Want to make use of your Alicante car hire? We have another suggested drive out to the country for you.

Firstly pack a nice little picnic for this drive and don’t forget your camera.

This drive is about 50 minutes from Alicante and it is a trip to see one of the oldest working reservoirs and dams in the whole of Europe.

This dam was built over a period of 14 years from 1580 to 1594.  The dam has been built between a narrow gorge and the severe curved wall is a breath taking sight if you stand below it. You can walk to the top of the dam but CARE IS NEEDED - there are 100 steps  and a crumbling rail - absolutely not for buggies or wayward toddlers.

The base of the dam measures 33 meters and is 70 cm in thickness proportionately decreasing as it rises, until it measures 20 meters at its crown.  Some of the dam is constructed from ashlar filled mortar shells with the exterior being constructed of hollow stones,

This is called a gravity dam and is the only one of its kind currently in operation, its storage capacity of water from the Verde River is 3,700,000 m³.

This is a short video show-casing the beautiful scenery.

Tibi Castle

The castle is one of the largest in the province, and is located on a high summit surrounded by cliffs. The access to  Castillo de Tibi is via rock carved into the cliff. It was built in the tenth century during the domination of Islam.

After the conquest of this territory by Jaime I of Aragon, Tibi became part of the Crown of Aragon in the year 1244.

Driving From Alicante to Tibi

Take the A7 north out of Alicante, continue until you reach the cv-805 then take the cv-810 almost immediately. Once into Tibi the reservoir should be signposted. You are more than likely going to have to park your car and walk about a kilometre. Those of reduced mobility will find walking around this area quite difficult.