5 MUST-VISIT TOWNS IN THE VALENCIAN COMMUNITY
Did you know that Spain was broken up into 17 autonomous communities? I certainly did not until I started researching about the area we were visiting over fall break. We stayed in Benissa, Spain, for one week, and we absolutely loved exploring the surrounding area during our time there. Each day, the girls and I took daily trips to different towns nearby. We loved each and every place we visited! So, we decided to put together a post on 5 must-visit towns in the Valencian Community!
1. Peñiscola
During our five-hour trip from Barcelona to Benissa, we stopped midway at the lovely town of Peñiscola. We started our time by walking up to the Peñiscola Castle (built in the 13th century), which is perched above the sea on a hill. The views on the walk up were gorgeous. Unfortunately, the castle was closed, but we were able to check out the church.
The streets of Peñiscola are paved with cobblestone, and it’s the perfect town to enjoy wandering around the winding streets. We enjoyed a delicious meal, checked out the house of shells, and even saw a filming of a movie! Also if you’re a fan of Game of Thrones, there are several filming spots in this amazing town!
2. Calpe
Calpe is a beautiful town along the coast known for its beaches. We were lucky enough to stay 10 minutes up the hill from this town so we were able to explore the beaches, the Rock of Ifach, the salt flats, and the Old Town!
The Rock of Ifach is a natural reserve that reaches 332m above the sea. If you decide to enter the reserve and hike to the rock, you need a reserved spot due to limited availability. Luckily, you are able to walk up the path before the entrance for free, which also has beautiful views. If you are a fan of flamingoes, make sure to visit Las Salinas next. There is even a walking trail around the salt lake to get the best views of the birds that call it home.
The Old Town of Calpe is also incredible. Calpe was originally a fishing village and we enjoyed walking around the narrow, pedestrian streets. The city is full of color and art, and the kids loved the activities painted on the streets!
To see more of our time in Calpe, check out our Youtube video from our days in Calpe!
3. Altea
The white old town of Altea sits up on a hill. It is known for the all-white color scheme. The girls and I loved wandering through the streets, checking out the shops, and enjoying the views of the sea. The highlight of the town is the large church in the middle (Church of Our Lady of Consulation). The Church has two domes that are decorated with beautiful blue tiles.
4. Alicante
Alicante is the 8th largest city in Spain. We were lucky enough to stay about an hour from this city! We decided the best way to see this city in one evening was to sign up for a free walking tour! We joined the Hidden Alicante tour and really enjoyed it! Free walking tours are such a great way to see a city in a short time and learn about the history, culture, and daily life! And, Guillermo was an incredible tour guide!
To see more of our time in Alicante, check out our Youtube video about our evening in this amazing city!
5. Villajoyosa
On our last full day in Spain, the girls and I jumped in the car and headed south to Villajoyosa. This town is known for its colorful houses and amazing beaches. According to the legend, the bright colors on the houses helped the fisherman to return home for the evening. We loved walking along the promenade, seeing the bright colors, and enjoying the playground on the beach!
If you are a fan of chocolate, make sure to visit the Valor chocolate museum. Valor has been making delicious chocolate since 1881, and they offer free tours in Spanish and English throughout the day. There is a take-a-number system outside of the entrance so grab one and go explore before the tour!
We hope you enjoy visiting these amazing coastal towns as much as we did! Thank you for wandering along with us!
