10 VILLAGES near VALENCIA for a day out
The Region of Valencia hides charming mountain and seaside villages. To help you discover the most beautiful places, we have compiled a list of villages near Valencia that are ideal for spending the day.
In the surroundings of Valencia there are many places to visit that will surely surprise you. Castles hanging from the mountains, historical centres with Arab vestiges, large and small lagoons to be in contact with nature, extensive beaches and many activities to do with children.
So, if you live in the city of Valencia and you are thinking of a getaway to discover historic sites surrounded by great natural beauty, we recommend these villages near Valencia to spend the day, either with your family or a romantic getaway with your partner. Let’s discover them!
1) Towns near Valencia to spend the day, Cullera
Situated on the sea, Cullera is a town that as well as having beautiful and wide beaches, has the original 10th century castle in the highest part, with fabulous views of the Mediterranean and where the Municipal Museum of History and Archaeology is located. If you are looking for stunning views what better than to go to the viewpoint of the Meteorological Centre, an ideal place to see the sunset and the reddish skies over the sea.
For the little ones, the Dragut Pirate Museum is a real adventure. It is housed in a cave on the mountain and narrates the adventures of the pirate who landed centuries ago in this area. Less than 10 kilometres from Cullera, it is worth visiting L’Estany de Cullera, a small lake with paths on either side, ideal for disconnecting, relaxing and listening to the sounds of birds.
📷 Book the excursion to visit Cullera and the Albufera in the day from Valencia.
🔝 Check out this article on things to do in Cullera in one day.
2) Xátiva and its imposing castle
If there is one thing that characterises Xátiva, it is the castle located at the top of the mountain range, which is very well preserved and contains Roman, Iberian, Muslim and Christian remains. Both the walls surrounding the castle and the defensive towers are practically intact, which makes the site spectacular, in addition to the views of both the city and the mountains from the top .
The historic centre of Xátiva is also worth a visit. Along the way you pass by emblematic historical buildings such as the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria with its imposing bell tower that stands out from the rest of the buildings and the Almodí museum with an exhibition of objects from the Roman and Muslim era. Children are also entertained by discovering the route of the fountains around the city, a legacy from the Arab period.
📷 Book here the excursion from Valencia city to Xátiva, which includes guide and transfers. Ideal for getting to know the city in a day.
🔝 Check out this article on things to do in Xátiva in one day.
3) Anna, where water is the protagonist
Just a few kilometres from Xátiva, Anna is one of the villages near Valencia that is worth visiting. In this place the main element is water, which is present in every corner. To start the day you can visit the Palace of the Counts of Cervellón where you will surely be impressed by the beauty of its Arab hall and courtyard, which is why it has earned the name of small Alhambra.
Two activities to do with children in Anna are the route of the three waterfalls and the lagoon. The route of the three waterfalls is an hour-long circuit along the Anna river that allows you to enjoy three waterfalls, the most impressive of which is called Gorgo Ecalera and is located over a canyon. The Anna lagoon is a small lake surrounded by trees, a place for boating, picnicking and even swimming, so don’t forget your swimming costume!
📷 Book here the descent of the Gorgo Escalera canyon, an adventure to have fun.
🔝 Check out this article on things to do in Anna in one day.
4) Guadalest, another of the villages near Valencia that is worth a visit
In the province of Alicante, Guadalest is a real gem located high in the mountains with fantastic views over the reservoir. Its main attraction is the castle, located at the highest point and accessed by a tunnel dug into the rock. The village is small but charming, with mostly white painted houses and shops and narrow streets.
Among the most emblematic places to visit in Guadalest are the Casa Orduña, a museum with period objects from one of the families that lived there, and the square next to the Town Hall, an ideal place to sit and enjoy the views. If you like hiking, a good option is to walk around the lower part of the reservoir. For children there are many museums such as the Microminiatures museum or the Microgiant museum.
📷 Book the excursion to visit Guadalest and the Algar springs from Benidorm or Alicante.
🔝 Take a look at this article if you want to visit a route through the most beautiful villages of Alicante.
5) Albufera of Valencia, boat trip and nature
Although it is not a town as such, the Albufera de Valencia Natural Park is the closest place to the capital of the province that we recommend in this article. It is a freshwater lake with many birds and where you will enjoy a lot of peace and quiet. One of the activities to do in the Albufera is the boat trip in the barquets, the typical boats of the fishermen of the area, who act as guides during the trip.
In addition to sailing on the lagoon, another place to visit is La Devesa, an area of pine forests and dunes next to the beach with many hiking trails for both adults and children. At sunset you should go to the Gola de Puchol viewpoint to watch the sunset over the lake, a beautiful spectacle with orange-tinted skies.
📷 Book here the excursion to the Albufera from Valencia with boat trip. Includes transfer and English speaking guide.
🔝 Check out this article on things to do and how to get to Albufera de Valencia.
6) Bocairent and its Arabic style
Bocairent is probably one of the most beautiful villages in the province of Valencia. The narrow streets of the historic centre with their ups and downs take us back to Moorish times. Flowers on the balconies of the houses, water fountains and historic buildings such as the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción or the hermitage of Sant Joan are some of the attractions to see in Bocairent in one day. If you want to have a complete panoramic view of the historic area of Bocairent, for example to upload to Instagram, you should go to the cemetery area.
Outside the historic centre, another must-see if you go sightseeing in Bocairent are the Covetes dels Moros. These are a group of caves built by the Arabs between the 10th and 11th centuries on a cliff located in the Barrnac de la Fos, believed to have been used for storing and preserving grain. They are thought to have been used for storing and preserving grain and are now connected to allow a more accessible visit.
📷 Book the day trip to Bocairente from Valencia here.
🔝 Check out this article on things to do in Bocairent in one day.
7) Chelva, another of the villages close to Valencia to spend the day
Chelva, located 70 kilometres from Valencia, hides great treasures dating back to the Bronze Age. In the historic centre, the main monument to see in Chelva is the church of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, originally from the 17th century and in Baroque style. Its main façade is really very beautiful. The Moorish quarter of Benacacira is another attraction, which maintains its essence thanks to the low houses and narrow streets.
If you want to take a walk in the middle of nature, the Water Route is a two- to three-hour circuit that starts in the city centre and goes through the river area. It has a picnic area, waterfalls and places suitable for swimming, although the water is usually always cold. This circuit is of low physical difficulty, so it is perfectly suitable for children.
8) Chulilla, natural environment and castle
Nestled above the Turia river canyon, Chulilla is one of the ideal villages to start a family hiking route. There are two emblematic places in the canyon to visit, one is the Hanging Bridges, two footbridges over the river with spectacular views, and the other is the Charco Azul, a small pond formed by the canyon with greenish water where you can swim in summer.
The historic centre of Chulilla also has its places to see. Its main emblem is the castle of Chulilla, located at the highest point and with beautiful views of the natural environment surrounding the town. Although very little is preserved inside the castle, the walls are the best preserved. The church of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles , together with the white-painted façades of the houses in the historic centre, give it the charm that makes it an essential place to visit.
📷 Book your day trip to Chulilla from Valencia here.
💯 Check out this article on things to do in Chulilla apart from the Hanging Bridges route.
9) The castle of Sagunto and its Roman legacy
Sagunto treasures many centuries of history dating back to the Romans and Arabs. The imposing and large castle of Sagunto is the main attraction of the place, very well preserved and where the mixture of cultures that inhabited it, from Iberians, Romans, Arabs and Christians, is reflected in its remains and walls. It will take time to walk around it as inside there are seven squares and above all spectacular views of the city and the sea.
Another of the main vestiges of Sagunto is the Roman theatre, originally from the 1st century A.D. and which has been restored, together with the Wall of the Temple of Diana, which dates back to the 5th to 6th century B.C. Among the other ancient buildings in the historic centre of Sagunto is the 14th century Gothicchurch of Santa Maria . If you have time, it is worth visiting the area of Puerto de Sagunto, just seven kilometres away, to relax on the beach and enjoy a plate of fish, paella or rice.
📷 Book here the excursion to visit Sagunto from Valencia.
10) Onda
In the last recommendation of villages near Valencia to spend the day, we go to the town of Onda. This small village located near Castellón has the castle of Onda as its most emblematic site. This fortification was built in the Arab period and from the heights it allowed a complete view of the surrounding area. Today you can visit its defensive towers and walls, the best preserved part, and the remains of its interior, including the Alcazaba, where the sultan lived. The Museum of Archaeology and History of Onda is also located here.
But if there is one thing the city is known for nationally, it is its ceramics, a tradition that has been maintained for centuries in the region. To find out more about the Valencian tile-making process and its history, it is worth visiting the “Manolo Safont” Tile Museum. Numerous ceramic pieces from Roman times to the present day are on display here.
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