A weekend in sunny Valencia: all the must-dos
EuropeValencia, along with Barcelona and Madrid, is one of Spain's largest cities. Besides modern buildings, you'll also find beautiful historic buildings and several sandy beaches. Valencia is also easy to explore in a weekend, making it the perfect destination for a city break.
Transport in Valencia
With a Valencia Tourist Card, you can use the city's public transport for 24, 48, or 72 hours. This card is useful for traveling to and from the airport and also using public transport within Valencia. You'll also receive discounts at various museums and activities, and you can even visit some attractions for free.
In Valencia you mainly see people on bicycles, although electric scooters are also becoming increasingly popular, partly because the city is relatively flat and is ideal for exploring by bike. You can rent bikes at various locations for a small fee. The city has many well-marked cycle paths, but be aware that not all paths are evenly wide, so you may need to pay close attention to where you're cycling.
Where to stay?
For your city break, we recommend staying in or around the El Carmen or Russafa neighborhoods. Both are perfectly located for exploring the rest of Valencia. El Carmen is the old city center and offers a charming atmosphere with narrow streets and historic buildings. Russafa is more trendy and is known for its boutiques, bars, and art galleries. You'll also find many great lunch spots here. If you have a bike or are using the Valencia Tourist Card, you can also easily stay outside these neighborhoods.
The highlights of Valencia
Things to do in Valencia
Visit the Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias
When you're looking for photos of Valencia, you'll likely come across the impressive images of the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias). These six modern buildings, designed by Santiago Calatrava, stand out with their white, organic shapes and each has a distinct function.
Here are the most famous buildings:
Palau de les Arts: An iconic opera house with a striking, shell-like design where opera, ballet, and theater are performed.
L'Hemisférico: An eye-shaped building that serves as a 3D cinema and planetarium with impressive 360-degree projections.
Museo de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe: An interactive science museum with skeletal architecture reminiscent of a whale.
L'Oceanogràfic: The largest aquarium in Europe, with a dolphinarium and numerous marine life exhibits.
Besides being a must-see during the day, these buildings are also worth seeing in the evening: they are attractively lit until 10 p.m.
Cycling through the Jardí del Turia City Park
Besides the excellent cycling opportunities in the city itself, a ride through the Jardí del Túria is highly recommended. This expansive city park is located in the former riverbed of the Turia River, which regularly flooded in the 1950s. After a devastating flood, the river was diverted, transforming the old riverbed into a green haven full of sports fields, walking and cycling paths.
The nine-kilometer-long bike path takes you from the old city center straight to the iconic City of Arts and Sciences. Along the way, you can take a break at the gardens of the Palau de la Música, a lovely spot to rest and enjoy the greenery before continuing your bike ride.
Wandering through the old city center: El Carmen
Besides its modern buildings, Valencia also boasts a beautiful historic center. In the lively El Carmen neighborhood, you can wander through narrow streets and discover hidden squares, while the old facades and colorful murals create a charming backdrop. Everywhere you'll find cozy cafés, restaurants, bars, and boutiques, perfect for shopping, enjoying a drink, or simply soaking up the city's atmosphere.
View of the city from the city gates
On the edge of the El Carmen district stand the impressive city gates Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart. A few minutes' climb up the stairs will take you to the top, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of Valencia and the former riverbed. Originally, the city had twelve defensive towers, but today only these two can be visited.
Please note: climbing the towers is not permitted in rainy weather, as the stairs can be slippery. The entrance fee is €2, but with the Valencia Tourist Card, admission is completely free.
Valencia's most charming squares
Valencia boasts many beautiful squares where you can relax and experience the city's vibrancy. Plaza de la Verge and Plaza de la Reina are conveniently located near attractions like Valencia Cathedral and the adjacent El Micalet bell tower. These squares often host live music and regular street performances, making them great places to relax.
Relax on Valencia's beaches
Valencia boasts several beaches, all within easy reach of the city. The nearest beach, Playa de la Malvarrosa, boasts a lively promenade with stalls and terraces and is the city's largest and most popular tourist beach.
For those seeking more tranquility, Platja de la Patacona is about a 20-minute drive from the old town. Here, you can relax and enjoy the sun, sand, and sea.
A visit to Port Saplaya is also a must: a charming harbor with colorful houses and inviting terraces. It's easily reached by bike or car along the promenade, making it the perfect end to a day at the coast.
Eating and drinking in Valencia
Below you will find tips for eating and drinking in Valencia:
Voltereta
You enter this restaurant through a hallway lined with lights. Some drinks are also served in a unique way, inside a painting. The restaurant is Manhattan-style and offers both lunch and dinner dishes.
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Café ArtySana
This café is located in the Ruzafa neighborhood. Here you can enjoy a delicious lunch for a reasonable price.
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Mercat de Colon
This beautiful market building offers food and drinks. You can eat there or take it with you for a picnic in the park.
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Sun, history and nature: you'll (hopefully) find it all in one weekend in Valencia!
Useful information
Official language: Spanish
Currency: Euro
Area: 134.6 km²
Best time to travel: The best weather, with little rain and plenty of sunshine, can be expected from May to September.
