In the villa there is a folder with all kinds of info. To stimulate the fun here are already some tips. And don’t forget to visit the Tourist Info Vall de Pop website.
Wine Tasting
In the Jalon-valley (and neighboring valleys) own wine is made. Red, white and rose, but according to our very subjective judgement, the Mistela (wine) is worth tasting. The nearest bodegas can be found in Jalon and Parcent.
Nice places
- Altea (town on top of the hill)
- Denia (Castle, Fishing district, Old Town)
- Elche (Palmeral, old town, and above all the Hortus Botanicus)
- Guadelest (old village with Castle, very touristic because near Benidorm)
- Valencia, of course
Natural attractions
Fuentes del Algar (Callosa d’en Sarria). Several natural waterfalls, with small lakes in between. You can walk up a lot from the lowest waterfall, but you can also swim there. or picnic in the shade. But in the summer it is often crowded, because this place is easily accessible from Benidorm.
Gorg del Salt (waterfall with beach, near planes)
Cova de les Meravelles
Cueva de les Calaveras, Benidoleig
Cueva del Rull (Vall d’Ebo)
Wetlands Pego/Oliva
Vista Bernia Restaurant with fantastic views, located in the Bernia mountains where you can also go hiking and cycling (see relevant pages).
Jardín de l’Albarda (Pedreguer) Hidden in a residential area is a beautiful botanical garden, where you can see and smell everything. Because not everything is as neatly measured as in the photo, the garden gives a natural impression, with plenty of shade. Unfortunately, most of it has finished flowering in August, but we thought it was beautiful in April. In the summer, the Hortus in Elche is probably a nice alternative (but unfortunately not so close).
Viewpoint ‘Mirador Cap Negre’ – it might be a little bit to find out how to get there, but the many views you can enjoy here are really worth the trip! From the parking area in the bend there is already a beautiful view over the Bay of Portixol. You can see the beach and the island off the coast (Isla del Portixol). But over the Pebble hanger You can also walk a little further, to the real viewpoint on the rock. From there you can also take the bend to the other side of the coast, towards Punta Plana.
Donkey Refugee Foundation Jalon – No donkey riding, more a daycare center.
Geocaching-The tourist offices in the area have also blocked some caches for the liefhebers of geocaching.
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 types: Turron de Alicante (The hard) and Turron de Jijona (the soft variant). The soft variant derives its name from this place, where it is also still produced. It is possible to visit the factory and associated museum. No hour-long spectacle, but only the tasting is worth the three Euro entrance fee.
→ Learn more about the phenomenon Turron? Look in the villa in the thick book about Spanish cuisine! The pages about the Communidad Valencia are not just about paella and all kinds of fish, but also about Turron.
Nature Reserve L’Albufera. Not to be confused with the eponymous place in Portugal, Albufera is the name of the nature reserve south of the city of Valencia. In These wetlands, rice has been cultivated since immemorial. Thanks to this rice, the city of Valencia has become famous for its paella. Under the Valencianos is a trip to this area as the ideal Sunday family outing. Villages like El Palmar are known as the ideal place to eat typical dishes. Except of course paella also ‘ Arrós a Banda ‘ or ‘ All I pebre ‘, made of freshly caught eel from the lake. After a delicious meal you can enjoy a quiet boat trip on the Albufera lake in traditional fishing boats.
Canoeing, along the coast with a cave visit-both in Denia and in Javea are several companies that organise canoe trips. One is more experienced than others: the serious companies do not sail when the sea is too wild. The earlier on the morning, the quieter often the waves are. Personally, we only have experience with Siesta Advisor from Jalon. They leave at 9:00 in the morning from Playa Granadella, so that the somewhat sporty canoe boat can even reach the cave under the Cap Nou. With the less sporty or very young guests they sail to the Cueva del Llop Mari (cave) and the beach of Cala Ambolo. Around noon you’ll be back at Playa Granadella. Get up early so, but definitely worth it for us!
