Valencia, located in Spain’s Eastern Mediterranean coast, offers a perfect blend of vibrant city life, beautiful beaches and natural spaces. The best time to visit Valencia would be during the summer months, where you can enjoy everything this remarkable city has to offer.
A 3-4 day trip is ideal to explore Valencia’s highlights, To help you plan your visit, this webpage is organised into several sections:
- Hotels – Where to stay for convenience and comfort;
- Main Tourist Attractions – Must-see sights and local favourites;
- Getting around Valencia – Tips on transport options in Valencia;
- 3-Day Itinerary – A detailed plan to make the most of your trip.
Hotel
When choosing where to stay in Valencia, your choice depends on convenience, sightseeing, or the beach.
For convenience, staying near Valencia Airport in the Manises area is a great choice. Budget-friendly options include Travelodge Valencia Aeropuerto and Ibis Budget Valencia Aeropuerto, both just a 10-minute walk from the terminal. This area also offers easy access to a Mercadona and Lidl for any travel necessities, as well as a nearby metro station connecting you to the heart of Valencia.
If sightseeing is your priority, consider Ciutat Vella, the historic heart of the city. Staying here puts you within walking distance of Valencia’s main attractions, making it ideal for first-time visitors. Recommended hotels in this area include Only YOU Hotel Valencia and Numa Valencia La Xerea.
Finally, if your main focus is the beach, El Cabanyal offers a charming seaside atmosphere. Valencia’s beaches are about 20 minutes by metro from the city center, so for first-time visitors, staying in Manises or Ciutat Vella may be more convenient. Nevertheless, El Cabanyal is perfect for those who want to enjoy a beachside stay.
Main Tourist Attractions
Valencia is packed with stunning landmarks and cultural highlights. Here are the top attractions which shouldn’t be missed during your visit. To help you make the most of your visit, we have grouped the top attractions into different categories based on their location, making it easier to plan your days and explore the city efficiently.
Ciutat Vella
As previously mentioned, this is the historic center of Valencia. It is made up of numerous wonderful plazas, cathedrals and medieval streets.
- Plaza de Bous de Valencia – Valencia’s iconic bullring, showcasing striking architecture and a glimpse into the city’s cultural heritage
- Plaza de l’Ajuntament – This picturesque square features a central fountain surrounded by flower stalls and the grand Ayuntamiento, Valencia’s Town Hall of Valencia. This is opened from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 2 pm, it is free to visit and offers an interesting insight into Valencia’s history, its beautiful architecture and civic life.
- Museo Nacional de Ceramica – This museum showcases ceramics from the 18th century to the contemporary period. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm, and Sundays/public holidays from 10 am to 2 pm. Admission is €3 for adults on Tuesday – Saturday mornings, and free for under 18, over 65 and adults on Saturday evenings and Sundays.
- Plaza Redona – A unique circular square featuring craft shops, tapas bars, and a fountain in the centre.
- Plaza de la Reina – This lively square with the stunning Valencia Cathedral as a backdrop, featuring numerous lively restaurants and cafes.
- Catedral de Valencia – This Gothic-style cathedral is full of history and art, featuring several important Christian relics, most notably the Holy Chalice. A visit should also include climbing the Miguelete tower for a breathtaking view of Valencia’s historical centre. Open Monday to Friday from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm (last entry 5:30 pm), Saturday from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm and Sunday/public holidays from 2 pm to 5:30 pm (both having last entry at 4:30 pm) The Miguelete Tower has visiting hours from 10 am to 6:45 pm (last entry 6 pm). Admission for the cathedral is €10 general and €6 reduced; for the Miguelete Tower is €3 general and €2 reduced.
- Plaza de la Virgen – A beautiful circular square featuring a central fountain with monuments.
- Torres de Serranos – This defensive Gothic-style structure showcases Valencia’s historic architecture. You can enter the towers Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm ,and Sunday/Public holiday 10 am to 2 pm. Admission is €2 for adults and €1 reduced.
Jardin de Turia
Ciutat Vella is surrounded by a 9km stretch of gardens, known as the Turia Gardens. This green space was created from the former riverbed of the Turia River after the devastating flood in 1957, which led to the river being rerouted. Today, the gardens stretch from the Bioparc and to the City of Arts and Sciences, providing a scenic corridor of walking and cycling paths, playgrounds, fountains, and recreational areas.
