Module 9: Rural and Interior Tourism and Natural Parks

The Valencia region is well know for its coastline but the region also extends back in to the mountains and the interior the landscape changes to tiny mountains villages, dry land farms, terraced orchards and natural mountain eco systems although from many parts you can still see the sea. It is important that olives and citrus fruit grow here as well as the vineyards and almonds and there are countless possibilities to be able to enjoy nature.

Rural tourism is growing in the region we offer a large variety of rural houses and small hotels. A database of rural accommodation is available on our website of you can request a hardcopy brochure to be sent to your agency.

Bear in mind that Castellón province in the north is the second most mountainous in Spain, and ideal for this type of tourism yet it has not really been discovered by the British for this type of product. You can also participate in various activities such as cycling, hiking, horse riding and other active sports such as climbing.

Away from the coast you can discover tiny mountain villages, farms, terraced orchards, the region being rich with its flora and fauna. Popular Inland villages well worth a visit include for example.

Morella in the Maestrazgo district of Castellón province in the north– whose mountain top profile captivates visitors as they approach, Nearby the delicacy “truffles grow”  and in the same district you can see the prehistoric well preserved cave painting of Valltorta, a world heritage site.

Elche, situated close to Alicante, is surrounded by more than 300,000 palm trees The Moors surrounded the new city of Elche with palm trees. The palm trees contribute to Elche´s uniqueness and have become a symbol of its identity. These palm trees make up the southernmost and most extensive palm tree grove in Europe and were declared to be a World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Committee of the UNESCO .

There are 14 natural parks. Examples include:

Islas Columbretes Nature park
An archipelago volcanic group of islands 30 miles off the coast of Castellon, unique in nature carved by wind & sea. One of the best places for scuba diving

The Albufera Nature Park
The biggest wetland it he region, a stopover for nesting birds, rice growing and fishing. Very close to city of Valencia

La Mata and Torrevieja salt flats Nature Park
Salt has been mined here since the middle ages, salt being exported al over the world. The wetland areas are also important for birds as they use this as a nesting site.

Sierra mariola Nature Park
A mountainous area located between Valencia and Alicante, a natural habitat for medicinal and aromatic plants and pine forests. There  are also man made and natural caves.

Sierra Aitana/Puig Campana
The interior of Alicante away from the main stream resorts in areas such as the Sierra Aitana (1558 m) & Puig Campana (1410m) offer spectacular scenery and is a great hideaway for rural tourism. They are a limestone mountain range, close to the coast that offers an impressive rugged look.. There are ancient Moorish remains and olive and almond orchards.

Finestrat and Sella are beautiful villages located in these ranges. There are several prepared walking and trekking routes to be enjoyed, and is popular for many cyclists and climbers or just the nature lovers.

Guadalest is a Moorish fortress and village situated deep in the Sierra Aitana mountain range (very popular excursion) Many houses are set in the rock.

The town is divided into two districts, the Castle quarter reached by a tunnel in the rock and is protected by an ancient wall with a medieval appeal.  The Arrabal the modern quarter extends around the outskirts of the mountain. There are various little museums such as the ethnological, antique toys, and torture museum amongst others. Plenty of arts and crafts souvenir shops.

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