What to do and see in Jesús Pobre
Jesus Pobre: Find out what to do and see!
This small village of less than 800 inhabitants is part of the municipality of Denia, on the southern slopes of the Montgó. The most outstanding features of this town are its tranquillity and its proximity to the beaches of Denia and Jávea. But also its strategic location means that in just 10 minutes by car you can be in Gata de Gorgos, famous for its handicrafts, Denia and Jávea, famous for their beaches and leisure areas, and Pedreguer, another small town with a very Mediterranean lifestyle.
The landscape is marked by the proximity to the Natural Park of Montgó, not in vain, Jesús Pobre is the starting point of many hiking routes of different levels and styles. We can also observe its picturesque landscape full of farmland, with the typical country houses with large plots of land.
Traditionally they were dry farming fields, vineyards (very famous the Denia sultana that was really cultivated in Jesús Pobre), almond trees, olive groves, etc.... If you pass through Jesús Pobre we recommend you to taste the famous muscatel grape.
The Riurau de Jesús Pobre or Jesus Pobre Flea Market
The Riurau Market or Jesus Pobre market is a meeting point where farmers, bakers, artisans and creative people come together to show their products without intermediaries. It is a place where you can breathe the rural and artisan world of the area.
You can find this special market every Sunday of the year. In winter its opening hours are from 09.00 to 14.00 hours, while in the summer season, from 24th June onwards, it is from 18:00 to 23:00 hours.
It has more than forty stalls with all kinds of local products, handmade products, breads, organic products and much more. You will also find a bar where you can stop for a refreshing drink or enjoy the local beers and wines.
The monumental Riurau del señor de Benissadeví, (as the site of the current Mercadillo de Jesús Pobre is traditionally known) is the place where sultanas were made in the last century, it is a very widespread construction in the Marina Alta and it is also where the local market is held on Sunday mornings.
The market is an initiative of the small farmers and artisans of the Marina Alta to offer their fresh and handmade products to the public who come to visit the Mercat del Riurau de Jesús Pobre.
It has a very friendly, family atmosphere, with a play area with swings and slides, but also, a couple of times a year, the Mercat organises Petit Riurau with magic shows, circus and theatre, storytelling, clowns, workshops, and many fun and entertaining activities designed for the little ones.
On the last Sunday in August, the grapes are scalded in full view of the public (scalding is the process of transforming grapes into sultanas). This process has been declared a Valencian Intangible Cultural Asset.
You can find out all the latest news here.
Hiking routes around Jesús Pobre:
The Circular route of Jesús Pobre.
Known as the circular route is one of the easiest and shortest routes, with just 7 km it is perfect to do with children, the route starts at the Gran Riurau and passes by the remains of 3 flour mills and an ancient olive grove.
It starts at the Gran Riurau del Senyor de Benissadeví, from there we continue along carrer Diagonal towards the west, moving away from the Gran Riurau and heading towards a small hill at the end of the street, where we turn left.
You can't get lost as it is marked by signs that will gradually lead you to a group of houses that form "Els Quatre Cantons".
This is a group of grouped houses, built between 1873 and 1900. Two of them stand out, as well as the existence of a riurau. As Josep Fornés Mut points out in "Guía de arquitectura rural de Jesús Pobre" (downloadable here) "La Salvadora house has the characteristics of a humble country house. A ground floor with two rooms, kitchen and corral at the back of the house and then on the first floor the storeroom. This house also had a small free-standing riurau with a single arch and a stream towards the back, used to store tools. Juanito's house is also of a humble character with few windows to prevent the heat from entering in summer and to prevent the heat of the fire from escaping in winter. This one has the same structure as the previous one (rooms, storeroom, corral) but it also has an adjoining riurau with three semicircular arches. Two ovens for scalding grapes can be seen in this complex".
From here we can see the mills at the top of the so-called "Cerro de los Molinos". We recommend that you take a slight detour off the route to go up to see the mills. These mills, built between 1650 and 1708, were used to grind wheat and make flour.
Once you have visited the mills, continue along the route following the signs that will lead you past the cemetery of Jesus Pobre and its impressive cypress trees.
If we continue along the same path, we will cross the CV-738 road and we will have to continue along it until we reach Jesus Pobre. After about 200 metres on the right, you will see the Camí de l'alquería de Colomer, which you should take and leave immediately along a stone path that will take you to an ancient olive grove that is well worth a visit.
We recommend you rest for a few minutes and observe and enjoy its spectacular hollow and twisted trunk that shows its old age.
