Free walking tours in Cofrentes and what to see

Must-sees

Cofrentes is in inland Valencia province, where the rivers Júcar and Cabriel meet, in the Ayora valley. The village clusters below its castle, built on a rock of volcanic origin, with an Islamic-era base and Gothic alterations. From the top you see both rivers and the canyon landscape. In the village are the parish church of San José and the hermitage of La Soledad.

Very close is the Cerro de Agrás, the only geologically recent volcano in the Valencia region, which you can climb on a waymarked route. The sheer-walled Júcar canyons are the other big draw, as is the Embarcaderos reservoir. The mineral waters of the Hervideros spring feed a spa with a long tradition. In January the San Antonio Abad festival is held.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Cofrentes. The usual format is the river boat trip along the Júcar, through the canyons with commentary, and visits to the castle. There are also adventure companies running activities such as kayaking or guided hikes. If you are coming from Valencia, the most practical plan is to drive and combine the boat with the climb up the volcano.

How long to spend

The village and the castle can be seen in two or three hours. If you add the boat trip and the climb up the Cerro de Agrás, allow a full day. With a weekend you can add an adventure activity, a route through the Ayora valley or a day of rest at the spa.

Where to stay

You can sleep in the village itself, with guesthouses, apartments and rural cottages, or at the Hervideros spa on the outskirts if you are after rest and thermal treatments. The choice is small and fills up in summer and on long weekends. As an alternative, Jalance, Jarafuel and Ayora, in the same valley, have rural cottages a few minutes’ drive away.