20 Best Things to Do outside Valencia

6. Albufera Natural Park

If you already enjoyed Bioparc Valencia birds show then it’s time to see some of them in their real habitat. Historic home of the paella, this area boasts incredible natural beauty, boat rides and amazing restaurants all in one! The Albufera has been a focus of Valencian agriculture for centuries. The Albufera is a giant lagoon beside the sea that is home to a huge variety of marsh-birds and other wildlife. The Moors drained over 90% of it (it used to reach all the way to the walls of the old city of Valencia) to develop their irrigation system still in use today. It was here in the marshlands where rice was grown that the paella, Spain’s most famous dish, was first invented. Come and enjoy a boat ride or sit by the beach and take in the sun. Easily accessible by public transport or by bike, a trip to Albufera promises a spectacular experience of nature….and great food!

This impressive valley is a great spot for hiking and photography. The town of Guadalest and its castle already existed in Muslim times and was conquered by Christians in the middle of the 1200’s. The castle of Guadalest itself was built by James II and is the focus of a number of Catholic festivals throughout the year including the Feast of San Gregorio and the Pilgramage of Gines in honour of Santa Aana, when people adorn traditional costumes and parade around the town. In addition the region boasts some unusual local cuisine such as rice with beans and turnips, the ‘mincho’, a stuffed pepper, rabbit with garlic, a baked pot of wheat called the ‘olleta’ and balls of corn, for example. The region is most easily accessible by car and make a great day or overnight trip.

Jávea is a coastal town in the in the province of Alicante, famous for its world-class beaches, great diving and excellent restaurants.. Situated behind a wide bay and sheltered between two rocky headlands, the town has become a very popular seaside resort and market town. Half of its resident population and over two thirds of its annual visitors are foreigners. The area was first inhabited in prehistoric times, 30,000 years ago by cave dwellers. Subsequent residents have included Stone and Bronze-age peoples, Romans, Greeks, Phoenicians, Visigoths, Germanic, Carthaginians and Moors. Roman fishing boats used the port over 2000 years ago, and there is evidence that dates the Roman occupation of Jávea to the 2nd century BC, which makes it the oldest known Roman site on the Spanish coast. Come and enjoy the incredible beach and fantastic scenery. The mojitos are waiting.

Granadella beach is a gravel beach situated in a secluded cove near Jávea. Voted two consecutive years as the best beach in Spain, it is isolated and beautiful and accessible only by car. Well known for cliff-diving scuba diving and snorkeling, the beauty of the waters of Grandella beach are admired by all who visit. The cove is serviced by three restaurants. A visit to Granadella beach is one of the best things to do in Valencia community.

Benitachell beach is located on a majestic and broken coast with cliffs that reach in some points 100 meters above the sea level. It’s a perfect place for diving enthusiasts who discover the attractive and interesting caves as well as offering a clean gravel beach. The transparent waters off Benitachell beach are a swimmers delight. Nestled between cliffs it has no buildings on the beach front, retaining its sense of unspoiled natural beauty. The beach is accessible by car and has nearby parking available.

The massive seaside peninsula rises like a monolith off the coast south of Jávea. This impressive landmark is one of the last foothills of the Béticas mountain range and reaches a height of 332 meters. Descending abruptly into the sea this great rock was used by early mapmakers when triangulating the size of Spain. From the top it’s possible to see the island of Formentera. Parque Natural del Peñón features an abundance of vegetation and fauna including thyme, Valencian horseshoe tail, and over 80 different species of bird! See nesting, migratory and wandering birds or catch a glimpse of the Eleonor falcon. Find Cormorán moths, starlings, raptors and gulls making their nests in the nooks and crevasses of the sunny southern wall. Surrounding the rock are excellent diving opportunities and great beaches. Climb the epic rock and experience one of the best places outside Valencia!

