Valencia is a city with a rich cultural heritage and countless interesting activities travelers can indulge in. But once you’ve explored enough of the city, you might be interested in discovering a few interesting ideas for day trips from Valencia. In this post, we’ll cover some of the most interesting day trip ideas you can take from Valencia, show you how to get there, and give you some good reasons why taking these trips would be a good idea.
But first things first…
Useful Info For Visiting Valencia
When taking day trips from Valencia, renting a car is probably a good idea. When renting cars abroad, my favorite choice is always AutoEurope. You can use this link to get up to 30% on car rentals in Valencia.
Are you thinking of visiting some famous tourist attractions? Check out these popular tours in Valencia and get 15% off on all bookings.
If you’re looking for a cheap flight to Valencia, you use this special offer by Qatar Airways and get up to 15% off on your flight.
To save on your accommodation in Valencia, this Booking.com voucher gets you up to 15% off on all properties in town.
If you’re planning to explore the south of Spain after your trip, make sure to check out this Southern Spain itinerary and this Southern Spain road trip guide.
Last but not least, don’t forget about travel insurance. For some great deals for your trip to Valencia, check out SafetyWing. They might be slightly more expensive than other travel insurance providers but their plans have you covered no matter what. If you intend to buy travel insurance, I warmly recommend them. Trust me, saving on travel insurance is just not worth it because if god forbid, you actually need your travel insurance, those cheap plans you find online will not cover most of the unwanted circumstances.
Now that we covered some basics about traveling in Spain, let’s cover some of the best day trips from Valencia.
Peñiscola
Visiting this picturesque GoT destination should definitely be on your list of potential day trips from Valencia. If you’re a fan of the show, you’ll probably remember that Peniscola was used for shooting the scenes that took place in Meeren in season 6. The town is located on the coast of Azahar, also known as the Cherry Blossom Coat, and is famous for its sandy beaches, charming medieval cobbled streets, and the beautiful Castle of Papa Luna that sits on top of a hill and towers over the city.
Getting to Peniscola: You can take a direct train to Pensicola from North Station to Benicarlo-Peniscola. The journey will take around 1 hour and 15 minutes. This station is located around 7 kilometers from the center of Peniscola and from there, you can get a bus service that takes you to the center every hour.
Looking for a place to stay? Use this link to get discounts on all hotels in Peniscola.
Castellon De La Plana
Castellon de la Plana is a beautiful underrated city located around 70 kilometers from Valencia lying on the road to Barcelona. It’s not very commonly mentioned when it comes to exploring the eastern coast of Spain which is why the city doesn’t get a lot of tourists but most of the people who visit are pleasantly surprised. I suppose it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Castellon de la Plana is one of the most underrated cities in Spain.
The city is home to a 13th-century Gothic cathedral (The Concatedral de Santa Maria), an 18th-century city hall, a 15th-century bell tower, a Hemp exchange market that’s been around since the 17th century, and one of the most interesting Museums of Modern Art in this part of Spain.
Getting to Castellon de la Plana
Most Renfe trains from Valencia travel to Castellon de la Plana and you can get there in 40-45 minutes. Alternatively, you can also get to Castellon with Alsa’s buses but note that the journey, in this case, will last around 90 minutes.
Looking for a place to stay? Use this link to get discounts on all hotels in Castellon.
Teruel
Teruel is one of the best-kept secrets of the Aragon region. The town is the birthplace of Mudejar architecture which combines decorative Islamic motifs and patterns and Christian styles of architecture. Teruel is one of our favorite hidden gems in Spain, mainly because of the sheer amount of significant historic buildings, such as the 14th century Tower of El Salvador, the Cathedral of Santa María de Teruel, the church of San Pedro, the Tower of San Martin, the 15th-century fortification of Castillo de Alambes, and the Palace of the Marquis of Tosos, just to name a few.
Getting to Teruel: Teruel is a bit further from Valencia than the other cities; it’s located 140 kilometers northwest of Valencia. You can get to Teruel by train in roughly two and a half hours but the journey is very scenic which is another great reason to visit.
Looking for a place to stay? Use this link to get discounts on all hotels in Teruel.
Albarracín
Albarracin is a small town of 1,075 people with fascinating natural landscapes and rich history. The town is surrounded by stony hills, red sandstone boulders, and cliffs that make Albarracin a great destination for rock climbers and boulderers. However, that’s not the only reason to visit. This small town was founded in the 11th century and has been continuously inhabited for more than 1,000 years, making it one of the oldest cities in Europe.
Some of its most famous landmarks include the medieval city walls that have protected the town for centuries, the Albarracin Cathedral, the cliff-hanging Convent of Discalced Carmelites, and of course the beautiful forests surrounding the town.