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- Bioparc Valencia – This one-of-a-kind Bioparc features thousands of animals from over 100 African species. It is divided into four areas, the Dry Savannah, the Island of Madagascar, the Equatorial Rainforest and the African Wetlands. Admission is approximately €30 for adults and €23 for children or seniors (4-12 or 65+). Tickets can be purchased online from the official website.
- Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia – The second-largest art gallery in Spain, featuring works from the 15th to the 19th century. This museum houses an extensive collection of Renaissance Paintings, and the building itself is a historical landmark designed by the same architect who worked on the Cathedral. Open Tuesdays to Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm, admission is free.
- Museo de Ciencias Naturals – This museum houses a fascinating fossil collection, including specimens from the South American Pleistocene, as well as several other skeletons of prehistoric mammals. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10 am to 7 pm. Admission is €2 and €1 reduced.
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- Museo Historico Militar – This museum showcases weapons, uniforms and artifacts linked to the history of the Spanish Army. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm, and Sunday/Public holidays from 10 am to 2 pm. Admission for this Museum is Free.
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- Gulliver Park – This unique park is modelled on the gigantic figure of Gulliver, featuring numerous slides and climbing areas emerging from this structure. It is a fun and imaginative spot for both kids and adults.
- Museo Fallero de Valencia – Valencia is well known for the Fallas festival, held every March. The celebrations end with a massive bonfire that burns most Fallas, except for two each year that are preserved and displayed in the museum. The collection includes Fallas dating back to 1934, as well as festival posters from different eras. This museum offers visitors the chance to appreciate the spirit of the Fallas Festival all year round. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday 10 am to 2 pm. Admission is €2 and €1 reduced.
Ciutat de Les Artes i Les Ciencies
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Oceanografic – Europe’s largest aquarium, featuring seven different marine environments and around 500 species of sea life . Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
- Hemisferic – This digital 3D cinema offers several daily screenings, mainly 45-minute educational documentaries. Its innovative 3D glasses allow viewers to change the screening language according to their ticket selection.
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- Museo de las Ciencias – This interactive museum features hand-on exhibits focused on science and technology, making it a fun and educational experience for visitors of all ages.
- Umbracle – This open-access garden offers a relaxing walk among Mediterranean plants and contemporary structures, set within the stunning architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences.
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- Palau de les Arts – This impressive opera house stands out for its futuristic architecture.
Beaches
Valencia boasts a long Mediterranean coastline with sandy beaches, perfect for relaxing, sunbathing, and water sports
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- Playa de la Malvarrosa – Valencia’s most famous urban beach, featuring golden sand, a lively promenade, and numerous restaurants and cafes nearby. It is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, or enjoying local paella by the beach.
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- Playa Cabanyal – Located next to Valencia’s port, this lively beach offers a vibrant atmosphere with numerous bars, restaurants and water sport options.
Shopping
Valencia offers numerous shopping spots featuring a wide range of popular shops across various categories.
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- Calle de Colon – This commercial street in the historic centre is widely known as Valencia’s most important shopping avenue. It features popular stores such as Lefties, Pull & Bear, El Corte Ingles, Zara and MediaMarkt, and is also just a short walk from Primark and JD Sports.
- Centro Comercial Saler & Aqua Multiespacio – If shopping centres are more your style, these are ideal. They are both very close to each other and are ideal for a full day of shopping. The full list of shops for Centro Comercial Saler can be found on their official website, with some highlights being C&A, Decimas, H&M, and Muerde la Pasta. For Centro Comercia Aqua Multiespacio, the full list of shops can be found on their official website, with some highkights being Sprinter, El Corte Ingles and MediaMarkt.
Restaurants
Valencia offers a wide range of restaurants and cafes, perfect whether you are stopping for a quick snack or enjoying a full meal.
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- Muerde La Pasta – A popular and affordable buffet restaurant offering a wide selection of pizzas, pastas and other Mediterranean dishes. The buffet also includes drinks and desert. This is found near Plaza de l’Ajuntament and also in Centro Comercial Saler. Opening hours and pricing can be found on the official website.
- Plaza de l’Ajuntament – This features several popular food chains including Five Guys, Popeye’s, McDonalds and Subway, making it a convenient spot for a quick meal in the city centre.
- Paella Spots – Paella is one of Valencia’s most iconic dishes, with the local Valencian version made from rabbit and chicken. A popular spot next to Playa de la Malvarrosa is El Trompo Restaurante – Paella House.
