When most people think about visiting Spain, their minds wander to the two biggest cities; Madrid and Barcelona. But, Valencia comes in at a close third as one of the largest places in the country.
It’s a brilliant place to stay in Spain, largely thanks to its location. There are so many amazing destinations just an hour or so away by train, meaning you can pick and choose loads of excellent day trips during your stay.
If you’re looking for some inspiration, then here are the best day trips from Valencia to consider:
Visit the medieval town of Morella
One of the joys of going away is that you get to see loads of charming towns and cities that are so different from what you’re used to.
When you’re in Valencia, make the short journey to Castellon – just a little bit to the north – and you will find a stunning little town called Morella. What sets this apart from other places is that it retains a very medieval structure. All of the buildings are old and weathered, but the main attraction is a large castle on top of the hill.
It’s a great place to explore and have a look inside the castle grounds to get a real taste for medieval life. There are even some quaint caves nearby that have earned the rank of a world heritage site – it’s just a beautiful place to spend a day!
Morella is very easy to get to as well, which is a big bonus. There are trains with just one connection, and you can even get a bus as well. So, if you want a cultural day trip that takes you back in time, then this is it.
Explore the Albufera Natural Park
L’Albufera is a small place in the southern parts of Valencia that offers an amazing day trip opportunity. Firstly, it’s only a few kilometres away, so you can get there by renting a bike and cycling. Alternatively, pay for a short bus to save time, and you’ll be there before you know it.
While convenience is a huge positive, the main reason you should go here is the Albufera Natural Park.
There are no words to describe other than that it pushes the boundaries of natural beauty. There’s a massive lake that shimmers in the sun, some wonderful wildlife and natural surroundings – and a lot of excellent food as well.
This is the type of place you visit on a warm day when you want a break from the city of Valencia. Walk or cycle around the park and take pictures of the stunning animals in their natural habitats, or enjoy a boat trip on the large lake. When it’s time to eat, you can indulge yourself on some of the finest paellas Spain has ever seen.
There’s a lot for you to see, and even more for you to do. The location is so convenient for anyone staying in Valencia, so put this at the top of your list of day trips!
See the hanging houses of Cuenca
Cuenca sits midway between Valencia and Madrid, making it a lovely place to stop as you make it between the two famous cities. Thanks to its location, you can get there with ease via one of the fast trains so it won’t take you long at all.
What’s so special about Cuenca? Well, aside from the fact it’s absolutely gorgeous, there are also some iconic houses to be seen here. They’re dubbed the ‘hanging houses,’ and it doesn’t take long to see why. These homes are built on mountains and cliffsides, and they essentially hang off. It doesn’t look safe at all, yet many locals live there and enjoy themselves! Definitely not something you see every day, and well worth taking a few pictures of.
Along with this, there are some incredible rock landscapes that make up natural works of art. It’s hard to believe they look like this purely thanks to nature – they’re like the sort of sculptures you see in art museums! All in all, Cuenca is a beautiful place to go, and it offers a bit of peace and quiet on your way to Madrid.
Explore Madrid
Of course, we can’t finish this list without mentioning Madrid. What else is there to say other than that this city is home to dozens of incredible museums, some wonderful sights, and a bustling city. It’s a bucket list destination as well, so make sure you cross it off your list by going for a day trip from Valencia.
As mentioned before, there’s a high-speed train that connects the two cities, so you may as well take advantage of it.
If you’re looking for some of the top day trips from Valencia, then consider all of these options. They all offer something unique, and they’re all within an hour or so of Valencia!
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