Ontinyent is easy to enjoy in a single day: the old town is compact, the museums are close by and the Pou Clar is a short walk from the centre. Here is our suggested plan.
Morning: the medieval Vila
Start at the Palau de la Vila in Plaça de Sant Roc, home to the Tourist Office (maps and today's information) and the Giants and Big-heads Museum. From there, follow the old town walk:
- Walk up Carrer Major de la Vila, with its stone doorways, and peek into the Carreró de la Paella alley.
- Reach Santa Maria church and its bell tower, over 71 metres high: the tallest in the Valencia region.
- Head down to Plaça de Sant Pere for the best views of the Clariano river, Santa Maria bridge and the hanging houses.
- Cross the Pont Vell (1500) and pass Plaça de Baix, home of the Festival Museum (open weekend mornings).
- Finish in the Plaça Major, with the old town hall and the Counts of Torrefiel palace.
If you have time, the MAOVA archaeology museum is just round the corner in Carrer Regall.
Lunch: arròs al forn
Don't leave without trying the town's signature dish: arròs al forn, oven-baked rice with the unmistakable onion black pudding. Add some local cured sausages and finish with a traditional sweet.
Afternoon: the Pou Clar or the Textile Museum
- If the weather is good, walk to the Pou Clar, where the Clariano river springs among crystal-clear pools. Read our Pou Clar guide first: in July and August you need to book.
- If you prefer culture, the Textile Museum explains why Ontinyent is the capital of the Valencian textile industry (free entry; open Tuesday to Friday until 4.30 pm).
End the day back in the Vila at sunset: the light on the bell tower and Santa Maria bridge is Ontinyent's best postcard.
Practical tips
- Which day to go: the Festival Museum is only open at weekends; most museums close on Mondays.
- Parking, trains and buses: see Practical information.
- Check the calendar: you might catch a festival, concert or market. See what to do this weekend.
- Comfortable shoes: the Vila is hilly, with cobbled streets.
