What to see in Xàtiva
Xàtiva is one of the most history-rich day trips near València: a monumental town with a huge castle on the hill above it. Barely an hour from the centre, it makes for a full day among medieval lanes, fountains, churches and views over the countryside.
The Castle of Xàtiva is the main draw: a double fortress sprawling along the ridge, with a lower castle of Iberian and Roman roots and a medieval upper castle, joined by walls that seem to go on forever. Below, the old town holds the Collegiate Basilica of Santa María (La Seu), the Hospital Reial with its Gothic-Renaissance façade, and the church of Sant Feliu, one of the oldest. Xàtiva is also the birthplace of Spain's only two popes, the Borgias: Calixtus III and Alexander VI.
How to get there from València
The easiest option is the train: there are direct services almost every hour from Estació del Nord, taking around 55-60 minutes. By car along the A-7/A-35 it's just under an hour.
Local tip
LOCAL TIP: in the Museu de l'Almodí hangs a portrait of Philip V upside down, placed that way as a symbolic punishment for ordering the city burned in 1707. It's a favourite local joke in Xàtiva. Climb up to the castle early to dodge the heat and harsh light.
If you're into day trips, see our guides to day trips from València and pretty villages near València. You might also like Bocairent or more villages.
What to see in Xàtiva
- XàtivaTown · FREE~200 m from the Town Hall
A noble town of stately streets, fountains and palaces in the La Costera district, birthplace of the Borgia popes.
- Castell de XàtivaCastle~200 m from the Town Hall
The Castle of Xàtiva is not one fortress but two: the Ibero-Roman Castell Menor and the medieval Castell Major, on the mountain above town.
- Col·legiata Basílica de Santa María (La Seu)Monument · FREE~50 m from the Town Hall
A Renaissance and Baroque church known as La Seu, raised over a former mosque and still unfinished after centuries of work.
- Església de Sant Feliu (San Félix)Church · FREE~600 m from the Town Hall
It was built in 1265 over the remains of a Visigothic cathedral and is one of the oldest churches in the former Kingdom of Valencia, as…
- Capella gòtica de l'Antic Hospital Major (Hospital Reial)Church · FREE~300 m from the Town Hall
Founded by King Jaume I, the Hospital Major has a façade that fuses late Gothic with early Renaissance, a record of its different building…
- Església del Reial Convent de Sant Domènec (Santo Domingo)Church · FREE~350 m from the Town Hall
The Dominican convent was founded in the late 13th century with the favour of the Crown of Aragon, especially James II.
- Ermita de Sant JosepChurch · FREE~550 m from the Town Hall
A small Baroque chapel from the late 18th century, built by the city's carpenters' guild, with a white façade that stands out at dusk.
- Museu de l'Almodí (Museu de la Ciutat)Museum~350 m from the Town Hall
Xàtiva's city museum occupies the Almodí, the old grain exchange built in the mid-16th century, with an original Gothic façade and a…
- Museu de Belles Arts (Casa de l'Ensenyança)Museum~400 m from the Town Hall
Housed in the Casa de l'Ensenyança, a classicist building of the mid-18th century, it holds one of the largest public painting collections…
- Església de Sant PereChurch · FREE~550 m from the Town Hall
One of Xàtiva's oldest churches, raised in the 14th century in the former market quarter in conquest-Gothic style, with a nave of diaphragm…
- Església de Sant FrancescChurch · FREE~200 m from the Town Hall
A Gothic-Cistercian church from the second half of the 14th century, the sole vestige of the vanished Franciscan convent founded by Jaume I.
- Font dels Vint-i-cinc Brolladors (Fuente de los 25 caños)Monument · FREE~700 m from the Town Hall
A monumental neoclassical fountain built between 1788 and 1804 beside the church of Sant Pere, an emblem of the "city of a thousand…
- Casa natalícia d'Alexandre VIMonument · FREE~350 m from the Town Hall
On the Plaça d'Alexandre VI stands the birthplace of Roderic de Borja, born around 1431 and the future Pope Alexander VI, the second…
- Plaça de la Trinitat i Font de la TrinitatMonument · FREE~200 m from the Town Hall
One of the most charming squares in the old town, presided over by the Font de la Trinitat, a Gothic fountain of 1403 reckoned the oldest…
Around Xàtiva
- La Cova Negra i l'Estret de les Aigües~4.7 km from the Town Hall
- Ermita de Santa Anna~4.5 km from the Town Hall
🎟️ Upcoming events in Xàtiva
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Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Xàtiva from València?
The easiest option is the Cercanías C-2 train, leaving direct from València Nord. By car, take the A-7 toward Alacant. Alsa also runs a bus on the route, though with very few daily departures.
How long does it take from València to Xàtiva?
By train it's about 45 minutes on Cercanías, and around 40 minutes on the faster Regional services. By car on the A-7 it's roughly 50 minutes, depending on traffic.
What is there to see in Xàtiva?
The big hilltop Castle, with its double enclosure and views over the Costera, is the top pick. In the old town you'll find the Col·legiata de Santa María (La Seu), the church of Sant Feliu with its paintings, and museums such as l'Almodí and the Fine Arts museum.
Is Xàtiva worth visiting with kids?
Yes. Climbing up to the castle is a small adventure most children enjoy, and you can pair it with a walk through the old streets and a stop for lunch. It makes for a full, easy day trip.
🔒 Secret spots
- Hidden gemWater among rocks: a corner of inland Valencia
A landscape of water and rock in the Valencia region. Supporters can read the place name, location and the article’s visit notes.
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A wetland in the Valencia region, with water, vegetation and birdlife. Supporters can read its name, location and the article’s visit notes.
- Hidden gemRock art in the Valencia region
An article about rock art in the Valencia region. Supporters can read the place name, location and the article’s visit notes.
- Beach & natureA Valencian cove for taking in the sea
A cove in the Valencia region with the coastal landscape at its heart. Supporters can read its name, location and the article’s visit notes.
- Beach & natureA Valencian spring for watching the water
A freshwater spring in the Valencia region, explored through observation. Supporters can read its name, location and the article’s visit notes.
- ViewpointA Valencian cave with a view of the landscape
A cave in the Valencia region with a view of the surrounding landscape. Supporters can read its name, location and the article’s visit notes.
- Natural poolA spring-fed pool among ferns
A small pool in inland Valencia. The Spanish guide covers the walking approach and checks before setting out.
- ViewpointA viewpoint above cork-oak woodland
An inland viewpoint in the Valencia region. The Spanish guide explains the forest-track approach and the steep final section.
- ViewpointA viewpoint over a village and its valley
An inland Valencia viewpoint over a village and valley. The Spanish guide locates the path and explains what to check before going.
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