If you fancy swapping the Costa Blanca for cobbled streets, mountain views and something a little different this weekend, Bocairent is close enough for an easy day trip.
The small town sits in the Vall d’Albaida area of Valencia province, close to the Alicante provincial border and at the foot of the Sierra de Mariola. From Alicante city, it is around 70 kilometres by road, with the journey taking roughly one hour and ten minutes.
Once there, you will find a medieval old town, caves cut into rock and one of Bocairent’s most unusual attractions, the Covetes dels Moros.
Start in Bocairent’s medieval quarter
Bocairent’s medieval quarter gained national historic and artistic protection
in 1975, and it is best explored on foot.
The streets follow the hillside rather than any neat town plan. Expect slopes, steps, narrow lanes, fountains and houses packed closely together.
Among the main sights is the parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, which stands on the site of the former Arab castle.
The old town also provides views across the Barranc de la Fos towards the rock face containing Bocairent’s famous man-made caves.
Climb inside the Covetes dels Moros
The Covetes dels Moros (Moorish Caves) are probably Bocairent’s most distinctive attraction.
From across the ravine, they look like dozens of small windows punched into a cliff. Inside, however, those openings lead into a network of chambers cut directly into the rock.
There are more than 50 openings spread across several irregular levels. Passages and small shafts connect many of the chambers, creating an unusual route through the rock.
Archaeological research suggests people used them as granaries or secure storage spaces during the Andalusian period, probably around the 10th and 11th centuries.
Visitors can enter and explore part of the network, although the confined spaces and climbing involved make this rather different from wandering around a conventional historic monument.
More of Bocairent lies inside the rock
The caves are not the only place where Bocairent disappears into the hillside.
The Monasterio Rupestre (Rock-Cut Monastery) is an old underground convent with rooms and features carved directly into the stone.
Bocairent’s bullring also stands out. Builders excavated much of it from the rock rather than constructing it as a conventional arena.
Then there is the Cava de Sant Blai, an old snow store. People once collected and stored snow there to preserve ice for use during warmer months, long before modern refrigeration arrived.
Together, these sites make Bocairent a good choice if you enjoy a day out with plenty to explore rather than a single attraction followed by lunch.
Getting there from the Costa Blanca
From Alicante, the usual driving route follows the A-31 towards Villena before joining the CV-81 towards Bocairent.
The road takes you through the inland landscape and past Benejama and Bañeres de Mariola before reaching the town.
At roughly 70 kilometres from Alicante city, Bocairent is close enough for a day trip while offering a very different setting from the coast.
Comfortable shoes are a particularly good idea here. Between medieval streets, steep steps and rock-cut attractions, this is one day out where flip-flops are probably best left at home.
Bridging the Gap’s recap
- Bocairent sits in Valencia province, close to the Alicante provincial border.
- It is around 70 kilometres by road from Alicante city.
- The journey takes approximately one hour and ten minutes.
- Its medieval quarter has steep streets, steps and narrow lanes.
- The Covetes dels Moros contain more than 50 openings leading into rock-cut chambers.
- Archaeologists link the caves to storage during the Andalusian period.
- Other attractions include the Rock-Cut Monastery, bullring and Cava de Sant Blai.
- The usual route from Alicante follows the A-31 and CV-81.