Less natural attractions
Aqualandia (Benidorm-water park)- Terra Mitica (Benidorm-without water amusement park)
- Mundomar (Benidorm-Aquarium)
- Dino Park (Callosa d’en Sarria-near the falls)
- Safari Park (Vergel)
- Donkey or horse riding (Vall de Ebo)
- Golf (Oliva, Pedreguer)
Rastro Jalon
From all over the region, many people come to the ‘ Rastro ‘ (Flea market) in Jalon every Saturday. The strangest trinkets can be found there, sometimes at small prices but not nearly always. Of course a visit will be well combined with a tour of the bodega, or a bocadillo or some tapas at Bar Casa Aleluya. To Jalon there is also a pleasant walking route, just west of the motorway and the river.
While you’re on the Rastro, head straight for the Mercat de la Terra at the roundabout, where you’ll find all kinds of goodies from local producers, such as cheese, olives, beers, pates, sausages, empanadillas and other snacks. (during summer this market is sometimes held in the evening, please check the Tourist Office calender before)
Starting at the Bodega you can enjoy an English-spoken walking tour of Jalon by LaMarinaTours, in high season multiple times per week. Please contact previously.
On Sunday (from 9 am to 2 pm) there is also a lively market in the village of Jesus Pobre. Again, many small local producers with many local delicacies, who have gathered in and around the Riu Rau on the main square.
Tree Climbing Park (Vital Par Centre).
In Parcent, 3 km away from the villa, a very ‘ adventure park ‘ is hiding in the woods. We have not tried it ourselves yet, but it seems to be very nice to be situated. Pressure is not, because they are only open when you reserve beforehand. Great chance that you will have the park for yourself…
Climbing
Alcalalí boasts a 50 metre high rock climbing, right next to the Solana Gardens area where our villa stands. The rock lies on the south, and is therefore very suitable to climb in autumn, winter or spring. There are 30 different routes in various categories. Detailed information can be found in this guide (English and Spanish). See also the Spanish-language page of Alcalalí Turismo for more photos, videos and info.
In the riverbed (Barranca) between Lliber and Gata de Gorgos is another announcement of a climbing rock, called ‘ Escalada Font Aixa ‘. Frankly, however, I have no idea if it is in the same good condition as the rock in Alcalalí.
Fiestas
Every village and town has its own fiesta, often even several times a year. Besides those in Alcalalí (see this page) has for example also Jalon an own fiesta, at the end of July. The weekend after the fiestas in Alcalalí the ‘ Moros y Cristianos ‘ will be played in Benissa (early July). The week after that it is in Javea to do. Still grander is the Moros y Cristianos in Denia (13-16 August, look here for a nice impression). Other famous festivals are of course the Fallas in Valencia (March) and the Moros y Cristianos in Alcoy (April/May). An overview of the fiestas in the Jalon Valley and surroundings can be found here.
Elsewhere in Spain
- Valencia: a holiday at Villa Arbolada can easily be combined with a visit to Valencia. You can get there in just over an hour by car, or you can catch a train in Xeraco, or you can simply combine your stay with a few days in this beautiful city of paella. Have a paella lunch at the famous “La Pepica” restaurant on the beach, visit the Calatrava buildings at the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciencies, and take a introductory bike tour to get a good understanding of the city.
- Do you wish to combine your holiday at Villa Arbolada with cycling trips in the beautiful hinterland of Valencia? Then you should take a look at SpainishTravel. Here you can book day trips as well as cycling routes of several days. Also great to combine with a visit of Valencia city.
- If you happen to be in Madrid, I definitely recommend doing this introductory bike tour with City Tours in Madrid. The perfect way to see the whole city in a few hours, and get a few useful tips to take advantage of afterwards.
- We stayed in Madrid in the hotel Posada del Dragon: in our opinion great value for money in a very central location.