Getting to Albarracin: Albarracin is located around 180 kilometers away from Valencia but because it lies off the beaten track, there’s no bus or train that connects the town directly to Valencia. You’d have to either take a bus or train to Cella or Teruel and continue to Albarracin by taxi. Or if that’s too much of a hustle, you can just rent a car and drive by yourself.
Looking for a place to stay? Use this offer to get discounts on all hotels in Albarracin.
Montanejos
Montanejos is one of the most popular day trips from Valencia and there’s a good reason for that. Sat in the province of Castellon, Montanejos is famous for its hot springs formed by the fast-flowing mountain streams surrounding the area. The pools are crystal-clear and have a year-round temperature of 25°c which means visiting Montanejos is always a good idea, regardless of the season.
In addition to the springs, Montanejos is also known for its beautiful lush forests, hiking trails, and scenic canyons. So, if you’re looking for a nice getaway destination where you can reconnect with nature, Montanejos should definitely be on your list.
Getting to Montanejos: If you’re planning to visit Montanejos, don’t count on relying on public transport. My personal recommendation is to rent a car and drive there on your own but you can also join an organized day tour to Montanejos from Valencia.
Enjoying this post? Then you may also like our guide to visiting the Valencia Cathedral, which is supposedly home to the Holy Grail
Hanging Houses Of Cuenca
Lying on the high-speed train line from Madrid to Valencia, Cuenca is a small town built on top of a huge cliff face famous for its iconic “hanging houses” that overlooks the beautiful Hecar River gorge. Some other places worth visiting in Cuenca include the beautiful gothic cathedral, the Science Museum, the picturesque Saint Paul Bridge, and a handful of modern art galleries.
Getting to Cuenca: The easiest way to get to Cuenca is to catch a train from Valencia. The trains run a few times per day and take around an hour to get to Cuenca.
If you’re looking for some great tours of Cuenca, we recommend this tour that covers the city’s highlights.
Looking for a place to stay? Use this offer to get discounts on all hotels in Cuenca.
Segorbe
Segorbe is a beautiful medieval village that’s home to an ancient aqueduct, a Moorish Castle, a Medieval executioner tower, Medieval walls dating back to the 13th century, and a beautiful Roman Catholic church from the 17th century. This should give you more than enough reasons to visit Segorbe, especially if you’re a history buff. And if that’s not enough, you should also know that Segorbe is home to one of the best water parks in the Valencia region.
Getting to Segorbe: The easiest way to get from Valencia to Segorbe is with Renfe’s trains. The journey shouldn’t take more than one hour.
Looking for a place to stay? Use this offer to get discounts on all hotels in Segorbe.
Sant Josep Caves
The caves of Sant Josep are home to Europe’s longest navigable underground river and this alone should be a reason enough to consider adding the caves to your list of potential day trips from Valencia. The caves are more than 3 kilometers long and are situated around 50 kilometers from Valencia. The best way to explore the caves is by taking a boat tour through the caves but while you’re around, you can also go hiking in the Sierra de Espadan range which is surrounding the caves.
Getting to Sant Josep Caves: The caves are located around 50 kilometers away from Valencia and can be reached via the 320 bus route by AVSA. The journey takes around one hour. However, renting a car might be a more convenient option because the drive is very picturesque and if you’re driving your own vehicle, you’ll have the flexibility of stopping and enjoying nature along the way.
Sagunto
Speaking of the best day tris from Valencia, we just have to mention Sagunto; a beautiful coastal town with a rich history. One of the most striking landmarks of Sagunto is probably its ancient fortification perched on top of the hill from where you can get an amazing view of the coast and sea. As you’re walking the remains of the walls, you’ll also see the ancient Roman theater, and a little bit further, you’ll spot Sagunto’s picturesque harbor and its sandy beaches.
Getting to Sagunto: The easiest way to get to Sagunto is by taking the train from Valencia’s North Station (the journey takes about 20 minutes) or taking bus #115 from the central bus station to Puerto de Sagunto.
Looking for a place to stay? Use this offer to get discounts on all hotels in Sagunto.
Tavernes Blanques
Tavernes Blanques is a small, average-looking village located north of Valencia and mainly, there’s one reason why we have added this village to our list of the best day trips from Valencia. That reason is the Lladro Boutique Museum which is the world’s only Lladro factory. If you have an interest in luxurious handmade porcelain, you will absolutely love this place. During your visit, you can wander the museum’s showroom and see some of the hundreds of home accessories and figurines, many of which are no longer in production and cost as much as €100,000.
