Free walking tours in Novelda and what to see

Must-sees

Novelda is in the Vinalopó valley, in inland Alicante, and its prosperity from the saffron and marble trade left a modernista legacy unusual in the area. The Casa Museo Modernista, an early 20th-century bourgeois home, keeps its façades, furniture, stained glass and decorated ceilings, and is the best introduction to that past. Walking around the centre you'll see other grand houses from the same period.

On the outskirts, on a hill, two monuments stand together. La Mola castle, Islamic in origin and a protected heritage site, has an unusual triangular tower. Beside it is the sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena, a modernista church with two towers about 25 metres tall and a silhouette reminiscent of Gaudí's work. Novelda is also the birthplace of the sailor and scientist Jorge Juan, and there's a route through the places linked to him.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free walking tours in Novelda. The usual approach is to visit the Casa Museo Modernista and ask at the tourist office about tours of the modernista centre and Jorge Juan's Novelda. You can visit the castle and the sanctuary on your own. If you like walking, there are hiking trails in the Sierra del Cid and around La Mola.

How long to spend

One day is enough for the essentials: in the morning, the Casa Museo Modernista and a stroll around the centre; in the afternoon, La Mola castle and the sanctuary, which look best in the evening light. If you add a hike in the Sierra del Cid or visit other Vinalopó towns such as Elda, Petrer or Monóvar, allow a second day. In July, the Santa María Magdalena fiestas liven up the town.

Where to stay

Novelda has little accommodation, concentrated in the town centre, which is the most convenient area for walking to the Casa Museo and the shops. The castle and the sanctuary are somewhat out of the way, so it's best to drive or allow a good walk. If you can't find a room, Elda and Petrer have more places nearby, and Alicante, about thirty kilometres away, is the alternative with the most variety.