Bocairent Holidays: Caves, Castles and Inland Valencia
Província de València · Valencia · Spain · 4,496 residents
Bocairent is a small hill town of 4,496 people in the Província de València, set 668 metres above sea level and well away from the coast. Its main sights sit within walking distance: the Covetes dels Moros cave lies about 0.6 miles from the centre, the Museo Arqueológico Municipal “Vicent Casanova” about 0.4 miles, and the old bullring barely 0.2 miles away. A short drive brings you to the Castell de Banyeres de Mariola and the Museo Valenciano del Papel. With Alicante airport 48 minutes away by car, it suits British travellers after culture, family outings and cooler inland air, either as a base or as a day out from the Costa Blanca.
Why go
- The Covetes dels Moros cave sits about 0.6 miles from the centre, an easy walk.
- Alicante airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is just 48 minutes away by car.
- April brings highs of 23°C with only three rainy days, ideal for walking the old streets.
Top sights in Bocairent
Caves, Castles and Local Museums
The best-known sight nearby is the Castell de Banyeres de Mariola, a castle about 4 miles away in neighbouring Banyeres de Mariola. In the same town, roughly 4 miles from Bocairent, the Museo Valenciano del Papel is a museum that works well for families as well as culture lovers.
In Bocairent itself, the Covetes dels Moros is a cave about 0.6 miles from the centre, and the Museo Arqueológico Municipal “Vicent Casanova” is around 0.4 miles away. Further out, the Castillo de Serrella is a castle some 5 miles off, while the plaza de toros, the town's bullring, sits only 0.2 miles from the centre.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page through the booking cards below.
1castleCastell de Banyeres de Mariola
4 miles from the centre · Photo
Castle located in Banyeres de Mariola (Alicante), Spain.
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2museum
3cave
4castleCastillo de Serrella
5 miles from the centre · Photo
Museo Arqueológico Municipal “Vicent Casanova”
museum · In the centre
plaza de toros de Bocairente
amphitheatre · In the centre
Tours & tickets in Bocairent
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Bocairent can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Bocairent
Staying in a Small Hill Town
Bocairent is an inland town of under 5,000 people, so expect a quiet stay rather than a lively resort. Staying close to the centre puts the archaeological museum, the bullring and the Covetes dels Moros within a short walk, which is handy if you would rather leave the car parked.
If you want more choice, the larger towns of Ibi and Villena are within about 16 miles. This page shows live hotel prices for Bocairent and the surrounding area.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Bocairent and the villages around it is a hire car from Alicante (ALC), about 48 min away.
Best time to visit Bocairent
When to Visit Bocairent
- 14°CJan15 mm
- 14°CFeb38 mm
- 19°CMar17 mm
- 23°CApr11 mm
- 23°CMay65 mm
- 27°CJun60 mm
- 33°CJul9 mm
- 33°CAug33 mm
- 26°CSept72 mm
- 23°COct61 mm
- 18°CNov21 mm
- 14°CDec12 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
April and October are the most pleasant months. April averages highs of 23°C and lows of 9°C, with just 11mm of rain over three days. October is equally mild at 23°C by day and 13°C at night, though wetter, with 61mm of rain across seven days.
July and August are the hottest months, with highs of 33°C and nights around 20°C. September is the wettest, at 72mm over ten rainy days, and May and June also see ten rainy days each. Winter is cool at this altitude: highs of 14°C from December to February, with February lows dipping to 4°C. As an inland town, there is no sea temperature to consider.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14°C | 5°C | 15 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 14°C | 4°C | 38 mm | 8 h |
| Mar | 19°C | 8°C | 17 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 23°C | 9°C | 11 mm | 12 h |
| May | 23°C | 11°C | 65 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 27°C | 16°C | 60 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 33°C | 20°C | 9 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 33°C | 20°C | 33 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 26°C | 16°C | 72 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 23°C | 13°C | 61 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 18°C | 9°C | 21 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 14°C | 5°C | 12 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting to Bocairent from the UK
Alicante (ALC) is the closest airport, about 34 miles away or roughly 48 minutes by car, and has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Valencia (VLC) also has direct UK flights and lies around 50 miles off, about 72 minutes' drive. Murcia (RMU), likewise served directly from the UK, is about 72 miles away, a drive of around 102 minutes. Car hire is the practical choice, as Bocairent is inland.
If you are driving from home, the journey from Calais takes around 1,186 minutes, close to 20 hours at the wheel. Ferry ports at Dénia (about 40 miles) and Valencia (about 50 miles) offer sailings to Ibiza, Formentera, Palma and Maó, and Valencia also runs a route to Tangier Med in Morocco, useful for extending the trip.
By air
- Alicante (ALC)34 miles, about 48 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Valencia (VLC)50 miles, about 1 h 12 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Murcia (RMU)72 miles, about 1 h 42 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 19 h 46 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Dénia (40 miles), Valencia (50 miles).
Bocairent is good for
Around Bocairent
Day Trips from Bocairent
Ibi is the nearest larger town, about 10 miles away, with Enguera around 15 miles off. Villena and Xàtiva, both sizeable towns, sit roughly 16 miles from Bocairent in different directions.
For smaller places, Anna is about 17 miles away, Chella around 19 miles, and Bolbaite and Relleu each about 21 miles, making for easy half-day drives through inland Valencia.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Visit
At 668 metres, Bocairent is noticeably cooler than the coast, especially in winter, when nights fall to around 4°C to 5°C. Pack a warm layer outside summer.
Spring and autumn rain can be heavy: May, June and September each average ten rainy days, so plan indoor options such as the archaeological museum or the paper museum. As a town of under 5,000 people, it is quiet, and a hire car makes reaching the castles and day-trip towns far easier.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Bocairent?
Alicante (ALC) is the nearest, about 34 miles away or around 48 minutes by car, and it has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Valencia (VLC) is the next option at around 72 minutes' drive.
Can I fly direct from the UK to near Bocairent?
Yes. Alicante, Valencia and Murcia airports all have direct flights from the United Kingdom. Alicante is closest at 48 minutes by car, Valencia takes about 72 minutes and Murcia around 102 minutes.
When is the best time to visit Bocairent?
April and October are the most pleasant months, both averaging highs of 23°C. April is the drier of the two, with only 11mm of rain over three days, while July and August reach 33°C.
Is Bocairent good for families?
Yes. The Covetes dels Moros cave is about 0.6 miles from the centre, the town's archaeological museum is around 0.4 miles away, and the Museo Valenciano del Papel lies about 4 miles away in Banyeres de Mariola.
Is Bocairent near the beach?
No. Bocairent is an inland town at 668 metres above sea level. The nearest ferry port, Dénia, is about 40 miles away, with sailings to Ibiza, Formentera and Palma.
Can I drive to Bocairent from the UK?
You can. The drive from Calais takes roughly 1,186 minutes, close to 20 hours of driving, so most travellers break the journey. Once there, a car is useful for reaching nearby castles and towns.