Slow Travel El Campello: A Relaxed Day Of Coffee, Markets & Coastal Wandering
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If you’re thinking of visiting El Campello, Spain, ( El-Cam-Pay-O)I’m going to help you enjoy it the Lazy Girl Travel way. Slow travel is really catching on, and for good reason. So here’s a slow travel El Campello guide for the town I currently call home.
A slow day in El Campello means savoring life one moment at a time. Morning coffee by the sea, wandering through local markets, and strolling sunlit streets with no rush or agenda.
What Is Slow Travel In A Beach Town Like El Campello?
If walking along a long promenade with shops and restaurants on one side, and the Mediterranean sea on the other sounds like a great time to you, then El Campello is a do-not-miss spot. Warm breezes, delicious food, and the sea within walking distance are standard features when you visit this area of Spain.
Why would you spend a slow day here? Because the pace here will naturally slow you down.
El Campello is located in northern Alicante region between the city of Alicante and Villa Joyosa and Benidorm. It’s a smaller fishing village that has tons of heart and plenty to see, do, and eat. And the best part is, you can truly meander here. You can catch your breath, enjoy a fantastic meal for several hours while watching the sea, and shop at prices that won’t break the bank, all while catching your breath, reducing your stress levels, and truly enjoying your day.
So what should you do when you get here? Let’s dive in.
Start The Morning: Lazy Coffee By The Sea
For some excellent coffee, I highly recommend La Cena. While a few of the servers can sometimes be a bit rude, take it in stride and grab a table anyway. The food is totally worth it. In fact, their coffees often come with a side of Bailey’s and whipped cream that you can mix in if you wish. Yum! The smell of espresso and sound of the sea is all you need to lower your blood pressure first thing in the morning. Sit for an hour or two and just enjoy the incredible views of the Mediterranean as you people watch, or sketch, or write in your journal.
Slow mornings are critical in a fast world. Our bodies were not built to go from zero to 60 the second the alarm goes off. We are meant to wake up slowly and with ease.
If you need breakfast and don’t mind being away from the ocean views, the main road through town has a new place that is pretty tasty. It’s called Tu & Yo. They serve breakfast and brunch, and the food is pretty tasty.
Mid-Morning Wandering: The Market Scene
If you happen to be in town on Wednesday, the open market is a must see. At street level, you’ll find clothing and housewares. But go down the ramp into the parking garage, and you’ll find table after table, and row after row, of amazingly fresh and seasonal produce. I highly recommend stopping at the olive table for some spicy green olives. They have hot and mild, and boy are they good! You can get them in a bag or a small bucket. The bucket will run you approximately 4 euros and is totally worth it.
While there, you can buy jarred spices from the HerboLife table (I shop in their store quite frequently) fresh herbs, fruits and veggies of all kinds, and of course, some beautiful flowers. (Both cut and potted)
While this market can get quite crowded, it’s worth a slow meander through the lines of stalls. Vendors that speak English love to test their language capabilities, and the ones that don’t speak English…. well… you figure out how to communicate what you want.
Open markets feel so much more alive when you aren’t rushing because you can take your time, appreciate the hustle and bustle, and end up with some pretty amazing food to top it off with. Even some tasty baked goods!
If it’s not a Wednesday, or if open markets are not your thing, a great way to spend the earlier part of your day is walking the main drag through town. The street is San Bartolomé street, and it’s full of shops of all kinds. Plus, it’s only one street over from the sea. So you won’t have to go far if that’s where you start your morning.
Lunchtime Pause: Light Bite Or Long Meal
Lunchtime is a great time to enjoy small tapas, fresh fish, or even some delicious Indian food with beach views along the esplanade. Star of India has great Indian food, just be aware that you have to order all sides. Nothing comes with their main courses. For some, that can add up, but the food is delicious.
As for tapas, you can pretty much throw a rock and hit a good tapas place. That applies to seafood as well. Tapas and seafood are something Spain does well. Though, I will say, for better tapas at better prices, it can be worth it to come inland a bit for more local haunts. The esplanade can be pricey because that’s where tourists hang out.
Just note that you’ll truly want to slow down, chew your food, and really enjoy the slow side of eating. Spanish servers are never in a rush, and you will always have to flag them down to pay your bill. They don’t deliver it right after your food the way they do in the States.
Afternoon Drift: Wandering Without A Map
If you’re feeling brave and looking for more to do, start wandering without a to-do list or a map. Come up the hill, away from the coast, into the still busy, but more residential areas of El Campello. There is a beautiful church square across from Correos (the post office here) and tons more shops and restaurants with amazing food.
Take photos of the architecture here, enjoy the quiet side streets, and stop into local galleries. The value of unstructured time while traveling is immense. You can think, feel, and enjoy.
If you prefer to stay by the sea, walk to the northern-most part of the esplanade to enjoy the marina, Roman ruins, and the el Campello tower. The ruins cost 1.50 euros to get in, and the views from the back of the property are truly breathtaking. Definitely worth the small entry fee if you love taking photos of the Med.
Evening Rituals: Golden Hour And What Comes Next
Sunset is a special time in el Campello. Particularly during the summer. The water is always the temperature of bathwater, the beach is full and festive, and the esplanade lights up with beautiful strand lighting. I love watching the sun set from the water.
This is a great time of day to grab dinner or drinks. There are many good restaurants along the strip to choose from, depending on what you’re in the mood for. They have great burgers, amazing seafood (I highly recommend the gambas al ajillo (prawns with garlic). Many restaurants sell them. I’m partial to the ones at La Cena, but they will be good almost anywhere along the strip.
If you’re looking for cocktails, Code 1900 is at the northern end of the strip and has fantastic ambience with both indoor and outdoor seating. Catch an outdoor table at dusk for drinks and incredible ocean views.
The feeling of a day well spent without being “productive” is unlike any other feeling. It’s worth it to just slow down, spend hours in one spot, and truly decompress.
One Underappreciated Aspect Of Slow Travel
What people forget about slow travel, is that routine is a big part of it. While nobody wants to do the same things over and over on vacation, having local hangouts you return to again and again is a fantastic way to reset your nervous system. It gives you a feeling of belonging somewhere, and you might even get to know some of the locals. Never underestimate the power of going to the same cafe for coffee every morning, or buying some fresh produce from the same fruits stand in town for some daily, healthy, sweet treats.
What you repeat on vacation will calm you. It’s the rush-rush-rush of trying to do all the things that stresses you out. Don’t do that to yourself. Travel slowly.
Why These Days Matter
Slow days like this truly change your relationship with the place you are visiting. The familiar puts you at ease, and the routine makes it all feel way more natural.
When I first got to El Campello, of course I enjoyed seeing everything. But it didn’t take me long to slow down. To pick a spot or two that I could return to, and start creating my routines that I love and highly value. It’s worth it to slow down when you travel so you don’t feel like you need a vacation after your vacation. I promise, airport stress aside, it works.
Want To Spend A Day Like This?
If you want to learn more about El Campello, check out my El Campello article here. I also have an El Campello Guide I sell on Etsy if you really want the low-down on what to do in this fun little town. It has exact, Google location links so you never get lost. Neel help packing? Check out my Universal Packing List as well.
