Learn Spanish in Valencia: weekend trips

Tuesday July 19, 2022 | Spanish Culture | Posted by studyspanishinspain

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Valencia: wat doen doen naast je taalcursus Spaans?
Nice Daytrips from Valencia while you Learn Spanish in Valencia

Valencia has everything you could want: beautiful beaches, perfect climate, vibrant city life and a unique Mediterranean charm. It is therefore a dream destination for a Spanish language course in Valencia! Do you feel like doing something fun at the weekend, after a week of Spanish lessons? In Valencia you are only a short car or train ride away from some fantastic locations, impressive nature and idyllic cities. Here are some of our recommendations for some of the best day trips from Valencia. Read on soon: Learn Spanish in Valencia: weekend trips.

The beautiful streets of Altea

Looking for a super cosy, charming village near Valencia? Venture out to Altea. This cute town on the Costa Brava is located about 1.5 hours south of Valencia (by car). Altea is known for its labyrinthine cobbled streets and picturesque whitewashed houses.

In the heart of the historic center stands the beautiful cathedral La Mare de Déu del Consol, crowned with its iconic dome of bright blue and white tiles.

Take a stroll through the streets and narrow alleys of Altea and see dazzling blue everywhere: the sparkling clear waters of the bay of Altea. The city is also a popular destination for artists; that is why you can find very nice boutiques there.

Kathedraal La Mare de Deu del Consol

How do you travel to Altea?

With Alsa Bus Company you can make a direct journey from Valencia to Altea (more than 3 hours). You can also make a transfer in Benidorm, then you will be there a little faster. Finally, you can also rent a car for a super fun day or weekend trip!

Visit the Palm Tree in Elche

Are you a lover of palm trees and pre-Roman history? Come to Elche!

Elche is the third largest city in the area after Valencia and Alicante and is full of hidden treasures. On arrival in the city, Elche looks a bit like a deserted desert – but enter the city you will see a vibrant green oasis with lush vegetation of palmeras or palm trees.

In fact, Elche has so many palm trees that it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The Palmeral de Elche is a palm grove not to be missed, and the Huerto del Cura garden is home to beautiful tropical plants, peacocks and its main attraction: the Imperial Palm, a striking unique palm tree with seven branches growing from one trunk!

Palmtrees elche

But Elche offers much more: beneath the city grounds lie thousands of years of priceless prehistory. Elche’s roots are known to date back to the 5th century BC; the area is occupied by Iberians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans. Visit one of Elche’s various museums, and visit the impressive and vast archaeological site of La Alcudia!

How to go to Elche?

Las Fallas of Valencia

One of Spain’s most famous traditional festivals takes place in Valencia. It concerns the Fallas of Valencia, declared by UNESCO as an intangible heritage of humanity. The fallas take place in the month of March. The festival combines tradition, satire and art. If you’re in Valencia for a Spanish language course, don’t miss the Fallas.

You can take the bus directly from Valencia to Elche: the journey takes just over 2 hours and you pay about €15 round trip. The Renfe high-speed train also takes you from Valencia to Elche in 2.5 hours for around €25.

Origin of las Fallas

The origin of las Fallas comes from the ancient carpenter tradition that, when celebrating the arrival of spring on March 19, burned the pieces of wood (parots) used in winter.

To this bonfire they gradually started adding old stuff and rags, giving the wooden structure a human-like aspect, until they became the “dolls” we know today. The Valencian sense of humor soon gave a carnevalesque aspect to the ninots being displayed. The Fallas-vieringen have grown into temporary works of art worth millions of euros in some cases.

Las Fallas Valencia

Visit Xátiva

Another lovely town to visit during your Spanish course in Spain is Xátiva, with a fascinating history.

The main attraction of Xátiva is the Castell de Xàtiva, majestically situated on a hill and visible from miles away. You can walk to the castle from the center; via a steep winding road full of hairpin bends you reach the castle in about half an hour. From here you have a breathtaking view over Xàtiva.

Other places of interest in Xátiva include visiting the Basilica of Santa María, a 16th-century sanctuary for ancient religious art; the Hospital Reial, known for its striking mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture; and the Iglesia de Sant Domènec, for its contributions to medieval culture, and its photogenic streets.

How do you go to Xátiva?

You can rent a car to go to Xátiva (e.g. at Bla Bla Car) or you can take the train (Cercanías) from Estacio Nord. For about 5 € you get off an hour later in Xátiva.

Into nature: Albufera

The Albufera Natural Park is the perfect last-minute escape from Valencia. Just 20 minutes away by car and less than an hour by bus, you will find the unspoilt tranquility of Albufera about 15 kilometers south of Valencia.

Albufera consists of a large lake that is surrounded by swamps and rice fields. Farmers here grow the rice for Spain’s most famous dish: the paella!

Take a scenic boat trip on Spain’s largest lake, have a picnic while enjoying the area’s unique birds and wildlife, or explore the sleepy nearby town of El Palmar, known for its amazing paella. The park offers guided tours, bike rentals, and other events to enjoy Albufera’s beautiful landscapes and rich ecosystems.

Natural Park Albufera

How to get to Albufera?

EMT-bus line 25 runs from central Valencia to El Palmar in less than an hour. A single journey costs €1.50. Of course you can also rent a car with a para people, or take the bus turistic. This bus goes directly to Albufera; €19,- return including boat trip.

Study Spanish in Denia

A little further from Albufera, as you continue towards Alicante – also a good mood for a Spanish language course – you come to Denia, a beautiful Spanish town by the sea, surrounded by mountains and beautiful countryside.

Denia is a medium-sized city with nice bars and restaurants with terraces – like all Spanish cities – where you can eat or drink outside. There is also a nice school in Denia where you can follow Spanish courses in Denia.

Denia has beautiful, extensive beaches along its 20 kilometers of coastline. In the north you will find the fine sandy beaches; more south the rocky and steep beaches, such as Las Rotas Beach. Every year these beaches receive the blue flag of the European Union, which is only given to clean and well-equipped beaches.

Denia is an enchanting and friendly city with 322 sunny days a year and an average temperature of 18º C. The city also has an interesting history from the time when it was ruled by the Moors, Romans, Carthaginians and Iberians. As evidence of the many civilizations, among other things, is the beautiful castle that overlooks the city.

How do you get to Denia?

Deniais easily accessible from both Alicante and Valencia airports (approximately 1 hour travel from each).

Two Bonus tips for your list Valencia: what to do next to your Spanish course?

  • Cycle ride to the colourful, beautiful harbor town of Port Saplaya.
  • An excursion to the wine town of Requena.

Do you have a few days longer?

Learn Spanish in Valencia:

Did you know that you can take the ferry from Valencia (or Denia) to the beautiful islands of Mallorca, Ibiza or Menorca? You can also continue learning Spanish here:

Learn Spanish in Palma de Mallorca
Learn Spanish in Ibiza

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