The Ayora Valley can be found inland set amongst unspoilt Spanish countryside. The valley is divided into six villages which include Jalance, Ayora, Cofrentes, Teresa, Zarra and Jarafuel.
With an abudance of wildlife including mountain goats, the eagle and wild boars the area offers total relaxation and tranquillity and is perfect for a spot of fishing.
Agriculture plays an important part in the economy of the region and the countryside is full of fruits trees, almonds and olives, one of the main products is honey and to celebrate they hold a Honey Festival in October.
The capital of the valley, Ayora, has a 16th century Church (Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion), which holds paintings by Yañez de la Almudaina and Vicente Lopez. The building itself is a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance architecture and was constructed between 1508 and 1577.
The dominating castle of Ayora is of Arabic origin, the castle is surrounded by two fortresses and nearly a thousand metres of wall. At the foot of the castle you have the Medieval Church of Santa Maria.
Many of the crafts produced in the village of Jalance are made from the wood of the nettle tree and these include pitchforks, hangers, handles etc. The town itself has picturesque alleyways paved in stone and it is said that the waters from the springs here provide healthy minerals and medicinal qualities.
Cofrentes castle sits up high at approximately 95 metres and is surrounded by battlement walls. During the restoration of the castle artefacts were uncovered from Islamic, Roman and Iberian times and there have also been articles found dating back to the Bronze age.
The most traditional dish in the Ayora Valley is without doubt the "gazpacho ayorino" that consists of meat such as chicken or rabbit. It is custom in Ayora to make "chazpach ás popular", where all the people of the town prepare in their frying pan gazpachos, and they share this with their relatives and friends. "Agetao" is a typical plate with white string beans cooked with codfish and ajoaceite (garlic oil) this is made for the festival of the Angel. Pastries include "mead" or the almendraos and magdalenas many of the products make use of the honey produced in the area.