Cullera
From Valencia’s Estación del Norte (North Station), you can take a C1 regional train to Cullera, which takes about 30 minutes. The Cullera train station is located around 2 kilometers from the town center, so it takes about 20 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by bus to reach downtown.
Once you arrive in the town center, you’ll immediately feel the charm of a small Spanish town—with quaint buildings and well-developed bike paths. The castle perched on a small hill (more of a hill than a mountain) enhances this peaceful atmosphere.
Walking Up to the Castle
The walk to the castle is not difficult at all. If you head straight toward the hill, the path is easy to find. On the way, you’ll pass by white-painted houses reminiscent of Santorini and encounter alcázar-style architecture that evokes the feel of Granada. The streets have that cozy, intricate character similar to those in Granada.
Inside the castle, you can even see an old office that was once used for administrative work. The view of Cullera from this room is absolutely stunning. Now that the room is no longer in use, I found it peaceful to see that a cat had taken over the space for napping.
Spending the night in Cullera may not be necessary, but if you’re visiting Valencia and looking for a nice nearby excursion, this town offers a humble charm that’s worth experiencing. Since it’s also a beachside town, it would be a good summer getaway where you could enjoy the sea and relax at a coastal hotel.
If you’re not particularly interested in swimming, a day trip might be the best way to enjoy Cullera.
Suggested Day Trip Plan
- Valencia North Station → (30 min train) → Cullera Station
- Cullera Station → (10 min bus) → Cullera Town Center
- Explore Cullera Castle (~2 hours)
- Lunch (~1 hour)
- Beach Walk (~1 hour)
- Return to Valencia
This itinerary should give you a well-rounded and satisfying day trip.
Lunch Recommendation
As a coastal resort town, Cullera’s restaurant prices are a bit on the higher side. However, just like I mentioned in my previous post about eating smart in Spain, using the set lunch menu (menú del día) is a great way to get good quality food at a reasonable price.
A restaurant I highly recommend is Sociedad Musical Instructiva Santa Cecilia. According to Google Maps, it has a 4.5-star rating from 415 reviews, making it a trustworthy choice. They offer a lunch menu for 15.90 euros, which includes:
- Starter
- Main dish
- Drink
- Dessert
I ordered Andalusian-style fried baby squid (chopitos) and monkfish-shrimp stew, followed by a horchata cake for dessert. The portion of the fried squid was enormous—almost like they fried an entire squid body—and the stew reminded me of a spicy fish soup, but without the spiciness and with a saltier flavor.
The horchata cake was absolutely delicious. If I ever visit Cullera again, I would definitely return to this restaurant.
If you’re in Valencia and looking to explore a charming nearby town, Cullera is a great option. I highly recommend giving it a visit!