What to see in Chulilla
Chulilla is one of those villages that make you forget València is less than an hour away by car. It sits above a bend in the Turia river, whitewashed houses clinging to the edge of a dizzying canyon topped by a Moorish-era castle. The setting was so naturally defensive that the village barely needed a wall: the cliff itself did the job.
What to see and do
The big draw is the Hanging Bridges Route, a circular trail through the Turia gorges that crosses wooden walkways suspended about 15 metres above the water (there's a small symbolic access fee). The route reaches the Loriguilla reservoir, passing through the canyon the river has carved over thousands of years. Don't miss the Charco Azul either, a turquoise pool with a jetty that's perfect for a summer swim, or the climb to the 14th-century castle, a listed historic monument, where the canyon view makes the climb worth it. In the village itself, the church of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles is worth a stop.
Getting there from València
By car it's about 60 km (just under an hour): take the A-3 towards Madrid and exit for Chulilla. There's parking before the village, about a 10-minute walk from the square where the trail begins. Public transport is very limited, so a car is by far the most convenient option.
Local tip
Start early: on fine-weather weekends the hanging bridges fill up and queues form at the narrowest sections. Arrive first thing and you'll have the canyon almost to yourself, with better light for photos. Pair the trip with a nature getaway around the region and check our day trips from València or the prettiest villages near València. If you're after more watery spots, take a look at Anna and its gorges.
What to see in Chulilla
- ChulillaTown · FREE~300 m from the Town Hall
A village perched beneath an Arab castle and surrounded by the canyon of the river Turia.
- Castillo de ChulillaCastle · FREE~150 m from the Town Hall
A fortress of Muslim origin on a rocky crag above the village and the bend of the River Turia.
- Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los ÁngelesMonument · FREE~100 m from the Town Hall
A Gothic-style church built over a former medieval mosque, with a slender 18th-century bell tower rising among the houses.
- Ermita de Santa BárbaraChurch · FREE~1.3 km from the Town Hall
Gothic in origin and dated to 1364, this hermitage crowns a hill about a kilometre from the village and shelters Chulilla's patron saint.
- Ermita de San JoséChurch · FREE~100 m from the Town Hall
Built in 1662, this simple Baroque hermitage with a single nave, barrel vault and round-arched openings is the sole survivor of the many…
- Charco Azul (Río Turia)Beach & nature~450 m from the Town Hall
A natural pool of crystal-clear, turquoise water deep in the Turia canyon, wedged between the vertical walls of the Los Calderones area.
- Mirador de la CarruchaViewpoint~1.0 km from the Town Hall
A natural balcony leaning over the Turia canyon, directly above the Charco Azul, looking down on the river boxed between the cliffs.
- Plaza de la BaroníaMonument · FREE~50 m from the Town Hall
The central square and social heart of Chulilla, presided over by the town hall and tourist office, with its fountain, bars and shops.
- Salto de ChulillaBeach & nature · FREE~300 m from the Town Hall
A striking narrowing of the Turia canyon, about 160 m deep and barely 10 m wide, the tightest point of the gorges.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Chulilla from València?
By car along the CV-35 towards Ademuz, exiting near Villar del Arzobispo or Losa del Obispo. There is a bus run by La Hispano Chelvana, but its timetable is built around residents. There is no train.
How long does it take and how far is it?
It's about 61 km, roughly 45 minutes by car, much of it on dual carriageway. The bus, when it runs, takes around 1 h 40 min.
What is there to see in Chulilla?
The Moorish castle above the gorge, the old town around the church of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, and Turia viewpoints such as La Peñeta. The main draw is the Hanging Bridges route (senda de los Pantaneros) and the Charco Azul.
Is it worth visiting with kids?
Yes, especially for the hanging bridges walk: easy going and dramatic alongside the river. In summer, set off early to beat the heat and the crowds.
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