You may know Valencia – Spain’s third-largest city and home to rich history, avant-garde modern architecture and a beautiful beach. But did you know there’s so much beyond the city too? Around the wider Valencia region, there are plenty of exciting day trips to discover. Whether it’s historical towns, coastal escapes, natural parks, or secret escapes, here’s something for every kind of traveler. Here are some of the best day trips from Valencia with everything you need to know.
The Best Day Trips from Valencia
1. Xàtiva
Within just an hour of Valencia city, Xàtiva is known for its impressive and imposing castle, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Steeped in history, the town is perfect for history lovers, architectural enthusiasts and those who love to meander around winding Mediterranean streets.
This small town near Valencia is home to the Castillo de Xàtiva – the town’s main feature. Placed atop ancient remains dating back to the Roman and Iberian periods, you can climb up to the impressive fortress.
In addition to its rich history, it also offers delicious gastronomy options and is surrounded by plenty of stunning nature walks.
How to Get There: You can reach Xàtiva directly by train from Valencia’s North Station (Estació del Nord). The journey takes around 50 minutes and trains run frequently.
2. Albufera Natural Park
Albufera Natural Park is one of Valencia’s most stunning beauty spots especially for nature. This largest freshwater lagoon in Europe, it is also an estuary and a habitat for a variety of bird species. Surrounded by nature, the hustle and bustle of Valencia’s city will soon be a distant memory making it the perfect escape.
This site is one of the most important for gastronomy-lovers too. Albufera’s rice fields are where the rice is grown for Spain’s most famous dish – the paella. You can take a boat trip out from the dock and learn about the rice harvest.
It’s also no surprise, given its location, that Albufera is home to some of the area’s best rice restaurants. Why not enjoy a traditional Valencian paella surrounded by the fields where the rice is grown?
How to Get There: Albufera is a short 30-minute drive from Valencia for those with a car, or an easy bus journey straight from the city.
3. Montanejos
Renowned for its natural hot springs and stunning mountain landscapes, Monanejos is one of the most incredible daytrips to take from Valencia. With medicinal waters which sit at a relaxing 25°C all year round, you can bathe in nature’s very own spa.
Swim in the clearest waters and gaze at the stunning waterfalls and gorgeous high-speed estuaries. You can also discover some incredible hiking routes in the vicinity. Legend has it that these waters might be the secret to eternal youth – something the Arab Kings and their harems were seeking when they went to bathe in these very springs back in the 13th Century!
How to Get There: The best way to reach Montanejos is by car, which takes around 1.5 hours from Valencia.
Discover Montanejos in the best way possible with this Thermal Spring Tour
4. Teruel
Built high above the sea in the southern region of Aragon, Teruel is a historical city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its medieval buildings and charming plazas, it is also home to Mudejar monuments.
Teruel is full of historic importance, home to a two-month battle which became the military turning point in Franco’s war. However, romance can also be found here. The Lovers of Teruel is Spain’s answer to Romeo and Juliet – a tragic love story of two young romantics, Diego and Isabel, who have influenced Spanish literature. Today, you can find the tomb of the Lovers of Teruel at San Pedro Church.
From Mudjear art and historical forts to the pink mountain villages surrounding the city, there is so much to explore in Teruel. It is also an ideal location for foodies – from delicious hot chocolate to mountain cuisine such as cured meats and ‘patatas a lo pobre’. If you’re looking to enjoy everything that Teruel has to offer, take this Tereul day excursion which also visits the mountainous city of Albarracín with historic ruins dating back to the 14th Century.
How to Get There: You can reach Teruel by car from Valencia in about 2 hours and there are also various buses from Valencia to Teruel.
5. Bocairent
The stunning village of Bocairent is a highly underrated and truly beautiful destination which is an easy day trip from Valencia. Driving through picturesque scenes of orchards and mountains to get there, the village itself is nestled into the mountainside. With unique architecture in the style of a beehive, it is like something you’ve never seen before. This Bocairent day trip explores this unusual little village and its moorish caves with a local tour guide, stopping at the crystal clear mountain pools of Pou Clar on the way!
6. Sagunto
Sagunto is one of the Valencia region’s most historic sites – once an Iberian and then Roman settlement. It was also where the Second Punic War began in the late 3rd Century BC.
Even today, it is still home to ancient Roman ruins, including an amphitheater and Sagunto Castle whose impressive walls can be seen from miles away.
It is also home to a relaxing beach front with plenty of restaurants or ice cream stops to have the perfect beach afternoon after soaking up some history.
How to Get There: There are regular trains from Valencia to Sagunto with a journey time of around 30 minutes.
7. Requena
Wine lovers look no further. Requena is the area where the majority of Valencia’s wines come from. Home to wineries and vineyards, it is the perfect destination for wine enthusiasts keen to sample some of the region’s finest produce.
Hand-in-hand with the region’s wines, Requena also has gastronomy events throughout the year in celebration of local produce.
If you’re looking to explore this beautiful wine region, the Valencia Wine Escapade caters to all lovers of wine. From Bobals to Cava, this tour sets out into the breathtaking Valencian countryside to visit a boutique family winery (a bodega), where we’ll learn the story behind the wines. We will also sample the best local wines and Cavas along with some traditional snacks. Beyond the bodega, the tour also explores the medieval citadel of Requena – a historic hub of winding streets, tunnels, caves and a castle.
How to Get There: There are trains from Valencia to Requena with a journey time of around 1 hour. You can also drive to Requena from Valencia in about an hour.
8. Peñíscola
One of the most picturesque coastal towns, Peñiscola is known for stunning beaches, an impressive castle and being the fictional city of Meereen in the Game of Thrones series. The hiking trail along the coastline boasts incomparable panoramic views of the Mediterranean sea.
Nestled on the stunning Costa del Azahar in Castellon, its old quarter is full of narrow streets and charming whitewashed houses, making it a lovely place to explore in Valencia. It is also full of culture, the fortress walls coming alive with activity throughout the year. From film festivals to music events, Peñiscola is full of things to do.
How to Get There: Peñíscola is about a 1.5 hour drive from Valencia. There are also bus services available.
How to Plan Your Valencia Day Trip
If you want to plan a daytrip from Valencia, there are many different transport options available.
- By Train: Destinations like Xàtiva, Sagunto, and Requena are easily reached by train. You can get the train from the city center at Valencia’s Estació del Nord and check timetables here.
- By Car: For reaching further destinations such as Montanejos, Teruel and Peñíscola, iti might be worth renting a car, giving you the flexibility to explore at your own pace.
- Tours: Booking a guided tour can let you explore without the stress or hassle of figuring out the travel. Not only that, you get to discover local knowledge. Valtournative offers Valencia daytrip tours that enable you to discover Valencia’s hidden gems with professional guides.
Whether you’re looking to explore ancient towns, spend a day swimming in natural thermal springs or simply get off the beaten path, the surrounding Valencia region has so much to offer. These daytrips from Valencia, by car or train, will be sure to enhance your trip.