Ayora Valley information

In The Southern Area

They say that the beautiful Ayora Valley is the 4th most attractive in all of Spain.
They are definately not wrong!
The valley runs from Ayora to Cofrentes through some of the most beautiful scenery in the area - passing along the way, the typically Spanish villages of Zarra, Teresa de Cofrentes, Jarafuel, Jalance to Cofrentes, sitting alongside the Rio Cabriel, where it joins the Rio Jucar. Here, the lake-like waters run green with the minerals taken in on the journey from the mountains.
The villages along the valley, all have their castles, each with a story to tell, and their historical centres possess a special charm, having narrow and picturesque streets and alleyways, paved in stone and staggered with buildings of different heights that allow a brief trip into the past. Townships are surrounded by the typical crops of a dry zone, and the natural landscape enriching the view, with water providing important healthy mineral and medicinal qualities, from some of its springs and rivers.
This picturesque valley is approximately 75 minutes from both Alicante and Valencia airports, and is easily reached from the excellent nearby motorway links.
Here you will find properties of all types, from typical Spanish country houses, to modern villas and apartments, at prices to suit all budgets, yet still so much cheaper than in the busy, overcrowded coastal areas.
So, if you are looking for the real Spain, steeped in history, and with friendly, hospitable people, ready to welcome you into their communities, rich with tradition and good food and wines, then this valley is for you.

Ayora Valley

Ayora Valley is separated from the Requena-Utiel high plateau by La Chirrichana (1,070m) and the Martes Sierra (1,108m). It runs from north to south through wild country bounded by La Muela de Cortes (1,126m), Monte Mayor (1,108m) and Palomeras (1,258m). In the valley, the N-330 which comes out of Requena and is the artery of the valley, follows the course of the Cabriel, Jucar and Cantaban.

Its villages include Cofrentes and its castle clinging to the sides of an extinct volcanic pipe; nearby Los Hervideros Health Resort; Jalance, which is important as a wooded area with extensive pine forests and small game; Jarafuel, the "village of fountains", in the heart of the valley; very near Don Juan Cave, which may have been inhabited 5,000 years ago; Teresa de Cofrentes and its springs called La Argongueña, Velillla and Batanes; Zarra, which is very mountainous, and finally Ayora, the capital of the valley. Its main architectural feature is the 16C Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion, which is a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance and has paintings by Yañez de la Almudaina and Vicente Lopez.

Very important are its net of watercourses and the areas of unspoilt nature calle La Hunde, San Benito, La Vega and Casas Madrona as well as the Iberian town of El Castellar de Meca. Ayora is the main honey production centre in Spain.

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