If you are planning to visit the city of Valencia, it’s recommended to go further and visit some of the interesting places that near of it. In this article, I show yo different places to visit near Valencia (the city where I live) that can be a great add-on to your trip.

Here you’ll find places to go in the outskirts of Valencia. You can reach all of them by public transport or on a bike ride.

Albufera

Albufera Natural Park is the most famous place to visit near Valencia. It is a great coastal lagoon with a rich and diverse bird life that it’s just 10 km from the city. To enjoy it, you can take a boat ride in one of the handcrafted traditional boats (the sunset is magical).

A stroll I like to do is around l’Estany del Pujol to El Saler beach, an artificial lagoon that is being converted in a natural reserve where a lot of birds live and have a rest. Also, I like the wheelchair-accessible way of “la gola” (the channel that connects the sea with the Albufera). And, for enjoying the sunset, one of the best spots is this pier.

Public transport: EMT buses 24 and 25. Stops Embarcadero or El Palmar.

El Palmar

Surrounded by l’Albufera, there’s El Palmar, a small village where you can taste the best paellas. I recommend you to combine the visit to l’Albufera with a delicious lunch in one of the restaurants of El Palmar.

Public transport: EMT bus 25.

Horta Nord

Now, let’s focus on the north of Valencia. Here it’s l’Horta Nord (the northern orchard), an area full of agricultural fields that are worked all year round.

Going by bike or walking, you can reach l’Horta Nord from the city thanks to the Via Verde Xurra, an old railway line reconverted to a walking and cycling path. Apart from the fields, in Horta Nord are conserved traditional Valencian buildings called alquerias.

My favourite spot to enjoy an orxata or a soft drink: Orxateria Vida. The shortest way to reach is taking the line 9 of metro to Alboraia-Peris Aragó, and then walk around 15 minutes.

Monastery San Miguel de los Reyes

This amazing monastery from the Valencian Renaissance is adjacent to the city. Nowadays, it doesn’t have its original use, and a part of it is the Valencian Library.

It’s possible to visit the monastery Saturdays, Sundays and some public holidays with a guided tour (at 12:00 in Valencian, at 13:00 in Spanish). It’s not necessary to book in advance, and the entry is free. Also, there’s a part that can be visited from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 14:00. In the entry, you have to say that you want to visit Espacio Carmen Calvo. You’ll be accompanied during the visit.

Public transport: EMT buses 11 (stop Els Orriols – Metro San Miquel dels Reis), and 16 (Stop Sant Miquel dels Reis). Tram T6 Tossal del Rei (stop Sant Miquel dels Reis).

Port Saplaya

Port Saplaya is one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods you can visit near Valencia. It belongs to the municipality of Alboraia, but it is pretty close. Even though I don’t like this kind of comparisons, I should say that this place is known as the little Venice (but I wouldn’t dare to compare it). This is because the colourful buildings are around water channels.

Public transport: Bus L112A or L112B

I hope you found interesting this places you can go near Valencia, and, this way, you enjoy both the city and its surroundings. Do you need help in organising your trip to Spain? Check my services!

Related article: Free places to visit in Valencia: museums and monuments

Pictures are from my travel blog in Spanish, Meraviglia, so I own the rights to them.