There is a choice of supermarkets and a market held on Sundays. A 27 hole golf course is also nearby.
Hotelsbenidorm.com lists La Nucia among six spots near Benidorm which shouldn’t be missed.
It hails the town’s natural setting, recommending it to people who love hiking, with four routes available for enthusiasts and novices alike, according to hotelsbenidorm.com.
Kyero reported that La Nucia is not the cheapest part of the Costa Blanca, but its shops and proximity to Benidorm make it possible to live “within a budget”.
La Nucia has Spanish state schools and Elian’s, which offers a bilingual education to younger children.
According to the Spanish Tourist Board, La Nucia is famous not only for its second hand goods market, but also fiestas in honour of the Holy Conception in August and San Rafael festivities in November.
La Nucia offers a few places to stay, with Hostal Sunami, Casa Alice, Casa Rural and Hostal Kaizen among the options listed by booking.com.
The town boasts Michelin starred restaurant El Xato, hailed as family run and “the most prestigious restaurant in the Marina Baixa area. Michelin notes the staff “do everything possible to ensure diners ‘arrive as guests but leave as friends'”.
Chef Cristina Figueira, supported by her husband Francisco Cano, “demonstrates an inexhaustible spirit”, resulting in her becoming “one of the most outstanding cooks” in the region thanks to her “mastery” of Alicante cuisine, according to Michelin.
