Visiting the Castell de Xàtiva

As I work remotely and base myself in all sorts of European cities for a month at a time, I make the most of my free weekends with day trips to the surrounding areas and as such have been able to visit some of the loveliest little cities and towns.

I am currently based in Valencia and with a wind warning forecast but with 20 degree weather and sunshine in the mix, I packed up my day bag for an afternoon trip on the train about forty-five minutes south to the darling town of Xàtiva, where the impressive Castell de Xàtiva dominates the skyline, 300 metres above the town on the hill overlooking the entire region.

Built in medieval times and with a long history of being captured and defended, it was destroyed in the southern Spain earthquake of 1748 and rendered useless after that, left to crumble on the hill before being restored and opened to visitors to explore.

Give yourself at least a few hours to make the most of all the little winding pathways and towers to explore; in its heyday this castle boasted a whopping thirty towers and two chapels within its impressive grounds. You can buy tickets when you arrive with card only (no cash), which were €6 per adult at the time of writing.