Things to Do in the Region of Valencia

There are countless things to do in the Region of Valencia! Located on the eastern coast of Spain and stretching along the Mediterranean Sea, it’s the fourth largest region by population in the country and the eighth largest by area. From beaches and natural parks to cuisine and historical monuments, there’s something for everyone in the Region of Valencia.

Today with Civitatis, we’ll dive into what makes the Region of Valencia so special, and some of our favourite things to do in Valencia while we’re there!

• Coastal Towns
• Valencian Beaches
• Cultural Monuments
• Churches
• Cathedrals
• Nature: Lakes and Parks
• Museums
• For Kids

The Region of Valencia is home to 3 large cities,  each of which is located in the province of the same name: Valencia, Alicante and Castellón. With a mixture of coastal cities, mountains and national parks, all three provinces have something completely unique on offer.

In the following sections, you’ll find recommendations of things to do in all three provinces comprising the Region of Valencia. Let’s go!

Coastal Towns

If you want to avoid the larger cities, a visit to one of Valencia’s many coastal towns is ideal. And there’s a lot to choose from!

From north to south, the first coastal town on our list is Peñíscola. Often the postcard picture for the Region of Valencia, this destination sits on a peninsula and is the perfect place to explore beautiful narrow streets with traditional white-washed houses, breathe in incredible views of the Mediterranean and enjoy a vast sandy beach. If you’re planning a trip to Valencia, check out the different activities we offer in Peñíscola!

Heading further south, we enter the province of Alicante, which is home to arguably some of the most delightful coastal towns in the Region of Valencia. Beyond the beautiful historic centres defined by winding white-washed streets, the towns in this province are also renowned for their water-based activities. Fancy kayaking in Altea, Denia or Javea? Or how about these diving initiation, snorkelling or paddle surfing activities in Javea? And if you want to enjoy the water in a more laid-back fashion, these sunset catamaran cruises from Denia, Calpe and Javea are just what you’re looking for.

Our final coastal town is Villajoysa. Just 30 minutes north of the city of Alicante, this town is famous for its brightly coloured houses. Take a free guided tour around the town, exploring its narrow streets, learning about its history and admiring its ancient aqueduct. If you’re planning a trip to Alicante, you can enjoy a day trip to Villajoyosa and Altea from the city. There’s so much to discover in the Region of Valencia!

Valencian Beaches

One of the main reasons that tourists flock to the Region of Valencia is to unwind in the sun on incredible beaches. If you’re in the city of Valencia, the obvious options are La Malvarossa and La Patacona since both are easily accessible on public transport and have large golden stretches of sand where you can relax.

Just 40 km (25 miles) down from the capital, Cullera is another great coastal town. It’s a popular holiday destination for Spaniards so you’ll get a much more authentic Spanish experience if you choose to spend a holiday here. With a number of long sandy beaches to choose from, it’s the perfect spot for those wanting to relax under the Mediterranean sun. You can browse the activities on offer in Cullera here.

One of the most popular beach spots in the Region of Valencia is undoubtedly Alicante. You can’t miss El Postiguet Beach as it’s right in the city centre. However, due to this prime location, it’s often very busy at all times of the day, all year around. An alternative option is to catch the bus or metro to San Juan Beach whose 7 km-long (4.4 mile) stretch of the coast promises plenty of space to relax, enjoy beach activities or swim in the warm Mediterranean waters. Check out these tours in and around Alicante to add a little more to your beach holiday.

Cultural Monuments: Churches and Cathedrals

There’s so much history to discover in the Region of Valencia. Learn all about this region’s past by visiting its many churches and cathedrals.

Churches

The Region of Valencia’s long Catholic past has left the destination scattered with churches, most of which are topped with an iconic blue-tiled dome. Most of these places of worship are beautiful inside and out and you’ll find them in every city and town in the region. They’re well worth a visit if you’re visiting the region.

If you’re in Valencia, we’d recommend visiting San Nicholas Church, a 13th-century church nestled in the heart of the city. The church has undergone a number of renovations over the years, leaving it with the stunning architecture and paintings that characterise it today. It should definitely be on your list of things to do in Valencia.

