18 Unmissable Things To Do In Valencia, Spain
Valencia sits proudly on Spain’s sun-kissed coast, but it offers more than just a beach. It’s a city that stirs old-world charm with futuristic flair, where medieval towers watch over glass-and-steel dreamscapes, and the Mediterranean breeze and palm-lined street make it feel like a tropical oasis.
In Valencia, you can have a relaxing day wandering from storybook plazas to coffee shops, or duck into sci-fi museums and shop for the ultimate taste of citrus in bustling markets, or simply let the warmth of the sun spill over you as you enjoy a glass of horchata.
There are so many things to do in Valencia, but the real charm is simply being able to slow down, look up, and delight in the unexpected.
So if you’re not sure what to do in Valencia on your first visit, then prepare to fall valencian-tly in love with this Mediterranean gem, where every corner is a discovery waiting to happen.
Want to save money on attractions in Valencia? Check out this Valencia tourist card, which gives you 35% off Valencia attractions for 7 days. Visit places like the Cathedral and get discounts at the City of Art and Science.
Table Of Contents
- 1. Ignite your senses at Mercado Central Valencia (The Central Market of Valencia)
- 2. Admire the architecture of La Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange)
- 3. Marvel at Valencia Cathedral
- 4. Relax in Turia Gardens Jardín del Turia
- 5. Get cultured at the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias)
- 6. Chill out on Malvarossa Beach
- 7. Get lost in Barrio del Carmen
- 8. Explore the artsy Ruzafa neighborhood
- 9. Revel in the festivities of Las Fallas Festival
- 10. Admire the sunset in Albufera Natural Park
- 11. Take the kids to Gulliver Park
- 12. Relax in Plaza del Ayuntamiento
- 13. Check out the National Museum of Ceramics
- 14. Admire the views from Torres de Serranos
- 15. Drink some Valencian orange juice
- 16. Eat paella at Flor de Valencia
- 17. Try Horchata at Horchateria Santa Catalina
- 18. Have tapas at Escalones de la Lonja
- 19. Devour some pintxos at Pintxo i Trago
- Is Valencia worth visiting?
- How to get to Valencia
- What is the best time to visit Valencia?
- Where to stay in Valencia
- Final thoughts
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1. Ignite your senses at Mercado Central Valencia (The Central Market of Valencia)
Mercado Central Valencia is a busy market that’s a must-see, especially for foodies. Wander the stalls filled with colorful fruit juices, vegetables, jamon, and snacks. Try some samples or buy a few items to make a meal out of it.
It was built in 1928 and took 14 years to build. The market is a huge 86,000 square feet and covers two floors. It has lots of stalls that mainly sell food and local produce, but even if you’re not looking to buy, it’s a great place to see for its architectural beauty.
Stop at Retrogusto Coffeemates for top-quality coffee. Mercado de Colon is another market to mention with more ready-to-eat items vs. produce.
If you’re a food market fan and heading to Madrid, read more about the TOP Madrid Food Markets here.
2. Admire the architecture of La Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange)
A classic work of stunning architecture is La Lonja de la Seda. It was built in the late 15th-century in a Valencian Gothic style. It used to be a market and one of Europe’s top trade centers.
The name translates to “Silk Exchange”, and was where traders from the East would come to make deals with those in the Mediterranean. Today, the building is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a celebration of history and culture.
Pay the extra couple of Euros for the audio guide to learn about the building and a bit about Valencia’s past.
3. Marvel at Valencia Cathedral
The claim to fame of the Valencia Cathedral, or St Mary’s Cathedral, is that it supposedly houses the Holy Grail (chalice), the cup Jesus drank from at the last supper, which is located in the Holy Chalice Chapel on the inside of the church.
The cathedral is located in Plaza de la Virgen, the main square and a perfect spot to grab a coffee and people watch. The site of the cathedral has historical significance as it was once the location of an ancient Roman Temple, a mosque, and now the cathedral you see today. The interiors are a mix of Gothic and Baroque styles.
Tickets include an audio guide. Once you’re done touring the cathedral head next door to climb the El Miguelete Tower for the best views of the city below. It’s an additional cost, and well worth the cost to climb the 207 steps of the Miguelete Tower.
4. Relax in Turia Gardens Jardín del Turia
The Jardin del Turia in the city center is one of Spain’s largest urban parks and spans nine kilometers across the city. The river that once flowed through Valencia was diverted to prevent flooding of the city, and the riverbed was then converted into a massive park complete with jogging and biking trails.
It’s a huge green space that offers a place for leisure and sports, as well as offering a romantic backdrop for those looking for somewhere quiet to spend with their loved ones.
