10 Best Things to Do in Villena, Spain’s hidden gem
We’re not pirates, but in this town of Alicante, we found an impressive treasure. Do you want to discover it too? Join us on the adventure to find out the best things to do in Villena with kids.
Welcome to Villena, a charming town located in the province of Alicante, in the Comunidad Valenciana. If you’re looking for a destination full of history, culture, and adventure, Villena is the perfect place.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the highlights to see in Villena and show you what to do during your visit. From its majestic Castillo de la Atalaya to the Museo de Villena and the impressive Iglesia de Santa María, there’s plenty to explore in this hidden gem of the Comunidad Valenciana.
Where to find and how to get to Villena – MAP
Villena is located about 60 km northwest of the city of Alicante and 120 km south of Valencia.
If you want to get to Villena from Alicante, you have several transport options available. Besides the bus, you can take a regional train from the Alicante train station for about €3.50. The train ride takes about an hour.
If you prefer to drive to Villena, you can take the A-31 road from Alicante towards Madrid, and then take exit 185 towards the city. The drive usually takes around 45 minutes, depending on traffic and road conditions. In a motorhome, it will take a bit longer due to speed.
New! Starting December 2023, Villena is connected to Madrid (Chamartín) thanks to Renfe’s low-cost high-speed trains, Avlo, offering one trip a day (in both directions) from €7. There will only be two stops between Villena and Madrid: Albacete and Cuenca. Check the news here.
Keep in mind that if you’re on a road trip through Alicante, there are several points along the way where you can stop. We’ll share some of them below.
Traveling to Villena with kids? Marco Topo and much more
Whenever we can, our first stop upon arriving in a city is its Tourist Office. This is especially true because they can provide a lot of information to make a visit with kids enjoyable and a guaranteed success.
In this case, if you’re going to explore Villena with kids, you have the option to do it with Marco Topo. It’s an interactive game that requires picking up a map at the Tourist Office, downloading an app on a mobile device, answering a series of questions while learning about the city, and placing stickers on the map for correct answers. At the end of the challenges, the kids will receive an official diploma as a reward. It’s great! I assure you that both adults and kids will learn a lot about Villena while playing this game.
1) Castillo de la Atalaya, a historical treasure
On this tour of Villena, we start by visiting its most notable gem: the Castillo de la Atalaya. This impressive fortress, dating back to the 12th century, primarily belonged to Don Juan Manuel de Villena, grandson of King Fernando III of Castile.
In addition to being a powerful noble, D. Juan Manuel was a fiction writer and a representative of medieval prose. One of his main works was “El conde Lucanor”.
The privileged location of this castle on top of a hill allows it to offer, even today, spectacular panoramic views of the city and its surroundings, although in the past, it served as a strategic defense point against potential attacks.
Did you know it’s not the only castle in Villena? Further up, you can find the ruins of the Castillo de Salvatierra.
We took the tour with an official guide, which we recommend, and can be hired at the Tourism Office located outside the castle.
Through the guide’s words, we learned a lot about the castle’s history and why it’s one of the main sites to see in Villena, transporting us to past times, imagining the battles and stories it has witnessed over the centuries.
One of the most important moments he shared was during the War of Succession, when 50 Bourbon soldiers bravely resisted the attack from the Austrian troops. In fact, if you pay attention to the walls of the towers, you can still see the marks from these attacks.
The Torre del Homenaje stands out as one of the most characteristic elements. Inside, there are several rooms to visit, including:
- The Almohade Room, which preserves an original Arab vault with an 8-pointed star.
- The Graffiti Room, created by prisoners of war between the 16th and 19th centuries. The drawings were made by scraping the surface of the walls with a sharp object.
- The Room of Don Juan Manuel de Villena, which tells his story as a “prince writer”.
The informational panels in this room also explain what life was like for women in the Middle Ages. For example, the shocking and short life of Constanza de Aragón, “the one with the sad fate,” who “was destined to be a bargaining chip to satisfy her father’s ambition, King Jaime II of Aragón.” When she was just 3 years old, her marriage to Don Juan Manuel de Villena was arranged, and at 6, she moved to the castle, where she remained confined until her wedding at 12. She died of tuberculosis at the age of 27.
