town

Nestled in a mountainous region of Alicante province, Hondón de los Frailes is a tranquil village that spans almost 13 km2 and is located around 40 minutes from Alicante-Elche Airport.

 

A popular destination with expats from the UK, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, Frailes has a population of almost 1,300 people (2019), more than 50% of whom are foreigners attracted by the quaint, traditional properties, rural villas, landscape and dry, sunny climate.

 

In addition, the village is ideally located half an hour from the popular coastal town of Orihuela, and a stones thrown from the border of the Murcia Region, with the capital less than an hour's drive away.

 

Nearby attractions include Río Safari Elche, Bodegas Cerda, a winery-museum and restaurant founded 37 years ago in the neighbouring village of Hondón de las Nieves, and the historic Santa Barbara Castle, a hilltop fortress in Alicante city.

 

The nearest sandy beach in Alicante's Santa Pola is about 40 minutes away. And if you fancy a city trip further afield, Frailes is four hours from Madrid by car and three hours from Granada and the stunning Alhambra Palace.

 

 

As mentioned, the village, located on the CV-845, is close to Alicante airport and around 75km from Murcia's Covera Airport. There are also rail links via Albatera-Catral train station in San Isidro, just 16km away.

 

 

The village was historically controlled by rulers from Orihuela and was under the influence of the Roman culture. In 1840, Hondón de los Frailes was declared independent and was released from the control of the Orihuelan kings. However, it still has ties with neighbouring Hondón de las Nieves, and was finally granted complete independence in 1926 when it was declared an independent village with its own Town Hall.

 

The place name comes from the fact that it was founded during the feudal rule of the Dominican Fathers of the Illustrious College of Preachers of Orihuela (friars).

 

Typically Spanish, the village has seen development and expansion over the years, with the construction of an urbanisation, known as La Montoñosa, around 20 years ago, and scores of rural villas.

 

The economy relies heavily on the agricultural industry in this very fertile valley, in particular grapes, olives and almonds. The other dominant industry has, in the past, been construction with many limestone quarries servicing the Costa Blanca building trade with cement products.

 

 

Public transport is pretty sparse in the village itself, so a car is necessary to visit nearby attractions, but Frailes is well serviced with mini-supermarkets, hairdressers, DIY, builders yards, pet shops, bakers, restaurants and bars.

 

There's also a medical centre, chemist, tobacconist, gymnasium, beauty salon, charity shops, and card and gift shop with internet services. Hospital del Vinalopó is less than a 30 minute drive in Elche, a bustling city and the closest to Frailes.

 

There's a beautiful centrally-located Iglesia de la Virgen de la Salud church, and Ermita San Anton, a small church that lacks a bell, but has an iron cross and measures only 5.4 metres by 2 metres.

 

Municipal amenities include a theatre, library/museum, community centre with fitness and dance classes, and swimming pool with ball games facilities. A privately-run community centre also offers classes, including line dancing, crafts and a coffee shop.

 

Every Thursday morning, Frailes hosts an indoor market selling fruit and vegetables, meats, cheeses, bread, household items and clothes during the summer months. Mobile 'shops' selling fish, clothes and other items also make twice-weekly visits to the village.

 

Without a doubt, Frailes is perfect for lovers of the outdoors, boasting an abundance of official walks and hikes to suit all ages and abilities, and there is a local walking group.

 

 

This is where Hondón de los Frailes truly shines with the biggest fiestas held in August, a spectacular display of parades, fireworks and even a huge water fight in the centre of the village.