The house that hosted Rolling Stones during their tour in Spain in 2003

In the summer of 2022, the Rolling Stones announced a European tour to celebrate their sixth decade in music. This tour, called "Sixty," was scheduled to begin at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on June 1 and continue until the end of July, with concerts in cities such as Munich, Liverpool, Amsterdam, London, Vienna, and Paris. The tour was set to culminate with a concert on July 31 at the Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden​.

However, the "Sixty" tour was not the first time the Rolling Stones visited Spain. In fact, on a previous tour, the British band performed in the coastal city of Benidorm, in the Valencian Community. On September 25, 2003, the Rolling Stones gave a memorable concert at the Municipal Stadium of Foietes. This concert was a significant milestone for the city and for the Stones fans in Spain, as few bands of the caliber of the Rolling Stones have visited Benidorm​​.

During their stay on the Коста-Бланка, the Rolling Stones stayed in a house that very few fans of the band know about. This house not only served as a refuge for the musicians but also became the setting for memorable meetings and jam sessions. In this post, we invite you to discover more about this house and its history, and to explore how its atmosphere captivated the Rolling Stones during their stay on the Spanish coast.

A spectacular rustic chalet in Jalón

Located in the village of Jalón (in Valencian and officially Xaló), a charming village inland from the province of Alicante, known for producing very good wines, among which we highlight the prized mistela de Xaló, there is a house that has witnessed musical history: an impressive rustic chalet that once hosted the Rolling Stones. Built in 1948, this house radiates a charm and character that have endured over the decades. With a usable area of 500m² and a built area of 556m², it sits on an extensive plot of 2,157m2, offering spectacular views of the mountains and the tranquil village of Jalón. The house has six bedrooms, some with walk-in closets, and four bathrooms, making it an ideal place for a large family or as a vacation retreat.

The chalet features a variety of exceptional facilities and amenities. It includes a terrace and balcony to enjoy the stunning views, private parking with up to 13 car spaces, several storage rooms, an open and fully equipped kitchen, a basement, laundry room, pantry, wine cellar, fireplace, and barbecue. Additionally, it has a private garden that includes a water cascade. For potential visitors, the house has a guest house, perfect for accommodating guests. Additional amenities include air conditioning, built-in wardrobes, double glazing, a private pool, and a jacuzzi, ideal for a relaxing bath. For added security, the house is equipped with an alarm system.

Located in the heart of the beautiful region of the Коста-Бланка, Jalón offers a tranquil and picturesque place, surrounded by stunning mountain views and beautiful scenery. The nearest beach is a short drive away, and the popular coastal towns of Calpe and Moraira are just 20-30 minutes away. The nearest airport, Alicante-Elche Airport, is about 90 km away, making international travel convenient.

Now, imagine the Rolling Stones in this house, making the most of its amenities. Perhaps they rehearsed new melodies in the living room, with the house's natural acoustics amplifying their sound. Or maybe the basement became an impromptu storage space for their sound equipment. The garden and terrace could have been the setting for nighttime parties under the stars, with the chords of their guitars resonating in the mountains. It’s not hard to imagine the Stones, after a long day of rehearsals, soaking in the jacuzzi to relax, or enjoying a glass of wine in the wine cellar. This chalet was not just a place to stay, but a place that welcomed and perhaps even inspired their creativity.

Rolling Stones in Benidorm: Licks World Tour

During their tour in 2003, the Rolling Stones visited several European cities, including Benidorm in Spain. The concert took place at the Municipal Stadium of Foietes in Benidorm on September 25, 2003​​. In the following days, the band also performed in Coimbra, Portugal on September 27, and in Zaragoza, Spain on September 29​.

At the concert in Benidorm, the band performed a series of their most popular hits. The setlist included:

1. Brown Sugar
2. You Got Me Rocking
3. Don't Stop
4. Miss You
5. Ruby Tuesday
6. You Can't Always Get What You Want
7. Paint It Black
8. Tumbling Dice
9. Slipping Away (with Keith Richards on lead vocals)
10. Before They Make Me Run (with Keith Richards on lead vocals)
11. Sympathy for the Devil
12. Mannish Boy (cover of Muddy Waters)
13. It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (but I Like It)
14. Street Fighting Man
15. Gimme Shelter
16. Honky Tonk Women
17. Start Me Up
18. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
19. Jumpin' Jack Flash​

This concert was part of the band's Licks World Tour, which celebrated their 40th anniversary in music.