Image | ABC
Located in the Vall d'Uixó, specifically in the Sierra de Espadán Natural Park, we find the Grutas de San José, natural caves of great beauty in the province of Castellón (Spain) through which the longest underground river in Europe and that you can sail in a little boat while observing the stalagmites and stalactites molded over hundreds of years.
It is one of the most interesting plans to do if you like nature and plan a getaway to the Valencian Community. Next we get to know the Grutas de San José better.
Knowing the caves of San José
The one of the Grutas de San José is a beautiful place formed in the Triassic period full of stalactites and stalagmites of which the speleologists still do not know the origin of the river or the end of the cave. The visit to these caves lasts approximately 45 minutes and is carried out in a boat along a route marked in blue on the map of approximately 2 kilometers and 255 meters on foot through a dry gallery in the brown area of the map. The areas in red cannot be visited.
In the 50s, a system was devised to maintain a stable water level in the Grutas de San José river in order to be able to turn them into another tourist attraction in the Valencian Community.
With its 2.750 meters of current route, we are facing the longest cave in the province of Castellón and the second in the Valencian Community. Today you can access different places such as the Diana Lake, the Hall of the Bats, the Gallery of the Siphons, the dry area and the Cathedral.
Vall d'Uixó | Image | Valencian Tourist Landscapes
What to see near the Grutas de San José
The area of San José where the caves are located offers many leisure possibilities beyond visiting them. For example, the Levantine-style cave paintings that have been found at the beginning of the caves, the only one of their kind in the entire region, are declared a World Heritage Site. and they show that the caves were inhabited thousands of years ago.
In the surroundings there are areas equipped for picnics among the trees that provide good shade in summer and areas for barbecues. In addition, there are also restaurants where you can enjoy the best of Valencian cuisine and also children's spaces with swings and slides.
Two kilometers from the Grutas de San José is the municipality of Vall d'Uixó, one of the entrance doors to the Sierra de Espadán Natural Park and a privileged enclave between the coast and the interior.
La Vall d'Uixó has various places of interest such as the Alcudia and San José aqueducts. The smallest dates from the Middle Ages while the largest was built in Roman times. Other tourist attractions are the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (dating from the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries), the Benizahat tower and the Church of Santo Ángel Custidio.
Image | Coves de Sant Josep
Hours and fees
Schedule
- Until February 28:
From 10:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. with departures every 60 minutes - December bridge:
From 10:00 a.m. to 13:30 p.m. with departures every 30 minutes.
From 15:00 a.m. to 19:30 p.m. with departures every 30 minutes.
Price Plans
The price of individual tickets to the San José caves is as follows:
- Adults: 10 euros
- Children from 4 to 13 years old: 5 euros
- Retirees and large families: 7 euros
Since visits are limited, it is advisable to buy tickets in advance. In addition, an audio guide rental service is available for visitors in six languages: English, Spanish, German, French, Italian and Russian.
Touring the calm waters of the Grutas de San José observing with careful lighting the stalactites and stalagmites modeled by time is a very interesting and entertaining experience for the whole family. Do not miss it!