What to do in Valencia surroundings
Have you booked your stay in Spain and want to discover what to do in Valencia surroundings to get out of the city?
You’re in the right place.
Valencia, besides being a city rich in attractions, has a multitude of points of interest in its surroundings. Keep reading the article if you want to spend a day (or even more) exploring the Valencia surroundings.
A day out of the city: what to do in Valencia surroundings
This article is for you if, after a few days in Valencia, you’re not ready to leave the city and want to explore the surroundings without venturing too far.
All the activities I propose are within an hour’s distance from the city center, and the visits don’t require more than half a day: these are the perfect day trips from Valencia.
Cuevas de San José, Europe's longest underground river
Known since ancient times, the Cuevas de San José boasts the longest navigable underground river in Europe. Visitors can take boat trips through its spectacular galleries and walk through corridors filled with stalactites and stalagmites. However, the origin of the river remains unknown, and this mystery is one of the main things that fascinates visitors.
It is a complex of natural caves formed around one of Europe’s longest underground rivers, measuring 2,500 meters in length.
Il viaggio dalla città dura circa un’ora ed è sicuro di essere una delle risposte alla tua domanda cosa fare nei dintorni di Valencia? Ti consigliamo di comprare il tuo biglietto online per evitare le code. Sicuramente uno dei luoghi da non perdere nei dintorni di Valencia.
This geological enclave is one of the most important in Spain. With the excursion to the Cuevas de San José , you will traverse its internal galleries, navigate by boat on the river, and stroll through a space rich in ancient cave paintings, while exploring this incredible cave complex formed about 250 million years ago.
- How to get to Cuevas de San José? To reach the Cuevas de San José from Valencia, you need to take the V-21 and then the AP-7. When you arrive, take the CV-230 towards Vall d’Uixo, and you will have reached your destination. The journey takes about 43 minutes.
- What is the entrance fee? The entrance fee to the Cuevas de San José is €10 for adults, while for children aged 4 to 13, it is €5. Seniors and large families can enter for €7.
- What are the opening hours of Cuevas de San José? The opening hours are from 10:00 to 13:40 and from 15:20 to 19:00.
The route of Cueva de la Mora and mountain springs
The medieval village of Bocairent merita sicuramente di essere menzionato in un articolo che parla dei dintorni di Valencia. Con questo tour scoprirete le sue stradine tortuose, le Moorish caves, and mountain springs of Pou Clar. Get ready to walk through the ancient Moorish caves to cap off the tour in their pools.
The Moorish Caves (Covetes dels Moros) were brought to light by the Berber tribes living in the village, who created this network of caves to shelter their belongings and hide from enemies. Today, we can explore their natural escape rooms by climbing inside.
The inevitable next stop is the natural thermal experience of the Pou Clar natural pools, where the water pressure and depth offer combinations for all tastes. True nature lovers will be thrilled with this type of Valencia surroundings.
Explore Sagunto Castle in a day dedicated to what to do around Valencia
If you don’t know what to do around Valencia, another must-see is undoubtedly this imposing fortress located above the plains north of Valencia. It has a lot of historical value, dating back thousands of years. Founded by the ancient Greeks, it was sacked by Hannibal and later joined the Roman Empire and expanded under Muslim rule. However, it was the Romans who left a great legacy in the city of Sagunto. You can visit the Roman theatre, the remains of the Temple of Diana, and a little further down in the old town of Sagunto you can stroll through the winding streets of the Jewish quarter, which remain as they were from the 15th century.
How to get to Sagunto Castle: To get to Sagunto Castle from Valencia, you will need to take the car and exit on the V-21, then take the V-23 towards Sagunto and finally turn onto the N-340. The journey takes about half an hour.
An afternoon without knowing what to do in Valencia surroundings: visit the Montanejos bathing fountain
The crystal-clear waters of this lagoon maintain a temperature of 25ºC throughout the year and are surrounded by impressive cliffs and deep gorges. These authentic natural pools of the Mijares River are a magnificent place to enjoy the landscape and swim in the thermal waters – there is a legend that a Moorish king used to bring the women of his harem to these baths because the waters gave them eternal youth and beauty.
One of the most well-known routes to take at the Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos is the Ruta de Los Estrechos, a simple hike suitable for all ages, covering 8 kilometers on a circular path, and lasting about 3 and a half hours.
Peña Cortada Aqueduct
This aqueduct is one of the greatest examples of Roman heritage in the region. The length of the remains found is 28.6 kilometers, making it one of the most important Roman aqueducts in Spain. The total route of the aqueduct is not known, but archaeologist and architecture doctor Miquel R. Martí Maties estimates that its path reached the city of Valencia, covering a total distance of 98.6 km! Excursions can be made through caves and tunnels carved into the rock, passing over the aqueduct or even the viaduct that passes through the Peña.
- How to get to the Peña Cortada Aqueduct? The easiest and fastest way to get there is by car from Valencia. You’ll need to leave the city on the CV-35 and drive for about an hour. Once you arrive in Chelva, you’ll need to follow the signs to the Aqueduct.
- The route takes about three hours, including stops, so it’s of low difficulty. It’s ideal to do with friends or family.
