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Things to do and see in Xativa, Spain

Xativa Spain
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Discover the most important places that you must visit on your trip to Xativa Spain, a municipality and city in the Comunitat Valenciana. It is a destination blessed with great monuments and which played a significant role in the region’s history.

You will be fascinated by its enormous cultural and historical value, as well as the traditional atmosphere it exudes. It was originally a very important commercial place during the Roman era. Nowadays you can walk through its streets and avenues, as well as its most spectacular natural spots. Keep reading to discover more about Xàtiva!

Organize your itinerary in a quick and easy way with the Passporter application, with which you can share and store the best photos and routes of your experience in Xàtiva, at no cost.

What to see in Xativa Spain

Xativa Town Hall, Spain

Discover this building where several procedures are carried out for the benefit of the community of Xativa, Spain. It has an attractive 3-storey colonial façade; take the opportunity to stroll around it and find different shops, restaurants, bars, benches and water fountains to rest after your tour.

Plaça De La Trinitat

On your walk through the centre of Xàtiva, come to the Plaça de la Trinitat. One of the most symbolic and remarkable places in this town. The medieval design and atmosphere can be felt all around, surrounded by palaces, a convent and the royal fountain of Trinitat.

The latter is the oldest original fountain in Valencia that hasn’t had any remodelling. Interesting, don’t you think? Don’t miss it.

Xativa Market Square

At the end of Calle Noguera you will find the Plaza del Mercado. This is perhaps the urban space of greatest environmental interest. Most of the buildings date back to the 18th century, and it is also a historical and cultural place for the Spanish community. In this square, you can also find places formerly belonging to royalty and the auctions of municipal works. At at one time, in this same square, public executions were even carried out.

Every Tuesday and Friday it comes to life, offering a lively mercantile and popular spectacle. At the opposite end of the square, there is a narrow street that leads up to Corretería street, the most important urban artery from the Middle Ages until the last century. Turning right, two blocks further on, we find a tiny square where the Almodí Museum is located. This square is the perfect place to connect all the wonders that Xàtiva, Spain has to offer.

Royal Hospital

The Hospital Reial is nothing more or less than one of the most beautiful and interesting buildings in the city of Xàtiva. It is located opposite the well-known “colegiata” and is, without a doubt, one of the most impressive monuments in the city. As if this were not enough, the Valencian architecture comes out in all its splendour after the extensions that were made in the 15th and 16th centuries, harmoniously fusing the Gothic and Renaissance styles.

The oldest part of this magical building is the chapel, built in the middle of the 15th century. Inside it has a star-shaped vault, polychrome keystones and modillions, a façade of ogee arches with pinnacles; gables, and one of the elements that generates most curiosity among tourists are the beautiful choirs of musical angels that accompany the Virgin with the child, superimposed on the last archivolt.

Sant Domenec, Xativa Spain

The Sant Doménech is an old convent, built between the XIII and XIV centuries, by orders of the then, king Jaume II. This was when Xàtiva was considered the second most important city of the kingdom of Valencia. Moreover, this convent was built in medieval times, during the important cultural diffusion which gave way to the Spain that we know today. Therefore, this convent is a historical place that you must see at least once when you are in Xàtiva, Spain.

Nowadays, the convent of Sant Domènec houses the Museum of Corpus Christi, with a permanent exhibition of the elements of this traditional festivity.

Sant Feliu Church

The Sant Feliu church is one of the oldest churches in the now extinct Kingdom of Valencia. This church was built in the 1200s, at the height of the medieval period, after the Christian conquest by King Jaume I, coinciding in turn with the expansion of the Gothic style throughout Valencia.

This church is on the slopes of the Castell, close to the Bellveret viewpoint, where the ancient Roman city of Saetabis once stood.

L’almodí Municipal Museum

Set in beautiful surroundings, these two ancient buildings come together to display Spain’s most interesting archaeological collection. The collection ranges from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages.

This imposing museum awaits you with its doors open for you to walk through the ancient Roman rooms and imagine the streets of medieval Xàtiva thanks to the main model. You can also get close to the Islamic toys and touch the ancient tools used by our Neanderthal ancestors.

Xàtiva Grand Theatre

As its name suggests, it is a large modern theatre with a very varied programme. It is well located, at the end of the busiest street of the city and surrounded by bars and restaurants that make the visit more pleasant. Perhaps the only detail we should point out is that the car park, being such a busy place, is almost always full, so it is advisable to park along the Alameda or the street below and walk a little.

The Casa De L’ensenyança

It has a long history as it was initially built in 1758 with the aim of educating poor children. Over the years, specifically in 1991 Mariano González Baldoví decided to remodel it and turn it into a fine arts museum.

The architecture consists of 3 floors, with an attractive design on the stairs and in the centre of the house. Here, they exhibit works of Pop Art and works by native Spanish artists. You will also find rooms with portraits of the Bourbon kings and engravings with collections by Goya and Jacques Callot – a real must!

