How to enjoy the October bank holiday in the Region of Valencia: tips and activities.

The Region of Valencia is full of weekend adventures, and it’s about to celebrate one of its favourite days of the year: the Day of the Region of Valencia on 9 October, marked with a public bank holiday. Want to start planning your early autumn escape? Check out our handy list of hikes, cultural activities, concerts, festivals and natural treasures.

Ideas for a long weekend in the province of Castellón

If you enjoy caving or exploring rivers, La Vall d’Uixó is made for you. This stunning city is home to the Cova de Sant Josep o de la Font, a giant subterranean river where you can float beneath the stalagmites and stalactites on a truly unique voyage.

Another great option for the history buffs is Culla, a village where the Knights Templar once roamed. You’ll find a stunning historic centre, and that’s not all: between here and Torre d’en Besora, you can discover Parc Miner del Maestrat and take a fascinating tour of an old mine, which is sure to delight young and old alike.

To round off our whistlestop tour of Castellón, we recommend you visit , one of the most beautiful towns in Spain. As well as its charming old town, this romantic destination includes a rather remarkable contemporary art museum, which contains the work of some famous artists including Picasso and Tàpies.

Ideas for a long weekend in Valencia

The city of València, capital of its namesake province, is stacked with great excursions and opportunities, particularly around 9 October. You’ve simply got to try the marzipan that’s so typical of this year; in fact, Valencians often give their loved ones a traditional mocadorà (a marzipan sweet wrapped in a handkerchief) to mark the day. And whichever weekend you come in October, you can enjoy all València’s autumn charm.

The nearby city of Alzira is another fantastic experience, with loads of vivid history and some wonderful concerts to celebrate the 9 October bank holiday. While you’re here, be sure to take plenty of photographs of the historic centre, and if you fancy a roam in nature, take a tour of the fortified monastery of Our Lady of the Myrtle, which is nestled in some breathtaking scenery.

If you want to roam slightly further inland, you can find one of the truly great events of Autumn, the First Honey Harvest in Ayora. This charming area will be abuzz with great gastronomic and cultural offerings, as well as loads of fun activities centring on honey and beekeeping. We’re sure that you’ll fancy taking some of that lovely produce home with you!

Ideas for a long weekend in Alicante

No list of weekend activities in the Region of Valencia would be complete without a stop-off in Alicante, a city where the Rocanrola Rap Attitude festival offers all kind of concerts to get your feet moving. If you’ve only got a couple of days, Alicante’s vibrant atmosphere and amazing cuisine make it an excellent choice.

Fancy exploring the wider Alicante province? Then come enjoy the spectacle of the Moors and Christians festival in Callosa d’en Sarrià, where you can lose yourself in the stunning Fonts de l’Algar, great for a family hiking trip. And if you’ve got some time left over, we’d recommend you visit the city of Villena, a jewel at the heart of Alicante’s interior. Here you’ll find a wonderful castle, an old town brimming with historical relics, and a veritable treasure trove of gold, silver, iron and ambar.
Whether you’re coming to celebrate Valencia’s bank holiday, or any other weekend in October, this is an amazing time to visit. And if you’ve enjoyed these recommendations, subscribe to our newsletter - we’ve got plenty more where these came from!