With elegant architecture, impressive eco-credentials and bohemian beaches, it’s easy to fall in love with Valencia. It would be tempting to spend every day in Spain‘s third-largest city, but do make time for day trips – there are some incredible experiences nearby.
To the west, Requena has charming wineries with hotel rooms between the vines, to the south Dénia serves world-famous seafood, and the pristine hot springs of Montanejos are a refuge in the mountains to the north.
So dive deeper into the wider region of Valencia and plan your next adventure with our list of day trips.
1. Swim in the hot springs at Montanejos
Travel time: Around 1 hour 20 minutes by car
The balmy water of Fuente de los Baños (€3/US$3.25, €2/US$2.17) 4–10 years, under 4s go free) must be one of the dreamiest bathing spots in Spain. Tall rocks shelter the transparent emerald water, and people swim through the ravine ushered by warm currents from hot springs. The water is always around 25ºC/77ºF (although it often feels a bit chillier), making it a good spot for a wild swim year-round. Legend goes that 13th-century king Abú Zayd made these baths for his wives, so they could bathe in the water’s rich minerals and maintain their youthful beauty.
How to get to Montanejos from Valencia: Driving is the easiest way to arrive, but if car hire isn’t an option join one of the tours from Valencia city center. Go Valencia Tours hosts a day-long trip for €89 (US$96), departing from Estación del Norte.
2. Go boating in the Albufera
Travel time: 30 minutes by car; around 1 hour by bus
The Parque Natural de la Albufera is a historic nature reserve around 15km (9 miles) south of Valencia. People have fished the freshwater lake here since prehistoric times, and the rice paddies have been around since the 18th century. The rice is used in the best paellas – try one in El Palmar (Bon Aire has rice paddy views and an award-winning house paella). A handful of boat trips operate in the area, too. Try Paseos en Barca El Pero for a private tour, taking in reeds, patient herons and triangle-shaped farm houses called barracas.
How to get to the Albufera from Valencia: It’s a 30-minute drive south, but the bus is an excellent option. Take the number 24 from Porta de la Mar, it…
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