Valencia is a city of contrasts, where ancient history meets modern innovation. While the famous landmarks and bustling beaches attract many visitors, there are many hidden gems waiting to be discovered by those willing to venture off the beaten path in Valencia. Small-group tours offer an intimate and immersive way to explore Valencia’s lesser-known attractions. Ready to discover Valencia off the beaten path? Here are five unique small-group tours in and around Valencia that promise an unforgettable experience.
1. Explore the Moorish Caves of Bocairent
Bocairent is a small town near Valencia nestled into the mountainside and full of history and folklore. This small group tour takes you to see Valencia off the beaten path. With a small group, you’ll discover the labyrinth of Moorish caves carved into the mountain that give Bocairent its iconic beehive structure. Spend the day exploring the winding streets and magical views of this village and share its rich history.
The tour also soaks up the beauty of the surrounding countryside, traveling through picturesque orchards and seeing the panoramic landscapes offered by the Sierra Mariola mountains.
You’ll take a walk or swim at the Pou Clar – crystal clear natural mountain pools and springs. This Valencia tour lets you escape the city and experience the beauty of nature.
Highlights:
- Experience the crystal clear pools ‘Pou Clar’ and swim in the natural pools
- Explore the scenic countryside that surrounds Valencia
- See the caves carved by the Moors in the Sierra Mariola.
- Discover legends and secrets in the medieval village of Bocairent.
Tour Duration: Approximately 9 hours
Group Size: Limited to 12 participants
2. Discover the Forgotten Kingdoms of Albarracín and Teruel
Discover a forgotten, ancient world full of art, architecture, nature and gastronomy. This Valencia small-group tour lets you travel to the heart of Spain.
Teruel is the setting of Spain’s Romeo and Juliet – Los Amantes de Teruel – the tragic tale of two young lovers. With mountain landscapes surrounded by wheat fields and sunflowers, this small Medieval city is truly beautiful. It also offers a view of the other village you’ll visit on this alternative small group tour – Albarracin.
Often considered the most beautiful village in Spain, Albarracin is nestled between 14th century walls. As famous for its delicious typical gastronomy as it is for its beauty, this small village has so much to offer.
Spend the day immersing yourself in Mudejar art, strolling through pink mountain villages and enjoying local cuisine.
Highlights:
- Discover the legend behind one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays
- Learn all about Aragon, Mudejar art and architecture
- See Teruel’s famous brick and ceramic towers
- Taste one of the world’s best cured hams
- Drive under the imposing Roman Sagunto Fortress
- Visit the pink villages of the Sierra Albarracín mountain range
- Explore all the special corners of Spain’s most beautiful village
Tour Duration: Approximately 10 hours
Group Size: Limited to 12 participants
3. Valencia Wine Tour in Requena
Requena is the city at the heart of Valencia’s wine country, renowned for its vineyards and traditional winemaking methods. On this small-group tour, head out to the stunning Valencian countryside. You’ll get the chance to get off the beaten path in Valencia to visit a boutique family winery. Here, the winemaker will share their top secrets and let you sample the best regional wines and cavas accompanied by traditional snacks.
While there, why not get even further off the beaten path and discover the wider Requena area with its impressive Medieval architecture. Explore the citadel of Requena, the castle, tunnels and caves used for wine storage to get full insight into this interesting town.
Highlights:
- Relaxed excursion to the wine region of Utiel-Requena
- An in-depth visit to Valencia’s best winery guided by the wine-maker
- Samplings of their best wines and Cavas
- Tasting of local olive oil with regional snacks
- Private English-Spanish speaking guide and interpreter
- Walking tour of the Requena citadel and charming narrow streets
Tour Duration: Approximately 8 hours
Group Size: Limited to 12 participants
4. Montanejos Hot Springs and Hiking Adventure
Enjoy some fresh mountain air and spend a relaxing daytrip from Valencia visiting the idyllic natural thermal springs of Montanejos. Swim in the clear medicinal waters which date back to the 13th Century and explore the caves and caverns.
Discover the surrounding area with its impressive mountain landscapes and beautiful nature. Enjoy a local lunch at a traditional restaurant in the picturesque village of Montanejos, getting to meet some locals and share in a delicious meal.
Highlights:
- Swim in the medicinal waters at 25°C year-round
- See the scenic countryside that surrounds Valencia
- Drive under an imposing Roman Fortress
- Experience nature and rural life
- Discover legends and quirky anecdotes
Tour Duration: Approximately 9 hours
Group Size: Limited to 12 participants
5. Discover Fallas Like a Local
Description: In this Fallas Insider Scoop tour, you get a full insight into Las Fallas festival and how to enjoy it like a local. Unlike any other experience, this alternative small group tour lets you get a complete feel of the World of Fallas through a local’s eyes, with exclusive access to the local Fallero clubs (Casals). It is here that you can interact with locals of all ages, join the celebrations and learn about the rich culture behind the festival.
Join your local guide to visit the different ninots (the colorful structures that adorn the streets of Valencia during this week) to appreciate the artwork and understand the humor and current themes of the structures.
Live Fallas with a local and soak up the sounds, smells and tastes of the city’s most iconic festival!
This tour also supports the local community with a portion of all ticket prices donated to the Fallas visited to sustain the future of this festival for years to come.
Highlights:
- Learn the rich traditions behind Valencia’s most famous festival.
- Gain exclusive access to a Fallero ‘Casal’ or clubhouse and see their mini workshop.
- Explore Valencia Chinatown, the key areas of Fallas and the ‘Sección Especial’ Fallas (the most impressive ninots) in Russafa.
- For morning tours, experience the noise and excitement of a Mascletá firecracker show!
Tour Duration: This tour runs throughout Fallas every year (from 15th-19th March) and lasts for approximately 4 hours.
Group Size: Limited to 12 participants
Discover Valencia Off the Beaten Path
Taking part in a Valencia small-group tour lets you experience the city in a more personalized and intimate way, discovering Valencia’s hidden gems and getting off the beaten path. With so much to discover in the Valencia region, we offer you a range of different small-group tours to cater for everyone – from nature lovers wanting to explore the mountain landscapes, to those who want to know the secret history of Spain’s smallest villages. Dive into these alternative tours and discover a side of Valencia that few get to experience.