Villena............... Inland Spain…….. REAL Spain

Many people dream of living in warm, tranquil countryside surrounded by vineyards and distant mountains as a backdrop. More and more people are turning this into reality. They are turning their backs on many of the busier coastal areas to find a quieter life inland. If this is your dream, then the peace and quiet of a private hideaway in a mountain setting or an unspoilt village in rural Spain is for you!

This is a stunning region full of forgotten hamlets, medieval castles and offering gorgeous views over vineyards and olive groves towards distant mountains. It is ideal if you want to escape from the rat race and enjoy a more relaxed and peaceful way of life, whether it be for short breaks or a new permanent home. It is the perfect retreat to enjoy walking, biking, painting, photography or to simply soak up the 310 days of sunshine beside your own private pool.

Villena is a town situated in the administrative area of the Alto Vinalopo region and is about a 50 minute drive from Alicante airport.

Driving from Madrid it is considered to be the gateway to Alicante and the Costa Blanca as it lies in the ‘La Mancha’ region of Murcia giving easy access to the provinces of Alicante and Valencia. It therefore has good road connections to the rest of Spain via the A-31 and is within easy reach of the A7 coastal motorway. 

The town itself has a population of approximately 33,500 and grew from a Moorish village and evidence of this can be seen when visiting towns Old Quarter where historical landmarks such as the Moorish castle and the church of Santa Maria, which was originally a mosque, are located.

Like many towns in this area there is a bodega which makes and sells wine from grapes cultivated in the seemingly endless vineyards you see when driving through the area. In July and August you can almost see the grapes ripening each day in the warm summer sunshine. The wine here is of good quality and can be bought on draught for around 1 euro per litre. Excellent local olive oil is produced from the numerous olive groves and the almond nuts grown in this area taste divine.

The town now has a mixture of old and more recent buildings and modernity vies with the traditions that are still held dear to the towns inhabitants and the fusion of the two provide a fascinating insight into Spanish culture for those deciding to make a new life here. Many people who have moved from the UK say living here is like taking a step back in time but with many English home comforts close at hand.

Every March there is a medieval market held in the old quarter and a puppet festival in the last two weeks of July which is a hit with young and old alike, as traditional local plays using puppets are performed. 

In August there is a week of Cinema which shows local and independently made films and in September there is a folklore festival which has Valencian, Spanish and foreign artists performing folk music and dance. The Teatro Chapi often holds concerts and plays and the Casa de Cultura regularly organize events, activities and exhibitions.

There is plenty to see and do in Villena and it has all the amenities you can expect from a town in 21st century Europe, whilst keeping the charm of historical celebrations alive from the Easter festivities and the Moors and Christian’s fiesta held every September. Also worth a mention is the carnival held every March and the country fair in October.

For the homebuyer planning to reside in the area, Villena is home to many expats and nearby are the smaller towns of Caudete, Biar and Yecla which also have a sizeable English population. 

There are a variety of affordable properties in the area, whether you are looking for a townhouse, villa with a pool, old house to reform or maybe you are just a good plot of land to build on. You will be able to enjoy the rich Spanish heritage, gorgeous sunshine and beautiful countryside with many of the home comforts of England close at hand.

For more information or help e-mail us now:  sales@villenavillas.com