Free walking tours in Requena and what to see

Must-sees

Requena is in inland Valencia, in the heart of the Utiel-Requena wine region. The first thing to see is La Villa, the medieval quarter on a promontory, with narrow streets, noble mansions and the keep of the old castle. Here too are the churches of Santa María and El Salvador, both with richly carved Gothic doorways.

Beneath La Villa runs the network of Cuevas, galleries dug out and used as stores and cellars, which can now be visited. The old Palacio del Cid houses the Wine Museum, explaining the area’s wine history. Outside the town, many wineries offer visits and tastings, especially of Bobal reds and cava. At the end of August the town holds its Grape Harvest Festival.

Free tours and guided visits

Free tours are hard to find in Requena. The usual format is guided visits of La Villa and the Cuevas, which let you into spaces you cannot see on your own. Winery visits with tastings, booked directly, are also worthwhile. For nature, the Hoces del Cabriel Natural Park, with the Los Cuchillos formations, is best explored on guided hikes or kayak trips.

How long to spend

A full day is enough for La Villa, the Cuevas and the Wine Museum. If you want to include winery visits, allow two days. With a third you can walk in the Hoces del Cabriel or visit Utiel and other villages in the area. If you coincide with the Grape Harvest Festival, allow a little more time and book ahead.

Where to stay

The best choice is to stay in the centre, next to La Villa or in the streets running down from it, so you can explore the old town on foot and go out to dinner without the car. Around the town there are rural stays and wineries with rooms, a good option if your plan revolves around wine. Requena has a train station and good motorway links with Valencia.