Castle of Villena, Fontanares Winery and Iberian Archaeological Site

First stop to see a building that is not so many centuries old. Leave the car and walk five minutes to get there.

Small castle of Arab origin with a special feature: its tower is built in a triangular shape, something different from the traditional, unique in a castle in Spain.
What survives today of the castle, apart from the tower, are its walls. Next to the castle you can visit the sanctuary of Santa Maria Magdalena with a construction reminiscent of those made by Gaudi.
Open Hours: All days: 10:00 - 14:00; 16:00 - 19:00.
After visiting the castle, in a few minutes return to the parking to continue on your way.

Entrance to Villena to visit the castle. You can park in the vicinity of the castle, but depending on the day you visit it will be complicated.
This parking is located on the edge of the historic centre and always has parking spaces available.

Imposing castle, very well-preserved, from the Almohad period. It conserves vestiges of its first construction, such as the inner wall and part of the original keep. Why only part of this tower? Because during the Christian reconquest, two more storeys and the perimeter walls were added, as the fortress looks today.
It has several singularities: vaults located in the keep, graffiti painted by prisoners when the fortress was used as a prison, and even artillery impacts from successive wars.
Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 - 14:00. Also, Tuesday to Saturday: 16:00 - 18:00.
Guided tours are available by reservation at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30 and 16:30. Book by email to [email protected].
After the tour of the castle, return to the parking to enter the villages of the Valencian Tuscany.

In the heart of the Valencian Tuscany, Los Pinos winery offers a tour of its facilities including the countryside with the vineyard plantations, the barrel room and the old winery.
The visit includes a tasting of three varieties of wine (white, rosé, and red) to distinguish their qualities and flavours.
You even get a free bottle of their own wine at the end of the tour!
Open Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 - 14:00, 15:00 - 18:00. Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 - 14:00.
After the end of the guided tour, return to the car for lunch.

Roadside restaurant with plenty of space to leave the car.

The menu offers a wide range of first and second courses to choose from. Homemade food, simple premises and excellent service.
Their strong point is grilled meat, although they also offer other types of dishes. Homemade desserts are plentiful.
Open Hours: Thursday to Tuesday: 6:00 - 17:00.
With our bellies full, we have to pick up the car and head for the Iberian site.

Remains from the 4th century BC, when the Iberians inhabited these lands, before the occupation by the Romans. During the visit what can be seen are only remains of the ancient houses, so it is advisable to book a visit with a guide to better understand the site and its historical importance. It is free of charge, although a tip is appreciated.
The surroundings where the site is located are also worth admiring, a wooded area in the hill.
Reservations must be made in advance by email to [email protected]
Open Hours: October to April, Monday to Saturday: 10:00 - 14:00, 16:00 - 18:00 May to September, Monday to Saturday: 10:00 - 14:00, 18:00 - 20:00 All Sundays: 10:00 - 14:00.
After the tour, time to return to the car to continue enjoying the surroundings.

Time to relax, adjust the laces of your shoes and start a short walk in this natural environment.
The dam of the small reservoir was built during the 18th century and today there are remains of it. There is a hiking route along the reservoir that allows you to appreciate the landscape: plantations, native forests and the hills.
If you don't want to walk for a while, another alternative is to sit on the shore of the reservoir and contemplate nature.
There is open-air parking on the banks of the reservoir.

One of the best options to eat in Mogente. During the day they offer a menu with various options and in the evening you can order homemade and traditional local dishes such as gazpachos de Moixent.
Excellent service, low prices and great location, right in the centre of the village.
Open Hours: Wednesday to Monday: 8:00 - 16:00. Also, Friday to Sunday: 19:00 - 0:00.
You can park in the immediate vicinity of the restaurant without any problems, even in the main square.

Small and simple hotel on the outskirts of Mogente. Family run, its rooms are spacious and modern, some of which have beautiful views of the natural surroundings of the Tuscan Valencian countryside.
There is a full breakfast and for hot days there is an outdoor swimming pool to cool off after a day of walking and winery visits.