Novelda: Modernista Sanctuary and Marble Town
Inland Alicante town, about 30 km from the coast: free modernist sanctuary and castle on the Mola hill, July fiestas and bagged table grapes.
La Vall d’Uixó: Coves de Sant Josep, Iberian Settlement and Water Path
Inland Castellón town, about 9 km from the nearest beach: boat tour in the Coves de Sant Josep, an Iberian settlement and a guided old-town walk.
Moguer: Juan Ramón Jiménez, Columbus Vow and Mazagón Beach
Inland Huelva town, about 15 km from the beach at Mazagón: Juan Ramón Jiménez’s birth house and museum, the Santa Clara convent of the Columbus vow, and strawberry country.
Almonte: Doñana, El Rocío and Matalascañas
What Almonte is really like: gateway to Doñana National Park and the El Rocío pilgrimage, with Matalascañas beach on the Costa de la Luz.
Caravaca de la Cruz: Spain’s Holy Jubilee City
What Caravaca de la Cruz is really like: a perpetual Jubilee holy city with a castle-basilica, the True Cross relic and the Wine Horses fiesta.
Alhaurin de la Torre: Costa del Sol Guide
What Alhaurin de la Torre is really like: a Costa del Sol town below the Sierra de Mijas in the fertile Guadalhorce valley, minutes from Malaga and its beaches.
Ontinyent: Pou Clar and Old Town
What Ontinyent is really like: the Pou Clar river pools, a medieval La Vila quarter, a tall bell tower and a lively Moros i Cristians festival near Valencia.
Petrer: Castle and Old Town Guide
Inland Alicante town, about 39 km from the coast: free restored castle, cave houses and the May Moors and Christians fiestas.
Totana: Sierra Espuña and Pottery
What Totana is really like: a gateway to the forested Sierra Espuna mountains, a strong pottery tradition, the La Bastida Bronze Age site and the Santa Eulalia shrine.
San Javier: Mar Menor Beaches Guide
What San Javier is really like: warm shallow Mar Menor beaches at Santiago de la Ribera, the air-force academy, a summer jazz festival and easy access to La Manga.