9 of the Best Day Trips from Valencia

Valencia is amazing by itself, but if you ever want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you have some great options. These are the best day trips from Valencia:

Quick facts about Spain

Exploring Valencia

Valencia is Spain’s 3rd largest city and definitely worth exploring on its own! It’s a still vibrant but more local Spanish version of Barcelona, and is about 2 hours from Madrid or Barcelona, serving as an excellent day trip from the larger cities and an excellent city break.

How many days do you need in Valencia?

There are several things to do in Valencia, so you should definitely dedicate a few days to seeing the city, as well as the smaller towns in the region. The day trips from Valencia include amazing beaches, historical villages and castles, and are extremely underrated! Many people who come to Valencia just stick to the city and are missing out on these great destinations!

Day trips from Valencia

1. Peñiscola

1 Hour 40 minutes

To the north of Valencia is a little town called Peñiscola. Peñiscola is amazing because there’s a castle at the top of the hill with a museum, and a view of the Mediterranean. The beachfront and walk up to the castle is filled with restaurants and traditional style shops. Climb to the top of the hill and pay a minor fee to visit the castle and take photos of the amazing view.

2. Dénia

1 Hour 15 minutes

Dénia will always hold a special place in my heart because it was my first home in Spain. This small town isn’t very well known outside of the Costa Blanca, but has very chill vibes, a small castle, and nice beaches. Next to Dénia is the National Park where you can climb Montgó. Also be sure to check out the caves called ‘Les Rotes‘.

3. Jávea

1 Hour 20 minutes

On the other side of Montgó is Jávea. Jávea is a bit more touristy, and tends to have a plethora of British expats. Because of that though, you can find some great restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Jávea also has secluded beaches you can hike down to, like the one in the picture called ‘Granadella‘.

4. Calpe

1 Hour 30 minutes

Calpe is characterized by the huge rock, called Penon de Ifach, on the coast. You can climb the rock to have a scenic view of the ocean, or stay on the ground and enjoy the coastline. The rest of the city is a bit more industrial, but having the rock in the background sure makes for some excellent beach views! There are plenty of things to do in Calpe, so it makes an excellent day trip from Valencia!

5. Altea

1 Hour 30 minutes

Altea is a small village with a rocky beach. It’s extremely picturesque, with its white buildings and a blue dome topped cathedral at the top of the hill. You’ve likely seen photos or videos of the white streets of Altea on social media, as it has gotten increasingly popular in the past few years.

6. Xàtiva

1 hour

This hilltop castle town is only an hour from Valencia and fairly easy to reach by public transport. The little town is lovely, but then you will need to either hike up, taxi, or take the tourist train to visit the castle. Entrance costs 6 euros and you are treated to spectacular views of the surrounding region.

7. Villajoyosa

1 hour 30 minutes

This colorful seaside village is great for stopping through! It’s vibrant, and there are many restaurants on the beach for decent prices! Definitely worth the stop!

8. Alicante

2 hours

I spent a summer here working in a hostel and find it so underrated! Alicante is a bit more industrial, but has a castle, a nice coastline, and is a good connector to places like Torrevieja, Guadalest, Villajoyosa, and more. If you missed Las Fallas in Valencia, you can find the smaller scale version during the summer in Alicante, called ‘Las Fogueras.’ It’s easy to visit Alicante by train, unlike some of the other destinations on this list! There are lots of things to do in this city, which makes Alicante the perfect day trip.

9. Castillo de Guadalest

2 Hours

A bit far, but worth it. Castillo de Guadalest is a castle town in the mountains. You can tour the castle, and the medieval village feels like you’ve stepped back in time. If you have the time and resources, I also recommend checking ‘Les Fonts d’Algar‘, a series of waterfalls that are both beautiful and refreshing in the hot summer.

Let me know in the comments what you think are the best day trips from Valencia and more on the Costa Blanca! Be sure and also check out other things to do in Valencia