This page is all about the town of Jalon on the Costa Blanca coast of Spain. It contains useful Jalon Valley tourist information for people intending to visit or holiday in the Jalon Valley.
In this tourist guide to the tourist area of the Jalon Valley on the Costa Blanca in Spain we help visitors who are planning a trip with useful and practical advice on many tourism related subjects such as car hire, accommodation, hotels, hostels, map, sightseeing, weather, where to go, where to stay, travel information and what to see and do in the Jalon Valley.
The Jalon Valley (also known as Vall de Pop) is situated inland from the coastal towns of Denia, Javea and Moraira.
The Jalon Valley is on the Costa Blanca coast of Spain.
With some areas on the Costa Blanca coast becoming somewhat built up and overcrowded the Jalon Valley attracts a more discerning visitor and resident who appreciates more of a country feel although the coast and it’s beautiful beaches are still only 30 minutes drive away.
The Jalon Valley has some of the best scenery in Spain.
There are magnificent mountains which surround the plains of olive trees, orange groves, vineyards, raisins and almonds.
Peppered in the Jalon Valley are unspoilt villages including Alcalali, Jalon, Lliber and Parcent.
The Jalon Valley is a walker’s paradise ranging from a very gentle stroll to a six hour walk around the Sierra Bernia mountains to the south of Jalon.
In late January and early February the whole of the Jalon Valley is covered with pink and white almond blossom and is the best time to see it.
The Town of Jalon
The village of Jalon is at the heart of the Jalon Valley. At the Old Square there is a fountain around which there is an open market held on Tuesday mornings. Seen from the square is the famous Jalon Church with its blue dome. Roaming around the many small streets, you will find an abundance of shops, bars and restaurants. Jalon is very famous for its local wines. There are at bodegas (wine cellars) where you can sample the various types before buying.
Jalon was under Arabic domination for over five hundred years. The Arabians built two castles, one for the Solana (the Aixa) and another in the Bernie. Both fortresses controlled the Jalon Valley and the numerous settlers. The Arabians left behind the typical house style, for which Jalon is famous today, i.e. houses of stone and old bricks with large wooden doors as well as decorated walls.
The Arabic culture influenced life in Jalon up to its final displacement in the year 1609. After that the trade with raisins became the major economic activity. Many farmers from Majorca settled in Jalon in the 18th and 19th centuries and started cultivating the land, concentrating on grapes and raisin production.
Vall de Pop (Jalon) Tourist Information Office (Oficina de Turismo)
Vall de Pop (Jalon Valley) Tourist Office
Address: Paseo de la Alameda, Carretera de Alcalalí, s/n. 03727. Jalón (Xaló). Alicante – Alacant.
Telephone: + 34 966 481 017
Email: valldepop@touristinfo.net
Website: www.valldepop.es
Opening Hours: From Tuesday to Saturday, from 09:00 h to 14:00 h. Saturday, Sunday and holidays closed.
Moving to Jalon Valley
If you are thinking of moving to Jalon Valley, then you must read our expat interview with Vanessa Crocker-Dean of Hello2Spain below:
Vanessa, what would you say would be the advantages to living in Jalon Valley compared to other Costa Blanca towns?
Jalon is a beautiful picturesque town and only 20 minutes to the coast which is why it is such a popular place to be. The town has shops, bars, restaurants, bodegas, banks, doctors, chemists and much more. The old town has typical Spanish narrow streets and most of the countryside properties overlook Jalon town as it is in the valley. Jalon Valley is also known as Vall de Pop and is in the valley of Gorgos which means Valley of the cats!
How does one get there?
Jalon is situated north of Alicante Airport approximately a 1-hour drive. It’s easy to get to by car on the main motorway AP7 heading north towards Valencia. Exit junction 63 and take the CV750 to Jalon/Xalo.
There is also a bus from Denia to Jalon which passes through the villages on the way. So you can get a tram from Alicante or bus from Alicante go to Denia and catch the bus to Jalon.
