Requena

Requena is one of those destinations that you will find yourself falling in love with as soon as you start wandering around. Here you can explore pretty streets, famous wineries and historic sites, not to mention sample the delicious local cuisine. Keep reading to discover everything you can see and do in this pretty inland town. 

What to do in Requena

Requena is located in the westernmost part of the Region of Valencia, sitting some 692m above sea level. The town dates all the way back to the Iron Age as is evidenced in the archaeological excavations conducted in Barrio de la Villa, the old town. The remains are well worth a visit. 

Declared an historic and artistic conservation area in 1966, the historic centre of Requena is populated with treasures that tell the story of the town. Make sure you take the time to visit San Nicolás church, a Neoclassical work of art, as well as Santa María and El Salvador churches, both of which are Gothic in style. The heart of the centre is Plaza de la Villa, which is currently known as Plaza de Albornoz.

Another great sight is Torre del Homenaje. The keep was originally used as a surveillance tower, though it was later used as a prison. Nowadays it is an information centre where you can discover the town’s history through information panels and audiovisual displays. 

Casa Mayor del Arte de la Seda (Silk art gallery), Palacio del Cid (El Cid Palace), Museo de Arte Contemporáneo "Florencio de la Fuente" (Contemporary art gallery), the Jewish quarter and Cuevas de la Villa are also located in this district. 

As you may know, Requena is also famed for its Designation of Origin wine. To discover everything there is to know about the wine tradition here, a great option is to visit Caserío Rural de Sisternas. This space has over 5,000 objects that show what life used to be like in Requena. After visiting the collections, you can enjoy a wine tasting and talk about the characteristics that make the Utiel-Requena designation unique. 

Requena is also a popular destination among walkers. There are plenty of hiking routes starting in the town that will lead you deep into the beautiful scenery and even to some archaeological sites, such as Poblado Ibérico Muela de Arriba. There is also a walk to Ayora, which is ideal if you’re in the mood for a long hike. 

If you are keen to discover Requena’s wine tradition, make sure your visit coincides with Feria y Fiesta de la Vendimia de Requena, an event of tourist interest that celebrates the annual grape harvest. One of the oldest festivals in the region, it is held between late August and early September. The town comes to life during the festival with plenty of events, such as the announcement of the festival queen and Noche de la Zurra. 

As you can see, there are plenty of things to see and do in Requena, an historic area of the Region of Valencia where traditions are still very much alive. 

How to get here:

By motorway: follow the A-3 and take exit 291 to Requena. Alternatively, you could take the N-III and the N232, which are less major roads.