Getting to Tavernes Blanques: The easiest way to reach is via bus. Take line 16 from the Valencia City Hall square and you’ll be there in 15-20 minutes. The entrance to the museum is free but you should call to announce your visit or book your visit via the museum’s website before you go.
Alboraya
Located right next to Tavernes Blanques, Alboraya is a town famous for its chufa fields. In case you’re not familiar, chufa is a plant that looks like grass but produces an edible tuber which is the main ingredient for the sweet beverage horchata. If you’re visiting the Valencia region of Spain, trying horchata is one of the things that should be at the top of your Spain bucket list. In addition to making the best horchata in Spain, a few other things you should check out while visiting Alboraya include the town’s beautiful beaches, its unique, charming farmhouses, and some ancient buildings, such as la Casa Señorial del Conde de Zanoguera, el Teatro L’Agricola, and the Puente del Moro.
How to get to Alboraya: The easiest way to get to Alboraya from Valencia is by taking the metro. The two lines that will take you there are 3 (that takes you to Alboraya-Palmaret) or 9 (that takes you to Alboraya-Peris Arago). Alternatively, you can also rent a bike for the day and cycle your way to Alboraya (it’s only 7 kilometers away from the city center).
Enjoying this post? Then you may also like our list of things you can only find in Spain.
Xativa
Xativa is another beautiful historic down that you should consider visiting on a day trip from Valencia. The city’s history dates back to Roman times when the city was founded as a linen manufacturer due to its strategic location on Via Augusta. A few hundred years later, Xativa became home to the first paper mill in Europe (in 1056). The city is also known for being the birthplace of Papa Borgia, one of the most controversial popes in history.
As far as attractions go, Xativa is famous for its castle that lies on a double-peaked hill and offers some of the most amazing views of the city, for the 15th century Collegiate Basilica, and for its water route (Xativa is also known as the city of a thousand fountains).
Getting to Xativa: You can get to Xativa by one of Renfe’s trains that run several times per day but you can also take a bus from Valencia’s North Station.
If you’re looking for a nice and affordable tour of Xativa, you’ll probably enjoy this Xativa private tour (we sure did) and if you’re looking for a place to stay, our booking affiliate link will get you up to 15% off on all properties in town.
El Saler
True, Valencia has a lot of beaches within its geographical limits, but trust me, the coast of El Saler is worth taking a day trip from Valencia. Located south of the city the beach of El Saler is a local favorite and a place where locals head to when beaches in the city get too crowded. If you like pristine and unfrequented beaches or just want to get out of Valencia’s hustle and bustle for a while, you should definitely consider visiting El Saler.
How to get to El Saler: The best way to reach is by taking a bus from Valencia. You can hop on the 25 line from Calle Cerdan de Tallada (in Valencia’s city center).
Albufera Natural Park
Albufera is a pristine park that feels almost like trapped in time and will surely make you wonder how can such a peaceful place exist just 10 kilometers away from a metropolitan city like Valencia. The park consists of woods, rice paddy fields, a lake, and a small fishing village with the same name that gave birth to arguably the world’s most popular rice dish (paella).
Getting to Albufera: You can get to Albufera with the (bus) line 25 (the same one that goes to El Saler), you can take a jeep and boat tour, or you can ride to the park from Valencia by bicycle via the bike lane parallel to the V-15 road.
Requena
The region of Utiel-Requena is the largest wine region located near Valencia. This part of Spain has a long history of winemaking that dates back to Roman times and if you enjoy a glass of wine here and there, you should definitely consider visiting some of the wineries in Utiel-Requena. In addition to vineyards and wineries, you can also visit the old town hall caves, The Colegio del Arte Mayor de la Seda, a museum that used to be a silk manufacturing school, la Torre del Homenaje (Homage Tower) built by the Moors, and of course, perhaps Requena’s most iconic landmark- its historical city center.
Getting to Requena: Requena is located roughly 70 kilometers away from Valencia and can be reached by AVE’s high-speed trains in around 20 minutes or by a regional train in 1 hour. There’s also a regular bus service between Valencia and Requena and the bus journey takes around 1 hour. Alternatively, you can also take a Requena wine tour with a traditional lunch (everything together costs around 90 euros).
Cullera
Cullera is a charming beach town located just 40 kilometers away from Valencia, perfect for travelers seeking a laid-back experience. While there, you can explore the Cullera Castle, a 13th-century Moorish fortress that towers over the city and the sea, the pristine Sanctuary of the Virgen del Castillo, Torre del marenyet- the city’s oldest watchtower, and the legendary Abric Lambert cave paintings.
Getting to Cullera: The best way to get from Valencia to Cullera is by train. You need to hop on the C1 line and you’ll be in Cullera in 30-35 minutes.
