Best Things to do in Valencia – What To Add To Your Itinerary

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Valencia has many things that attract visitors to Spain. The city has a bustling old center with a mix of magnificent medieval buildings such as the Lonja de la Seda, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Visitors have a plethora of things to do in Valencia Spain, and this article will highlight some of the best activities to indulge in.

Valencia is strategically positioned on the Mediterranean, so you can enjoy delectable cuisines drawn straight from the sea and lie on the broad sandy beaches. This is where you’ll find the paella, the most famous Spanish dish. Valencia is also home to the ultra-modern City of the Arts and Sciences, which makes it one of Spain’s top destinations. Here are the top choices to keep you hooked during your trip.

Top Things To Do in Valencia

Planning a trip to Spain and looking for the best things to do in Valencia to add to your itinerary?  Keep reading to find out more!

The Central Square

The squares or plazas in Valencia are lined with trees with lots of spots with cool shades where you can get away from the fierce summer sun. Usually, they are ringed with many obscure roads, lanes, and access points that lead out into diverse courtyards and sometimes even more beautiful squares and plazas.

The Plaza de la Reina, which is situated in the old township, is among the most magnificent squares in Valencia. Translated as “Queen’s Square” in English, this area is an excellent place to hang out with lots of places to eat. You can enjoy cold drinks in the square then get back through the winding streets that surround the square for some quality lunch or even tapas.

It is advisable to dine where the locals do because this is the best option, but you have to know where to find good Valencian paella if you’d like to sample some local dishes. Some of the finest places to try out a paella are at the beach in traditional venues such as the El Palmar in the Albufera Natural Park, and the Malvarossa city beach.

Just off the Plaza de la Reina is another quirky plaza known as the Plaza Redonda. For visitors looking for things to do in Valencia, this place is a must-see because of its unique design. It is a cozy, round square with many quirky shops or stalls selling crafts, haberdashery, pet birds, aprons, souvenirs, and much more. The square has a beautiful fountain right in the middle of it that was built in 1850.

Walking tour of Old Town Valencia.  The tour starts at the Tourist Info Office of City hall in Valencia, and it takes place along the most historic streets of Valencia. Look forward to a food tasting in Silk Market/UNESCO site!

City of the Arts and Sciences

It’s hard to comprehend the City of the Arts and Sciences. This attraction is a blend of ultra-modern structures with a touch of a surreal quality because of the surrounding pools that cast reflections upon the waters. It was built from the mid-90s and completed in 2005 by local architects named Felix Candela and Santiago Calatrava.

This vast complex features various cultural venues and exquisite family attractions such as the astounding L’Umbracle, a botanical garden with native Valencian plant species, and the L’Hemispheric, which is an IMAX cinema and Planetarium. The L’Hemispheric, designed to look like an immense human eye, is a favorite entertainment spot for both tourists and locals, and a must-se when it comes to things to do in Valencia.

Enjoy a Valencian sunset with the City of Arts & Sciences Tour and Rooftop Wine Tasting with Tapas. This small-group tour includes a 10-course meal paired with wine and soft drinks, the perfect way to end a day of site seeing.

Mercado Central

The Mercado Central, also referred to as Mercat Central in the native language, is among the oldest markets existing in Europe today, and the Spanish Ministry of Culture has declared it a Heritage of Cultural Interest site.

Located next to La Lonja de la Seda in the middle of the historic city center, the market is famous among locals and tourists. With its many aisles full of local products, this is an excellent spot to learn about Valencia’s local food and dip yourself into its local culture if you are looking for fun things to do in Valencia Spain.

The market is always open from Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit the Market to gather supplies and then learn to cook Paella with an experienced chef in this incredible cooking class.

Central Bar

The Central Bar is a spiced-up adaptation of the classic Spanish counter bar from Ricard Camarena, a renowned chef who has won multiple awards. This bar stands in the heart of Valencia’s Mercat Central. Here, all the sandwiches and tapas are prepared from the finest, locally available produce from the market. Ricard Camarena also owns several other restaurants such as the Canalla Bistro in the trendy Ruzafa area

Valencia Cathedral and the Holy Grail

One thing that has brought Valencia fame is the claim that it has the Holy Grail, a cup that the Lord Jesus of Nazareth drank from during the Last Supper. However, this claim has been backed by several sources from around the world.