Listed as one of the most beautiful towns in Spain, Morella is an ancient walled city located on a hill-top in the province of Castellón in the Valencian Community, Spain. Here can be found traces of settlements by the Iberians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths and Moors stretching back 2500 years. Prehistoric remains in the area include cave paintings and Bronze Age burial sites at Hostal Nou. The Greeks established a treasury at Morella, and then the area became the scene of conflict between Carthaginians and the Roman Empire during the Punic Wars before it was Romanised. The Moors took the town in 714, naming it Maurela before it became Christain again during the reconquest of 1238. Morella is now a tourist destination, with many historic buildings, hotels and restaurants. Come and sample one of the typical gastronomic products Morella is known for such as flaons, a savory pastry dish. Local bakeries are also renowned for a number of other traditional pastries and sweets like mantecadas, an ancient kind of pound cake. Some of the top sights to see in Morella are the Castillo de Morella (Morella Castle), the aqueduct, La Iglesia de Santa María Morella (Saint Mary’s Church), Convento de San Francesc Morella (St. Francis’ Convent) and the Morella Museo Temps de Dinosaurs (Time of the Dinosaurs Museum). Wool and woolen goods still play an important part in the local economy. One of its most famous products is the uniquely designed Morella blanket, which has a range of color combinations and horizontal stripes. Agriculture, especially poultry and pig production are also important in the surrounding area.with craft products and highly valued black truffles still traded at seasonal markets during the winter. A trip here is well worth it. It’s well worth renting a car and taking a journey here.

Visit this spectacular hiking route which is located near the town of Requena in the mountains 40 km from Valencia. This incredible hiking route features walkways built into cliff faces, suspension bridges and crystal clear pools. You can also see paleolithic rock paintings along the route as well. This stupendous hiking trail is one of the best places outside Valencia.

Just outside of Benidorm on the Costa Blanca is Aqualandia, an enormous water-park that contains water slides, swimming pools, river rapids and sunbathing areas. A great day out is guaranteed with a trip to this impressive water-park. You won’t want to leave! Make a splash!

The Castle of Xàtiva is a castle located in the city of Xàtiva near Valencia Spain. It’s strategically located along the ancient route leading from Rome across the Pyrenees and all the way down the Mediterranean coast to Cartagena and Cádiz. In 1092, the castle fell into the hands of the Moors until King James I of Aragon recaptured it on 22 May 1244, following a five-month siege.It’s massive and beautiful battlements are a delight to explore and the view from the ramparts is breathtaking. A must-see for any history buffs or anyone who love castles.

25 km east of Valencia is an incredibly scenic hiking route with caves to explore, pools to take refreshing dips into and ravines to explore. On the motorway from Valencia to Madrid the start of the route also has a famous lunch stop as well, serving paellas and other traditional tapas. Buñol itself is the home of the famous Tomatina Festival (tomato throwing party!) and is an impressive medieval town in its own right with defensive walls and other historic fortifications.

One of the best things to do outside of Valencia is to visit the medieval village of Bocairent which sits on the top of hill and is comprised of a network of steep and twisted streets. This hill fortress town, 100 km south of Valencia is beautifully preserved and was declared a Historic Artistic Complex by the Spanish government is recognition of its exceptional historic importance. The streets of the medieval quarter are narrow and winding and many of the houses are perched upon the rock of the hill itself. At the top is the Parish Church of the Assumption of Our Lady and the re mains of a 16th Century castle. The curved streets and blind alleys are structures of Islamic origin from 1000 years ago and the view from the top is impressive.

At the top of a mountain overlooking the sea stands Cullera Castle, a short train ride from Valencia south along the coast. The current fortress was built in the 13th century over an old Moorish fortress. Climb the old towers that formed part of the old walled area on the mountain and take in the tremendous view of the beach resort below. Great beaches, views of the Med and an ancient castle, who could ask for more?

The most important monument of the city of Gandía is the Ducal Palace. It’s easy to visit by taking an hour-long train ride from Valencia. This important example of Valencian civil Gothic architecture and holiday house of San Francisco de Borja, its highlights include the Patio de Armas, and the Gothic and Golden Galleries. The Palace of Gandía, built in the 1400’s, is considered one of the most important mansions of the Crown of Aragon…and when you are done, the nearby beach awaits!

The lagoons of Mata and Torrevieja are a natural park in the province of Alicante 120 km south of Valencia. There are two main lagoons, the saline Torrevieja, La Mata, located 1.5 km to the northeast. A series of rivers from the Sierra de San Miguel de Salinas feed the lagoons which support a wide variety of exotic bird species. One of the star species of the park are the flamenco, which gather in flocks of around 2,000 during the breeding season. Also important is the presence of the black-eyed zampull with up to 3,000 specimens, as well as cigüeñuela, the white jar, the harrier, cenizo, the avoceta, the common tern, the charrancito and the caraway. For bird watchers, natural photographers or lovers of nature. A trip to the Lagoons is a pleasure.