Tancat de la Pipa
Just 16 kilometers from Valencia lies the impressive Tancat de la Pipa, part of the Albufera Natural Park. It’s an area of over 40 hectares located at the mouth of the Chiva ravine.
You can walk up to 8 kilometers along its beautiful rice fields, crossing them on trails or wooden platforms. We recommend visiting this place at sunset, where you can enjoy a spectacular view, you’ll love it!
- How to get to the Tancat de la Pipa? There are several ways to get to the Tancat de la Pipa. The first and most recommended option is to go by car. You’ll need to exit onto the V-31 and continue along the Albufera road until you reach the entrance gate of the Tancat de la Pipa. You’ll find the necessary signs. Another option is to take the bus, by taking bus number 25 towards El Saler, Gola del Pujol, or El Palmar.
Our base for visiting the surroundings of Valencia: Canet d'En Berenguer
Although Valencia’s beaches may not have the best reputation, you can find beautiful waters just a short distance from the city, such as Canet d’En Berenguer, where we stayed during our time in the area: clean, affordable, by the sea, and with very few tourists. Just 33 kilometers from the city, Canet offers a beach with clean waters and fine sand.
This area stretches about 80 meters and offers idyllic quality and tranquility, where you can enjoy a wonderful day in the sun. Additionally, you can enjoy incredible entertainment in the village once you’ve finished spending time on the beach.
- How to get to Canet d’En Berenguer? There are two ways to get to Canet d’En Berenguer. The first is by car from Valencia, taking the V-21 highway. Then take exit 1A towards Canet and you’ll reach your destination in just a few minutes. The journey takes about 35 minutes. Another way to get there is by taking bus 115C from Torres de Serrano and getting off at the Alfredo Simón stop. Once there, just walk 20 minutes to reach Canet. The journey takes about an hour and a half.
If you’re interested, here’s the link to our Airbnb apartment in Canet d’En Berenguer.
What to see in the surroundings of Valencia, more than an hour's drive away
If you have time and desire, I also recommend these beauties to visit in a day, if you want to leave the city of Valencia. They are more than an hour’s drive away, but I can assure you that they are absolutely worth the trip and will fully answer your initial question about what to do around Valencia.
La Mata Lagoons and Torrevieja Natural Park
This natural park in the province of Alicante features two main lagoons: La Mata, which has a greenish appearance, and the salt lake of Torrevieja, which boasts a spectacular pink color. The pink hue is due to bacteria present in the water. This network of rivers in the Sierra de San Miguel de Salinas gives rise to the lagoons, which are home to a wide variety of bird species, including the famous flamingo. It’s a perfect destination for birdwatching enthusiasts or nature photographers.
- To get to the Las Lagunas de La Mata Natural Reserve from Valencia, you’ll need to drive for about 2 hours and 20 minutes. You’ll take the A-7 towards Xàtiva, then switch to the A-35 briefly before getting on the A-33. From there, take the E-903 to merge onto the A-31. Finally, continue along the EL-20 and the CV-853 until you reach your destination. Alternatively, you can take a bus, which takes approximately 4 hours and 46 minutes. You’ll need to disembark in Alicante and then take a Costa Azul bus to Torrevieja, getting off at La Mata. From there, your destination is just a 6-minute walk away.
Santuario de Santa María Magdalena de Novelda
It would be logical to believe that this modernist church is located in Catalonia, but the Santuario de Santa María Magdalena de Novelda is actually in the city of Novelda, Alicante. Designed by the engineer José Sala Sala in Catalan modernist style, the construction of the church began in 1918 and was completed only in 1946. Its decorative elements are based on medieval and baroque styles and on nature itself. The sanctuary is part of the Camino de Santiago and has been nicknamed the ‘Little Sagrada Familia of Novelda’ – it’s easy to see why!
- Admission to the Santuario de Santa María Magdalena de Novelda is free, although you can choose to book a guided tour, the price of which depends on the type of tour.
- The visiting hours are in the morning from 10:00 to 14:00 and in the afternoon from 17:00 to 20:00.
- You can reach the sanctuary by car, taking a journey of almost 2 hours starting from the V-31 from Valencia. Then take the A-7 and continue for a while until you turn onto the A-35, then the A-31, and finally the N-325. You will need to exit onto the 213 from the A-31 and then exit onto the CV-832 towards Partida Molinos.
Tips for a perfect excursion in Valencia surroundings
There are no magic tricks to make a perfect vacation, especially with children. It’s important to be easy-going and not over-plan.
Planning every single day isn’t necessarily the most effective technique. Remember that while vacation might be a time for you to unwind and do things differently from your usual routine, it’s not necessarily the same for children. They have the same needs as any other day and won’t necessarily adjust just because you’re on vacation; they’ll still want to play, go out, eat, and so on.
Having a few “bonus” days with unplanned activities can be a good way to go, as well as involving them in decision-making and daily planning.
These suggested activities, outside the typical tourist circuit of Valencia but easily reachable in a day trip, can be good compromises to escape the chaos of Valencia.
Returning to Valencia with a heart full of memories
Now that you have read about some of the best things to do with kids in Valencia surroundings you can return to the city and enjoy all the attractions it has to offer. If you are planning a holiday in Valencia, I leave you below the links to the other articles I have written for this city.
Digitally Yours
☀️ Sara ☀️
