Visiting Valencia, Spain: What to See and Do

When my mom was visiting me from the USA, we made the short trek over to Valencia from Pisa. She has a super nice friend who lives there and we were able to stay with him and his sweetheart of a dog. Neither of us had ever been to Valencia, so it was a fun new adventure. I had made a list of things I was interested in doing beforehand and we were able to accomplish all of them in the four days we spent there. 

My mom’s favorite part of the city was Turia Park while mine was not only the park, but also the City of Arts and Sciences where there is an aquarium. We had a great time and waking up at 3 am for a 6 am flight was worth it in the end.  

Is Visiting Valencia Worth it?

Valencia is a beautiful city that isn’t as crowded with tourists as some other large cities. I felt that it was a very pleasant city to visit and would say that visiting Valencia is definitely worth it. It is a city with history and charm while also offering more modern amenities like bike lanes and large city parks. 

Valencia offers a large variety of activities for visitors as well as locals. You can spend a day at one of its large beaches followed by an evening out in one of its lively neighborhoods. Kids will enjoy the science museum and the aquarium. There is also a large park running through the city that offers running and biking trails. Valencia is a relatively small city which makes it easy to navigate. Public transportation is also quite prevalent between buses, trams, and the metro. 

How Long to Spend in Valencia 

I would recommend about a full 2-3 days to soak up all that the city has to offer. We stayed for four days and had a very relaxed last day. I think three days would have been perfect if we were on a more strict timeline. 

9 Things to Do in Valencia

Turia Park

This 9km long park is one of the largest urban parks that can be found in Spain. The park is built on the previous riverbed of the Turia. The river was diverted due to continuous flooding and the city took advantage of the bed it left behind by building this exceptional park. Visitors can enjoy bike rides, leisurely walks, exercise, and relaxation while at the park. It has many access points on either side and is crossed by 18 bridges. One of the bridges is Puente de las Flores, which is bordered on each side by walls of flowers. 

Visit the Historic Center

The historic center of Valencia is filled with impressive architecture and history. The cathedral claims to be the home of the Holy Chalice and you can also climb to the top of the tower of the cathedral for city views. Enjoy doing some shopping for souvenirs and stop for a bite to eat. It is very close to Turia Park and is also close to other interesting neighborhoods. 

Wander the Central Market

You can find the Central Market in the historic center of Valencia. It is located in a large beautiful building. While inside be sure to look up to admire the building’s central dome. You can find so many delicious treats from fresh produce to baked goods, spices, meats, and fish. 

We probably went up and down the aisles to scour the different stalls at least three times. I enjoyed a cup of fruit and found some paella seasoning and delicious cookies. Coffee lovers will love the various stalls that sell it and you can pair it with a pastry. The prices are very reasonable, especially for being in the historic center. 

Spend the day at the beach

Valencia is a city on the sea. Its beaches are seemingly endless sandy havens. You have the choice of laying out in the sun with your own gear or you can rent beach chairs and an umbrella at various places along the beach. Be sure to bring your sunblock, I had a great time reading in the sunshine but brought home a decent burn as I forgot to apply sunscreen. 

Explore Ruzafa (Russafa) neighborhood for nightlife

This is a neighborhood I would love to revisit later in the evening. It is known as the hipster neighborhood in Valencia and has a lot of cool bars, restaurants, and cafes. We were there in the late afternoon and enjoyed a glass of wine, but many places were yet to open. It is also quite close to the historic center. Definitely look into Ruzafa as a place to spend one of your evenings out on the town. 

Go shopping in the Colòn neighborhood 

If you are looking for some slightly higher-end shopping, head to the colòn neighborhood. There is a department store, a pedestrian street lined by shops, and a covered market. The market building resembles an old train station and is a fun place to check out with gourmet restaurants downstairs. 

Visit the Oceanografic (Aquarium)

I highly recommend this aquarium for all aquarium\ocean lovers. It is really beautiful and well put together. You will see animals such as sea turtles, beluga whales, penguins, dolphins, and sharks. I really loved how green it was outside and how you popped in and out of exhibits so that you enjoyed the outdoor exhibits along with the indoor ones. There are two underwater tunnels to walk through which offer a magical under-the-sea experience. 

The location is at the far end of the Arts and Sciences complex. The price for an adult is €36. 

Explore the City of Arts and Sciences 

It is almost like arriving on a different planet when visiting Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències. These futuristic buildings were designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela and the last building was finished in 2009. There is an outdoor garden in the Umbracle, a science museum, an aquarium, and several other spectacular buildings. There are shallow pools surrounding the buildings where you can float around in giant plastic balls or do motorized stand-up paddleboarding. It is definitely a place to visit while in Valencia and there is now a new tram line that will bring you directly there. 

Stop for some horchata and fartons

Horchata is a popular Spanish drink that is made from chufa seeds. It is a refreshing beverage that is commonly enjoyed with fartons which are a long soft pastry. Horchata can be quite sweet and sometimes has cinnamon added to it. You can buy the seeds used to make it while at the central market in the historic center. It is surprisingly simple to make, if not a bit time-consuming. One of the most famous places to enjoy horchata is Santa Catalina in the historic center. 

Visiting Valencia, Spain, is totally worth it

If you have the time in your itinerary, I definitely recommend adding this cool city to it. Even if just for a day trip. We had a great time exploring the city and enjoyed all of the outdoor activities it offered. There seems to be something for everyone from culinary experiences to bike rentals. 

Happy Travels!