Cathedrals

Did you know that the Holy Grail is on display at Valencia Cathedral? Located between two beautiful squares in Valencia’s historic centre, the Gothic cathedral is elaborately decorated inside and out. We’d highly recommend joining the Valencia Holy Grail Tour to learn all about this religious cup and the cathedral that houses it.

Alicante Cathedral is another Valencian Gothic place of worship. Though it’s considerably smaller than Valencia Cathedral, it’s steeped in history.

On this private tour of Alicante, you can explore Santa Marta Basilica and San Nicolás Co-Cathedral, as well as Santa Barbara Castle and many other sights in the city. The perfect way to combine history and culture on your holiday.

Nature: Lakes and Parks

North of Valencia

Just north of the region’s capital, you can find Sierra Calderona. Did you know that it’s the largest green space near Valencia city? The natural park is the best place to go on incredible hikes and be rewarded with stunning views over the coast. Explore the park’s incredible nature on this ATV Tour—you won’t regret it!

Slightly further north is the Serra d’Espadà Natural Park. This natural park is a protected olive oil area thanks to the high quality of olive trees here. It’s an ideal spot for hiking if you’re visiting the province of Castellón! Sitting at the entrance of the park in La Vall d’Uixo are the spectacular Sant Josep Caves. This cave system boasts one of the largest underground rivers in Europe. Delve into these magnificent caves with us on this Sant Josep Caves Trip.

Another must-see destination in the Region of Valencia is Chulilla. The small town is a joy to explore but the main attraction is the hike along a canyon with towering cliffs where you can walk across hanging bridges that traverse the river. Join this Day Trip to Chulilla to make sure you don’t miss out.

South of Valencia

Heading south, Albufera makes a perfect day trip from Valencia city. Just 10 km (6 miles) to the south, Albufera Natural Park and Lake is home to hundreds of species of birds and fish: perfect for animal lovers. In the months around February, you might just be lucky enough to see migrating flamingos here. The freshwater lake is also surrounded by rice fields where the quality rice used to make Valencian paella is grown. Want to discover the Albufera? Join us on this Albufera Day Trip from Valencia or opt for the Albufera Tourist Bus and Boat Cruise activity to discover more about this magnificent place.

Further south, we come across Guadalest. Nestled in the mountains in the province of Alicante, the tiny town has been officially listed one of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain. You’ll have incredible views of the surrounding mountains and lake. Additionally, you can visit its medieval castle and explore the town on this Guadalest and Algar Fountains Day Trip.

A final spot worth mentioning is the Salt Flats in Torrevieja. This huge lake is a spectacle for the eye as the salt paints the water a bright pink which contrasts with the white salt on the shore. Like Albufera, migrating flamingos graze here at certain times of the year. Come and see why it’s so well-known on the Torrevieja Salt Flats Tour!

Museums

Still not sure what you can get up to in the Region of Valencia? Valencia city boasts a wide range of fascinating museums. Nevertheless, the most iconic have to be those in the City of Arts and Sciences. This architectural and cultural project began in 1996 with the latest addition to the site completed in 2009. Today, it’s home to an opera house, an aquarium (L’Oceanografic), a science museum, a cinema and planetarium (L’Hemisferic), a garden (L’Umbracle) and other event spaces.

This area is spectacular to look at from the outside. However, if you want to discover what’s going on inside you can purchase tickets to the Hemisferic, Oceanografic or a ticket that includes the Hemisferic, Oceanografic and the Science Museum. You’ll have a blast!

For Kids

Although kids will enjoy most of the things mentioned in this post detailing things to do in the Region of Valencia, we wanted to add a few things that are especially fun for the whole family. A popular day out in Valencia is a visit to BioParc. This zoo, which opened in 2008, is home to a huge collection of African and South American species. From meerkats and aardvarks to leopards and zebras, you’ll be sure to spot your favourite animals. Get your Valencia BioParc ticket today!

Another museum in Valencia that both kids and adults will enjoy is the Tin Soldier Museum. Explore a museum full of scenes comprising tiny figurines that depict famous moments in history. L’Iber: The Tin Solider Museum is a great way of combining history and fun.

We hope you enjoyed this list of things to do in the Region of Valencia. Now it’s time to book your holiday and decide which activities to put on your itinerary!