The 17 Best Day Trips From Valencia Spain

Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and is well connected to many smaller villages via public transportation. Read more about the five months we spent in Spain. We stayed in Valencia for seven weeks and had many opportunities to do day trips. We worked during the week and used weekends for day trips from Valencia. From Monday to Friday, we focused on getting to know Valencia while walking a lot, with the aim of getting fit to walk the Camino de Santiago.

To help with decision-making on where to go, the trip is broken down by location as it relates to Valencia. West, North, or South of the city. Each city is/will be linked to another page that will provide additional information on what to see, how to get there, and prices for some accommodations, tours, and places to stay.

Map of Day Trips from Valencia

Items marked in blue represent towns to the north of Valencia, while the southern villages are marked in purple, and the sites to the west are marked with a burgundy pin. The list of towns and villages below is a short summary of what to see and do. Click on the links to learn more about each location. Valencia – Point of Origin

Day Trips West of Valencia

Take a Day Trip from Valencia to Buñol – La Tomatina

”If you dream about a food fight and are lucky enough to find yourself in Valencia in August, dream no further. You can be part of one of the biggest food fights in the world at the“”La Tomatina” 🍅 tomato-throwing festival. If you dream about a food fight and are lucky enough to find yourself in Valencia in August, dream no further. You can be part of one of the biggest food fights in the world at the 🍅 tomato-throwing festival.“

If you dream about a food fight and are lucky enough to find yourself in Valencia in August, dream no further. You can be part of one of the biggest food fights in the world at the “La Tomatina” 🍅 tomato-throwing festival. If you dream about a food fight and are lucky enough to find yourself in Valencia in August, dream no further. You can be part of one of the biggest food fights in the world at the 🍅 tomato-throwing festival.

An alternative to this fun event is visiting the Buñol castle, perched high on the hill overlooking the town below. For those who love the outdoors, there are also caves and nature trails.  

Chulilla Valencia 🧗

Nestled amidst the rolling hills of Valencia, this charming village of Chililla seems to have popped straight out of a storybook. The beautiful, whitewashed houses and cobbled streets are irresistible for a day trip from Valencia. It is also an excellent spot for nature lovers and rock climbers. Book a rock climbing tour or walk on the famous hanging bridges.

Cuenca Hanging Houses

Cuenca, the city hanging off the cliffs, is one of our favorite day trips from Valencia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Read more about the beautiful medieval hanging houses, the old city, and the Abstract Art Museum here. One of our favorite pieces of art in our home is made by a local artist and shows the hanging houses of Cuenca.

👀Tip: Pack an overnight bag and stay in the lovely Parador in Cuenca. From the Parador, you will have beautiful views of the hanging houses, all in the comfort of a 5-star hotel.

Requena

Did somebody say wine? Requena, nestled in the Utiel-Requena wine region, is a vino lover’s paradise! You can’t visit without indulging in some wine tasting. Want to do some wine escapades? Don’t let the fact that you don’t have a car stand in your way; do a half-day wine tour that starts in Valencia. Leave some time to visit the beautiful old town with cobbled streets, ancient churches, and enchanting squares. Read more about this captivating village a day trip away from Valencia. Grab your glass of wine and be transported.

Teruel Spain

On our last trip to Spain, we visited Teruel during a festival for the “Lovers of Tureul.” Talk about travelers’ luck to stumble on this festival without knowing it. Read more about the village and the village Medejar architecture and World Heritage Marvel. Are you fascinated by dinosaurs? Look no further than Teruel and a visit to Dinópolis, one of the largest museums of paleontology in the world🦖

Day Trips South of Valencia, Spain

Take a Day Trip from Valencia to Bocairent

What a hidden gem on the road between Castellon and Alicante and on a day trip from Valencia, Bocairent sits. This is one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, and you can spend hours just exploring every nook and cranny of the town. But leave time to explore the Moorish, Colomer, and Ice Caves. You can also take a day trip from Valencia, combining a trip to Bocairent and Xativa.

Cullera & Cullera Beach 🏖️

If you love the warm sand through your toes, that is a lovely day trip from Valencia. Look no further. This beautiful, pristine white beach offers more than lounging in the sun and a quick dip in the water. Read more about the surf sports, the lovely cuisine, and the panoramic views. Do a tour from Valencia, but don’t miss out. We took the time to visit Castel De Cullera, which has the most beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Spend a Day Gandia (as a day trip from Valencia) 🏖️

The perfect spot for a day trip from Valencia offers not only beautiful beaches, historical tales, and the royal intrigue of the Borgia family. We spent a couple hours in this Ducal Place. Read about our experience eating “fedeua.”

