The perfect day trip from Valencia to Peñiscola is waiting for you! Approximately 1.5 hours by car from the centre of the city of Valencia is a beautiful Mediterranean town located on the sea: Peñiscola. This quaint town is a tourist destination for good reason, with restaurants overlooking the vast expanse of the sea, a giant historic castle, buildings that look like they’ve come right from Greece or Rome, and palm trees along the roads, there is so much to see in Peñiscola.
For bus transportation, my group used ‘Autobuses Buñol’ for transportation from the city of Valencía to Peñiscola. The transportation service picked us up from central Valencía and brought us to a central location in Peñiscola. Check out the link at the end of this article for more information on the company! The journey took about an hour and 30 minutes.
Walk Throughout the City
Although visitors could easily spend a weekend in Peñiscola, a one-day trip was just as satisfying for me. The majority of my day was spent exploring the Peñiscola Castle, which is nestled on a rocky cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Upon arriving around 11 am on Friday, my group was met by three wonderful local tour guides who walked us through the city and into the castle.
Walking through the city was like taking a step back in time. The narrow, winding cobblestone roads led us through the steep terrain of the city and allowed incredible vantage points to see the city below. Even at the lowest points in the city, there are still stunning views of the Mediterranean and the landscape surrounding it.
The stunning white buildings pay tribute to the Greek and Roman colonial architecture, the result of settlers from years past. I liked to think of it as a little slice of the Greek coast but in Spain! Although many of the homes and businesses were white, locals seemed to add their own touches everywhere you go, with plants, painted terraces, and pottery lining the streets.
A couple of other stops made along the way included “El Bufador”, the natural blowhole of rock crevices where you can hear the echo of the ocean; and “La Casa de Conchas”, the house of shells, a house covered entirely by–you guessed it–beach shells!
Experience the life of a King
The Peñiscola Castle could have been explored for hours. With its numerous rooms, live videos explaining the history, breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, and unique architectural aspects, there is so much to see. I spent about an hour in the castle, but without a local guide, I likely would have been there the whole day!
We started our official tour of the castle at the entrance, where you must have a ticket to continue, but you can walk around the base of the castle without a ticket and still marvel at the architecture and sheer size of the castle. Regular tickets cost 5€, but there are several discounts available, including for teachers, students, large groups, and children.
Once inside, we entered multiple rooms where Papa (Pope) Luna reigned for several years, among a slew of other kings (–if you take a guided tour your local tour guide can tell you all about this). Some of the rooms included working chambers, sleeping rooms, large meeting spaces, and a dining area. Many of the rooms were set up to resemble how they may have looked several hundred years ago, to truly give visitors an authentic experience.
Local dishes at Brizza Restaurant
After finishing the tour of the castle, I stopped at ‘Brizza’ Restaurant for lunch. Unlike many of the other restaurants in Peñiscola, this business was still open, even in the slower, colder season. Here, I enjoyed a beautifully crafted lunch while overlooking the clear, blue Mediterranean Sea, literally! My table was right against the edge of the outdoor patio, with direct views of the entire sea. My group enjoyed Agua de Valencía, patatas bravas, paella, and even free shots at the end of our meal. This incredible experience was well worth the stop, and I recommend visitors to try this restaurant, among the several others that dot the walk up/down from the castle. More info: https://www.restaurantebrizza.com/
Don’t forget the beach
To finish out the day, I explored more of the local shops and cafes along the beach. There are plenty of places to grab a magnet, check out some local pottery, or stop for a coffee. After getting coffee and pastries at a local shop, I walked along the sandy beach, looking at the clear, blue water ahead. It was a perfect day. In early March, the weather was sunny, slightly breezy, and around 16 degrees Celsius. Next time you have a free day in Valencia and want to see where ‘Game of Thrones or El Cid were filmed, head to Peñiscola, the city in the sea.
Report by Anna Willerer
Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’
Peñiscola photos copyright Anna Willerer/ ’24/7 Valencia’
Transport details:
Autocares Buñol
Menendez Pidal Avenue, 9
46009, Valencia
Spain
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