The Toy Valley in Alicante will take you on a trip down memory lane

Seeing the world from a child’s perspective is something that we often forget to do, but that can bring us a great deal. Do you remember that endless desire to play, have fun, make up stories, pretend to be a pirate and look for fairies? In the Region of Valencia there is an area that will take you on a trip down memory lane so you can reminisce about your childhood. Nestled between Ibi and Onil, the so-called Toy Valley (Valle del Juguete in Spanish) is a magical place where all the family can find their inner child. 

The Toy Valley is located in the Hoya de Castalla, an area of l’Alcoià county. Here you will find a handful of towns and villages whose enchantment will win your heart. One such place is Ibi, a town embraced by mountains where you can start your tour of the Toy Valley in search of the hidden secrets of this intriguing world of play. 

In the town you can visit Museo Valenciano del Juguete. The Valencian Museum of Toys will immerse you in the toys of the past, in addition to showing you the machinery and tools used at Hermanos Payá’s factories in as far back as 1902. The museum has aroused a great deal of interest and is working to become a leader in the toy museum sector.   

The next stop on your tour of the Toy Valley is Onil. This pretty town is known for its historic sights and a museum dedicated to dolls. Museo de la Muñeca is a wonderful place to take a look around with all the family to discover everything you’ve ever wanted to know about one of the most popular toys of all time. 

The toys made in the Toy Valley have a number of qualities in common: custom-made to order, painstakingly crafted by hand and the greatest attention to detail. A tour of the Toy Valley will transport adults back to their childhoods while little ones will be captivated by the toys of the past. 

To enhance your experience, you can even stay in toy-themed accommodation. Hotel del Juguete in Ibi offers guestrooms that are decorated with well-known Spanish characters such as Nancy and Pinypon, and the great building blocks, Lego. Your little ones might not be able to sleep from excitement. 

Casa de los Reyes Magos is also worth a mention. Currently in construction, the space will be dedicated to the Three Wise Men: every Epiphany, Spanish children write letters to the kings from the east, listing which presents they would like to receive. In the Casa, boys and girls will become little helpers to the Three Wise Men and see where their letters end up. 

The Toy Valley is a magical place steeped in the nostalgia of childhood. Come and visit to discover the land of toy making and relive the magic of the early years of your life.