Jalon Valley

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. 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. he 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. 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!