This coastal town near Valencia has a 14th-century castle atop San Antonio Mountain and 15 kilometers of Mediterranean beaches lined with rice fields.
Located where the Júcar River meets the Mediterranean, Cullera gives you a lively coast and quiet countryside. Walk up the mountain to reach a 13th-century Moorish castle that looks over 15 kilometers of beaches. Visit the restored Church of the Saint Johns with its bell tower, or enter the Cave of Dragut to learn about Berber pirate stories. Rice fields and orange groves surround the town, and beaches like San Antonio and Faro have clear water for swimming and jet skiing. Trains from Valencia take 41 minutes, connecting you to this area of history, outdoor spaces, and seaside fun.
Visit the Castle on Muntanya de l'Or
Begin at the 13th-century castle built over older Moorish walls on Muntanya de l'Or. Inside the complex, you’ll find the Sanctuary of the Virgen del Castillo, a church from the 1800s that holds a festival each spring. Look out from the walls to spot the Júcar River winding toward the sea, the curve of the Mediterranean coast, and the wetlands of Albufera Natural Park. Crumbling towers and stone barriers show how this place protected the region for centuries. The on-site museum displays pottery, tools, and weapons from Iberian, Roman, and Islamic times found during local excavations.
Beaches and Water Sports
San Antonio Beach has kept its Blue Flag status since 1987, with a wide promenade where you can rent paddleboards or eat at casual seafood restaurants. Marenyet Beach allows nude sunbathing and has fewer crowds than central areas. Near the red-striped Cullera Lighthouse, rocky underwater formations attract snorkelers and scuba divers. Racó Beach slopes gently into the sea, making it safe for young swimmers. From June to September, lifeguards watch all main beaches, and wooden walkways help wheelchair users reach the water.
Historic Landmarks in Town
The 15th-century Torre del Marenyet watchtower sits where the Júcar River meets the sea, built to warn residents of pirate attacks. Below the Mercat Municipal’s arched iron roof, stairs lead to a Spanish Civil War shelter with preserved graffiti and medical rooms. The Church of the Saint Johns mixes baroque altars with a Gothic floor plan from its earlier version destroyed by floods. Local guides at the Cave of Dragut explain how Ottoman raiders supposedly hid here in the 1500s. For older history, see the Abric Lambert rock paintings depicting stick-figure hunters and deer.
Parks and Trails Near Cullera
Albufera Natural Park, 20 minutes north by car, has boat tours through marshes where eels and frogs live. South of town, the Estany and San Lorenzo lagoons let you fish for carp or watch kingfishers dart through reeds. Follow the dirt path up Muntanya de l’Or for 360-degree views of farmland and the coast. Rent a bike to pedal through orange groves on marked routes toward Alzira or Sueca. Rugged hikers can tackle the steep, rocky trails in the Iberian System foothills west of Cullera.
Eating Local Dishes
Restaurants here specialize in rice cooked in fish broth (arroz a banda) or blackened with squid ink (arroz negro). Try all-i-pebre, a spicy stew made with eels caught in Albufera’s lagoons, or grilled lamb chops from nearby farms. At beachside spots, order suquet de peix (fish potato stew) or octopus drizzled with olive oil. Buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts at the Mercat Municipal’s morning stalls for a picnic by the river. Some places near San Antonio Beach teach you how to cook paella over an open fire.
Trips Beyond Cullera
Valencia sits 40 kilometers north, where you can tour the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences or the medieval Silk Exchange building. Xàtiva, 50 kilometers west, has two hilltop castles and a museum with paintings by Goya. Join a birdwatching group in Albufera to spot purple herons or glossy ibises. Families with kids often spend a day at Aquòpolis water park, riding slides like the Kamikaze or floating in wave pools.
Transportation Tips
Drive from Valencia Airport to Cullera in 45 minutes using the A-7 highway. Trains leave Valencia’s Estació del Nord every hour, passing rice fields before reaching Cullera’s station. Buses from Valencia’s city center take 50 minutes and stop near San Antonio Beach. Once in town, most hotels and beaches are within a 20-minute walk. Use rental bikes or taxis to reach the castle or Estany lagoon quickly. Free parking spaces are available near Marenyet Beach and the lighthouse.
