Those who choose Valencia as a destination often stay in the city, not realizing that a landscape of contrasts unfolds all around: castles that dominate the hills, villages perched along the Mediterranean, stretches of vineyards inland. The Comunidad Valenciana has a lot to offer to those who want to step away from the city center for a day or two, and it is easily explored by car or train.
Vueling connects Rome Fiumicino to Valencia with direct flights and now offers a discount of up to 20% for those who purchase between 1 and 6 September 2026, to travel between 1 October 2026 and 31 January 2027. A useful opportunity to organize a long weekend between the city and its surroundings, also taking advantage of the milder autumn temperatures.
After visiting the City of Arts and Sciences, strolling among the stalls of the Mercado Central, and spending a few hours wandering the alleys of the Barrio del Carmen, there is nothing left but to rent a car and move away from the center. Just an hour of driving to leave the crowds behind and discover a much less known face of the Comunidad Valenciana, made up of villages, coastlines, and landscapes that few foreign tourists manage to see.
Here we share three destinations to add to the itinerary.
Burriana
About 45 minutes from Valencia, reachable by car or by train on the Cercanías line to the Burriana-Nules station, there is a town in the province of Castellón whose charm stems from its past tied to the orange trade.
The historic center preserves splendid modernist buildings, built precisely thanks to the wealth brought by citrus fruits, with decorated façades and wrought-iron details that recall the architecture of the early 20th century. A short walk away is the seafront, with wide and sandy beaches much less crowded than those of Valencia.
Also worth seeing is the port, still active, where you can stop for a meal of fresh fish.
Anna
Just over an hour by car from Valencia, inland toward the south, lies Anna, a small village that houses one of the region’s most evocative places: the Gorgo de la Escalera, a natural pool with turquoise, crystal-clear waters, fed by a spring and surrounded by vegetation.
The name comes from the staircase carved into the rock that allows you to descend to the water. It is an ideal spot for a refreshing dip far from the coast, but also for a stroll among the canals and the historic mills that dot the town.
Villena
Finally, about an hour and twenty minutes from Valencia, whether by car along the A-31 highway or by train with regional connections, lies Villena, one of the most complete destinations in the Valencian inland. Dominating the town is the Castillo de la Atalaya, an imposing medieval fortress visible from miles away, which is worth the climb for the view over the surrounding valley.
Around the center extends one of the most interesting wine regions of the Comunidad Valenciana, with wineries that organize tours and tastings among the vines. For those who want to combine history and taste, some experiences pair the visit to the castle with a stop at a local winery, to end the day with a glass of local wine.
