Peñíscola & San José Caves Day Trip from Valencia — Underground River Boat Ride and Papa Luna Castle

Peñíscola and the San José caves: underground river and a city in the sea

A perfect day out: first, a boat ride along the longest navigable underground river in Europe at the San José caves (La Vall d’Uixó); then Peñíscola, the walled town on a rock in the Mediterranean where Papa Luna took refuge and where Game of Thrones was filmed.

San José caves: a boat ride underground

We glide by boat through the galleries of the Coves de Sant Josep, with turquoise water, stalactites and illuminated vaults. The entrance ticket and boat ride are included in the price.

Peñíscola, the city in the sea

We walk up through the white, cobbled streets of the old town to Papa Luna’s castle, a Templar fortress with views along the whole coast (optional entrance). Then free time for lunch, a walk along the walls or the beach.

Itinerary

• Departure from Valencia — Mestalla stadium (Avenida de Aragón)
• San José caves — boat ride on the underground river
• Peñíscola — old town, castle and free time for lunch and the beach
• Return to Valencia

Choose your date above. Times are approximate and confirmed by email and WhatsApp after booking.

What’s included

• ✅ Private return coach from Valencia (Mestalla stadium, Avenida de Aragón)
• ✅ Bilingual ValenciaTribe coordinator (English and Spanish) all day
• ✅ Travel / accident insurance
• ✅ Private WhatsApp group for the trip
• ✅ Digital group photo
• ✅ San José caves entrance with boat ride

❌ Not included:

• Food and drinks
• Peñíscola castle entrance (optional, around €5)

What to bring

Comfortable shoes, a light jacket (it’s cool inside the cave all year round), camera, cap and sunscreen for Peñíscola, and some cash.

Why book with ValenciaTribe?

• 🚌 Coach from Mestalla stadium: no car, no parking, no driving back tired.
• 🗣️ Bilingual coordinator (English and Spanish) all day.
• 🤝 Open, social group: locals, Erasmus students and expats. Perfect if you’re coming solo.
• 🛡️ Activity insurance included.

FAQ

What does the San José caves visit include?

The entrance with a boat ride along the longest navigable underground river in Europe (about 40 minutes) is included in the price.

What do we see in Peñíscola?

The walled old town on the sea, its viewpoints and white streets, Papa Luna’s castle (optional entrance, around €5) and the north beach.

Is lunch included?

No. There’s free time for lunch in Peñíscola — bring your own or try the local rice dishes and fish.

Is there more than one date?

Yes. Pick the date you prefer from the list above when booking.

Where does the coach leave from?

From Mestalla stadium (Avenida de Aragón, Valencia). The exact time is in your booking confirmation.

Can I come on my own?

Yes. Most people come solo, and it’s the easiest way to meet new people in Valencia.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If there is a weather warning or unsafe conditions, we let you know in advance and offer a new date or a refund.

Other trips you might like

Explore all our day trips from Valencia, the Chulilla hanging bridges hike or the Cueva Tallada sea cave hike.

¿Prefieres leerlo en español? Ver esta excursión en español.