One place. Two tables.

Explore the fortress that crowns the city with more than a kilometre of walls, wander down through the historic quarter and the Roman Theatre, and finish at the table: Arrels, with its MICHELIN star, right in Sagunt, or rice in Meliana on the way to València.

The castle is protected as a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC).

Tip · Go in through the historic quarter and the Roman Theatre: the climb to the castle is gentler and takes you through the Jewish quarter.

Climb up to the fortress, with views over La Costera and the historic quarter, and round off the day with local cooking in Xàtiva or the MICHELIN star of Origen in Carcaixent.

The castle is protected as a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC).

Tip · Drive up or take the tourist train, and save your energy for the walk down past the hermitages.

The castle, a stroll through the centre and the harbour before sitting down to eat. Dénia is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, and two starred tables meet here: Quique Dacosta's three stars and the seafaring grill of Peix & Brases.

Dénia, UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. The castle is protected as a BIC.

Tip · Book Quique Dacosta well in advance; for something more relaxed, reserve a table at Peix & Brases.

A boat trip on the lake, rice fields and sunset at the jetty. Then rice where it was born: in El Palmar, the fishing village inside the natural park.

L’Albufera Natural Park: 21,100 ha of freshwater wetland.

Tip · The boat trip lasts about 30–45 minutes. Book your rice for lunch or for after sunset.

White architecture, water and reflections, best early or late in the day. Then València's signature cuisine: two restaurants with two MICHELIN stars.

Designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, opened in phases from 1998.

Tip · Approach the complex through the Jardí del Túria; as evening falls, the lights transform the buildings completely.

RC★★ MICHELIN

Ricard Camarena

In València

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FR★★ MICHELIN

Flores Raras

In València

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Pass through the old city gate, climb to its terraces and lose yourself in Ciutat Vella on your way to the table. Two MICHELIN stars in the heart of València.

Gothic gate of the medieval city wall, built in the late 14th century.

Tip · Climb to the terraces, then carry on through the Barrio del Carmen to the Central Market and La Lonja.

LS★ MICHELIN

La Salita

In València

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L★ MICHELIN

Lienzo

In València

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Europe's great working Modernista market: produce from the huerta and the sea, before you see how the city's starred chefs work with it.

Modernista building opened in 1928, opposite La Lonja (UNESCO, 1996).

Tip · Go early on a weekday: it is closed on Sundays and public holidays. La Lonja, a World Heritage Site, is just opposite.

F★ MICHELIN

Fierro

In València

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RC★★ MICHELIN

Ricard Camarena

In València

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Climb Mount Benacantil to see the bay from the fortress, then head down to the centre for lunch: the starred Baeza & Rufete or the classic Nou Manolín.

The castle is protected as a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC).

Tip · Take the lift up from Postiguet beach and walk down through the Santa Cruz quarter.

BR★ MICHELIN

Baeza & Rufete

In Alacant

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NMMICHELIN Guide

Nou Manolín

In Alacant

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The wave-patterned mosaic promenade between palm trees, the harbour and the Marina. Two names from the MICHELIN Guide selection in Alicante to end your stroll.

Some 6.5 million marble tesserae form its famous wave pattern.

Tip · Combine the promenade with the harbour and the Marina, and finish in the centre, a few minutes from both restaurants.

The castle on its rock, the turquoise reservoir and one of the most visited inland villages. Mountain cooking in the valley or the star of El Xato in La Nucia, half an hour away.

Guadalest is one of The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain.

Tip · There is a fee to enter the castle grounds; the viewpoint over the reservoir is the most sought-after photo.

White streets leading up to the blue dome of the Consuelo church and the viewpoint over the bay. A Mediterranean table in Altea or a MICHELIN star in Calp, ten minutes away.

The blue-tiled dome of the Consuelo church is Altea's icon.

Tip · Park below and walk up: the old town streets are narrow and pedestrianised.

Waterfalls and pools of the Algar river among loquat groves and mountains. Lunch by the water or the star of El Xato, in La Nucia.

A very popular spot: check opening hours and tickets in high season.

Tip · Bring water shoes if you want to swim in the pools, and check admission in high season.

The Templar fortress on its rocky headland, surrounded by the sea. Rice with a view in the old town or the MICHELIN star of Raúl Resino in Benicarló, seven kilometres away.

Peñíscola is one of The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain.

Tip · Visit the castle first thing and save lunch for later; the old town fills up at midday.

White cobbled streets climbing up to the castle. Tapas and rice dishes by the sea or the star of Rubén Miralles in Vinaròs.

Peñíscola is one of The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain.

Tip · Follow the walls all the way round to El Bufador, beside the path up to the castle.