2) Villena Museum, a trip to the past
Whether you like history and archaeology or not, the Villena Museum is a must-visit on its own. Housed in a historic building that used to be an old factory, this museum features an impressive collection of artifacts ranging from Prehistory to the Modern Age.
But really, the main attraction of the museum is the famous Villena Treasure, a collection of over 60 pieces made of gold, silver, bronze, and amber from the Bronze Age, which is the most important find in Spain and the second most important in Europe after the Royal Tombs of Mycenae in Greece. Dating back to the 10th century BC, they are over 3000 years old!
3) Museo Festero, traditions and festivals
If you’re interested in celebrating local festivals and traditions, the Museo Festero is another site you have to see in Villena.
This museum is dedicated to the Fiesta de Moros y Cristianos, an emblematic festival of the region, but in this city, it comes to life from September 4 to 9 each year.
You can learn about the history and significance of this celebration through exhibits of festive costumes, ancient weapons, and other related objects.
4) Squares to see in Villena and its most beautiful churches
- Plaza de Santa María: Located in the Barrio del Rabal, known for housing many of the Moros y Cristianos groups. Here stands the Church of Santa María, built between the 15th and 16th centuries on the site of the former main Arab mosque. It took over 200 years to complete because the financier passed away. Inside, you’ll find religious artworks and beautiful altarpieces that highlight the cultural significance of this church.
- Plaza Mayor de Villena: Very close to the Church of Santa María is the Plaza Mayor, which was the entrance to the medieval city through the arch of the Subida de Santa Bárbara. If you turn around 360 degrees, you’ll see the Fountain of the Chorros dedicated to Alfonso XII, the house where the zarzuela composer Ruperto Chapí was born, and the site of the now-gone Torre del Orejón, which used to chime the hours. That’s why the Orejón of Villena is a beloved character in the city, and you’ll see representations of him throughout.
- Plaza de Santiago: Here you’ll find the town hall in a Renaissance-style palace, the Museo Festero, the Church of Santiago, and the Tourist Office, where we recommend stopping by for more information on visiting Villena with kids. If you get the chance, step inside the Church of Santiago, which features spiral columns that create the illusion of constant movement.
5) Teatro Chapí, a tribute to the exponent of Spanish Zarzuela.
It’s almost inevitable that during your visit to Villena, you’ll stop by this place. Teatro Chapí is an iconic and emblematic building that pays tribute to the famous Villena composer Ruperto Chapí, who is considered one of the main exponents of Spanish zarzuela. This is a typically Spanish musical genre that combines music, spoken dialogue, and sung parts.
From a young age, Chapí showed an exceptional musical talent. He began studying solfège at 6 years old and wrote his first zarzuela at the age of 12. Throughout his career, he composed over 100 zarzuelas, some of which have become classics.
This theater is a must-see in Villena and offers a wide range of events, including plays, concerts, ballet, and of course, zarzuelas.
6) Museo Navarro Santafé (MUENS), a sculptor you probably know
Villena takes pride in having the Museo Escultor Navarro Santafé (MUENS), dedicated to one of its most notable sons, the sculptor Antonio Navarro Santafé from the 20th century, located in what was his home.
Antonio Navarro Santafé is recognized as one of the best animal sculptors in Spain, and his most famous works include the iconic Bear and the Strawberry Tree of Madrid, as well as the impressive Monument to the Horses in Jerez de la Frontera. His ability to capture the essence and life of animals in his sculptures has earned him praise and recognition in the art world.
Additionally, another notable work by Navarro Santafé is the large sculpture of Ruperto Chapí, which stands in front of the Teatro Chapí and is a tribute to the famous Spanish composer.
7) Cabezo Redondo, land of treasures and trinkets
Cabezo Redondo is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Valencia Community and is located just a few kilometers from Villena. This historic site has revealed valuable structures from an ancient settlement dating back to the Bronze Age, showing how communities lived and organized themselves during that time.
