Parking Next to the Old Town

Bocairent's historic centre is pedestrian and you can't drive in. The tourist office itself says so on the Covetes dels Moros page and points to two streets to leave the car: Batalla de Lepanto and Joaquín Sorolla, outside the medieval quarter. From there you walk up to the old town.

How it works

It isn't a closed car park with a barrier or an attendant, but parking on the street wherever there is a space. The town council doesn't publish the number of spaces, rates or hours, so don't count on a reserved space. At weekends, long weekends and festival days, when the town receives the most visitors, it is best to arrive early to find a spot nearby. If you can't find one on those two streets, the Tourist Info can tell you nearby alternatives by phone (962 905 062).

There are travellers' websites that mention other plots and motorhome areas, but this is user-contributed information and no official source confirms it; before sleeping in one, ask at the tourist office.

Allow time for the climb

Once parked, it is time to walk. The old town streets are narrow and steep, with a layout of Arab origin, and the official Comunitat Valenciana guide recommends comfortable footwear. Bear that walk in mind if you have a fixed time: visits to the Covetes dels Moros leave on the hour, ask you to be there ten minutes early and, if you arrive late once the slot has started, the ticket is lost. The same goes for the bullring slots.

First stop: the Tourist Info

The tourist office is at 2 Plaza del Ayuntamiento. They sell tickets there, give you the map and tell you the day's visiting hours. Read the Tourist Info page first to know when it opens: it is closed on Mondays.

What to see on foot from the car

With the car parked, everything of interest in the medieval quarter is covered on foot: the Covetes dels Moros, the Cava de Sant Blai, the Church of the Assumption at the top and the Ruta Mágica, a walk along the edge of the old town with views of the houses hanging over the ravine. If you then want to do the Barranc de la Fos trail, ask at the office where it starts and whether it is worth moving the car.

For eating without going back to the car, El Cancell and La Parada are close.