The cathedral is a beautiful old place you must visit if you are looking for what to do in Valencia. You can even climb to the top of the Miguelete bell tower for exhilarating views of the city below.

For the religious visitors, the Holy Grail inside the cathedral is a must-see. Legends have it that the cup was brought from Rome many centuries ago. And when Muslim dictators took over Spain, they hid it for centuries, but King Alfonso the Magnanimous, brought it back to the city in 1427.

Travel through history during this half-day tour of the Valencia Cathedral and learn about the Holy Grail while enjoying a full Paella meal.

Oceanografic

Oceanografic is an iconic and state-of-the-art oceanarium in the city of Arts and Sciences that was established in 2003. Home to over 500 different species and 45,000 individual animals, Oceanografic is like no other in the whole of Europe. The aquarium is divided into 10 zones, each offering a unique marine environment with seawater pumped directly from Valencia’s waterfront. At the Arctic tank, you will find beluga whales swimming in a large, well-designed, container.

In other areas, you will spot sea lions, walruses, sand tiger sharks, dolphins, and penguins. All these attractions are bound to excite adults and kids, and you can book your ticket online to be part of the fun.

Bioparc Valencia

Valencia’s zoo stands on a 25-acre stretch of land at the diversion of River Turia. The Landscape was designed to house animals close to their native habitats, and the zoo is renowned for its significant collection of African animals.

The environment is reminiscent of Africa, especially when you view the animals close up, which is typical to equatorial Africa, Savannah, and Madagascar. These different animal species coexist just as they do in their native environment. For instance, on the savanna, Lions, rhinoceros, antelopes, and giraffe all live together just as they do in the wild. The crocodile and hippopotamus live in the water, while the Gorillas are inhabitants of the thick equatorial forest.

The bioparc is actively dedicated to wildlife conservation and the sustainability of resources. They use solar panels to heat their water and recycle over 95 percent of it. Explore the park at your leisure with a Skip the Line Admission Ticket.

Parc Natural de la Albufera

This natural park and lake located 8 kilometers south of the city, is among the most important wetlands in Spain. It’s surrounded by rice fields that sparkle with a golden color during autumn. Its beauty is somewhat obscured by factories, except in the evenings.

The park has bike paths and nature trails around the lake and is home to over 250 species of birds. You can enjoy your day at the unadulterated La Devesa beach, then head to the lake in the evening to enjoy a sunset boat ride.

Visit the traditional fishing village of Palmar and step inside a historic home during a guided, 1.5-hour tour of beautiful Albufera Lake and nature reserve.

Mestalla Stadium

With a capacity of about 50,000, Mestalla Stadium has been home to the Spanish League team FC Valencia from 1923. Devoted football fans will enjoy a tour of the stadium, although it would be best if you can watch a match in this splendid Arena.

Valencia has some of the most devoted fans in La Liga, and the Mestalla Stadium has the steepest stands in the whole of Europe. This makes it one of the most exciting venues to watch a match, and should be among your top list of what to do in Valencia.

Enjoy an all-day coach tour where you can tour the Mestalla Stadium, or explore the city on an open-top bus, visit the Central Market, or shop at stores such as El Corte Inglés, Loewe and Louis Vuitton!

A Quick Valencia Guide

Money – If you intend to use more of the public transport or see a lot of attractions, it is prudent to get the Valencia Tourist Card. It lasts from one to three days, and will give you great discounts throughout the city including free entry and transportation to particular attractions.

When is the Best Time to Visit? – The best time to visit Valencia is from March to June when the weather is warm, and the best time to hit the beach is from July to October.

Getting There – You can fly directly into Valencia Airport from all cities across Europe. From other cities in Spain, you can use regional buses or the BlaBlaCar riding service.

Getting around – Valencia’s Metro system is the fastest and most convenient way to travel around Valencia. But you can also use buses if you want to enjoy sights as you move across the city.

Where to Stay – The most comprehensive platform for accommodations based on personal experience is Booking.com.  They have everything from hotels, hostels, and guesthouses and you’ll easily find the perfect place to stay based on your style of travel and budget.  As an alternative, there’s also Agoda and Airbnb.

Where You Should Stay in Valencia

Here are my recommendations for different accommodations you can look at depending on your budget and travel style.