Other activities and sights

In the villa there is a folder with all sorts of information. To whet your appetite, here are a few tips in advance. And do not forget to take a look at the website of the Tourist Info Vall de Pop.

Wine tasting

In the Jalón valley (and the neighbouring valleys) local wine is made. Red, white and rosé, but in our very subjective judgement it is the Mistela (muscat wine) in particular that is worth tasting. The nearest bodegas are in Jalón and Parcent.

Nice places

• Altea (little town up on the hill)
• Denia (castle, fishermen’s quarter, old centre)
• Elche (Palmeral, old centre, but above all the Hortus Botanicus)
• Guadelest (old village with a castle, though very touristy because it is close to Benidorm)
• Valencia, of course
• Have a look too at SpanjeVandaag’s Top 10 nicest places in the Valencia region

Natural attractions

Fuentes del Algar (Callosa d’en Sarria)

Fuentes del Algar (Callosa d’en Sarria). Several natural waterfalls with small pools between them. You can walk some way up from the lowest waterfall, but you can also swim there. Or picnic in the shade. In summer it is often busy, though, because this spot is easily reached from Benidorm.

• Gorg del Salt (waterfall with a little beach, near Planes)
• Cueva de les Calaveras, Benidoleig
• Cueva del Rull (Vall d’Ebo)
• Wetlands Pego/Oliva ‘El Marjal’ (see this walk)
• Vista Bernia – Restaurant with a fantastic view, situated in the Bernia mountains where you can also walk and cycle beautifully (see the relevant pages).

Jardín de l’Albarda (Pedreguer)

Jardín de l’Albarda (Pedreguer). Tucked away in a residential area lies a beautiful botanical garden with all sorts of things to see and smell. Because by no means everything is as neatly measured out as in the photo, the garden gives a natural impression, with plenty of shade. In August most of it has unfortunately finished flowering; in April we thought it was magnificent. In summer the Hortus in Elche is probably a fine alternative (but unfortunately not as close by).

Viewpoint ‘Mirador Cap Negre’

Viewpoint ‘Mirador Cap Negre’ – It may take a moment to work out how to get there, but the many views you can enjoy here are really worth the trip! From the car park on the bend there is already a fine view over the little bay of Portixol. You can see the beach and the island off the coast (Isla del Portixol), among other things. But you can also walk a bit further along the gravel path, to the real viewpoint on the rock. From there you can go round the bend a little more, so that you also have a view of the other side of the coast, towards Punta Plana.

Geocaching

Geocaching – The tourist offices in the area have hidden a few caches for geocaching enthusiasts as well.

Museo del Turron (Jijona/Xixona)

Museo del Turron (Jijona/Xixona). Turron is a typical delicacy of the region, a kind of nougat made from the many locally produced almonds. But with at least 64% almonds, held together by honey. There are two kinds: Turron de Alicante (the hard one) and Turron de Jijona (the soft variety). The soft variety takes its name from this town, where it is still produced. It is possible to visit the factory and the museum that goes with it. Not an hours-long spectacle, but the tasting alone is certainly worth the three euro entrance fee.

L’Albufera nature reserve

L’Albufera nature reserve. Not to be confused with the place of the same name in Portugal: Albufera is the name of the nature reserve south of the city of Valencia. Rice has been grown in these wetlands since time immemorial. Thanks to this rice the city of Valencia became famous for its paella. Among Valencianos a trip to this area counts as the ideal Sunday family outing. Villages such as El Palmar are known as the ideal place to eat typical dishes. Besides paella of course also ‘arròs a banda’ or ‘all i pebre’, made with freshly caught eel from the lake. After a delicious meal you can let it settle during a quiet boat trip across the Albufera lake in traditional fishing boats.

Kayaking along the coast, with a cave visit

Kayaking, along the coast with a cave visit – In Denia as well as Javea there are several small companies organising kayak trips. Some are more experienced than others: the serious ones do not go out when the sea is too rough. The earlier in the morning, the calmer the waves usually are. Personally we only have experience with Siesta Advisor from Jalón. They leave at 9:00 in the morning from Playa Granadella, so that the reasonably sporty kayaker can even reach the cave beneath the Cap Nou. With less sporty or very young guests they paddle to the Cueva del Llop Mari (cave) and the little beach of Cala Ambolo. By around midday you are back at Playa Granadella. So an early start, but certainly worth it as far as we are concerned!