The old town above the sea, the castle and the Torre del Rey. And in Oropesa itself, the star of Llavor and the wine cellar of Le Vin Rouge.

The castle is protected as a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC).

Tip · Climb to the castle and the Torre del Rey before heading down to La Concha beach.

L★ MICHELIN

Llavor

In Oropesa del Mar

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LVMICHELIN Guide

Le Vin Rouge Maître-Cavista

In Oropesa del Mar

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Unspoilt coves, seaside trails and the hermitage viewpoint above Alcossebre. Starred cooking at Atalaya or at Raúl Resino, on the other side of the hills.

Coastal natural park with a marine reserve of some 900 ha.

Tip · Trails of varying lengths run along the park's coast; bring water, as there is almost no shade.

A★ MICHELIN

Atalaya

In Alcossebre

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RR★ MICHELIN

Raúl Resino

Nearby · Benicarló

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The fortress on its great rock and the walled town below. Cooking from Els Ports, recognised in the MICHELIN Guide selection, at Vinatea.

Morella is one of The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain.

Tip · Leave the car outside the walls and enter through one of the gates; the castle is reached on foot.

More than two kilometres of walls with their gates and towers. Traditional mountain cooking to round off the visit.

Morella is one of The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain.

Tip · Walk around the outside of the walls to see the towers and gates before entering the old town.

La Roca Grossa, the castle and the contemporary art museum in a village of reddish stone. Wine and tapas in the village or the star of Cal Paradís in Vall d'Alba.

Vilafamés is one of The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain.

Tip · Combine the castle with the Museum of Contemporary Art; check opening hours, which vary by season.

A swim in the pools of the Mijares and a trail between rock walls. Two tables in the village to refuel.

The waters of the Mijares stay at a constant temperature all year round.

Tip · In summer the Fuente de los Baños gets crowded: arrive early and carry on through the Estrechos del Mijares.

The Turia canyon, boardwalks and hanging bridges. Lunch in Chulilla or, back towards València, the star of Simposio.

A very busy trail: check access and parking before you go.

Tip · The car park fills up early at weekends; bring water and hiking boots.

A circular route past irrigation channels, tunnels and the Roman aqueduct of Peña Cortada, as far as La Playeta. Grilled dishes in Chelva or river cooking in Chulilla.

The Peña Cortada aqueduct is of Roman origin.

Tip · The route is circular and runs through tunnels carved into the rock: a torch comes in handy.

The Palancia waterfall and its legend, with a riverside walk. Lunch around Navajas.

A spot on the Palancia river near Navajas, with a waterfall and riverside path.

Tip · A short, family-friendly walk; easy to combine with Segorbe, a few minutes away.

Europe's largest palm grove, a World Heritage Site, and its most famous garden. Then the star of La Finca or the cooking of La Masía de Chencho.

Palm Grove of Elche: UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

Tip · Huerto del Cura charges admission; the rest of the palm grove can be explored free along the Ruta del Palmeral.

LF★ MICHELIN

La Finca

In Elche

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LMMICHELIN Guide

La Masía de Chencho

In Elche

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A medieval fortress with its great keep. A gastrobar in Villena or La Sirena in Petrer, in the MICHELIN Guide selection.

The castle is protected as a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC).

Tip · Visits inside the keep are guided: check times before you go.

A hilltop castle and a peaceful historic quarter. Local cooking in Biar or Erre que Erre in Ibi, in the MICHELIN Guide selection.

The castle is protected as a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC).

Tip · Walk up through the old town; the path to the castle is short but steep.

The Penyal d’Ifac, the salt flats and the harbour. Calp has several MICHELIN stars: here are two.

Penyal d’Ifac: a 53 ha natural park with some 400 plant species.

Tip · Access to the summit of the Penyal is capped in season: check the park's booking system.

O★ MICHELIN

Orobianco

In Calp

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A★ MICHELIN

Audrey's

In Calp

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Viewpoints, trails and the Garbí above the Mediterranean. Dinner at Hēdoné, in Serra Nature, or the star of Simposio, half an hour away.

Serra Calderona Natural Park: some 18,000 ha.

Tip · Climb to the Garbí viewpoint and dine in the hills; the road is very winding.

HgourmetMAPS

Hēdoné

In Serra

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S★ MICHELIN

Simposio

Nearby · San Antonio de Benagéber

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Switch off in the Sierra de Espadán, with cork oaks, springs and the Pozo Negro. A local table in Fuentes de Ayódar.

Serra d’Espadà Natural Park: more than 31,000 ha.

Tip · An area of cork oak woods, springs and small villages: fill up with fuel before you head in.