Day trips from Valencia: 8 ideas for a day out

One of the great perks of living in Valencia: everything is close by. Roman castles, hilltop villages, rice paddies and turquoise coves are all doable in a day — often by train, no car needed. Here are eight ideas for your next Sundays.

1. The Albufera and El Palmar

20-30 min south (EMT bus 24/25). Spain's largest lake, its rice fields, a boat ride at sunset and paella in its birthplace. The easiest escape.

2. Sagunto

~25 km, Cercanias train (~40 min). A thousand-year-old castle over the sea and a 1st-century Roman theatre.

3. Xativa

~55 km, train (~45 min). A spectacular double castle along a ridge and an old town full of fountains.

4. The northern Costa Blanca: Gandia, Denia, Javea

Gandia is a direct train (~1h15), perfect for the beach. Denia and Javea (coves, Cabo de la Nao) need a bus from Gandia or a car.

5. Cullera

~38 km, Cercanias train (~50 min). Beaches, a lighthouse and a castle — the easiest beach option by public transport.

6. Peniscola

~140 km north (~2h, bus or car). The Templar castle perched on a rock above the sea, a Game of Thrones filming location.

7. Requena and the wine route

~70 km west (train ~1h). Bobal-grape country, its wineries and Requena's medieval centre. Bring a car or a tour to visit the cellars.

8. Chulilla and its hanging bridges

~1h by car. A spectacular ~10 km hike between two suspension bridges in a Turia canyon. Car needed.

No car? Stick to destinations on the Renfe Cercanias network (Sagunto, Xativa, Gandia, Cullera): frequent departures from Estacio del Nord, tickets for a few euros. For nature and remote villages, a car is most practical.

Always check current Renfe timetables before you go. And keep our transport guide handy for the SUMA card and passes.

Sources

• Renfe — Cercanias Valencia
• Visit Valencia — Peniscola

Information checked in June 2026. Schedules and prices change: always confirm with the official source before travelling. The Daily Valencia is an AI-assisted, human-reviewed publication — spotted a mistake? Write to us.