Jalon tourist information
Jalon is the principal town in the Val de Pop, or Jalon Valley. Known as Xaló (pronounced Shalo) in the local Valenciana language, the town comes to life on Tuesdays for market day and Saturdays when people from all over the area come to its famous Rastro.
The town is also famous for its bodegas, or wine cellars and there are an assortment of specialist food shops, restaurants and cafes. |
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Shopping in Jalon
If you want to take a break from the sun you can browse through the many locally produced goods, traditional hand made furniture or luxury fashion items. Jalon is famous for its wine and you can sample it in the numerous bodegas (cellars) in the town. There is also locally produced honey, patisserie, cured Spanish hams. Handmade furniture is available from Morroco, Argentina and the whole of Spain. Whether the emphasis is on a heavy rustic feel, tiled Arab, or locally made wicker you will find it here. Nearer the coast you will find some of the most sophisticated resorts in Europe, as anywhere you can browse all the recognised brands for something special.
Specialist Food Shops in Jalon
Hidden away in back streets, you will find ever increasing numbers of little shops which seem to disappear after 2pm. How a town the size of Jalon can support over half a dozen butchers is a mystery to anyone from the UK. Understanding the different qualities of each also must take some time and understanding. Here we mention the more popular shops.
Galan Artisan Produce, there are two outlets for this high quality butcher / delicatessen. Their cured hams are famous drawing people from all along the coast. There is always a queue, and the wait is most worthwhile. Carniceria Magda y Emilia Embutidos – a tiny butcher that has won awards for maintaining Valencian traditions in their produce, a favourite with us. Vincentica Patisseria – local speciality pastries and bread, near Galan in the town. Francis Panaderia – a very good bread shop L’Abella – there are two outlets of this specialist honey shop, which also sells related natural products and gifts.
Bodegas of Jalon
This area of Spain has been famous for wine production since time began. The long hot summers produce a full bodied red wine that can be drunk within a year of the grape harvest. There is also Moscatel, a sweet white fortified wine. The bodega is the equivalent of the French Cave, where you can go and taste and savour whichever cask will become your favourite. People come from all along the coast to fill their drums with litres of wine at a fraction of the cost anywhere else.
Cooperativa Valenciana Virgen Pobre – the largest bodega with a good selection. Bodega Cantara Cuatro – a smarter shop that has a good selection of high quality Spanish wines to offer. Bodega Xamel – our favourite, not only as the vines are next to us a Caserio del Mirador, but because their house TintoRama is simply delicious. Casa Aleluya – Bodega, local produce, gifts, and popular bar café all in one. Bodegas Riko – An old established bodega, selling sweet raisons, walnuts, and lots of other local produce too. Bodega Cellar el Vinyater – good valued stock where you can discuss the finer details at the bar.
The Rastro in Jalon
On Saturday mornings, on the road out of town heading to Alcalali along the river bank is probably the best known antiques market in this region of Spain. Antiques fare is a very loose term for the variety of curiosities on offer from any number of different stalls. Furniture, ceramics, textiles from Europe, North Africa and South America.
Other Shops and Points of Interest in Jalon
Moroccan yard – full of curiosities from Marrekech. Joseph Fornes – a very smart gift shop. Chunky Funky – designers of silver jewellery and present shop. Terranova Ceramica – a rustic kitchen shop. Bon Dia – another nice gift shop. Faula – the local pet shop. The Dolls House Shop – the like you have never seen before. Pharmacia – in the town square. Caixaltea Bank and Banestro Bank, both in the town square. Post Office and Servibox nearby on the corner, for postal services and stationary. Museo de Vino. Museo de Etnologico.
Local Market Days
Market day transforms the quietest of towns with a buzz of excitement and expectation where you can discover a variety of local produced goods. Monday – Denia
Tuesday – Jalon, in the town square
Wednesday – Teulada
Thursday – Javea, in the Old Town
Friday – Moraira
Saturday - Benissa, the streets south of the town square – Calpe near Mercadona |
