Cullera
Cullera hugs the Mediterranean Sea at the end of the Iberian mountain range, sitting on the banks of the river Jùcar. The historical parts of the city are to the south whilst the tourist district points to the sea in the east.
North of the Cullera Mountain you can find San Lorenzo lagoon, which marks the southern limits of the national park of Albufera. The city is situated 40 kilometres from the provincial capital of Valencia.
History & Architecture
At the top of the mountain, dominating the city and the sea, there is a fortress built in the 13th century over the old Moorish fortress. It once was walled, although those walls no longer remain. Located there are the rest of the old towers, forming part of the old walled area on the mountain.
The Sanctuary of the Virgen del Castillo built in the 19th century is within the fortress where an annual festival is celebrated the week after Passover. There is also the Church of Saint John, a neoclassical temple from the 17th century built over an older Gothic temple. Inside, you will find the sacristía and the interior of a bell tower.
The Torre del Marenyet is an old defensive tower built to keep watch over the Júcar river, erected in the 15th century as a defence against pirates. The Cave of Dragut depicts the invasion of the Berbers in Cullera and it is said that the pirate Dragut once occupied the cave, hence the name.
Nature & Beaches
Cullera is in an undisputedly beautiful setting, there are a myriad of natural wonders to behold in the area, including the national park of Albufera The area is surrounded by citrus groves of oranges, mandarins and lemons.
The enormous Bahía de los Naranjos bay stretches towards the south, sheltering the popular beaches of Racó, Santa Marta and San Antonio. Besides enjoying splendid facilities, the beaches at Cullera also have summer activities such as windsurfing or paddleboat rental to get out to the Peña del Moro – an ideal spot for diving.
The beaches beyond the river estuary offer a calmer, less crowded appeal, often you can be the only souls there.
Aquapark
The aqua park Aquòpolis Cullera is a fun filled alternative to the beach, ideal for children and adults alike. They have a range of water slides from the gentler to the Himalayan and Kamikaze slides. Facilities are excellent and lunch can be eaten on site.
Cuisine
Cullera offers up all the tastes of Valencia and the combination of being a coastal resort and a rice-cultivating region, you can expect many delicious rice and seafood dishes, including of course, the world famous vegetable and seafood Paellas.
Transport
The city of Cullera is just 40 kilometres from Valencia where the international airport has daily flights to the rest of Europe. Further to the south Alicante’s El Altet airport also has frequent flights to and from the UK and the rest of the continent.
Whether you are interested in a fun and action packed holiday or simply want to soak up the atmosphere and see the sights, Cullera has it all and suits all ages.