What to do in and around Xativa Spain

Xàtiva is surrounded by many gems, which are certainly worth visiting if you are of an adventurous tourist. That’s why we mention below, the best places to see in the surroundings of this city.

Xàtiva Castle

Historical places are the best tourist attraction that a town or city can have. That’s why when in Xàtiva you can’t miss the chance to visit this incredible double fortress that measures about 1 km. The castle is home to a great deal of Xàtiva’s history, which is why, when you visit the Castell, you will meet a guide who will explain in detail what happened in this castle.

Apart from history, its Valencian Gothic architecture will make you want to take the most amazing pictures. You can also visit the interior of the castle where you will find the Porta Ferrissa gate and the parade ground in the courtyard that leads to the Castell Menor and the Castell Major, which are other places of great interest.

Exercise is another reason to visit this double fortress. You can walk all the way to the castle by hiking. However, make sure you bring water bottles and sun cream so that nothing can stop you from reaching the castle. If you don’t want to walk that far, don’t worry, you can drive to the castle entrance.

Collegiate Church Basilica Of Santa Maria

This imposing old church is also called La seu. Despite the religious differences implied by the name, at no time in history has this church been intended to be an episcopal see.

Focusing more on the structure of the church, we can see a gothic style. Even so, it is difficult to define a style as this church is still under construction, being one of the later ones, whose reputation has led to the phrase “It takes longer than the construction of the Seu”.

The Black Cave

Among the amazing attractions that Xàtiva offers us, we can find the Cova Negra, which has been declared a Municipal Natural Site since 2006. As well as being the place Xàtiva is known for, it is an essential visit for any tourist, thanks to the views and the natural experience that it offers. If you are an active tourist you will want to visit it every day.

It is in the narrow valley that runs along the river Albaida. This area rich in vegetation, has a total of 57 hectares, which reflect the place’s high ecological value.

Here we can find one of the most exceptional landscapes in Europe, which helps us understand the prehistory of this continent and the life of the Neanderthal man.

Itinerary for your trip to Xativa Spain

Preparing a travel itinerary is not always easy. For this reason, below we will show you the different places you should visit during your stay in Xativa, using the Passporter app. That way you can enjoy your holidays by visiting every corner and sharing your experience with the large community of travellers. Travel and inspire others!

What to see in Xativa in 1 day?

Depending on how long you have this city, you can see quite a few places. But if you don’t know where to start, we recommend the tourist places that are closer together so you can visit them one by one, in just one day.

  • Xàtiva Market Square
  • Royal Hospital
  • Sant Domènec
  • Sant Feliu
  • Municipal Museum Of L’almodí
  • Gran Teatre Xàtiva
  • Xàtiva Castle
  • Xàtiva Town Hall

What to see in 2 days in Xativa?

For your second day in this magical city, we recommend visiting the surrounding area. All the natural wonders that Xàtiva has to offer on the outskirts of the city are always a good idea, and if you are a nature lover, you won’t want to miss anything.

  • Collegiate Church Basilica of Santa Maria
  • The Black Cave
  • Plaça De La Trinitat
  • La Casa De L’ensenyança

How to plan your itinerary of the places to see in Xativa Spain?

Download the Passporter app and plan your trip in the most organised way, according to the days and places you want to see in Xativa, Spain.

With the app you will be able to:

  • Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
  • Save valuable information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything that is useful for your trip.
  • Save your tickets and reservations.
  • Organise your route on google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other that you indicate.
  • Know the best travel option for each place.
  • Save and publish your own photos and experiences as you go along, so that when someone asks you “How was your trip in Xàtiva?” You can reply “Visit my traveller profile on Passporter!”.

If you are interested in knowing more about how to use and get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Xàtiva located?

It is located between the basins of the river Albaida and its famous tributary, the river Cañoles. This location was very strategic in the times of the Valencian kingdom, as it is very close to the Montesa corridor. In addition to this, the perimeter of this municipality is quite uneven and has several enclaves throughout the width of its territory. These enclaves were the result of the historical segregations, which were composed of more than 60 villages.

How to get to Xativa, Spain?

To get to Xàtiva, we have three different routes, which may seem better or worse, depending on our budget or time. Being a central city, and located in the middle of the Valencian capital, it has airports, car and train routes, which will allow you to get there easily.

How to get to Xativa from Valencia?

From Valencia you can travel to Xàtiva by train, as the Estación del Norte train station is located right in the city centre. This means of transport is the most comfortable and economical option.

Where to eat in Xàtiva?

Try Spanish or Mediterranean food in restaurants such as Casa la Abuela, where the striking design is somewhere between colonial and modern, as well as the good service of the staff. You can also visit the Carpanel restaurant which has an extensive menu and a pleasant atmosphere.

Where to stay in Xàtiva?

You have several options starting with the rental of flats, rural houses, and hotels, both of which guarantee comfort but vary in price. The best value for money are:
Per night:
Casa Camino del Castillo: 42 Euros
Hotel Vernisa: 65 Euros
La Casona Albaida: 48 Euros
Gomez Rooms: 52 Euros

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