Whether you prefer international fast food or authentic local cuisine, Valencia’s dining scene has something for everyone.
Getting around Valencia
Valencia has an efficient public transport system, including buses, trams and metro lines, making it easy to reach key attractions throughout the city. It is highly recommended to use the Citymapper app, which provides real-time schedules and route planning, and is available for download on both Google Play and the App Store. For frequent travel, consider purchasing a 10-trip public transport pass, which can save both time and money. You first need to buy the travel card and then load it with 10 trips.
If you are taking the metro from the airport to the hotel, you can walk to the station Rosas, just 10 minutes from the airport, to avoid the additional charges for an airport metro trip. If you plan to take the metro from Valencia Airport, make sure your ticket covers the correct zones. A Zone A ticket does not include the airport, so you will need a Zone AB+ ticket. If you purchase a 10-trip pass for Zone AB+, it is best to use it only for journeys that include the airport. For regular travel within the city (Zone A), it is recommended to have a separate travel card to avoid wasting AB+ trips on shorter journeys that do not require that fare.
3-day itinerary
Below is a suggested 3-day itinerary designed so you can experience Valencia’s main sights at a comfortable pace. This is the order I recommend, but the days can be adjusted depending on the opening hours of the attractions or your personal preferences.
Day 1 - Historic Centre and Bioparc
Morning: Start your day with a visit to the Bioparc Valencia. Be sure to purchase tickets in advance to avoid queues. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing stroll through Cabecera Park, located nearby.
Late Morning/Lunch: Take the metro to Xativa station, and begin exploring Valencia’s historic centre. Admire Plaza de Bous de Valencia, then head to Plaza de l’Ajuntament, where you can stop for lunch at one of the nearby restaurants or fast-food options, and also purchase any souvenirs from this area.
Afternoon: Visit the Museo Nacional de Ceramica to admire its extensive ceramics collection. Continue your walk through Plaza Redona and Plaza de la Reina, making sure to visit Catedral de Valencia, and if you like you can climb the Miguelete Tower for panoramic views of the city.
Evening: Conclude the day at Plaza de la Virgen, soaking in the atmosphere of the square. For dinner, enjoy traditional paella at El Paeller Valencia or dine at a nearby restaurant. You can end the day by strolling to the Torres de Serranos
Day 2 - Beach day and Turia Gardens
Morning: Start the day by visiting one of Valencia’s beautiful beaches. You can visit Playa de la Malvarrosa or Playa Cabanyal, based on your preference. Enjoy swimming, sunbathing and also take a relaxing stroll along the promenade.
Afternoon: From the beach, take the metro to Facultats station and walk to the Museo de Ciencias Naturals. After your visit, continue to the Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia, one of Spain’s most important art museums. From there, enjoy a pleasant stroll through the Turia Gardens until you reach the Museo Historico Militar.
Evening: After your visit to the museum, walk towards Puerta del Mar, and from there explore Calle de Colon, Valencia’s main shopping street. End the day with dinner in Plaza de l’Ajuntament, surrounded by the city’s lively atmosphere and beautiful architecture.
Day 3 - Turia Gardens and Ciutat de Les Artes i Les Ciencies
Morning: Take the Metro to Alameda and follow the path through Turia Gardens until you reach Gulliver Park, a creative playground inspired by Gulliver’s Travels. Then, continue towards Museo Fallero de Valencia to explore the history and artistry behind one of Valencia’s most iconic festivals, Las Fallas.
Afternoon: Before heading to the City of Arts and Sciences, enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant, such as Restaurante Elbar Valencia or Raffaello Ristorante e Pizzeria. Afterwards, explore the City of Arts and Sciences, known for its striking modern architecture. You can stroll around the complex and also visit the attractions such as Oceanografic, Museo de las Ciencias, or Hemisferic. If you plan to visit any of these attractions, it is recommended to purchase your tickets online in advance. Bundled tickets options are also available at a discounted rate.
Evening: End your day with a visit to Centro Comercial Saler and Aqua Multiespacio, located nearby. Spend some time shopping and enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants available within the shopping centre.
Interactive Map
Explore Valencia with ease whilst using our interactive map.
In the interactive map, you have all the attractions found on this website, as well as the walking paths mentioned in the itinerary section, for your ease. It is designed to help you navigate Valencia effortlessly, following our suggested routes and highlights.
