Cuenca & Valencia to Barcelona - 6 days
Cuenca & Valencia to Barcelona - 6 days
Cuenca & Valencia to Barcelona - 6 days
6 Days Starting in Madrid and ending in Valencia
Visiting: Cuenca, Madrid, Serranía de Cuenca, Segóbriga Park, Belmonte, Alcalá del Júcar, Valencia, Parc Natural de l'Albufera, Cullera, Xàtiva, Sitges, Peniscola
Tour operator:
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
Minimum age 15, escorted by an adult
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
SMALL GROUP TOUR: Take in the best of Spain's eastern coast, including Valencia, on this 6-day group tour travelling from Madrid to Barcelona. Discover the town of Cuenca, hewn into the cliffside and admire dramatic rock formations in La Serrania National Park. Enjoy wine tasting in the historic region of Requena before spending three nights in the coastal city of Valencia, birthplace of paella. Explore the narrow and historic streets of Xativa and then travel along the beautiful Spanish coast on the way to the famous city of Barcelona.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Madrid
Location: Cuenca, Madrid, Serranía de Cuenca, Cuenca
Madrid – Cuenca – La Serrania National Park – Cuenca. Leaving Madrid, we journey through the heart of Old Spain, Castilla-La Mancha. This region boasts serene landscapes, diverse nature, and renowned Manchego cheese.
Our first destination is Villarejo de Salvanes, a small town with an intriguing castle and pre-Roman archaeological sites. Continuing to Cuenca, we enjoy a guided walking tour, including a visit to the 12th-Century Gothic cathedral.
From Cuenca, we venture into La Serrania National Park, a vast 73,000-hectare wildlife sanctuary. We take in the incredible and bizarre mushroom-shaped rock formations of the 'Enchanted City', and keep our eyes peeled for resident wildlife, including wild boar, golden eagles and majestic griffon vultures. Enjoy the panoramic vistas from the Mirador de Una viewpoint before we return to Cuenca, our base for two nights. The evening is at leisure.
Please note: Pick up for this tour is at 8:15 on day 1 (tour departs at 8:30) - Madrid Pick Up Point, Hotel Porcel Ganivet, Madrid.
Day 2: Cuenca
Location: Cuenca, Segóbriga Park, Belmonte, Cuenca, Cuenca
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cuenca – Seobriga – Belmonte – Cuenca. We start today with an included visit to the Roman settlement of Segobriga, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of the Spanish Meseta. After exploring the remarkably preserved amphitheatre, public baths, and temples, we head south to Belmonte. There's free time for a tapas lunch before our included visit to the remarkable 15th-Century Castillo de Belmonte, known for its unique triangular courtyard and six-pointed star shape.
Back in Cuenca, there's free time to explore at leisure. You may wish to visit the Castilla-La Mancha Paleontological Museum, home to incredible dinosaur fossils and models.
Day 3: Cuenca
Location: Alcalá del Júcar, Cuenca, Valencia
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cuenca – Alcala del Jucar – Valencia. From Cuenca, we journey to Alcala del Jucar, a captivating town nestled within natural caves and perched between the castle and the Jucar River. There's free time to explore the town and find somewhere for lunch.
Next, we visit a winery in Requena for included wine tasting. This region has produced some of Spain's finest wine as far back as the 7th Century BC. After sampling some of the regional produce, we head to Valencia. This coastal gem is known as the birthplace of paella, boasts a vibrant nightlife, and is home to stunning architecture.
Day 4: Valencia
Location: Valencia, Parc Natural de l'Albufera, Valencia
Meals Included: Breakfast
Valencia - Albufera Natural Park - Valencia. This morning, we explore the Monastery of Santa Maria in El Puig on an included visit. This structure has a diverse history with cloisters and defensive elements - it has served as a temple, a school, and even a prison
Next, we visit Albufera Natural Park, home to the rice paddies where paella was born. You can enjoy an optional boat ride or spend our time here observing the unique flora and fauna. There's also time for lunch independently. Returning to Valencia, we enjoy a short orientation tour of the city and the evening is at leisure.
Day 5: Valencia
Location: Cullera, Valencia, Valencia, Xàtiva
Meals Included: Breakfast
Valencia – Xativa – Cullera – Valencia. Today we journey to Xativa, known as the 'Town of a Thousand Fountains'. Situated on the slopes of Monte Vernissa, it is best known as the historic home of the notorious noble family of Borgia. We enjoy an included visit to Xativa Castle and a short tour of the town, as well as free time to further explore independently.
Next, we head to the charming coastal town of Cullera. Our time here is free to relax on the beach, or enjoy panoramic views from the 13th-Century castle. In the afternoon, we return to Valencia. The rest of the day is free, or you can join an optional walking tour of the city, coupled with a delectable tapas experience.
Day 6: Valencia
Location: Sitges, Peniscola, Valencia
Meals Included: Breakfast
Valencia – Peniscola – Sitges – Barcelona. In the morning we depart Valencia for the coastal town of Peniscola, known as the 'City in the Sea'. There's an optional visit to the Papa Lunas Castle, built by the Knights Templar in the late 1200s. Perched at the peninsula's highest point, the castle offers panoramic coastal views. Alternatively, don your swimsuit for a refreshing swim in the tranquil sea.
Continuing along the Mediterranean coast, our next stop is Sitges, a lively cultural hub boasting modernist architecture and intriguing museums. After a short visit, we complete our journey to Barcelona, where our tour ends.
Please note: This tour finishes at 18:30 - Barcelona Drop Off, Abba Sants Hotel, Barcelona. (If travelling prior to April 2024, you will be dropped at Hotel Evenia Rocafort, Barcelona).
What's Included
-
Accommodation
3-4 star hotels -
5 breakfasts
-
5 nights in 3-4 star hotels
-
Escorted by an English-speaking guide
-
Transportation in an air-conditioned luxury mini-coach with a local driver
-
Entrance to Ciudad Encantada (Enchanted City)
-
Entrance to Cuenca Cathedral
-
Entrance to the Roman settlement at Segobriga
-
Entrance to Castillo de Belmonte
-
Requena wine tasting
-
Entrance to Monastery of Santa Maria in El Puig
What's Not Included
-
International flights and visas
-
Additional meals and drinks unless specified
-
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
-
Optional activities & additional attractions unless specified above
Check out our Q&As
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
-
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Monday - Saturday
Sep 23, 2024 - Sep 28, 2024Monday - Saturday
Oct 07, 2024 - Oct 12, 2024Monday - Saturday
Oct 21, 2024 - Oct 26, 2024Monday - Saturday
Apr 21, 2025 - Apr 26, 2025Monday - Saturday
May 05, 2025 - May 10, 2025Monday - Saturday
May 19, 2025 - May 24, 2025Monday - Saturday
Jun 02, 2025 - Jun 07, 2025Monday - Saturday
Jun 16, 2025 - Jun 21, 2025Monday - Saturday
Jun 30, 2025 - Jul 05, 2025Monday - Saturday
Sep 08, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025Monday - Saturday
Sep 22, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025Monday - Saturday
Oct 06, 2025 - Oct 11, 2025Monday - Saturday
Oct 20, 2025 - Oct 25, 2025Monday - Saturday
Nov 03, 2025 - Nov 08, 2025Monday - Saturday
Nov 17, 2025 - Nov 22, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Enquire for huge savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.