Valencia: A Must-Visit Gem on the Mediterranean
It’s hard to come up with the best things to do in Valencia, since there are so many options. Travelers can spend weeks enjoying Valencia and still not get bored!
Valencia is a city in southeastern Spain, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is the third-largest city in Spain, after Madrid and Barcelona.
Valencia is known for its beautiful beaches, its vibrant culture, and its AMAZING food. Valencia’s year-round pleasant Mediterranean climate makes it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and beach lovers alike. With over 300 days of sunshine annually, you can soak up the sun, enjoy water sports, and explore the city’s vibrant neighborhoods at your leisure. Here are the 10 best things to do in Valencia for first-time visitors!
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Valencia
1. Visit the City of Arts and Sciences
This futuristic complex designed by Santiago Calatrava is a must-see. It includes the Hemisfèric (IMAX cinema and planetarium), the Science Museum, the Oceanografic (Europe’s largest aquarium), and the stunning Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia (opera house).
Rent funky-looking boats while soaking up that warm Valencian sun followed by educational museums, that are actually fun!
2. Explore the Old Town (Ciutat Vella)
Wander through the historic heart of Valencia, where you’ll find narrow streets, picturesque squares, and historic buildings. Highlights include the Plaza de la Virgen, the Cathedral, and the Silk Exchange (La Lonja de la Seda). La Lonja de la Seda looks like it is out of a Game of Thrones movie, and therefore has become popular on Instagram!
This was one of my favorite parts of Valencia! Make sure to stop into one of the ice cream shops and try Valencian Horchata–you won’t be disappointed!
We recommend this tour of Old Town, including wine, tapas, and more!
3. Try Valencia’s Famous Paella
Valencia is the birthplace of paella, so be sure to sample this iconic Spanish dish at a local restaurant. Many places offer a variety of paella options, including seafood and traditional Valencian paella. They even put rabbit in their paella if you’re lucky!
We recommend this paella workshop where you can make a paella from start to finish!
This iconic Paella dish is prepared at Tomatina, which is a massive tomato fight in the nearby town of Buñol. Read about the complete guide to La Tomatina here!
4. Stroll through the Turia Gardens
The Jardines del Turia is a beautiful park that runs through the old riverbed of the Turia River. You can walk, bike, or just relax in this green oasis, which is home to playgrounds, fountains, and sports facilities. One of these playgrounds has a massive rope-pyramid which is 2-3 stories high. Not sure how that one got approved!
5. Visit the Central Market (Mercado Central)
This bustling market is a food lover’s paradise and is one of the more exciting but hectic things to do in Valencia. The building itself is spectacular, and the small shops and stands are organs of this magnificent creature. The stalls filled with fresh produce, seafood, meats, cheeses, and more. In addition to the do-it-yourself ingredients, there are tapas stands for full-meals. I recommend trying the Jamón Serrano and Jamón Ibérico, two kinds of delicious hams similar to prosciutto.
6. See a Valencia CF Game
The atmosphere in European soccer/football stadiums is simply unmatched. Them banning alcohol at the stadiums because of how rowdy fans get is a testament to this. While they don’t serve alcohol at the games, they do let you bring food in, which I’ll take any day of the week! Levante is another team in Valencia worth seeing!
7. Relax on the Beach
Enjoying the beautiful beaches is a must-do when visiting Valencia! Malvarrosa Beach is the most famous, and it’s a great place to soak up the sun or take a leisurely stroll along the promenade. The water here is fairly warm so it’s great for taking a dip year-round! They do have police officers patrolling the beach in search of alcohol so keep that in mind!
8. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts
Officially known as the Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia, is one of Spain’s most prominent art museums. It houses an extensive collection of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts, showcasing the rich artistic heritage of Valencia and featuring works by renowned artists such as Velázquez, Goya, and Sorolla. Entrance is free, and this beautiful courtyard is reason enough to go!
9. Explore the Bioparc Valencia
If you’re a nature enthusiast, the Bioparc is one of the best things to do in Valencia! The Bioparc is a unique zoo that recreates the natural habitats of its animals. With a focus on conservation, this is one of the few ethical zoos in the world. Here you’ll find everything from Madagascan Lemurs to Nile Hippos to pythons and giraffes! While their exhibits only house animals native to Africa, there are plans to create Asian and American habitats as well!
10. Climb the Torres de Serranos
The Torres de Serranos are a pair of extremely well-preserved Gothic towers in Valencia, Spain, built in the 14th century as part of the city’s medieval defensive wall. They served as a main gateway into the city and now offer visitors a chance to explore their historic significance and enjoy panoramic views from the top! These do get busy so make sure to go in the morning for a crowd-free experience!
Where to Stay in Valencia
Valencia Accommodations
How to Get to Valencia
How to Get to Valencia by Plane
Valencia’s airport doesn’t have any direct flights from the Americas, but if you’re coming from across the pond, you’ll likely connect from Paris, London, or Madrid. If you can get a flight to Madrid, you can then take the train from Madrid to Valencia!
Book your cheap flights with Skyscanner!
How to Get to Valencia by Train
Our number one tip for buying train tickets to Valencia? BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE! We waited until a few days before and had to pay twice the price as our friends. Trains run from all over Spain as well as close international destinations.
How to Get to Valencia by Bus
12Go is our favorite resource for booking buses in Europe, but you can always check prices at the bus stations if you have time! Buses are much slower, (and sometimes more expensive) than trains are, so keep that in mind!
How to Get Around Valencia
Valencia has a great public transportation system comprised of fairly cheap buses and trains. You can pay in cash or use a bus pass or SUMA10 card for trains. Google maps has accurate routes which you can use to get around Valencia!
One of the best ways to see Valencia is with its hop-on hop-off buses, which you can book here!
Uber is a great way to get around, and while it’s more expensive than public transportation, it’s cheaper than taxis! There’s no reason to rent a car in Valencia, but it will help with day trips!
Our Favorite Travel Resources
Accommodations: We use Booking.com for hotels and HostelWorld for hostels. We also use VRBO or TrustedHousesitters for longer stays.
Flights: We recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest and best flights.
Ground Transport: We use 12Go and Omio for buses and private transfers, and rentalcars.com and Discover Cars for rental cars.
Activities: GetYourGuide and Viator are the best websites for booking organized tours.
International Medical Insurance: We highly recommend SafetyWing for Digital Nomads and HeyMondo for those not traveling full-time, or who frequently engage in higher-risk adventure activities.
eSIM: We recommend Airalo or Holafly for getting data internationally.
Check out our Travel Resources Page for more of our favorite travel-related products and services!
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Things to do in Valencia FAQs
What is Valencia Known For?
Valencia is known for its great food, especially Paella, its beautiful beaches, laid-back lifestyle, and year-round sunny weather.
Is Valencia Cheap or Expensive?
Valencia is very cheap compared to Barcelona and Madrid. While the busy areas may have tourist traps where you pay a little more, there are tons of local shops and restaurants that are fairly cheap.
Is Valencia Worth Visiting?
Valencia is 100% worth visiting. There’s no shortage of things to do in Valencia and the people here are extremely nice. While it doesn’t get the same attention as Madrid and Barcelona, it is less crowded, cheaper, and you can argue it has much better food!
