Valencia: San Jose Caves Boat Tour & Roman Settlement Day Trip

Summary

Boat ride through San Jose Caves, ancient ruins and mountain views

You’ll float quietly through Europe’s longest underground river inside San Jose Caves with a local guide, then climb up to ancient Roman ruins for wide-open valley views. Includes pickup in Valencia and time to relax or grab brunch before heading back — it’s both strange and grounding at once.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the air — cool and damp, like opening a cellar door in midsummer. We’d barely left Valencia when our guide, Marta, started sharing little stories about la Vall d’Uixò (I still can’t pronounce it right). She pointed out orange groves blurring past the window, then handed out a few tips for the caves. “Don’t touch the walls,” she said, “they’re older than anything you’ve seen.” I think someone in the back laughed nervously — maybe that was just me.

I didn’t expect to actually get on a boat underground. The boatman had this calm way of steering us through the black water while telling us bits about Cuevas de San José in Spanish and English (I caught most of it). The river echoed with every paddle stroke; sometimes you could hear water dripping from stalactites above. At one point, Marta whispered that the temperature stays at 20ºC all year — it felt oddly comforting. There was this moment when we floated into a wider chamber and everyone went quiet. Not forced silence, just… respectful? I still think about that view — jagged rocks lit up by tiny lamps, shadows moving as we drifted.

Afterwards we climbed up to some old Iberian-Roman ruins — honestly, I needed the sunlight after all that darkness. The wind up there smelled faintly of wild herbs and dust; you could see all across the valley if you squinted past the haze. A couple of us grabbed coffee from a little bar (the server called me “guapo” and winked — made my day), while others just sat on a stone wall eating sandwiches they’d brought along. It wasn’t rushed at all; we had half an hour to wander or do nothing.

On the way back to Valencia, Marta answered questions about cave wildlife (apparently there are blind shrimp?) and gave advice on where to eat paella in town. The whole day trip to San Jose Caves from Valencia felt easygoing but kind of surreal too — like stepping sideways out of regular time for a few hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore San Jose Caves and surroundings

• Meet at Valencia pickup points
• Drive to la Vall d'Uixò
• Take boat across underground river
• Explore cave formations and history
• Free time at Iberian Roman settlement

Top questions

How long is the San Jose Caves guided tour from Valencia?

The total duration is around 4 hours including transport from Valencia, cave visit, and free time at the Roman settlement.

Is hotel pickup included for the San Jose Caves tour?

No direct hotel pickup, but you can choose from several central meeting points in Valencia: NH Valencia Center, Torres de Serranos, or Ciudad de la Justicia.

Can I bring my own food or drinks on this day trip?

You can bring your own food or drinks but eating is not allowed inside the bus or caves; there’s time outside for snacks or brunch.

What languages does the guide speak during this tour?

The main guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian or Polish; boat guides may speak Spanish but explanations are given in your language too.

Is this tour suitable for children or people with limited mobility?

Yes, infants and small children can join (even with strollers); suitable for all fitness levels except those with claustrophobia or mold allergies.

Will I get wet during the underground river boat ride?

No swimming or getting wet is involved; you simply ride in a boat along the river inside San Jose Caves.

How much free time do we have at la Vall d’Uixò after visiting the caves?

You’ll have about 30 minutes of free time to explore ruins, relax outdoors or visit local bars and shops nearby.

Are photos allowed inside Cuevas de San José?

You can take photos only in designated areas without flash to protect cave fauna; ask your guide for details on where photography is permitted.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transportation from central Valencia meeting points, admission tickets for San Jose Caves with an official multilingual guide throughout (plus a boatman inside), plus free time at an Iberian-Roman settlement for exploring or grabbing brunch before returning together by air-conditioned vehicle.