La Nucía
Inland sports capital with panoramic sea views
Welcome to La Nucía
La Nucía sits on the hillside between Altea, Benidorm and Polop, looking out over the bay. Once a quiet agricultural village, it has reinvented itself as the Costa Blanca's sports capital — home to the Ciudad Deportiva Camilo Cano, an Olympic-grade complex that hosts national teams and pre-season training camps from across Europe.
Who it's ideal for
- Sporty families and athletes
- Retirees who want quiet hillside living
- Villa buyers seeking sea views without coastal density
- International remote workers
At a glance
- Region
- North Costa Blanca
- Area
- 21.4 km²
- Population
- ≈ 24,000 (over 90 nationalities)
- Languages
- Spanish, Valencian, English, Dutch, German, Norwegian
History & heritage
Founded in 1705 after splitting from neighbouring Polop, La Nucía was historically agricultural — almonds, olives and citrus. The municipality boomed from the 1970s with European residential tourism, and from 2000 invested heavily in sport, culture and urban-planning quality, winning multiple national awards.
Lifestyle
Active and family-oriented. Mornings at the sports city, afternoons in the swimming pools or hiking trails, evenings at the modern Auditori or in the pedestrianised old core. The municipality is known for its excellent public services and modern infrastructure.
Best beaches
Playa de l'Albir
Closest beach (15 min by car) — Blue Flag pebbles in Albir.
Playa de Levante (Benidorm)
Iconic 2 km golden-sand beach a 10-minute drive away.
Cala del Tío Ximo
Quiet rocky cove near Benidorm's Sierra Helada side.
Top things to do in La Nucía
- 1.Tour the Ciudad Deportiva Camilo Cano sports complex
- 2.Attend a concert at the Auditori de la Mediterrània
- 3.Hike to the Captivador or Sierra Cortina viewpoints
- 4.Visit the Casa Museu del Fester ethnographic museum
- 5.Day-trip to nearby Polop's old town and Guadalest
Where to eat & drink
Traditional inland Valencian cooking — rice with vegetables and rabbit, stews and snails — alongside an international restaurant scene reflecting the town's diverse community.
Where to stay
Limited hotel stock — visitors typically stay in Benidorm or Albir. Strong inventory of villa rentals and aparthotels for athlete training camps.
Living in La Nucía
Healthcare
Schools & education
Transport
Safety
Shopping
Expat community
Property & investment
Market overview
Price range
Rental market
Business opportunities
Sports tourism and training camps, real estate, hospitality, multilingual services and a strong public-sector employer base.
Events & festivals
Porrat de Sant Rafel
Patron saint fair with concerts and traditional food.
Festival Aplec
Music and culture festival at the Auditori.
Sports training camps
European football, athletics and rugby teams train at the Ciudad Deportiva.
Nearby towns
Continue exploring the North Costa Blanca.