Agost

Agost is a small inland town of around 4,800 people set among low hills 20 km west of Alicante, famed across Spain for its traditional pottery — the porous white clay of Agost makes the *botijos* that keep water cool through evaporation. Quiet streets, a working pottery quarter, panoramic almond and olive groves and direct AP-7 access make it a low-cost alternative to coastal towns for buyers wanting authentic Spanish village life with the airport just 25 minutes away.

Roman pottery kilns operated here in antiquity; the modern craft tradition is documented from the 17th century. Agost became one of Spain's most important *botijo* (clay water jug) production centres in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Authentic small-town Spanish life: the bar in the plaza, weekly market, festivals built around the patron saint and the pottery trade. Almost no tourism — buyers come for peace, space and price.

• 1.Visit the Museo de Cántaros (pottery museum) and working *alfarerías*
• 2.Walk or cycle the Sierra del Maigmó natural park trails
• 3.Tour the historic centre and parish church
• 4.Buy hand-thrown clay pieces direct from the workshops
• 5.Day-trip to Alicante or Elche in 25 minutes

Inland Alicantino home cooking: rice with rabbit, *gazpacho manchego* (game stew with flatbread), almond sweets and locally pressed olive oil.

No hotels in town — visitors stay in Alicante or rural casas rurales in the surrounding sierra.

Continue exploring the Central Costa Blanca.