This month’s article is a little different. No day trips to castles, sleepy coastal villages, or mountain hikes. This one’s more personal, more emotional – and very exciting. After five amazing years in Gran Alacant, we’re packing up and moving… but don’t worry, we’re not going far!
We’ve found our new home in the small inland village of Biar, tucked into the foothills near the Sierra de Mariola, about 45 minutes from Alicante and just 10 minutes from Villena, where Juan’s family lives. It’s a place we’ve returned to time and time again over the years, each visit leaving us just a little more enchanted. Eventually, the pull became too strong to ignore – and now, it’s happening. We’re moving.
Why Biar? It’s hard to describe in words what makes this place so special, but we’ll try.
Biar feels like the real Spain – authentic, peaceful, and beautifully preserved. The village is steeped in history, with cobbled streets, traditional stone houses, and one of the prettiest town squares we’ve ever seen. There’s a Moorish castle sitting proudly above the village, pine- covered mountains all around, and a wonderful sense of calm. Life moves a little slower here, and that suits us perfectly right now.
Over the last year, we’ve found ourselves reflecting more and more on the kind of lifestyle we truly want. The dream of a more sustainable, grounded life kept creeping into our conversations. We started imagining a garden, space to grow things, a connection to the land – and now we’ve found it! We’ve bought a small plot just outside the village, and while it’s currently wild and overgrown, we see magic in it already.
Our dream is to fill it with native plants and fruit trees, maybe a few hens – and, no doubt, more tomatoes than we’ll know what to do with! It’s about slowing down, living more simply, and being closer to family.
We’re also pleasantly surprised by how connected Biar is. For a village of just 3,000 people, the transport links are amazing. There’s the high-speed AVE train station in Villena, which means we can be in Madrid in two hours or Valencia in just over one. The A-31 motorway is just down the road, giving us easy access to Alicante or inland adventures. And Valencia – one of our absolute favourite cities – is just an hour away. It feels like we’re getting the best of both worlds: village charm and big-city access.
Of course, this doesn’t mean we’re saying goodbye to Gran Alacant completely. Not at all. We’re keeping our beloved GA house – it’s far too special to let go. This place welcomed us from day one, when we landed here from London, and it gave us everything we hoped for and more. We found a home, a community, and friendships that will stay with us forever.
We’ll still be back regularly, and yes – we’ll definitely continue writing Home Turf! There’s still so much of the Costa Blanca to explore, and we feel very much part of the Gran Alacant community. We’re also beyond grateful to keep collaborating with Lou, who has always supported our little stories and adventures with such enthusiasm.
So there you have it – our big news! From Gran Alacant to Biar, we’re embracing a new adventure while carrying with us the wonderful memories, friendships, and connections we’ve made here by the coast.
If you’ve never explored Biar, consider it for a weekend getaway or even a quick stop on the way to Villena or Valencia – you won’t regret it. There’s great food, incredible hiking trails in the surrounding Sierra, and of course, that picture-perfect castle waiting to be climbed. It’s a village that welcomes you with open arms.
And don’t worry – we’ll be back in GA soon enough, soaking up the sea breeze and catching up with friends.
HOME TURF
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