Less natural attractions

• Aqualandia (Benidorm – water park)
• Terra Mitica (Benidorm – theme park without water)
• Mundomar (Benidorm – aquarium)
• Dinopark (Callosa d’en Sarria – close to the waterfalls)
• Safari Park (Vergel)
• Donkey or horse riding (Vall de Ebo)
• Golf (Oliva, Pedreguer)

Markets

Rastro (flea market) in Jalón

Every Saturday morning many people come from all over the region to the ‘Rastro’ (flea market) in Jalón. The strangest knick-knacks are to be found there, sometimes at small prices but by no means always. A visit combines well, of course, with a tour of the bodega, or a bocadillo or a few tapas at bar Casa Aleluya. There is also a pleasant walking route to Jalón, just west of the main road and the little river.

While you are at the Rastro, walk straight on to the Mercat de la Terra by the roundabout, where you will find all sorts of good things from local producers, such as cheese, olives, beers, patés, sausages, empanadillas and other snacks. (in summer the Mercat de Terra is sometimes held in the evening, check the tourist office calendar in advance)

Guided walks from the Bodega

In high season there are English-language guided walks from the Bodega several times a week by LaMarinaTours; it is best to get in touch beforehand. Every second Saturday you can, if you like, combine the visit to Jalón with a guided walk (in Dutch). Do reserve in advance with the Tourist Info: valldepop@touristinfo.net (English is fine).

Sunday market in Jesus Pobre

On Sundays (from 9 to 14.00) there is also a convivial market in the village of Jesus Pobre. Here too many small local producers with plenty of local delicacies, gathered in and around the Riu Rau on the central square.

Climbing

Alcalalí has a 50-metre-high climbing rock, right next to the Solana Gardens neighbourhood where our villa stands. The rock faces south and is therefore very suitable for climbing in autumn, winter or spring. There are as many as 30 different routes in various categories. Detailed information can be found in this guide (in English and Spanish). See also, if you wish, the Spanish-language page of Alcalali Turismo for more photos, videos and information.

In the riverbed (barranca) between Lliber and Gata de Gorgos there is another sign for a climbing rock, called ‘Escalada Font Aixa’. To be honest, though, I have no idea whether it is in the same good condition as the rock in Alcalalí.

Fiestas

Every village and town has its own fiesta, often several times a year. Besides the one in Alcalalí (see this page), Jalón for instance has its own fiesta at the end of July. The weekend after the fiestas in Alcalalí, ‘Moros y Cristianos’ is re-enacted in Benissa (early July). The week after that it is Javea’s turn. Grander still is the Moros y Cristianos in Denia (13-16 August, see here for a fine impression). Other well-known festivals are of course the Fallas in Valencia (March) and the Moros y Cristianos in Alcoy (22-24 April, except when that falls in Semana Santa). An overview of the fiestas in the Jalón valley and surroundings can be found here.

• You will find more family-friendly outings here
• And still more here

Elsewhere in Spain

• Valencia: a holiday at Villa Arbolada combines easily with a visit to Valencia. You can drive there in a little over an hour, or you can get the train at Xeraco, or you can simply combine your stay with a few days in this beautiful city of paella. Lunch at the famous paella restaurant on the beach, ‘La Pepica’, a visit to the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciencies, an introductory bike tour. You will find many more good tips at VerrassendValencia.nl
• Would you like to combine a holiday at Villa Arbolada with cycling routes in the beautiful hinterland of Valencia? Then you really should ask SpainishTravel! Here you can book day trips (for instance through the Albufera and the hinterland south of Valencia, the orange groves along the river Jucar) as well as cycling holidays of several days. In June 2025, for example, we did the 9-day trip along the Via Verde de Zafan, past the Ebro delta and back to Valencia via the Sierra de Espedan. Perfectly organised, excellent bikes, and tremendously beautiful original routes. This is also easy to combine with a stay in the city of Valencia.
• If you happen to be in Madrid, I would certainly recommend doing this introductory bike tour. The perfect way to see the whole city in a few hours, and to pick up a few useful tips to take advantage of afterwards.
• We ourselves once stayed in Madrid at the hotel Posada del Dragon: as far as we are concerned a lot of value for money in a tremendously central location. But there are of course many more good options to be found.