Free walking tours in Xixona and what to see

Must-sees

Xixona, or Jijona in Spanish, is in inland Alicante province, half an hour from the city, and is the turrón town par excellence. The near-essential visit is the Turrón Museum, which explains how turrón nougat and marzipan are made, with old tools, and ends with a walk through a factory. In the old town, the Forn del Raval, of Morisco origin, still bakes traditional pastries and is one of the oldest ovens in the Valencia region.

At the top of the hill is the Almohad castle of the Torre Grossa, whose great tower can be seen from all over town. Halfway up the slope is the church of Santa María, said to have been founded by James I, with a relief of the Virgin beside the king on its doorway. Lower down, the Renaissance church of La Asunción stands out for its bell tower topped with green and white tiles.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Xixona. The most popular activity is a visit to a turrón factory, where you see how it's made and usually finish with a tasting. For the castle and the old town, the tourist office can tell you about available visits. There are also excursions from Alicante and Benidorm combining Xixona with the Canelobre caves in Busot.

How long to spend

Half a day is enough for the museum, a factory and the old town. If you walk up to the castle, which is a fair climb, allow a full day. Hikers can add a day in the hills, with demanding routes such as the Migjorn. In December the Christmas Fair fills the streets with turrón and sweet stalls, and in summer the Moors and Christians festival takes place.

Where to stay

Accommodation in Xixona is limited: a few rural houses and places in town and in the surrounding masías, good if you want peace and walks in the hills. That's why many people visit on a day trip. Alicante and the coast at Sant Joan and El Campello, less than half an hour away, have far more on offer and let you combine the visit with the beach.