Lonely Planet bills Xativa as an ‘easy and rewarding’ day trip from Valencia, which is exactly why we went.
Just over an hour away from Valencia by train, the town is surrounded by mountainous terrain, and perched on top of one ridge is the pretty impressive Castillo de Xativa. Though it lacks any real form of museum and the one cafe/restaurant is fairly expensive, it’s a beautiful place to stroll around for a few hours. The views over the small town on your way up are great and Xativa’s old town is definitely worth a look, too.
Xativa makes a great escape from the busy city of Valencia, and both the old town and the castle are beautiful – definitely a day trip to recommend! The weather in early April was perfect, though the trip might be challenging in mid-summer heat.
How: Train from Valencia – just over an hour, approx €8 return
When: 1st April, 2012
Weather: Warm and sunny, though the city is reportedly one of the hottest in Spain in summer.
