Alcalá la Real
Right in the south of the Jaén province, near to the border with Granada, Alcalá la Real is surrounded by an expanse of olive trees and wheat fields, a landscape that continues all the way down to the Sierra Nevada in the south. The area around Alcalá has been inhabited since prehistoric times and Alcalá itself became a much fortified citadel. Alcalá was the focus of many attacks by the Christians due to its position near to the fertile vega surrounding Moorish Granada. After the Reconquest in 1492, Alcalá was able to spread out from the citadel and modern Alcalá began to develop. Today it is a busy town of 21,000 inhabitants overlooked by the fortified citadel.
The citadel is emblematic of Alcalá and stands out over the rest of the city. A steep, pretty street flanked by whitewashed houses leads up to the citadel from which there are magnificent views of the surrounding countryside reaching right down to the snowcaps of the Sierra Nevada on a clear day.
The Paseo de los Alamos is used by the locals for the evening and Sunday “paseo” or walk. Various fairs and markets are held on this street throughout the year. Alcalá is renowned for its traditional craftwork including leatherwork, embroidery and pottery. Local festivals include an smaller version of the “fallas” that takes place in Valencia, when bonfires are lit in the streets on February 2nd. More bonfires and fireworks take place on June 24th in honour of San Juan and on August 15th, a colourful and impressive procession takes place when thousands of candles are lit.
A modern town with plenty of amenities including accommodation, shops, bars, restaurants, libraries, schools and a cinema screen, Alcalá is situated on the N432 that runs between Córdoba, 85km away and Granada, 47km away. Jaén is 55km to the north of Alcalá

Frailes
A village of 1800 inhabitants located right on the edge of the Jaén province, Frailes has been transformed by Michael Jacobs´s book, “The Factory of Light” from another nondescript provincial village to a fascinating area populated by interesting and endearing local characters and omnipresent saints.
There have been a number of important archaeological finds in the area surrounding Frailes, from prehistoric, Iberian and Roman eras. Frailes today is built around the church of Santa Lucía, originally a hermitage that was turned into a church in the 18th century.
Frailes has a primary and a secondary school, a small public library, a pharmacy, a couple of restaurants and a handful of bars. Frailes is located 89km from Jaén and 52km from Granada.

Castillo de Locubín
A pretty white village in the foothills of the Sierra Sur. The Moorish castle that gave the village its name can still be seen although it is somewhat ruined. There is an important church in Castillo, constructed in the 16th century. Castillo follows a tradition of pottery and ceramics making, locally produced pottery can be bought in the village. During the first week in June when the cherry harvest begins, a cherry fair is held where there are competitions for the best liqueurs, desserts and cherry based cuisine.
Castillo is a village of 5000 inhabitants with 3 restaurants, a handful of bars, primary and secondary schools, and several stores. Castillo is 7km north of Alcalá la Real and 2km from the N432 main road.

Alcaudete
Known by the Moors as al-Qabdaq, or the city of springs, due to the abundance of fresh springs in the area, Alcuadete was the site of a number of disputes between the Moors and the Christians. Alcaudete is built around the hill on which the 13th castle still stands. The castle was built over the site of a Moorish fortress. Alcaudete is situated in lovely countryside and there are amazing views from the town. The natural area surrounding Alcaudete include the Honda and Chinche natural reservoirs that are home to a number of birds including migratory flamingos.
11,000 people live in Alcaudete, the town contains several schools, a health centre and other amenities. Alcaudete is located on the N432 main road, 40km southeast of Jaén.

Martos
Martos was an important Roman settlement and later a Visigoth bishopric. Following a period of Moorish rule, the Christians captured the town in 1225 on St Marta’s Day, hence the name of Martos. The town also contains the 13th century church of Santa María de la Villa, a renaissance town hall and a 16th century fountain, the Fuente Nueva. Martos is home to 22,000 people situated on the N316 road 22km from Jaén.

Fuensanta de Martos is a village south of Martos with 3200 inhabitants. Fuensanta is 12km south of Martos in the foothills of the Sierra de la Pandera.

Torredonjimeno
Dating back to Roman times, Torredonjimeno is surrounded by the olive groves that are the mainstay of the town’s population. The 13th century castle stands on the site of an old Roman fortress and there is a 17th century renaissance town hall. Torredonjimeno, home to 13,000 people, is an attractive town scattered with small plazas whose streets are lined with pretty balconied houses. Torredonjimeno is situated just off the A316 road 20km east of Jaén.

Villardompardo, a village of 1200 inhabitants is 9km north of Torredonjimeno and Jamilena, (3200 inhabitants) is 3km southwest of Torredonjimeno.

Porcuna
Located in the west of Jaén, Porcuna is not a particularly inspiring village although some important archaeological finds have been made here. The village has a modern parish church built in the late 19th century in which there are paintings by Julio Romero de Torres. Porcuna is a village of 7000 inhabitants, 20km northeast of Torredonjimeno.

To the south of Porcuna is the village of Higera de Calatrava, surrounded by olive groves and fields of sunflowers. 700 people live in Higera, which is 7km south of Porcuna. Santiago de Calatrava, a village of 900 people, contains the interesting church of Nuestra Señora de la Estrella and is a further 6km south from Higera.

Lopera
Near to the border with Córdoba, Lopera is an interesting village of 4000 inhabitants. The Church of the Purísima Concepción on the main plaza has a stone façade, whitewashed walls and a freestanding, minaret like bell tower. The village’s Moorish castle is well preserved and the surrounding countryside is attractive. On the 22nd of April, the pilgrimage of the Virgen de la Cabeza takes begins in the village. Lopera is 8km north of Porcuna.

Valdepeñas de Jaén
Located next to the Viboras river, Valdepeñas is a village of 4500 inhabitants. Of note are the Romanesque church of Santiago and the castle ruins. On the 1st of May, a pilgrimage in honour of Santo Cristo de los Chircales takes place. Valdepeñas is 34km from Jaén.