You can follow the steps of this route here.
Route to the summit of the Montgó from Jesús Pobre
Another classic walk is the route to the Montgó from Jesus Pobre, its difficulty is considerably high, as it has an accumulated ascent of 746 metres.
The route starts on the Mitjans path, in Jesus Pobre. This itinerary starts from the CV-735, the Xàbia-Dénia road: there begins a cobbled path that passes next to a fire-fighting water tank. In about 500 metres it turns into a very eroded forest track where the slope starts to increase. From here, the route enters a narrow mountain path.
If you follow the path, you will find the Iberian wall from the 2nd century BC, which protected the settlement of Penya de L'Àguila. Once we pass it, we will reach the crossroads with the orange route: the one that joins the Camí de la Colònia (Dénia) with the summit, which is more difficult but shorter in duration.
If we continue along the path all along the Montgó hill, we will reach the summit, 753 metres above sea level.
Along the way we will enjoy the views of Jesús Pobre and all that surrounds the Montgó. Once at the top of Montgó, at 752 metres above sea level, we will enjoy an excellent viewpoint over the whole of the Marina Alta region with privileged views of the whole coast, even being able to see Ibiza on clear days.
During the route, once you enter the Hedra ravine and walk along the upper part of the Montgó, you can opt for the path that takes you to the "creueta" of Denia, you can do it on the way there or on the way back. In this section you will cross the access pass to the Emboixar ravine, one of the micro-reserves of flora in the area.
From the Cap Gros del Montgó you will enjoy a good view of the Marina Alta, with the cape of San Antonio to the east.
What to do in Jesus Pobre
Visit to the winery Les Freses
An essential visit if you go to Jesus Pobre is Les Freses, a winery born in a place that was once destined to grow strawberries, next to the Montgó Natural Park. Time did its work and buried the old plants to give birth to the germ that makes Les Freses wine so special.
It is located in a region with a great wine-growing history such as La Marina Alta in Alicante, not in vain are the remains of the Alto de Benimaquia, the place where the Iberians built what is considered to be the first winery in Europe.
Wine can transport you back in time, and that is what Les Freses wines aim to do. Vines in a land with history and wines fermented in stainless steel tanks with their own yeasts, in demijohns or earthenware amphorae, respecting traditional customs.
You can make different types of visits to enjoy both its wines and its history and tradition. Book your visit here.
Gastronomy in Jesús Pobre, Where to eat in Jesús Pobre?
The cuisine of Jesús Pobre is closely related to the Mediterranean cuisine and there is a great variety of dishes that use the basic ingredients of this cuisine. In the starters there is a great variety of vegetables, meat and fish: such as boiled with onion, blood with onion, cures, lean meat with tomato, snails and mojador.
As far as the main dishes are concerned, rice dishes stand out with frying pans at the top of the list. In Jesús Pobre different types of paella and rice dishes are made, such as spinach and cod, rice with onion, arroz a banda, rice with beans and turnip, rice with chickpeas, baked rice, etc. Other main dishes that can be found in Jesús Pobre are corn cakes, cakes with different ingredients such as pepper, tomato, herbs, etc., buns, fried buns with herbs, shaken beans and porra (a dish made with frigate tuna, potatoes, chard and dried tomato).
We recommend you visit La Tasca, El Sequer or Restaurante Montgó, traditional Mediterranean cuisine made with local and regional products.
As we have seen, Jesús Pobre is one of the hidden treasures on the coast of Alicante. Its natural landscape, the variety of cultural activities and its exquisite gastronomy, together with its privileged position, make this town an essential place to visit, so if you are determined to get to know this beautiful place, trust Myskybus for your transfer from Alicante airport, you won't regret it.
Frequently asked questions about your visit to Jesús Pobre
When is the Jesus Pobre Market?
The Jesús Pobre Market is held every Sunday of the year. In winter its opening hours are from 09.00 to 14.00, while in the summer season, from 24 June onwards, it is from 18:00 to 23:00.
How far is it from Jesús Pobre to Dénia?
The distance between Jesús Pobre and Dénia is only 9 kms, about 10 minutes by car in normal conditions.
What is the best way to get to Jesús Pobre from Alicante Airport?
The best way to get to Jesús Pobre from Alicante airport is undoubtedly our on-demand shuttle bus services.
Does Jesús Pobre belong to Dénia?
Yes, that's right, although Jesús Pobre has its own identity and character, and although it is only 9 km away from the town centre of Dénia, it belongs to the municipality of Dénia.