The overlooked Spanish city with festivals, castles and wineries

An inland city may not be the first place that springs to mind when clients book a break on Spain’s Costa Blanca, but historic Villena is well worth adding to their itinerary.  Just an hour from the coast, the city offers a different side of the region: hilltop fortresses, centuries-old wine traditions and one of Spain’s most spectacular local festivals. 

For travellers keen to look beyond the beach, it’s an easy day trip from resorts such as Benidorm, Alicante and Torrevieja  – and it’s a destination that can turn a standard fly-and-flop holiday into something far more memorable. Here are three reasons to include Villena in an itinerary...

1. For its festival spectacle

With roots dating back to the 15th century, the Moors and Christian Festival of Villena sees more than 15,000 people gather in the city for a six-day spectacle, made up of concerts, processions, gunpowder displays and delicious foodie experiences. The festival celebrates a blend of cultures that resulted from the clash between Christian and Moorish societies, with revellers parading through historic streets in elaborate costumes – including period dress, pirates, farmers and warriors. Joining them are floats and more than 140 marching bands, consisting of around 5,000 musicians. There's no doubt the entire city gets involved with the celebrations, and also welcome tourists with open arms to join in the festivities. 

The Moors and Christians Festival of Villena takes place between 4-9 September, with its two key events – The Grand Entrance and The Grand Parade – taking place on 5 and 6 September respectively. The event has been declared one of National Tourist Interest, with ambitions to become internationally renowned in years to come. It's undoubtedly a spectacle your clients will be grateful to have experienced. 

2. For its heritage treasures  

One of the festival’s main settings is Atalaya Castle, Villena’s 12th-century hilltop fortress. During the Moors and Christians Festival it transforms into an open-air theatre, where a ceremony called the 'The Embassies’ takes place: this includes speeches and performances of early 19th century texts and battle reenactments. The castle can be visited year round outside of the festival period.  

Another reason your history-loving clients will enjoy a trip to Villena is to see the important bronze aged treasure in Europe at the Museum of Villena. Consisting of 66 pieces, the ancient collection includes ornaments, bowls and jewellery – totalling up to 10 kilos of gold buried more than 3,000 years ago. 

But that's far from all – other city highlights include the church of Santiago (an exceptional example of Valencian Gothic-Renaissance architecture), the medieval old town, the 19th-century Chapi Theatre and of course, the Festival Museum, displaying historic artefacts, documents and costumes relating to the Moors and Christians Festival. 

3. For its wine-related attractions

Located in Alicante, one of Spain’s most renowned wine regions, Villena is a great destination for experiencing wine-related activities. The city is based on the Alicante Wine Route, with large and boutique wineries offering travellers the chance to learn about local wine production, take vineyard tours, and of course, enjoy some wine tastings – including organic wines. Many vineyards have their own unique stories and fascinating production methods, but they all share the same passion for preserving the region’s rich wine heritage. Just a handful of Villena’s most sought-after wineries include Bodegas Grancisco Gomez, Bodega Las Virtudes and Casa Balaguer, to name a few.