Why is it spelt two ways?
Jalon is Castilian and Xalo is Valenciano. There are many road signs with Valenciano on and this does confuse the satellite navigation systems. Such as Calle is a street and then Carrer is also street so when programming your navigation system looks out for both.
What are your favourite things to do in the area?
Walking/Hiking is very popular along the valley and you can walk from village to village such as Parcent, Jalon, Benichembla, Murla and many other villages along the way. There is also a walking group in the U3A which is very helpful and they do a guided tour. Other tour operators do work in this valley so it’s well worth to go shopping around.
Cycling is very popular through this region of Spain as the weather is pretty perfect most of the year. The Valley cycle route goes all the way to Calpe and the other way to Denia. A truly spectacular ride.
There are three Golf Courses near Jalon. These are in Javea, Calpe/Benissa and La Sella.
Javea Golf Course offers a variety of lessons for all abilities. A minimum handicap is normal to play on this course with all the facilities you would expect from a Golf club such as club house, changing rooms, restaurant, putting green, practice area and more.
La Sella Golf Course was designed by the prolific José María Olazábal in 1991. La Sella is one of the most important courses designed by the double champion of the Masters in Agusta.
Enjoy in Denia a 27-hole round of golf, known internationally for its excellent conditions for playing golf throughout the year. Its 6,289 metres has been played by the top names in European golf.
La Sella Golf has been the headquarters of the Peugeot Circuit since 2007 and has hosted national team events and other big events.
It is a wide and varied course, located in an area which is protected. Its design is appropriate for all levels of players.
The 27-hole La Sella Golf Club is surrounded by a Mediterranean ecosystem of woods and mountains and is flanked by the impressive Montgó Natural Park. From every corner of the course you can see different species of olive trees, orange trees and almond trees, which makes this course, along with the pleasant climate, a golfer’s paradise.
Ifach Golf Club is more than just a golf club. It is a family club with tennis, 9 holes and 18 holes. You can also buy shares and go for a relaxing swim after.
Waterparks and Theme Parks Benidorm do I dare say!! Yes Benidorm has it all. What a great idea to go to Benidorm for the day, have fun and then drive back to a beautiful unspoilt valley.
Can you give us some insider tips to the best bars or restaurants?
Lluna Llunera (Valenciano) serving Mediterranean cuisine prices range between 12 to 20 euros.
Tortuga Bar (Turtle Bar) serving International cuisine prices vary depending on what you have. Menu del dia is from 9.95 euros.
Bar Restaurant Cathy serving home-made Moroccan cuisine.
There are plenty more bars and restaurants to go to, tapas, pizza and much more.
Where can we find the nearest beaches?
The nearest beach is Calpe which is about 20 minutes by car. The other way is Denia so you have a choice of beaches to go to. You will find your favourite as everybody is different in what they want from a beach. The main thing is all the beaches along this coastline are all Blue Flag Beaches so the water is always clean. Scuba diving, jet skiing, kite surfing, snorkelling, paddle boarding, banana boats or if you want to get away from all that there are plenty of secluded beaches to just enjoy the sun, sea and sand.
When is market day in Jalon Valley?
Saturday morning is market day where you can buy an abundance of fruit and vegetable for next to nothing. All fresh picked and will last a good week or so if stored correctly.
How much are the typical property prices in Jalon Valley for apartments, villas etc?
Property in Jalon vary in price as the town is only 18 minutes to the gorgeous beaches of Calpe. Very popular with expats even the local bars have quiz nights, Karaoke, menus in English, and cater for most nationalities. Property prices are a little more expensive as the valley is renowned for beautiful vineyards and fabulous bodegas.
Vanessa, thank you so much for taking the time to help our readers with your experiences in Spain. If you want to contact her, you can find her details below.
Marques de Campo, 6, 03700 Denia
Tel. +34 672 208 879
Email: info@hello2spain.com
Website: www.hello2spain.com
We have another fantastic interview and this time it’s from Jaime Moreno of Garcia Villas.
Jaime, what would you say would be the advantages to living in Jalon Valley compared to other Costa Blanca towns?
The Jalon Valley is one of Spain’s best-kept secrets, comprising of nine villages and small towns, each one offering something different, but all having a sense of tranquillity but vibrant with local tradition and lifestyle, embracing and welcoming visitors and newcomers alike, and where the pace of life reflects long-held values and customs whilst embracing modern day living.
The valley enjoys a superb all-year-round micro climate, which helps to create marvellous growing conditions for the region’s famous flora and fauna, with orange, almond, cherry, grapes in abundance, and where hikers, bikers, climbers and ornithologists marvel at the sheer diversity of the beautiful surroundings.
The local cuisine can differ tremendously from the more commercialised coastal areas, both in quality, quantity and sheer value for money. Most restaurants and tapas bars use locally-sourced produce, especially our famous wines which can also be bought direct from the bodega at exceptionally low prices, but beware, the low prices and fine quality become addictive for the undiscerning!
Would the area not suit certain types of people, i.e. are there any possible downsides?
Our region prides itself on maintaining tradition and customs, whilst welcoming those seeking to uphold and respect these time-honoured values. The hustle and bustle of the more commercialised areas simply does not exist here. However those seeking this type of lifestyle can easily find it just a short drive away in such places as Europe’s most famous resort Benidorm, along with the pretty coastal resorts of Denia, Javea, Calpe and Moraira Unlike the coastal region where the amenities can be seasonal, the Valley maintains its many and varied attractions all-year-round .
What proportion of the local population are Spanish?
The nine villages and small towns that collectively comprise the Jalon Valley have all welcomed newcomers from across Europe and further afield. Some villages such as Lliber (pop 700) have a higher concentration of expats then others, but remarkably still retain its true Spanish identity and customs whilst respecting and embracing new ethics and lifestyles. Integration and acceptance is commonplace throughout the region, and there are now many second and third generation European inhabitants enjoying our wonderful local lifestyle.
What are your favourite things to do in the area?
With its superb climate, stunning scenery and friendly inhabitants, the Jalon Valley has a veritable wealth of attractions for the visitor and local alike. The region boasts numerous organisations and clubs who are always willing to welcome newcomers, be it hiking for the beginner or the more serious walkers, cycling along gentle tracks or country lanes, climbing the numerous hills and mountains of the spectacular La Solana or Sierra Bernia ranges, bird-watching in an acknowledged migration region or simply dining and relaxing in one of a myriad of fine quality yet inexpensive restaurants or tapas bars. The valley offers something for everyone.
Can you give us some insider tips to the best bars or restaurants?
We rightly pride ourselves on our wonderful restaurants and tapas bars, where local produce abounds and where you will be guaranteed a wonderful and inexpensive meal with friendly service and where the whole family will be made welcome. Restaurants usually offer a “menu del dia” (day menu) option. This comprises of usually an attractively priced three course meal with a good choice for each course and includes wine or beer. Because most diners choose this option the food is always fresh and prices kept very low, so would always be recommended. Of course should you always choose to dine al la carte, this is usually more time consuming and slightly more expensive.
Tapas bars even in the smallest village offer a wonderful and interesting way to dine, leisurely, inexpensively and with wonderfully varied and diverse dishes, a tapas meal is the perfect way to get a true flavour of our region offering tasty meat, fish and vegetarian dishes for everyone, in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Try to seek out a tapas bar for an evening feast when there is a football match being played and shown on the bar’s T.V., you will be guaranteed a night to remember, and usually a mild headache the following day!
Are there many facilities such as doctors and dentists, shops etc?
Each of the Valley’s nine villages or small towns has everyday amenities available, from the basic medical centre, village shop, bakery, bank and chemist such as you will find in Alcalali or Lliber, to considerably more and sophisticated amenities in Benissa (pop 12000) or Jalon itself (pop 3000) where large supermarkets, dentists, schools, numerous banks, private and State medical facilities.
With each village having a weekly market and being no more than two to three kilometres from the next, you will never be more than a few minutes from any and every possible requirement for a comfortable lifestyle. Jalon is rightly famous for its Saturday Rastro (flea market), which has grown massively over recent years, and now attracts visitors from far and wide, seeking out bargains whether its leather goods, watches and jewellery, clothes, antiques or general brick-a-brack, you will be happy to browse amongst the hundreds of stalls, and finish with a visit to the nearby Virgin Pobre bodega to sample and purchase our superb wines.
Are there smaller villages nearby that you might also recommend?
Fiestas and celebration days are a huge part of local tradition and custom, with over 200 days per year across the regions’ villages and towns. These can be a simple church service, culinary feasts such as giant paella meals for up to 2000 diners, musical concerts for all tastes, or elaborate and visually exciting processions such as the numerous “Moors and Christians” fiestas that occur across the region and further afield. These will transfix and amaze all who witness such truly spectacular events.
Alcalali’s main fiesta occurs at the end of June each year and lasts several days, culminating in live music concerts in the picturesque village square, with the bands normally taking to the stage well past midnight and finishing way past dawn, so the ability to pace yourself is essential, and the practice of taking a relaxing siesta is to be highly recommended.
Lliber’s fiesta is in August, and here the traditional “bull-running” takes place, resulting in the villages main street being closed to all traffic for a few days with travellers having to circumnavigate the village via a criss-cross of country lanes that bisect the surrounding vineyards.
Jalon’s fiestas are many and varied with bull-running, paella cook outs, religious processions, musical concerts in abundance to name but a few. Benissa’s Moors and Christian procession occurs in early June, and simply has to be seen to be believed, the costumes, marching bands, performing dancers and animals will linger long in the memory.
What are the nearest international schools and how good are they?
Most villages in the valley offer State nursery and junior schools, with the larger secondary school being in Benissa. Students are taught in Castilliano and Valenciano Spanish and occasionally English. For those seeking international schooling for their children the valley can offer first rate private education at the Laude Lady Elizabeth School on the outskirts of Benissa for pupils up to 11 years of age, their senior school being located at nearby Javea with transportation being provided if required, and teaching the English curiculum. Javea also has a second private school, Javea International College for pupils from 2 to 18 years of age.
Is crime an issue for expats?
With low crime rates and a noticeably high police presence, either in the form of the very helpful and approachable “Policia Local” or the “Guardia Civil” who are actually affiliated to the army, our region can be considered a relatively safe haven in today’s society. Many urbanisations have formed Neighbourhood Watch schemes with the aid of the various local town halls, all of whom are highly accommodating and mindful of the wishes and requirements of newcomers of whatever nationality.
Coming onto buying property, what is the market like now in terms of prices going up, or down or staying the same? Is this a good time to buy and are there any repossessions or very cheap properties still available to buy?
After several years of well-documented recession where most new projects were either cancelled or placed on hold, the recent two or three years has seen a considerable upturn in the local property market. Discerning buyers from across Europe and further afield are discovering that purchasing a property slightly inland, especially in our beautiful and under-developed valley ,will offer superb valley for money and a noticeably better lifestyle then the more populated and seasonal coastal regions.
Prices are now starting to rise once more, with both resale and new construction properties being very much in demand. Bargains can still be found in the form of rapidly diminishing bank repossessions or the private seller looking for a quick sale. Mortgages are now being granted once again, (subject to status) with 70% of purchase price usually attainable, and sometimes even higher on bank repossession propertys. One word of caution however, always ensure that any property being considered for purchase is fully legal, and that buyers engage the services of a reputable, English-speaking solicitor.
The location and all-year-round micro climate make this relatively unspoilt northern region of the Costa Blanca the ideal choice for those looking for an idyllic yet affordable lifestyle. The airports of both Alicante and Valencia are both just over an hour’s drive from the valley, and the trans-Mediterranean motorway passes by just 5 kilometres away.
What urbanisations are there and can you describe each one and how they might differ from each other?
Most villages have small urbanisations usually located on their periphery but nearly always within a short walk of the village itself. These urbanisations are usually well maintained and have a cosmopolitan population along with many Spanish nationals. Community spirit abounds amongst the multi-cultural inhabitants. Sun lovers will inevitably be drawn to the south-facing developments whereas those seeking more shade will seek out properties with a different aspect.
There are many advantages to living on an urbanisation in Spain, typically the provision of everyday amenities such as mains water, electricity, sewerage, telephone and internet which is all-too-often taken for granted. It is normal for non-urbanised, more remote valley properties to be without some or all of the aforementioned, relying instead on well water or depositos, solar power and satellite phones and internet. Of course, privacy can sometimes be compromised on an urbanisation; however this should be offset by the enhanced security and neighbourliness that is always apparent with urban living.
Again, a word of caution, before purchasing a property on an urbanisation it is important to determine that the urbanisation has been fully adopted by the local town hall. This is usually the case however there are a small number of urbanisations whose town council have still to adopt, sometimes after several years. In such cases the purchase price could rise dramatically with hidden infrastructure charges.
How much are typical property prices in Jalon Valley for apartments, villas etc?
Property prices in the valley region can differ slightly between the various villages, with Jalon, Alcalali and Lliber commanding the best prices followed closely by Parcent , Orba, Benissa and the others. In all cases any equivalent property at the coastal region can be anywhere between ten and thirty per cent higher. Of course prices vary tremendously but a typical three bedroomed, two bathroomed detached villa with private pool can be purchased from as little as 200,000 euros in the valley, whilst traditional reformed townhouses can start from around 80,000.
Apartments can be a good buy especially if they are bank repossession properties, and these can be purchased from around 60,000 for a two bedroomed property, with the advantage of a higher mortgage allocation usually. Conversely, the valley can offer the more discerning buyer true luxury with fabulous, private villas between 500,000 to several million euros.
In truth the valley offers something for everyone which will suit all tastes and budgets. Please remember to allow around 12% in addition to any agreed purchase price to cover the mandatory purchase costs (government tax, legal and Notary fees etc,.)
Any tips and advice to people looking to buy in Jalon Valley or surrounding area?
The main advice for any potential buyers would always be to visit the region beforehand to experience first-hand the natural beauty, considerable charm and wonderful ambience of this truly amazing region. Always enlist the help and advice of a well-established, reputable estate agency who, given you specifications well before-hand, can always produce an accurate and hopefully interesting viewing itinery for your visit. Sample the food and drink, chat to the locals who will be usually only too happy to share their experiences.
Remember that purchasing Spanish property is a well-trodden path, and so long as you follow simple rules and common sense advice you should have a trouble-free purchase which will hopefully result in many happy years enjoyment, either living or holidaying in our splendid and beautiful Jalon Valley.
Jaime, thank you so much for taking the time to help our readers with your experiences in Spain. If you want to contact him, you can find his details below.
Avda. Joanot Martorell
no 17-C 03727
Jalon (Alicante)
Tel. +34 966 482 480
Email: info@garciavillas.es
Website: www.garciavillas.es
Below is a video showing some of the notable places in Jalon.
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Page Summary – If you are visiting the Jalon Valley on holiday or if you live in the Jalon Valley or are thinking of moving to the Jalon Valley we hope this page on Jalon Valley tourist information has been useful.
Related Pages for the Jalon Valley…
- Jalon Valley Car Hire
- Jalon Valley Estate Agents
- Jalon Valley Map
- Jalon Valley Restaurants
- Jalon Valley Weather
Nearby Towns to Jalon…
Joe moffat says
I am looking for local bus routes and timetables in the salon area
Karen Webster says
Hello, I have been trying to find either bicycle and scooter hire prices for Jalon area – and am struggling to find any at all..can you help? thank you !