The perfect spot for a day trip from Valencia offers not only beautiful beaches, historical tales, and the royal intrigue of the Borgia family. We spent a couple hours in this Ducal Place. Read about our experience eating”“fedeua.” If nightlife is your thing, Gandia should be on your list as it is known for its nightlife.

la Vall d’Uixó

We loved our visit to the “Coves de Sant Joseph.” It was one of the highlights of the trip. The caves are known as the longest navigable underground river in Europe, and they offer great tours during the day or the occasional concert in the caves. We attended a concert in the caves, and it is one of the top things we would like to suggest as a day trip from Valencia. 

We took the train to the train station in la Vall d’Uixó and used an Uber. It was a bit stressful as the coves were outside the town, and we did not know if we could get a ride back.

Parc Natural de l’Abufera

The Parc Natural de l’Abufera hosts a freshwater lagoon and serves as a paradise for bird watchers. Lush rice paddies, particularly those used in making Paella, also inhabit this area, which is widely recognized as the birthplace of Paella. We enjoyed a fantastic day trip from Valencia to l’Abufera, utilizing a car for transportation. Various bus tours departing from Valencia focus on experiencing Paella in the city acclaimed as the birthplace of the dish. Visiting the Parc Naturel de l’Abufera during winter reveals the brownfields, while experiencing the vibrancy of the rice ready for harvest promises an enjoyable visit.

Playa de el Saler 🏖️

Just a short drive from the bustling heart of Valencia, you’ll find this little beach is tucked away. This is the perfect spot to go for long walks on the beach (read more about our Training for the Camino de Santiago while being a digital Nomad in Valencia.) There is also a park nearby, and as with so many beaches in Spain, the beachside restaurants have many local delicacies on offer. Being so close to Valencia, Paella is on several restaurant menus. After lunch, there is nothing like a nap on the beach.

A little further down the coast is a hidden spot, this part of this beach operates as a nudist beach. This beach is easily accessible.

Xativa 

The storybook town is just a day trip (70 km or 44 miles) away from Valencia and easy to reach by train. Visit the imposing caste that gazes over the town below. Xativa claims to be the birthplace of European paper before it became popular anywhere else on the continent. How’s that for a conversation starter? You can also visit by taking a tour and learning all the intricacies of the Xativa castle. Make sure you get the complete guide to visiting the town.

Day Trips North of Valencia

El Grao de Castellón

Sit back and relax on the beach or visit the harbor. The harbor offers beautiful views of yachts bobbing in the water. Don’t miss the fresh catch of the day. For those more inclined to engage in activities than those with a laid-back life, look no further than activities on the beach, like building sand castles or water sports. I love the laid-back atmosphere and restaurants on the promenade.

Fanzara 🎨

If you see life through the eyes of an artist, this is the place to go. This is street art at its best, all created by local artists. You can meander through the streets on your own or take a tour. What I love about these tours is that you learn much more than just looking at the art. There are even tour companies that start the tours in Valencia. Take a walking tour, indulge in the local cuisine, or wander through town. Find your own favorite street art at your own leisure.

Náquera 🍃🌳

Náquera is an ideal spot for nature lovers, hikers, mountain bikers, and anyone who cannot be confined by walls. Go on a hike and find fountains and Springs, and for those days that you feel like being around people, attend one of the local festivities. Learn more about how this town comes alive during these activities. Getting authentic Spanish charm is just a day trip from Valencia.

Parc Natural de la Serra d’Espadà ⛰️🥾

This protected region outside Valencia offers many opportunities for hiking and adventures in the forests or mountain peaks. Getting here is the most convenient if you have a car. It is about an hour’s drive out of Valencia. To learn how to get here by public transport, read here. There is also another great option, and that is to do a guided tour. Some of these tours include transportation from Valencia.

Peñíscola Castle 🏰

Peñíscola castle stands alone on a rock overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and is one of the most visited monuments in the Valencian Community. We saw this castle for the first time from the train window. If you are into legends of the Nights Templar, this one is for you. The castle is open for visitors, and the tours are highly recommended. Get all the info you need about visiting the castle here.

Sagunto 🥾 🏰

Put on your hiking boots and grab that water bottle because the trip to the top of Sagunto Castle is breathtaking.    

With miles of ancient walks around the medieval wall and a new vista to explore each turn, it is a definite visit as a day trip from Valencia. Learn more about our day in Sagunto (our travelers’ luck 🍀), how to get to Sagunto from Valencia, and the fantastic pastries in town.

Serra

Its natural beauty and proximity to Valencia make it a popular destination for those seeking a peaceful escape from city life. The old town, with its narrow streets and traditional houses, allows you to imagine what it must be like to live here. Don’t miss out on the local pastries. Learn more about Serra and how to lose yourself in this lovely town. Getting here by car is the easiest, but don’t dismiss it because you must take a train and a bus.

Don’t Miss Out, Take that Day Trip From Valencia, Spain

I hope you enjoyed this high-level overview of day trips from Valencia. Do your homework and explore each city to find the one that best suits your interests. We hope to welcome you on the other blog postings as you explore how to get there, what to see, what to do, and what to eat and drink as you explore the area around Valencia on your next trip to Spain.