Here’s how to spend one day in Peníscola — one of the best daytrip destinations from Valencia. This coastal town is famous for its castle, sprawling beaches, and famous scenery. So whether you want to see your favorite Game of Thrones filming spots — or just check out the old town, here’s everything you need to know to prepare for your Peníscola day trip! 

Peniscola, Valencia

Peníscola is a gorgeous coastal town just north of the city of Valencia. It’s just over a one-hour drive, which makes it the perfect day trip.  

The city is well-known for the Castell de Papa Luna, the medieval castle built in the 13th century. It overlooks the entire city and is incredibly well-preserved. 

So if you want to get some tasty seafood, enjoy the beach, and immerse yourself in some of the most important historical events in the Valencian Kingdom — you’ll want to spend at least one day in Peníscola. 

➡️ Want everything planned for you? Book this tour that starts IN VALENCIA. Don’t worry about transport, get a full guided experience, and see all the Game of Thrones filming scenes!

Overview & History

Perched dramatically on a rocky peninsula, Peníscola is incredibly important to Valencian history. This medieval fortress town was home to the exile Pope Benedict XIII, also known as Papa Luna. 

Well, I guess he’s technically the Antipope. It’s a really interesting & dramatic story! 

The current castle was designed by the Knights Templar and played a very active role in Valencia’s history. The stronghold by the sea has seen use up until the 20th century. 

These days, Peníscola (Peñíscola in Spanish) is known for its seafood, lovely beaches, and stunning views. 

Why Visit Peníscola on a Day Trip from Valencia

I always tell people that a Peníscola day trip from Valencia is a fantastic idea! Just about an hour from Valencia, Peñiscola offers a perfect escape from the city. 

You’ll find Mediterranean coastal views, medieval architecture, and some of the best seafood.

It’s also a filming location for Game of Thrones, making it a must-visit. There are a lot of filming locations throughout Spain, and I’m sloooowly visiting them all!

Plus, it’s relatively small! So I find that one day is plenty to get the full experience, especially if you want to see as much of the Valencian Country as possible.  

Best Time to Visit

Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are ideal times to visit. You’ll enjoy pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. 

But of course, summer is beautiful too. Just expect more tourists and higher prices. 

I think winter visits can are a great option, too. The last time I went was in January and I had a great time. Almost no crowds at all! Plus it doesn’t get too cold here, so it wasn’t an issue. 

How to Get to Peníscola from Valencia

Now let’s move into how to spend your day in Peníscola. It’s fairly easy to get here, although I believe that I would recommend renting a car as the best option.

➡️ Here’s how to rent a car in Valencia.

But let’s look into all your options so you can make the choice that’s right for you.  

Transportation Options

The easiest way to reach Peñiscola is by car. If you’re driving, it only takes around an hour to get there. So if you’re planning a day trip – this is super doable. 

You’ll just want to go to one of the public parking lots (don’t even bother doing street parking)!

However, you also have the option to take the train or a bus. 

For buses: you’ll get a ticket that takes you from the Valencia Estació d’autobusos and you’ll end up directly in the city center of Peníscola. It should cost around €16 and take 2 hours. 

For trains: you’ll get a ticket from the Valencia Nord Station to the Benicarló-Peníscola station. Then once you get there, you’ll want to take the local bus into the old town. This will only cost you around €10, but it’ll take 3 hours. 

So if you don’t want to rent a car, then hopping on a bus is the most convenient option. In either case — here’s a comparison guide on how to get the cheapest tickets. 

➡️ Don’t want to deal with setting up transport options? Just book a tour that takes you to Peníscola! 

Trip Duration and Costs

Here’s a quick summary for how long it takes to get there:

• Car: 1.5hrs, round €100 for a 3-day rental, plus parking (around €5/day)
• Bus: 2.5hrs, around €16.
• Train: 3.5hrs, around €10.

Tips for Booking Transportation Tickets

If you’re booking a bus or a train, you can always get them in advance. I usually recommend sticking with Omio to book your tickets, as it’s an easy way to do so without dealing with any language barriers. The price difference is only €1 more, but I find it’s worth it. 

But you always have the option of buying the train tickets directly from the RENFE website, and the bus tickets from Alsa. 

If you’re taking the local bus in Peníscola, make sure to bring some cash with you! It’ll cost €1.80 per person.

Morning: Exploring the Old Town

Now let’s get on to the most important part! Things to do in Peníscola in one day. For this day trip, we’ll be sticking to the essential sights. 

Although this might not be eeeeeverything there is, it’s still a great way to get a quick view of this city. 

So let’s start the day off with my favorite part: The Castell de Peníscola.  

Visit Peníscola Castle

• Entrance Price: €5
• Opening Hours: 09:30—21:30 from Easter to October, and 10:30–17:30 from October to Easter. 
• Time: Takes around 2 hours.

I am a sucker for castles. Maybe it’s the American in me that’s just not used to castles – but I always find them to be mind-blowing. 

And the Peníscola castle is no different. 

Papa Luna’s Castle is at the very top of the city, so I think it’s worth the effort to start here. (After this, no more going up hill!).

I went on a self-guided tour, but it’s super easy to follow. You can also download an audioguide with a QR code for free — so no worries about buying a tour if you’re on a tight budget! 

