Property Net Alicante - Alicante - Towns and Maps

El Vinalopo Mitja

Bordering Murcia, this inland region of Alicante has always been an important corridor of communication between the Mediterranean and inland Spain. A far cry from the packed out beaches of the Costa Blanca, the Vinalopó Mitja is an area where you will find a chance to discover a taste of authentic Spanish living. Its countryside is lush with almond groves and vineyards and its peaceful villages continue to attract foreign residents seeking the tranquility of rural life.

Elda
Elda and the adjacent town of Petrer are separated by just one street, together they form the largest urban area of El Vinalopó Mitja with a combined population of 81,000. Like the neighbouring city of Elche, the manufacture of shoes is Elda’s industrial focus and the town’s shoe museum displays an interesting array of footwear from around the globe. The town is of Moorish origin and contains the Church of Santa Ana which was originally built as a mosque. The semi-ruined Elda castle is on a hill to the north of the city. Although Petrer is just 4km away from the centre of Elda, its inhabitants speak Valenciano whereas the people of Elda speak Spanish. Petrer, also a Moorish town, is the site of one of the most impressive castles in the region, thanks to extensive restoration work.
Elda has plenty of schools, including a university, a new hospital, a 10 screen cinema complex and a Carrefour hypermarket and shopping centre complete with drive-through McDonalds.
The town has an ample range of shops and a huge indoor market selling fresh produce that is open 6 days a week.
An open air market is held on Tuesdays and Saturdays, selling clothes, shoes and other goods.
Elda has a national RENFE railway station with fast connections to Alicante, Murcia and the rest of Spain.
Elda is easily accessible from Alicante which is 36km away via the N330 motorway.
It is about 30 minutes drive to the coast.
Alenda Golf Club is 18km away.

Monòvar
8km south of Elda in the Vinalopó valley, is the town of Monòvar. Monòvar is a semi-industrial town that, like Elda, is also fond of producing footwear. The Fondillon wine that is produced in the area is renowned. Famous for its 18th Century church with a leaning tower, the old town is attractive with steep narrow streets flanked by stone houses leading up to a clock tower. The hermitage of Santa Barbara on the hill above the town is of architectural importance
With a population 12,000, Monòvar is a lively town with bars, restaurants shops and supermarkets, a health centre, a sports centre and schools.
Situated next to the N330 motorway, Monòvar is easy to reach. It is 34km from Alicante and 26km from Alicante airport
The nearest golf club is Alenda, 15km away.

Novelda
An industrial town with a population of 24,000, Novelda is an important producer of wine and marble. The modernist church of Santuario de Santa Maria is a remarkable building, reminiscent of Gaudi’s work. The church was constructed mainly from local marble and small boulders giving it an unusual, bubbly outline. This, and the tall towers at either side of the façade lend a fairytale atmosphere to the church. Next to the church, the 12th Century La Mola castle ruins are located on an outcrop.
There are 4 large supermarkets in the town, 7 restaurants and also bars and cafes. A market is held on Wednesdays.
Novelda is 2km from the N330 motorway, making access to Alicante 28km away swift and easy.
Alenda Golf Club is just 5km away.

Aspe
The town of Aspe is located on a tributary of the Vinalopo river 5km south of Novelda on the main road. The old town centre is pleasant to walk through, it has been renovated and the area is pedestrianised. The Plaza del Ayuntamiento is interesting with its church and modernist casino.
A town of 16,000 people, Aspe has several large supermarkets, schools, restaurants and bars.
Alicante is 24km away , Aspe is 5km off the N330 motorway.
The Alenda Golf club is a ten minute drive from Aspe.

Pinoso
In the far corner of the Vinalopó Mitja, by the border with Murcia, Pinoso is a small and quiet town, surrounded by the pine groves of the Sierra del Coto. The vineyards around Pinoso produce high quality grapes and the town is an important producer of wine, the Bodega Co-operatice Wine Cellar is able to store 14,000,000 litres of the stuff. A lively fiesta is held at the beginning of August with parades, fireworks and novice bullfighters fighting young bulls. The red and white marble mines in the mountains around the town make an interesting excursion. Pinoso has attracted a number of foreign nationals seeking a quieter alternative to the lifestyle on the coast.
6km south of Pinoso is the village of Alguena, a peaceful farming village with a population of 1000. A market is held there on Sunday when the local shops stay open until midday.
For a town of 6000 inhabitants, Pinoso has a solid infrastructure. Modern amenities include a medical centre, schools, a theatre, a selection of Spanish restaurants, bars and supermarkets.
An indoor market for fresh produce is held every day and on Saturdays, the street market attracts shoppers to Pinoso.
There is an excellent sports centre with outdoor and indoor swimming pool plus tennis courts, football pitches and gymnasium.
Pinoso is 56km from Alicante and 30km from the nearest large service centre of Elda.
The nearest golf course is Alenda, 35km away.

La Romana
Located in the foothills of the Sierra del Redclot a few kilometres from Alguena, La Romana has been called the village of “pine trees, marble and excellent wine.” The village, with a population of 2000, is surrounded by lovely countryside where vineyards and almond orchards are grown. In September, a “Paella in the Park” is held when a giant paella pot is set up outside and the locals take part in a fiesta. La Romana is popular with expatriates looking for a quiet, rural home.
La Romana has a local doctor, 2 small supermarkets, 3 bakers and 3 butchers, 6 bars and a large furniture store.
A street market is held on Saturday mornings.
Many British children attend the local village school.
There is a community swimming pool that opens during the summer.
La Romana is 40km from Alicante and the coast.
The nearest golf course is Alenda, a twenty minute drive away.

Hondón de las Nieves with a population of 1100 and Hondón de los Frailes with just 500 inhabitants are two villages located in the south of the region, both grape growing centres.
The large service centre of Elche with supermarkets, shops and hospitals is 14km away. There is also a train station at Elche.
Located off the main roads, the Hondóns are 8km from Aspe and 34km from Alicante.
The nearest golf course is at Albatera, 40km away.