The ultimate guide to the province of Valencia: what to see to understand and enjoy the region

We explore the Valencian province’s charms throughout this guide: unique natural spaces, cities with an exceptional historical heritage, charming villages and one of the best gastronomies in Spain.

We explore the Valencian province’s charms throughout this guide: unique natural spaces, cities with an exceptional historical heritage, charming villages and one of the best gastronomies in Spain.

Updated: 05/12/25 | 13:16 | Read time: 9 min.

Valencia is a province full of surprises. Its impressive coastal landscapes, its natural spaces, and its beautiful architecture compose a singular colour palette. If you ever visit Valencia, you will fall in love with a province famous for its paella, its popular festivities, and the warmth of its people. Although some people boast about knowing this province, the truth is that there are some wonders of Valencia that you should see at least once in your life that most people don’t know about. They are a must to soak in the true essence of this Mediterranean jewel.

Wonders in Valencia to see at least once in life

El Saler

We begin this tour through Valencia’s must-sees in El Saler, one of the best beaches in Valencia that sits in the impressive Albufera Natural Park. The gorgeous natural surroundings are composed of dunes and vegetation that lead to crystalline waters where you cannot only float and relax, but also practise water sports too.

El Dosel

shutterstock_389187919 — El Dosel Beach. | Shutterstock

This is another gem in the Albufera Natural Park. White dunes scattered throughout the gorgeous, golden landscape. Its extensive longitude and abundant nature turn this sandbank into one of the magical spots in Valencia in a scenery of great scenic value.

La Malvarrosa

The most popular among locals and tourists. Malvarrosa Beach sits in the city of Valencia and is the perfect choice for those who want to take a dip in the Mediterranean Sea without leaving the city. With an extension of 100 square metres, this golden sandbank is surrounded by palm trees and offers a quiet atmosphere that is perfect to relax in.

L'Albufera

The Albufera Natural Park is home to Spain’s largest lake and is a true wonder that charms everyone who visits it. Only 10 kilometres from the city of Valencia, this beautiful spot of forests and rice fields is the perfect place to watch a sunset and perform fun activities such as a boat ride. It is the shelter of more than 300 birds, including flamingoes, and hides the ecosystem of natural dunes and pine forest of Devesa. An impressive natural scenery that you should visit.

The 'knives' of Contreras

Hoces del Cabriel Natural Reserve. | Shutterstock

Located in the frontier between Valencia and Cuenca, these fascinating natural formations sit in the Hoces del Cabriel Natural Reserve. When you reach this imposing place, you won’t be able to take your eyes off it. Spiky rocks point at the sky, creating a scale of sharp points that resemble knives. The stratification due to the erosion caused by rain has formed this breathtaking landscape of vertical spikes that flows throughout the riverside forest, scrubs, and a dam.

Los Calderones

This beautiful sight is one of the best ways to meet the natural spirit of the province of Valencia. The Paraje Natural Municipal Los Calderones expands throughout the Turia River and is considered one of the most beautiful natural parks in the Valencian Community. A route of one hour is the best way to explore this old path that Chulilla’s workers used to get to work in the 50s. Its green paths and hanging bridges lead to Charco Azul, a wonderful dam to refresh and relax under the sun.

Cova Negra

Declared a Paraje Natural Municipal in 2006, this natural wonder is one of the must-sees in the province of Valencia. Located in a valley bathed by the Albaida River, near Xàtiva, its dirt roads and thick vegetation show the path to follow to discover the reservoir of Cova Negra, considered a Bien de Interés Cultural thanks to being home to part of the historical heritage of European prehistory.

City of Arts and Sciences

This is Valencia’s monument par excellence. A true architectural masterpiece of vanguardist design created by architect Santiago Calatrava, a visit to this spot is highly recommended. The City of Arts and Sciences is a complex of futurist inspiration that hosts the Science Museum, the Oceanographic, and the Agora. It shows us the diverse animal and plant species that live in the Mediterranean Sea and other areas of the world. We highly recommend this visit if you are travelling with family.

Valencia’s Central Market

A masterpiece of Valencian Modernism. You will fall in love at first sight with its elegant façade and interior decoration. The Mercado Central (or Central Market) is the perfect opportunity to discover the province’s typical architecture and enjoy its traditional gastronomy in the diverse food stalls and typical products that can be found in the facilities. It is also a sample of daily life and the rhythm of the city.

Valencia’s cathedral

Valencia’s cathedral has a unique particularity. Its current design combines diverse architectural styles such as Romanesque and Neoclassicism, among others. Located at the picturesque Plaza de la Reina, this historical wonder contains a clock tower known as El Micalet that can be accessed. The panoramic view is fascinating, and it will allow you to enjoy a different perspective of the city. It is also a good starting point for a route through Valencia’s Gothic architecture or its medieval past. The city of Valencia offers many other attractions, such as the San Nicolás de Bari Church (popularly known as the ‘Valencian Sixtine Chapel’,) the Lonja de la Seda and the Cabanyal neighbourhood.

Xàtiva’s castle

The medieval village of Xàtiva awaits a few minutes from the city of Valencia, an oasis of winding streets and stone houses that will take you back in time to another era. Xàtiva’s castle is one of its must-see attractions, with two well-distinguished areas in the vicinity of the great stone wall that passes through the village. Its high towers and colourful gardens make it one of Valencia’s wonders.

Charming towns and villages

Aerial view of Bocairent. | Shutterstock

There are plenty of charming municipalities in the province of Valencia where one can appreciate its history and understand the culture of this Mediterranean area. Bocairent stands out among them, with its medieval town centre and popular covetes dels moros, but so does Llíria, known for its musical and archaeological heritages. Every visit should include Buñol, popular for its Tomatina and mountain landscapes; Cullera, which combines beach and historical heritage; and Requena, with its wine tradition. Many other spots, such as Ayora, nestled in the mountains, and Ademuz, surrounded by virgin nature, offer singular experiences that show the cultural diversity and richness of the province of Valencia.

In the Sierra Calderona, Serra stands out for its forests and autochthonous mushrooms, while Navarrés offers unique culinary traditions and an impressive natural environment. In the Albufera Natural Park, El Palmar combines its rice-based gastronomy with the beauty of its wetlands. Utiel is also famous for its wine and wineries, and Alpuente and Montesa, in the region of Los Serranos, surprise everyone with their mediaeval architecture and traditional recipes. Bolbaite and its natural pools are an equally good option to discover exceptional natural spots in Valencia.

The gastronomy of Valencia, a must to enjoy the province

Valencian gastronomy stands out for its strong Mediterranean identity, focused on fresh, proximity products of outstanding quality. Rice is the main ingredient, with recipes such as the popular Valencian paella, roasted rices, rice with broth, mellow rices, and black rices, and other specialities such as fideuà and eel all i pebre. Vegetables, artisanal cold meats, and sea products such as fresh fish and seafood complement the culinary richness of the province, offering a wide range of flavours that combine local tradition with creativity.

Confectionery and sweet products are equally emblematic. Some of the most popular are buñuelos, sweet potato pastries, arnadí, moixavena or tortas de manteca, together with the Valencian citrus fruits with PGI that are a true distinctive of the region. The horchata, almendrados, suspiros and turrón (nougat) complete the sweet offer, typically associated to local festivities such as Fallas or specific gastronomical celebrations in municipalities such as Buñol, Bocairent and Ademuz.

Wines with denominations of origin Valencia and Utiel-Requena, as well as the Valencian Community olive oil, are perfect companions for every meal, accentuating the flavors local gastronomy. Each locality brings its particular touch, from game dishes in interior areas like Ademuz and Boicairent, to rices and stews with sea products in Albufera and Cullera, making Valencian gastronomy a diverse, healthy experience deeply linked to its land and culture.