Day trips from Valencia by train are the sweet spot for easy escapes. Quick hops to coastal towns, hilltop castles, underground rivers and proper paella in lagoon villages, all without a car. Regular services drop you close to the sights, so the day skews toward lazy promenades and shady plazas rather than queues and parking meters.
Best day trips from Valencia by train (Cercanías, regional and high-speed)
Xàtiva
A proper castle day. After about an hour, you’re in Xàtiva, where twin fortifications run along a ridge above tiled roofs and orange trees. Wander the old quarter, then tackle the zigzag path or local shuttle up to Xàtiva Castle for widescreen views and shady ramparts. Lunch is unhurried and hearty in the centre, with rice dishes and local cold cuts.
From Estació del Nord, take Cercanías C‑2 to Xàtiva in about 50–60 minutes, then it’s a 20–30 minute uphill walk or short local bus to the castle.
Local tip: start at the top castle gate and walk down, saving knees and time.
Sagunto
Thirty-odd minutes north, Sagunto delivers serious ruins close to the coast. Climb through the old town to the restored Roman Theatre and sprawling Sagunto Castle, with mosaics, walls and sea views. If you’ve time, dip to Port de Sagunt for a late swim and paseo on the sandy beach.
Cercanías C‑6 from Estació del Nord to Sagunt takes roughly 35–45 minutes, with local buses or taxis linking the station to the old town, castle and Port de Sagunt beach.
Local tip: go early, then use a bus or taxi between the historic centre and the beach to save the uphill trudge.
Gandia
An easy hour down the coast, Gandia blends palace and beach. Start at the Palau Ducal dels Borja for frescoes and patios, then hop on the seasonal shuttle to the beach where the sand runs for miles. The dunes at l’Auir feel wilder if you fancy a quieter stretch.
Cercanías C‑1 runs from Estació del Nord to Gandia in about 1 hour, and in season a shuttle or local bus gets you to Gandia Platja in 10–15 minutes.
Local tip: if the beachfront is busy, ride a couple more stops to l’Alqueria de la Comtessa for space and sea breeze.
Castelló de la Plana
North of Valencia, Castelló de la Plana is an easy city day with green pockets and a laid-back centre. Stroll the Plaça Major, clock the modernisme façades, and detour to Ribalta Park for shade. If you want sea, tram or bus, it to Grau de Castelló and the pines of El Pinar before your train back.
Go by Cercanías C‑6 from Estació del Nord or a quicker Media Distancia/Euromed from Joaquín Sorolla to Castelló in 1–1.5 hours.
Local tip: the tram L1 links the rail station, centre and port smoothly. Buy a simple single on board and skip long walks.
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Cullera
Close enough for a half day, Cullera gives wide beaches and a hilltop Cullera Castle with great panoramas. Mix a morning swim on Sant Antoni or Racó with a castle visit and a lighthouse walk out by the lighthouse. Seafood terraces run along the promenade for an easy late lunch.
Local tip: get off at Cullera town station and grab the local bus or a short taxi to the castle first, then drift down to the sand to finish cool.
Cercanías C‑1 to Cullera takes 45–60 minutes from Estació del Nord, with a short bus or taxi up to the castle or across to Sant Antoni/Racó beach.
Cuenca
Barely an hour on the train brings you to Cuenca, all pale stone and gorges. Cross the San Pablo Bridge to the Hanging Houses, then meander the upper town lanes with views into the Huécar ravine. Museums are strong here, from abstract art to archaeology, and cafés cling to viewpoints.
High‑speed AVE or Iryo from Joaquín Sorolla gets you to Cuenca–Fernando Zóbel in 55–65 minutes, then it’s a 10–15 minute shuttle bus or taxi to the old town.
Local tip: the high‑speed station is outside town, so use the shuttle bus or a taxi straight to Plaza Mayor to maximise old‑town time.
Requena‑Utiel
Head inland to Requena, one of the most beautiful towns near Valencia, for wine caves and medieval lanes in earthy, vineyard country. Explore the honeycombed Cuevas de la Villa, peek into small museums, and taste Bobal reds at nearby bodegas. It’s slower-paced, with sensible prices and proper menus del día.
Local tip: tastings book up at weekends; line up one bodega near the station to avoid long transfers between villages.
Use Cercanías C‑3 or a Media Distancia from Estació del Nord to Requena in roughly 1–1.5 hours. Note that the AVE “Requena‑Utiel” station sits outside town and needs a taxi or shuttle.
Alicante
On a fast service, Alicante works as a long city‑by‑the‑sea day. Ride up to Santa Bárbara Castle for harbour views, wander the mosaic Explanada de España, then dip into the old town around Santa Cruz for tapas. Finish with a paddle at Playa del Postiguet before your evening train.
Local tip: take the lift to the castle from Postiguet to save time and legs, then walk down through the park.
Fast AVE/Euromed services from Joaquín Sorolla reach Alicante in about 1h45–2h10, while slower regional trains from Estació del Nord take longer but can cost less.
Quick planning for Valencia train day trips
Most commuter and regional services leave Estació del Nord, while high‑speed trains use Joaquín Sorolla. High‑speed tickets include a shuttle between the two stations, so transfers are straightforward.
Ticket types are simple. Cercanías for short hops, Media Distancia for regional routes, and high‑speed services for longer jumps such as Alicante, Cuenca or Madrid.
On board, you’ll usually find air‑con, overhead luggage racks and toilets on regional and high‑speed services. Cercanías trains are frequent and fuss‑free, and regulars often wait near the doors for quicker exits at smaller stops.
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