There is a ton of things to see, but here are some of my favorite parts:

• Bastion Entrance
• Artillery Park
• Pontifical Rooms
• Pati d’Armes (The Courtyard)

Tip: The Artillery Park is huge and also takes a while to visit! Bring a snack if you need to sit down for a moment in the park. 

Walk Around the City Walls

A lot of the old town is surrounded by the medieval walls. I think it’s worth taking a quick walk around the city, which should take around 30 minutes. Plus, there is lots of shops and cafés if you need to take a break!

But if you want some great photo opportunities, this is a great option! 

Explore The Medieval Streets

The medieval streets are super cool to see. If you only have 1 day in Peníscola, you have to spend some time enjoying the labyrinthine streets. 

Feel free to just walk around the city center and get yourself lost. This is one of those tiny towns that has a million things to see in every corner. 

These were some of my favorite things to see:

• The Battery Park
• The Hermitage 
• The Lighthouse
• Casa de Las Conchas (A house made from seashells!)

Afternoon: Beach and Lunch

After all of this walking, you’ll probably want some relax time! So now is the perfect time to go rest a bit. 

You can go to either the Northern or Southern beach. 

⭐ La Platja del Nord is the one I’d recommend for most travelers. It’s easy to access and is enormous. So you won’t have any trouble finding a spot, even in the summer. 

This is also a great time to get some lunch. Remember that in Valencia, meal times for lunch is around 2pm. So don’t be surprised if things are closed earlier than that! 

To be completely honest — I haven’t spent enough time in Peníscola to recommend lots of restaurants. So I suggest keeping an eye out as you’re walking around to see if you like the menus! 

Alternative: Serra d’Irta

Not a big fan of the beach? Then I’d recommend taking a trip over to the Serra d’Irta. It’s a great way to round out your Peníscola day trip if you’re looking for some greenery.

It’s a bit south of the city and you’d need to get there by car, but it’s a super pretty natural park. Not only do you get to see the views of these Mediterranean mountains, you also get to see plenty of other medieval structures, like:

• Castell d’Alcalà de Xivert
• Castell de Santa Magdalena de Polpís
• Ruins of an 8th Century Iberian Town

If you want to get here by train, you can do so by going to Alcalà de Xivert first, then walking up to the park. Although this might be too much if you’re only spending a day in Peníscola. 

Evening: Sunset and Dinner

Now let’s move on to the evening. After you’ve spent some time enjoying the seafront, let’s talk about how you can finish off the day. 

Just remember that if you’re taking a train or a bus — pay attention to the return times so you don’t get stranded! 

But here’s what I’d recommend to do in Peníscola in the evening: 

Watch the Sunset

If you can go back to the ramparts or the castle for the sunset — that’ll give you a spectacular view! That’d be my top recommendation, as you get a view of the entire city. 

Otherwise, I’d recommend heading over the lighthouse, as you’ll be able to see the sunset behind the castle.

And if you don’t want to head back up the hill — then enjoy the sunset from the beach. The sun will set behind you, giving you a lovely view of the town and some bright colors over the Mediterranean. It’s a perfect way to end this Peníscola day trip.

Walk Around the Port

If you’re coming by car and you have plenty of time, then I’d recommend going for a light walk along the port. You get fantastic views of the city and get to finish off the day with a lovely sea breeze. 

Grab some Dinner

Peníscola is known for its seafood, so it’s the perfect time to get some fresh Mediterranean flavors while you’re here. 

You’ll want to try dishes like:

• Suquet — A fish-based stew 
• Fideuà – A seafood pasta dish 
• Arròs a banda – A rich rice dish
• All i pebre – Eels with garlic and pepper 
• Flaons — A cheese-based dessert
• Pastissets de Carabassa — Pumpkin pastries

➡️ Want to explore more food? Check out this guide to Valencian cuisine. 

Practical Tips for your Peníscola Day Trip

Here are a few extra tips to help you plan your trip. Although the town has plenty of winding streets, it’s actually fairly easy to explore. There are lots of signs everywhere, so even if you didn’t get an esim, you’ll still be able to find your way around. 

Here are a few of my top tips for your day trip to Peníscola:

What to Pack

• Comfortable walking shoes (you’re walking a lot!)
• Swimwear & a towel if you plan on swimming
• Sunscreen and hat!!
• Water bottle (you can refill at public fountains)

Seriously — do NOT forget your sunscreen. The Mediterranean sun is NOT playing around. 

Money-Saving Tips

• Book things in advance! 
• Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy on the beach
• Visit in the off season if you can 
• Look for “menu del dia” offers at restaurants

Grab a Tour

• Go to the Tourism office to sign up for a Cinema tour! 
• Game of Thrones Tour — starts in Valencia and includes transport!
• See Peníscola AND Morella — starts in Valencia and includes transport!

Enjoy your Peníscola day trip!

I hope this guide helps you enjoy one of the many medieval cities that surround Valencia. If you have plenty of time while you’re here, then spending one day in Peníscola is a great way to learn more about the history and explore the area. 

If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Otherwise, check out these other guides to help you plan your trip:

• Best day trips in Valencia
• Where to stay in Valencia
• How many days to spend in Valencia
• Do you need the Valencia tourist card?
• Free weekend itinerary
• What Valencia, Spain is famous for

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