We're going to be spending 2-1/2 weeks in Valencia, and I'm thinking we would like to take a couple of day trips. Nothing too far. Alicante is probably too far. I have a couple in mind, but I'd like to hear from other people who have done day trips from Valencia or visited places near Valencia. We like art, architecture, history, wandering around, seeing the sights. No bicycling. Looking for suggestions.
Posted by
new york
1466 posts
Are you interested in sampling rice dishes?
Posted by
OP
Jacksonville, Florida
291 posts
Whatever suggestion you have for a day trip.
Posted by
Sweden + Barcelona
4290 posts
Ok so some daytrips within 2 hrs from Valencia? Yes there are a few I've been to that I can suggest, you have:
Peñíscola (1:30 hr by car) - cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, the old town of Peñíscola sits on a big rock that juts out into the sea. The town is dominated by a large Knights Templar castle that looks like something right out of the Crusades.
Sagunto aka Saguntum (30 min by car) - ancient settlement sacked by Hannibal Barca that led to the Second Punic War. Now an eclectic mix of Roman, Moorish, and Christian fortifications.
Cuenca (1:30 hr by AVE high speed train) - a unique medieval town hanging off the side of a cliff, UNESCO heritage site. The AVE line makes a stop in Cuenca's Fernando Zobel station, which is about 15 min from the centre of town.
For other ideas here is my trip report from the general area and the nearby "off the beaten path" Matarraña region in particular - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/undiscovered-spain-mediterranean-roadtrip-2023