Moraira / Teulada

Teulada was a village populated by 52 old Christian families and dedicated to growing Muscatel grapes and raisins. The villagers built a beautiful late-Gothic church in honour of the patron saint, St Catalina.Prehistoric man, the Iberians and especially the Moors (Benimeit, Benimarco and Alcasar are rural sections of Teulada) all left remains in this coastal area. Teulada became a walled village that was located slightly away from the coast for fear of Berber pirate attacks. As the village was near the coast, it was also a fishing village. Today both agriculture and fishing have given way to the tourism industry. The parish church, the hermitage of the Divina Pastora, the defensive tower, which rises over the Playa de la Ampolla and known as the Moraira Castle, are all architectural features of note. 

After the green fields covered in vines and riu-raus (traditional drying houses) we arrive at the Port of Moraira, a large tourist centre. Here there is a 8-km coastline with fine sandy beaches and transparent water, including L´Ampolla, Platgetes and Del Portet beaches. There are also small coves such as L´Andrago, Punta Estrella, Cap Blanc and La Cala. The most famous beach is that of La Ampolla, located next to the castle. The San Vicente Ferrer Cooperative produces excellent award-winning wines with its Teulada grapes - i.e. the Marina Alta White and Muscatel. The Marina Alta White is made with Muscat grapes, which gives it an aromatic and fruity taste and, even though it is a white wine, it is very sweet. The Muscatel is made with Muscatel Romanao grapes, which are considered one of the best varieties of grapes in the world, and the taste of the wine is reminiscent of the grape. Both wines can be purchased in the wine cellars.  http://www.teulada-moraira.es/?leng=en
 

Benitachell

The main economic activity of Alquería de Javea, declared an independent town in 1698, is the provision of services and agriculture, especially the growing of Muscatel grapes. Though its district is quite small the village is located some distance from its coastal area, which comprises two coves - the Cala Llebeig cove and the los Tiestos cove for naturists. The coast is craggy and inaccessible and, until recently, the dangerous activity of Pesqueras was carried out. This consisted of fishing by hand whilst seated on a wattle platform with the legs dangling over. The platform was reached by descending the cliff using a rope ladder. http://www.benitatxell.com/principal.php

Javea

Jávea is located in the northern section of the province of Alicante, between the capes of San Antonio and La Nao. The Cabo de Nao separates the bays of Valencia and Alicante and is the westernmost point of the Valencia´s coastline. Frequent attacks from marauding pirates forced Jávea´s inhabitants to settle 2 km from the coast in a walled town - these walls remained standing until 1877. The enclosure formed by the former walls now forms Jávea´s historical centre, which is situated around the Gothic Church of San Bartolomé surrounded by whitewashed houses with iron grilles and lintels made out of golden porous ´Tosca´clay. In this area the Ayuntamiento, the Food Market, the Cultural Centre, the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and the Chapel of Santa Ana are all located within easy walking distance. The marine and port area, known as the Aduanas del Mar, is located 2 km from the old town centre and is the place to see the Church of Our Lady of Loreta, constructed in the shape of a keel. The Arenal area, with the Costa Blanca´s only National Parador, contains Jávea´s most popular beach -the Playa del Arenal - and is reached by following the road that runs parallel to the Playa del Benissero. Jávea has a 20 km coastline that stretches from the Cova Tallá to the Cala de la Granadella. There is an interesting mixture of beaches with soft sandy beaches (Arenal beaches), small, shingled beaches bordered by pine trees which are suitable for diving (Granadella beaches), and naturist beaches (Ambolo beaches). There are also small coves: Portichol and La Sardinera. A more traditional Jávea is found inland with riu-raus and orange groves that are protected from the harsh continental climate by the natural barrier formed by Montgó, which extends to the north of Jávea and serves as a border between Jávea and Dénia. http://www.costablanca.org/CatalogoProducto.aspx?tipo=957&taux=957&id=34669&ide=34670&idp=34669&id_ficha=29551

Benissa

Benissa is located on the windy coastal road between Valencia and Alicante, and has a white church similar to the churches painted by Constable. The Church called the ´Cathedral of the Marina Alta´ was constructed in the ´twenties by pious masons from Benissa who used their own physical strength and monetary contributions to build it. The church was consecrated during the ´Festival of St Peter the Apostle in 1929´ and measures 56 metres in length and 29 metres in width. It includes a magnificent altarpiece in honour of the venerable patron saint of the village, the Blessed Xiquet and a statue attributed to Juan de Juanes. When visiting the cathedral, the curious light shining through the roof onto the altar is not to be missed. Interesting walks can be taken through the village starting from the Ayuntamiento -the former Hospital for the Poor - where you can see the magnificent ´huerta´ and the beginning of the track used by the ancient ribereros (the workers who emigrated from Benissa to harvest rice on the Valencia coast). On the calle Purísima observe the iron grilles on the white houses bedecked with flowers - the town is reminiscent of Montilla and Albaicín in Granada. The streets of the town are mainly narrow and deserted, enabling a peaceful walk through the most interesting places in the town such as the Casa de la Cultura and the Lonja de Contratación (exchange building)- Benissa´s oldest building and the Museum of Ethnography. The medieval centre of Benissa is situated around the ancient prison, which today serves as a Casal de la Joventut (Youth Centre). The municipal district has not been re-developed on a large scale and its 4 km coastline still offers small quiet beaches. These include Fustera -a fine sandy beach with a range of services -, the Cala Pinets and L´ Advocat, which combines rocks and sand. Finally, the Cala Baladrar is a shingled beach. Marine excursions and water sports such as diving and fishing can all be enjoyed on these beaches. http://www.benissa.net/eng/

Pedreguer

Pedreguer is a typical agricultural village located at the foot of the Muntanya Gran. The village is surrounded by abundant farming land on which fruits and vegetables are grown. The village also specializes in the manufacturing of bags, hats and leather goods. This is an original village - many of the façades of the houses are painted in vivid colours, which give the village a lively appearance. The village has several modernist buildings and on the Plaza Mayor is a structure entitled ´Porxens´ where the market is held. Some beautiful police houses can be seen next to the Church, which is opposite the market http://www.costablanca.org/CatalogoProducto.aspx?tipo=957&taux=957&id=34669&ide=34670&idp=34669&id_ficha=29569

Murla

Is the capital of the game known as "pelota valenciana": It is taught there and the best players of the Valencian Community have enjoyed matches in its narrow, cool streets. The local players are well known and a square in the village has been named after one of the best players in the game´s history, Nel de Murla. Matches are played every weekend afternoons. The village is of singular interest with its unusual fortified church, where illuminated crypts and reconstructed towers can be seen, contrasting with the modern streetlights. Modernist façades and the people sitting on chairs by the road, watching the occasional car go by, with a beer in their hands. http://www.costablanca.org/CatalogoProducto.aspx?tipo=957&taux=957&id=34669&ide=34670&idp=34669&id_ficha=29559