It connects Cabecera Park and the City of Arts and Sciences, The Ciudad de les Arts y las Ciències, and features 18 historical bridges over the River Turia. The most iconic of those bridges is the San José bridge, which was built in the 17th century, the 16th century Serranos bridge, and 15th century Trinidad bridge.
Be sure to head to the Cabecera Park side and ride in the swan boats. You’ll find Gulliver Park here, as well as a skate park and football field.
Walking or biking the Turia Gardens is a must because the City of Arts and Sciences is located within the park and if you go all the way down the park and continue following the cycle path you will eventually reach Malvarrosa beach.
5. Get cultured at the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias)
If you’re interested in visiting museums, then the City of Arts and Sciences is the one to visit. This modern and futuristic complex is one of the most iconic and popular things to do in Valencia.
It’s most famous for its architecture, which was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. The City of Arts and Sciences is actually several different museums and attractions.
Inside, you’ll find a science museum, a planetarium and IMAX cinema, as well as Europe’s largest aquarium and a performing arts venue Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía.
It’s not just an interactive museum, but a city celebrating the arts and history of Valencia. It’s a massive complex and definitely somewhere worth exploring during your trip to Valencia.
The most impressive of these is the Oceanografic, the largest aquarium in Europe. The aquarium is also home to a variety of sea animals, such as beluga whales, tiger sharks, penguins, walruses, dolphins, and sea lions.
Even if you don’t want to enter any of the museums or buildings, it’s still a worthy sight to leisurely walk around and see the architecture.
The park is massive, so if you don’t feel like walking it all, check out this segway tour of the City of Arts and Science!
6. Chill out on Malvarossa Beach
The easiest beach to reach from Valencia is Malvarossa Beach as you can get here by bike. Relax in the sun, walk or ride down the palm tree lined promenade, and order some paella for lunch before you head back to the city center.
7. Get lost in Barrio del Carmen
The Barrio del Carmen neighborhood is located in the Ciutat Vella, or Old Town. Wander the cobblestoned streets and gaze at the Serrano Towers and Quart Towers (all that’s left of the medieval wall that surrounded the city), walk past quaint squares, and pick a few tapas bars for dinner later.
Take in the street art and colorful buildings. Walking around this historic center and simply taking it all in is one of my favorite ways to spend a day in the city.
8. Explore the artsy Ruzafa neighborhood
Where Barrio del Carmen is charming and historic, the Ruzafa neighborhood is hipster and artsy. Check out the Ruzafa market, visit a few art galleries, take a break at a cute café, and shop some of the trendy boutiques. This area has a local vibe and is the perfect spot to not feel like a tourist. Dulce de Leche in this neighborhood is the perfect stop for an Instagrammable coffee and cake break.
9. Revel in the festivities of Las Fallas Festival
Las Fallas Festival is a must-see event if you’re visiting in March. The festival celebrates the arrival of Spring, and officially spans for five days from the 15th-19th March. The festival is famous for its papier-mâché statues (fallas) which adorn the streets throughout the festival, and are then burnt on the last day La Cremà.
It’s also famous for Mascletà, a massive pyrotechnic spectacle of firecrackers and fireworks displays. You will find fireworks and firecrackers are set off for pretty much most of March, even outside these dates.
It began in the middle ages when carpenters used to burn pieces of wood that used to hold up their lights during winter. As time moved on, they added old clothes and rags which turned into bonfires and artistic puppet displays (ninots).
The event has been added to UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage of humanity list and is a must-see thing to see in Valencia this time of year.
10. Admire the sunset in Albufera Natural Park
Located just 10km outside the city center is this stunning place of natural beauty. The park is Spain’s largest lagoon, and is famous for its sunsets, as well as being a beautiful place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy boat rides.
The park is surrounded by rice fields and woodlands, and has six signposted walking routes through the reserve. If you’re looking carefully, you may see waterfowl swimming in the vegetation.
11. Take the kids to Gulliver Park
Be sure to take a trip over to Gulliver Park. Inspired by the book, Gulliver’s Travels, the fun, and quirky park allows children to climb and play on a massive play structure of the character Gulliver, which is made of climbing frames and slides.
In the book, Gulliver washed ashore on an island of tiny 6-inch people. While we’re not a fan of playparks (as you can see them everywhere), Gullivers Park allows children to use their imagination and creativity.
As they climb and slide around the park, children can pretend to be one of the Lilliput inhabitants as they play on this iconic Valencia monument!
12. Relax in Plaza del Ayuntamiento
If you enjoy seeing stunning and historic architecture, then be sure to swing by the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. The square is lined with stunning buildings th
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