Kampaoh Cova Negra

Expert climbers and beginners alike can enjoy exciting, adrenaline-filled climbs in the Cova Negra (20 minutes’ drive). For something really challenging, book in advance to try La Falconera via ferrata climbing route (15 minutes’ walk), which leads up and down sheer rock faces and across hanging bridges suspended over deep gorges. Follow the hilly Font del Mondúver trail (40 minutes) for spectacular views from the mountains down to the Med coast, or cycle up to the Mirador de la Mallà (90 minutes by bike) to glimpse the serried ranks of peaks around the Barxeta Valley. If that all sounds just too hardcore, limit yourself to gentle strolls among the trees in Torradores Marxuquera (five minutes’ drive), a shady park with spectacular vistas to the Marxuquera foothills. Beach bunnies can descend on Gandía (15 minutes) to laze on sand backed by palm trees, before meandering along the promenade to seafront tapas bars and pizzerias at sunset. Xeraco Beach (20 minutes) is the spot for windsurfers, while the sandy stretch at Oliva (half an hour) is backed by dunes and popular with families.