Looking for a place to stay? Use this offer to get discounts on all hotels in Cullera.
Gandia
At a glance, Gandia looks like an average Mediterranean beach town but if it was only that, we wouldn’t add it to this list of the best day trips from Valencia. Sure, Gandia has a lot of beautiful beaches where you can relax and enjoy the landscape but it’s also home to a number of historic sites as well. The list includes the 15th-century Palace Ducal de los Borja, the 15th-century Convent of Santa Clara of Gandia, and the amazing Archaeological Museum. The city is also a part of two of Valencia’s most touristy routes- the Route of the Monasteries of Valencia and the Route of the Valencian classics.
Getting to Gandia: The best way to get to Gandia from Valencia is by taking a bus. Alsa has buses that travel back and forth a few times per day. The journey shouldn’t last more than an hour. Alternatively, you can also take this cruise from Valencia to Gandia (it’s an awesome experience).
Looking for a place to stay? Use our booking.com affiliate link to get discounts on all hotels in Gandia.
Xabia & Denia
Speaking of cool day trips from Valencia, we just have to mention Xabia and Denia. We mention them together because they’re only 10 kilometers from each other, both are small coastal towns, and many people combine them in a single day trip. In addition to peaceful beaches, Xabia also has a beautiful historic old town, while Denia is famous for its lovely hiking trails like the Montgo Massif and for being named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2015.
Getting There: You can get to Denia from Valencia by ALSA (the national bus company) buses. The journey lasts around two hours and from Denia, you can easily get to Xabia by catamaran or a local bus.
If you plan to visit any of these two towns, I warmly recommend trying this catamaran sunset trip (it costs only 20 euros but the experience is amazing).
Rull Cave
Rull Cave is another spectacular underground cave with a myriad of stalagmites, stalactites, and mineral formations of very different origins and shapes. The cave can be found roughly 100 kilometers away from Valencia. It was discovered in 1919 by José Vicente Mengual, known as Tío Rull, hence the name of the cave. Rull Cave was open for visitors in the 1960s and there are plenty of guided tours you can take if you want to explore the cave.
Getting to Rull Cave: The cave is only open for visitors who come with authorized tour guides and most of them provide transportation to the cave, so getting there shouldn’t be a concern.
Alicante
Alicante is the second-largest city in the Valencia province and one of Spain’s most beautiful coastal cities. It’s one of the most touristy cities in Spain (especially for solo travelers in Spain) during the summer but yet somehow it managed to keep its authentic vibe throughout the years. That’s why Alicante might not be the best choice for a day trip from Valencia, simply because there are a lot more things worth seeing and one day just isn’t enough.
Some of Alicante’s most iconic landmarks include the Castle of Santa Bárbara which sits atop a hill overlooking the city, the Archaeological Museum of Alicante which takes visitors on a journey through 100,000 years of history, Explanada de España, one of the most picturesque walking streets in Spain, the 14th-century Basilica de Santa Maria, Playa del Postiguet- one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain, and the scenic Cave of Las Huertas, just to name a few.
Getting to Alicante: Since Alicante is the second-largest city in the province and is only 160 kilometers away from Valencia, it’s easily accessible via train, bus, or even ride-sharing.
If you’re visiting Alicante and looking for a great tour, we suggest the Secrets of Alicante and if you’re looking for a place to stay, use our booking.com affiliate link to get discounts on all hotels in Alicante.
Torrevieja
Torrevieja is another beautiful coastal town located near Alicante that somehow still manages to remain under most tourists’ radars. The town’s most attractive features are its beautiful beaches but that’s not all Torrevieja has to offer. You can also visit the beautiful natural park on the town’s outskirts that’s home to two picturesque lakes, one of which is bright green and the other pink in color. And if even that’s not enough, you can also visit the historic town center, the maritime museum, and admire the views from the Torre del Moro viewpoint.
Getting to Torrevieja: Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct bus or train service from Valencia to Torrevieja but you can go from Valencia to Alicante and get a bus to Torrevieja from there.
Looking for a place to stay? Use our booking.com affiliate link to get discounts on all hotels in Torrevieja.
Tabarca
Lastly, we round up this list of the best day trips from Valencia with Tabarca, an islet located in the Mediterranean Sea known for its crystal-clear waters and marine reserve. A trip to Tabarca will reward you with some of the most beautiful views of the Mediterranean and one of the best scuba diving opportunities in Spain.
Getting to Tabarca: The best way to get to Tabarca si to go to Alicante by train and hop on a ferry that will take you to the islet in around 45 minutes. You can prebook your ferry ticket here for only 15 euros.
Did you like our list of the best day trips from Valencia? Did you ever take any of these trips? Which one was your favorite? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
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