One of the most significant discoveries at this archaeological site was the Tesorillo de Cabezo Redondo, a collection of burial goods that provides valuable information about the practices and beliefs of the ancient population. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the famous Tesoro de Villena was found just 5 km away from this site.
8) Hiking Routes from Villena
If you enjoy hiking, you can combine everything to see in Villena with some peripheral routes. You can ask for brochures at the Tourist Office, featuring interesting proposals aimed at promoting healthy habits among the population, which is why most routes start from different points in the city. But the advantage of these routes is that each one includes a visit to emblematic places of heritage, history, architecture, and landscape.
There are two types of routes: easier ones that pass through sites like the Mirador de Las Cruces, Acequia del Rey, and even Cabezo Redondo itself. And more difficult ones, which involve hikes in the mountains like El Morrón, Peña Rubia, or Pico Capilla.
9) Visit Villena during its festivals
The two most important festivals in Villena are:
Medieval Festival, the second weekend of March each year
The town transforms into a medieval stage with parades, artisan markets, and music and dance performances. The best part is that the neighbors of the Rabal neighborhood started organizing it years ago, so they dress in traditional costumes and decorate the entire neighborhood for the occasion.
The festival begins with an event that recreates the visit of the Catholic Monarchs to Villena in 1488, featuring the mayor and council members. There are also knightly tournaments at the Castle of Atalaya, with weapons that are fairly accurate replicas of the originals, handled by expert fighters, and even a “Lechuguina”, similar to La Tomatina, which comes from a staged fight between two vegetable vendors.
Additionally, Villena is the Capital of Medieval Love, as each year a wedding is celebrated in true medieval style, with everyone dressed for the occasion, including the City Councilor.
Did you know you can participate as an extra in the Medieval Festival? Get your medieval costume ready and sign up here.
Moros y Cristianos Festival from September 4 to 9
The Moros y Cristianos festivals in Villena are a unique spectacle that attracts thousands of visitors each year. This city stands out for various reasons that make this celebration special.
One of the distinctive features of the festivals is the massive participation of the locals. At least a third of the population, meaning at least 10,000 people out of 30,000 residents, actively participate in the festivities and are members of one of the 14 groups present in Villena. These groups are divided into 7 Moors and 7 Christians, and some of them have more than 1,000 members, with the Pirate and Student groups being the largest in Spain.
If you decide to visit Villena during these dates, you’ll witness spectacular parades that can last up to 7 hours and feature more than 100 music bands. During the festivals, historical episodes of the struggle between Moors and Christians are reenacted through impressive parades, simulated battles, and theatrical performances.
The city fills with color, music, and excitement, transporting spectators to past times of conquest and coexistence. The streets are elaborately decorated, and the festive atmosphere spreads to both locals and visitors.
10) Beautiful towns near Villena
These three towns close to Villena are perfect to visit if you’re taking a road trip or campervan tour through the Comunidad Valenciana to immerse yourself in the history, culture, and natural beauty of the region.
- Sax: Its impressive castle stands on a hill, evoking history and medieval charm. Its cobblestone streets, picturesque squares, and colorful houses create an authentic atmosphere.
- Biar: It’s set in an impressive natural environment and also overlooks its majestic medieval castle from above, offering panoramic views of the region.
- Bocairent: This picturesque town is known for its impressive old town. Steep streets, stone houses, and facades invite you to stroll peacefully. You can also admire its caves carved into the rock. It’s one of my favorites around Villena! Check out the exclusive article we have on things to do in Bocairent in a day.
🔝 Looking for more ideas and routes to explore near Alicante? We have two articles you’ll love:
– Route through the beautiful towns of the province of Alicante.
– Things to do on the Costa Blanca (with a reference map).
Useful information for traveling to Villena
Where to stay in Villena?
While Villena is a medium-sized city, you can find good accommodation options in both rural houses run by their owners and in small hotels and B&B. We recommend these two options in the historic center:
- La Casa de Felix: rustic and traditional house with a lovely garden. Some of its rooms have views of the city.
- El Refugio de la Cerveza: studios in the center of Villena, which has a bar on the ground floor where the owner brews craft beer that you can taste.
What you need for your trips to the Valencian Community
Plan your journey easily with these trusted resources:
