Things to do in Cofrentes with kids: adventure and cultural tourism
Don’t miss it! In this article, we’ll travel together and explore everything things to do in Cofrentes with kids. We won’t skip a visit to its heritage, but there will also be plenty of fun adventure activities to do as a family.
Cofrentes is a charming village located inland in the province of Valencia that offers a unique combination of heritage routes and adventure tourism.
We were surprised by the number of hiking trails and other fun activities available in nature, whether in its forest or the rivers and reservoirs that surround it. And also by its beautiful landscapes and panoramic views. Let’s just say there’s even an extinct volcano nearby, which we never imagined.
Next, we’ll explore the wonders to see in Cofrentes with kids and how to enjoy an unforgettable experience in this charming corner of Spain.
Where Cofrentes is and how to visit it – MAP
Cofrentes is located in the Valle de Ayora region, in the province of Valencia, about 100 km southwest of the capital, at a point where the Cabriel and Júcar rivers meet. In fact, this is the reason for its name, which comes from the Latin confluentum.
There isn’t a straight route to get there from Valencia, but the best option, just like for visiting Ayora, is to take the A7, then the A35, and finally the N-330.
If you’re visiting Cofrentes with kids, we recommend stopping by the Tourist Office to get a map with a special scavenger hunt for families. This way, you’ll explore all the tourist spots in town in a fun way with the little ones.
And while you’re there, ask about the different adventure tourism and hiking options available in the area. You’ll be surprised by the number of cool activities to enjoy!
A scavenger hunt to visit Cofrentes with kids
Cofrentes is an ideal destination for a family vacation. Besides the adventure activities we’ll discuss later, there’s a scavenger hunt designed specifically for the little ones by Turismo Cofrentes. This activity is perfect for enjoying together while exploring the town in a fun way.
Following a map with marked points, you’ll be challenged with games and activities at each stop. You can request a map for each person to compete against each other or work as a team.
The points you’ll visit are within the town itself and belong to the historical and cultural heritage route: the castle of Cofrentes, the church of San José, a viewpoint, the Ermita la Soledad, and several ceramic panels that decorate the walls with the history of the expulsion of the Moors. They’re sure to love it!
1) Historical and Cultural Heritage Route of Cofrentes
The town of Cofrentes features a winding layout of its streets that dates back to the Islamic period. Walking through them is also a delightful experience; there, we enjoyed its calm atmosphere and discovered old houses and beautiful corners.
Cofrentes takes pride in its historical and cultural heritage, and rightly so. Let’s explore the main sights to see in Cofrentes below:
– Castle, a main things to do in Cofrentes
One of the main attractions is the Castle of Cofrentes, an impressive fortress of Islamic origin located atop a hill that offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. A special note is that this “hill” is one of the chimneys of the extinct Cerro de Agras volcano.
History lovers will enjoy exploring its walls, defensive towers, and learning about the battles that took place at this historic site. This place has served as a border between the Muslim and Christian kingdoms.
Additionally, in the Torre del Homenaje, there is one of the oldest pendulum clocks in Europe (from the second half of the 18th century) that, while not continuously operational, you might be lucky like Benja and see it work during your visit. Did someone say Cofrentes isn’t suitable for kids?
It also has a small museum that displays archaeological remains discovered during excavations, with artifacts dating back to the first occupation of the hill in the Bronze Age.
– Parish Church of San José
Besides the castle, the Church of San José is another notable landmark in Cofrentes. It was built in 1621, occupying the site of a former mosque. While it may have had 8 side chapels in the past, today it has a single nave for worship and a bell tower.
– Ceramic panels to see in Cofrentes
If you’re interested in the history of the expulsion of the Moriscos from Cofrentes and the Valencia Community, you can visit 3 ceramic panels with beautiful drawings that tell the story. They’re not only found here, but in other towns in the valley, like Jalance.
While this might seem like a happy event, the truth is that the decree of expulsion of the Moors resulted in the loss of lives of hundreds of Cofrentinos and the subsequent depopulation of the valley.
– Chapel of Solitude and Calvary
This chapel began construction in 1872, but was restored by the beloved Brother Pastor, Federico Arocas, a Franciscan friar. Inside, you’ll find the Virgin of Solitude, who is venerated by the lumberjacks and takes on special significance during the May Festival.
Next to it, you can visit the Brother Pastor’s House. Inside, you can see the rooms where he lived along with the furniture that was mostly made by him.
– Cueva de Santa Ana
While you stroll through the streets of Cofrentes with your kids, you can discover the entrance to a cave. Although it’s not currently open to the public, this place is witness to intriguing legends suggesting it was a escape tunnel from the castle during times of siege. Additionally, it seems the cave connects various houses in the village and the church, and inside, there are spaces that were used for storing food, preserves, and as a cellar.
– Municipal laundry
This building is part of the most recent history of the people of Cofrentes, and it had a significant impact on their daily lives by providing access to water for washing clothes, which eliminated the need to go to the river. It was in use until the mid-20th century, when drinking water began to be installed in homes on a large scale.
2) Nature and Impressive Landscapes
Cofrentes is in a prime location, at a point where the Cabriel River meets the Júcar River and forms the Embarcaderos reservoir. It’s also an area of springs, spas, and rest areas by the rivers.
These natural settings offer spectacular beauty and various opportunities for outdoor family enjoyment. Nature lovers can embark on hiking trails that wind along the stunning gorges and discover beautiful landscapes.
- Embarcaderos Reservoir: it’s ideal for water activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing, providing an exciting experience in nature.
- River Route through the Júcar Canyons: Cofrentes has the only river route in the Valencia Community with a 14 km one-way journey and the same distance back through the Júcar canyons. You can hire a boat ride to navigate through some amazing landscapes.
- Hervideros Spa in Cofrentes: its medicinal spring is the most important in the Valencia Community. Surrounding it is the spa, which includes a hotel, apartments, a thermal center, and a golf course, among other amenities. Perfect for a few days of relaxation.
- Recreational Area of the Cabriel River: we were recommended this area for our motorhome, but due to our size, we couldn’t access it. If we had had more time, we could have hiked to the recreational area, which is said to be beautiful for picnics, resting, and taking snapshots of the town. This area is part of the PR-CV 380 that also passes by the Hervideros spa.
3) Adventure Tourism in Cofrentes
Cofrentes is a great destination for adventure and adrenaline lovers. And if you’re traveling to Cofrentes with kids, even more so. As mentioned earlier, the natural surroundings offer a wide range of exciting activities. Among them, you’ll find:
- Electric quad routes, biking, and guided hiking.
- Water activities like paddle surfing, canoeing on calm or whitewater, rafting or monorafting, canyoning, and a relaxing river cruise on the Júcar River.
- Aerial activities like flights in a small plane or powered paragliding.
- Other lesser-known sports or games like “bumper ball,” “lasertag combat,” or “soft paintball,” “sport floats,” or archery.
- Family-friendly options like game gymkhanas.
Benja and Juan tried the electric quads, but after seeing the variety of activities, we wanted to try more things.
We were welcomed by Cofrentes Turismo Activo, a company that offers stays and specializes in organizing and facilitating nature tourism and adventure events. All the activities we mentioned that can be done in Cofrentes are from their catalog, which, as you’ll see, is very comprehensive. You can check out their website.
The activity lasted a couple of hours, and the men in the family had a great time on the trails set up for them. They were always
4) Cerro de Agras Volcano
If you’re looking for an exciting adventure to do in Cofrentes with kids, you can’t miss Cerro de Agras Volcano! It’s the only one you can visit in the Valencia Community.
Benja was a bit unsure about whether to visit or not. He imagined it being active, but it’s actually a extinct volcano.
There’s a low-difficulty hiking trail that will take you to the summit, and the views from there are simply amazing!
As you walk along the trail, you’ll find interesting information about volcanoes and their geological history.
But the coolest part is the giant volcanic bomb at the top, which is a rock ejected during an ancient volcanic eruption that has solidified.
🥾 The PR-CV-379 is the trail that leads to this volcano. Be careful, there are no shortcuts, follow the main dirt path where vehicles might pass. PR stands for “small route” hiking trails in Spain that range from 10 to 50 km, although sometimes they can be less than 10 km, but may have elevation or difficulty.
Useful information for traveling to Cofrentes
Where to stay in Cofrentes?
Cofrentes is a small place with few accommodation options. On Booking, you’ll find rural houses and the spa itself. Options that will be in beautiful rural and natural settings.
🔝Check out these campgrounds we recommend for staying in the Comunidad Valenciana, to see if any of them work for your trip.
What you need for your trips to the Valencian Community
Plan your journey easily with these trusted resources:
