A Guide to the Best Valencia Itinerary
Heading to Valencia? This Valencia itinerary will have you covered. The city is beautiful and has an array of great architectural styles. From quiet narrow streets to gothic styles to cosmopolitan complexes, there is always a pleasant surprise around the corner.
Spain is an incredibly diverse country in terms of culture and language. Valencia, particularly, is known as the Paella capital of the world. However, there’s more to this sunny city than just Paella and beaches.
Valencia is Spain’s third largest city and is located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. The city is also an attractive tourist destination due to its excellent climate, beaches, historical sites and cultural events. Since 130 B.C., Valencia has been home to Romans, Muslims, and Visigoths for over 2000 years. It is home to one of Europe’s largest historical centres. What are you waiting for? Explore what Valencia is really about.
How to get around Valencia
What’s great about Valencia is that it is so easy to get around by walking, biking, electric scooters and public transport. There are plenty of places to hire bikes if you want to get around that way, or we found the metro efficient.
When visiting Valencia, you might consider getting the Valencia Tourist Card. If you are here for 24,48 or 72 hours and want to use public transport, we recommend buying one. It also gives you access to some city monuments and money off other Valencia city attractions.
If you buy one in advance online and pick it up from the airport, not only will it save you some money, but it will also save you the hassle of getting tickets using the machines and will allow you to have a more stress-free experience. You can use the card on all public transport. So we think it is worth it!
Bus: you can download the EMTicket Valencia App, where you can buy single or multiple tickets and show the driver your QR code by validating it just before boarding. Alternatively, you can use your tourist card, or you can tap on with your travel card.
Tram: the tram network is great for getting to the beach and beyond, and you can use the same ticket as the metro. Just remember to tap on at the stations.
Metro: the metro is easy to use. You will need to buy a card and recharge it at the station. We recommend using the more modern machines, as these accept contactless payments. The metro is also a great way to get to and from the airport!
Taxi: if you’d prefer to travel by taxi, plenty of white cabs are dotted around the city. You can also use Uber here if you prefer!
Transfer: Welcome Pickups offers a great experience and safety to its travellers by using a flat pre-paid fee, flight monitoring and local English speaking drivers.
Useful Spanish phrases:
Hola – hello
Gracias- thank you
La Cuenta por favor- the bill, please
What you must try:
Horchata
Drink the most traditional Valencian drink, the Horchata, popular all over the city on your Valencia itinerary.
It looks like milk and is made from Chufas, which are Tiger nuts. They originate from Egypt. However, they now cultivate them in the town of Alboraya. In addition to the chufas, the drink contains water and lots of sugar.
It is common to find Horchata from Valencia by adding a farton sweet type of cake that is perfect with the Horchata.
Paella
Paella Valenciana is the most famous Paella from Paella Valenciana, a traditional dish from the Valencia region that is thought to be the first recipe. It is made up of bajoqueta, round-grain rice and Tavella and chicken, a rabbit, often duck and garrafo cooked in the olive oil and broth of chicken.
There is also seafood Paella available in lots of restaurants. They cook it there and then, so you’ll have to wait 20-30 minutes from ordering, and it usually requires a minimum of two people.
Tapas
Yes, we know that this is not something to do just in Valencia but in the whole of Spain, but it really adds a social element to your food, and you can also try lots of small plates to share. It will allow you to explore a variety of foods at once.
Tapas refers to how food is served instead of specific food items. The first thing to note is that first, a “tapa” is simply a tiny serving of food. You can serve any food item tapas fashion! We couldn’t stop ordering patatas bravas, and it was delicious.
Sangria
Again, not typical only to Valencia, but they sure do it well. Sangria is a mixed alcohol drink that originated in Spain. The wine determines the colour of sangria. The red sangria is prepared with red wine, while the white sangria is made from white wine. You can get it by the jug or by the class. Guess what we opted for?
3 Days in Valencia itinerary
The Valencia itinerary combines classic tourist attractions and off-the-beaten-path things to do. Use this guide to experience the best of Valencia, Spain.
Day 1: Visit the Old Town and Suburbs
For your first day in Valencia, we recommend heading into the city centre to wander the streets and see the sights. No trip to Valencia is complete without soaking in the beauty of the Old Town.
Now, we usually pin onto our Google maps all of the destinations we are interested in visiting and then see where the attractions are in proximity. It works well, so we don’t miss something from walking past. These are some of our suggestions below.
Valencia Cathedral
The Cathedral is near the beautiful Plaza de la Virgen (a popular hangout spot in the evening). It is pretty from the outside, and you can see it all over the city. You do have the option to pay to go inside and up the Miguelete tower, but you will have to climb over 207 steps.
The Cathedral of Valencia was built on the site of an ancient Roman temple, which later became a mosque. It is a Gothic-style building but retains elements from many periods, including Romanesque and Baroque. The construction of the current building started in the 13th century.
Mercado Central
The market is extra special in Valencia. Not only is there all the fresh local produce you could think of, but it is in the most beautiful building. No, seriously, you need to go and see the inside roof yourself. You simply cannot miss it from your Valencia itinerary.
It is a must-see spot whether you love food or not. It boasts a large collection of modernist architecture, fresh produce from Valencia and all the Mediterranean flavours and aromas. It is a delight to your senses!
Europe’s largest fresh produce market stands out for its diverse and delicious cuisine. It boasts more than 1200 stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, cheese, seafood, nuts, spices, fish, and spices.
The Central Bar is the traditional bar in the Central Market, run by Ricard Camarena. Here you can enjoy tapas, various dishes, and sandwiches. It is popular for a good reason.
La Lonja de la Seda
The Lonja is a symbol of the city and one of Europe’s most well-known civil gothic monuments. It was designated a National Historic and Artistic Monument in July 1931 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1996.
The Lonja, situated in the middle of the city, just before the Central Market and Temple of Santos Juanes, covers a rectangle of 1.990 metres. Even if you don’t go outside, we recommend admiring it from the outside!
Torres de Serranos Gate
Pere Balaguer built the Serranos Towers as part of the city’s defence in 1391. They are considered the largest Gothic city gateways in Europe and were used as triumphal arches on solemn and festive occasions, and they also housed prison cells. You can take in stunning views of the city and the Turia River from its terraces. We recommend this on your Valencia itinerary.
These towers were once the city’s main entrance as part of the long-since demolished wall. Parapets are found on the top, while the moat remains can be seen around the entire structure.
Online sources state that there is a 2 euro entry fee. However, when we visited it was free but we got a free ticket from inside the ticket office anyway!
Explore the Suburbs
If you have been to Valencia before or want to see what’s beyond the Old Town, we recommend heading to the suburbs! You could visit both or just one, depending on what vibe you’re chasing. It will make your Valencia itinerary unique!
Rufaza
If you want to see something a little different, we recommend heading to Ruzafa. There are restaurants, shops, culture, leisure and shops right in Valencia’s heart, as well as modern treasures such as the Colon Market. You will find art, beautiful architecture, charming bars and flower shops, theatres, vintage clothes, bookshops and drinks.
We recommend heading here in the evening to enjoy it at its best!
El Carmen
This iconic neighbourhood is located in Ciutat Vella’s old quarter. It takes its name from the Carmen Calzado convent. It is the heart of Valencia’s historic centre. The Muslim Wall once enclosed it, but it is now the Serranos and Quart Towers, the city’s most famous medieval remains.
From the old suburbs, streets like Corona and Roteros descend. Visitors will find the charming Portal de la Valldigna and the stunning frescos of San Nicolas Church.
The lively bars and restaurants around Plaza del Tossal are the best places to go at night. Barrio del Carmen is a living history of Valencia and its people and is also very relevant to today’s way of life. The area is also known for its colourful street art splashed around the streets. It’s a great place for a wander.
Day 2: Visit the City of Arts and Sciences and Go on a Sunset Cruise
City of Arts and Sciences
It must be said that the City of Arts and Sciences is pretty impressive, no matter how you view it. The structure, designed to provide entertainment, is among Valencia’s most popular tourist attractions and should not be missed from a Valencia itinerary.
It comprises several impressive buildings that have become iconic in the city and are spread over 2 km along the Turia riverbed. Created in the style of Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, It is a scientific, artistic and natural leisure facility that you can enjoy with your family or friends.
If there’s one thing we can say about it, it is BIG, and if you want to visit everything, you may want to spend more than one day. It also requires time to experience.
Here you can visit the Oceanografic, the Science Museum, and the Hemisferic and buy a ticket that covers all of them!
You can also rent rowing boats, kayaks, paddle boards or bikes/ electric scooters. We also saw many people doing a City of Arts tour, although we did not do this ourselves.
Good to know: if you are visiting with children, Gulliver’s Park is a good option, and it is quite close to the City of Arts and Sciences, so you could easily add it to your Valencia itinerary.
Sunset Cruise
We would recommend going to Albufera de Valencia for a sunset cruise. It is very beautiful and relaxing to be in the calm waters. There is not that much to see, but it is nice to be away from the city and amongst nature for a while. Discover nature’s park La Albufera and its gastronomy. You can enjoy the traditional boat trip and the typical cuisine in El Palmar in one of its famous restaurants, such as the guide on a tour of a barraca and a picnic on the boat.
Check the time of sunset for when you are there and book according to that, as they sometimes offer sunset cruises when they are earlier. We also found that they did not do the tour in English, but this may have just been our experience.
You can book this as a tour, where they pick you up from your hotel, and some serve Paella afterwards. Alternatively, you can catch the 24/25 bus but depend on the company you go with you may have to walk on the road! Now, the cheapest option we could find was Visit Albufera, which we recommend.
If you’re after something slightly different, you should add this to your Valencia itinerary!
Day 3: Relax on the Beach
Playa de la Malvarrosa is the most well-known beach in Valencia, and for a good reason. Although it is a city beach, it is long and boasts golden sand. It is also extremely accessible from all over the city by metro and bus. If it is not warm enough to relax on the beach, we still think it is worth heading down for a stroll on your Valencia itinerary. It is beautiful!
We loved it because it offers all the services you’ll need, including sun loungers, umbrellas (7 euros each) and kiosks serving cold drinks and snacks.
We also enjoyed walking along the promenade to browse the shops and restaurants towards the marina. Here you can enjoy water sports, including windsurfing, surfing and canoeing, or you can play (or watch the locals play volleyball on the beach). It is such a good spot; many blogs recommended sunset on the beach, and although the sun does not set over the sea, the sky went pinky purple, and we enjoyed some tapas and a Cruzcampo Cerveza, so it was a win-win.
Do you have more than 3 days?
Lucky you! We recommend heading to the Botanical Gardens for a stroll, to another beach day (the beach is so long you can have a different experience), doing an excursion such as a boat tour, a Paella cooking class or going on a day trip down the coast! There’s always more you could add to a Valencia itinerary!
Places to eat and drink:
Valencia is a wonderful spot for foodies. There is much variety to enjoy, from traditional Spanish spots to burger joints to Bali vibes and Italian restaurants. If it is summer and you can sit outside, you’ll likely hear musicians take the streets outside and play songs as you eat and drink. It is spectacular, and we enjoyed it a lot.
All places we tried took cards and service was sometimes slower, but you’re on holiday so relax and enjoy and discover some wonderful places as you go.
- Jijonenca – For horchata!
- Casa Cesar, El Dofi – book in advance for cool vibes near the beach.
- La Pepica for paella by the beach
- Bar and Kitchen for sangria and classic Spanish food in a cool square surrounded by indoor market stalls.
- Cerveceria Freiduria San Patricio on the beach for beers and lovely food.
We hope you enjoy your stay in Valencia as much as we do. Please leave a comment to add your suggestions to help other travellers get the most out of their Valencia itinerary.
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Photo Credit: averavelives.com