Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0
Peniscola Day Trip from Valencia: Papa Luna's Castle
A walled old town on a rock peninsula, a clifftop castle where a breakaway pope once held out, and the streets HBO used to film Meereen for Game of Thrones.
A castle on a rock, between two beaches
Peniscola sits on a small rocky peninsula about 140km north of Valencia, in Castellon province. The old town climbs the rock toward a 14th century castle, with a beach running along each side of the peninsula below.
It is a longer drive than Cullera or Montanejos, which makes it more of a full day than a half day, but the old town is compact enough to see properly between arriving mid morning and leaving after dinner.
Photo: Jiří Sedláček, CC BY-SA 4.0
What to do in Peniscola
Castillo del Papa Luna
Built by the Knights Templar and completed in 1307, the castle takes its popular name from Pope Benedict XIII, known as Papa Luna, who took refuge here after the Western Schism.
Game of Thrones locations
HBO filmed several sixth season scenes in Peniscola's old town, using it to portray the city of Meereen. The tourism office runs a guided route past the locations, including the Plaza de Santa Maria and the Paso de Ronda walls.
Two beaches
The Playa Norte and Playa Sur sit either side of the peninsula, each a short walk from the old town, so you can pick whichever has the wind and sun angle you want that day.
Photo: Gordito1869, CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting there and timing your visit
Peniscola is reached via the AP-7 motorway, about 1h30 from Valencia. It is a full day trip rather than a half day once you allow for the drive both ways. The regional tourism board's page on Peniscola lists current opening times for the castle and the guided film location tour.
The old town streets are steep and cobbled in places, so comfortable shoes matter more here than at the other two destinations. Parking fills up quickly in summer, so arrive early or use one of the paid car parks outside the walls.
Peniscola day trip FAQ
How long does the drive from Valencia to Peniscola take?
Did Game of Thrones really film in Peniscola?
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Which beach is better, Playa Norte or Playa Sur?
Exploring towns beyond Valencia city?
Peniscola is further out than most of our coastal guides, but it shows the range of what is reachable in a day. If you are weighing up where to base yourself, a free consultation can help.
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Reviewed 14 September 2026 by Michael Bastin