The Guadelest valley stretches out over an area of ​​18 km with 6 small villages, including Benimantell, El Castell de Guadelest, Benifato, Beniardà, Confrides and Abdet. Guadelest is also surrounded by mountains like “La Sierra de Aitana”, “La Sierra de Serella” and “La Sierra de Xortá”. This means that the place went through Spanish history as an ideal strategic protection base.
 
The castle of Guadelest, El Castell de Guadelest, was built during the occupation of the Moors in the 12th century. The people of Guadelest lived around the fort but originally the population lived within the walls of the castle. A narrow tunnel through a rock and the San Jose gate formed the entrance to the village surrounded by its impressive walls. Inside these walls you will find the old village cellar, the bell tower, the San Jose castle, the Orduña house, the Parish church and the Moorish fortress called “Alcozaiba”.
 
Several earthquakes, wars and reigning families later, made sure that the castle was in need of renovation. In 1949 the Spanish government decided that the castle of Guadelest fell under the management and the protection rules of Spanish castles.
In 1974 the castle was given the title of "Historical and cultural monument" and the municipality of Guadelest bought in 1994 the castle from the last owners, the Spanish Orduña family. After this, the castle underwent a thorough renovation and reform to become the attractive tourist destination of today.
“El Arrabal” is the part of the village outside the fort, and this is also the place where the locals live today. Outside the San Jose gate, at the small streets and squares, most shops or museums and restaurants are located.
 
The river “el río Guadelest” flows through the area and joines the river “Algar” to end up in the impressive water reservoir at the foot of the village. This reservoir of Guadelest provides drinking water and water for agricultural purposes for the areas of L’Alfàs del Pí, Altea, Benidorm, Finestrat, Polop, La Nucia and Villajoyosa.
 
In the green valleys and mountains of Guadelest there are more than 1.500 different kinds of vegetations and many of them have aromatic and medicinal effects such as lavender, thyme, rosemary, chamomile etc.
The unspoilt nature of Guadelest gives a beautiful idea of the Mediterranean fauna and flora. “La Sierra de Aitana” also represents an important role as a refuge for animals that are difficult to find in other regions, such as eagles, falcons, hawks, owls, wild boars, weasels etc.