After finishing undergrad, I decided to move to Valencia to teach English. Two years and 15 visitors later, I’ve played tour guide my fair share of times. This is a complete list, in no particular order, of the best things to see and do in Valencia.
1. El Carmen
Romanticize your European Summer Vacation by wandering around Valencia’s Old Town. El Carmen has everything you could possibly need: restaurants, bars, jewelry shops, vintage stores, gelaterias, plazas, charming buildings with cute little balconies, and more.
If you’re interested in a highly rated tour in old town, check out “Valencia Old Town Tour with Wine & Tapas in 11th Century Historic Monument,” available on on Tripadvisor, Get Your Guide, and Viator.
2. Plaza de la Virgen
Plaza de la Virgen is located in Valencia’s Old Town. It’s a large plaza surrounded by restaurants, cafes, gelaterias, the Valencia Cathedral, and the Basilica. It is always full of people gathering at the fountain or sitting on the terrazas eating tapas and drinking wine.
3. Torres de Serranos
The Serranos Towers are located on the northern edge of El Carmen (the Torres de Quart are to the west). Climb to the top for amazing views of the old city.
The towers are closed on Mondays. Opening hours are 10am – 6pm, Tuesday – Saturday.
It’s 2€ general admission or 1€ for groups, children 7 – 12 years, seniors, and students. Entrance is free on Sundays and holidays (hours are 10am – 3pm).
4. Mercat Central
The Central Market is the biggest Mercado in Valencia. There are rows upon rows of vendors selling fruit, vegetables, ham (you must try jamón serrano!), cheese (the manchego is a Spanish classic), olives, pastries, fish, poultry, eggs, spices, souvenirs, wine, and more.
This is an important part of Spanish culture. I recommend going to the market to pick up some snacks and heading to the Turia or the Parque Central of Valencia for a picnic!
5. Catedral de Valencia
The Valencian Cathedral is a staple of the El Carmen neighborhood.
Entrance tickets to the museum inside the Cathedral are 8€. However, I recommend appreciating the building’s hybrid of Gothic, Baroque, and Romanesque architecture by taking a stroll along the path that wraps around the side of the church. This path connects Plaza de la Reina and Plaza de la Virgen.
6. La Lonja de la Seda
This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its role in Valencia’s commercial prosperity, especially as a center for the silk exchange.
The grandiose Gothic architecture of the building exemplifies Valencia’s position as a powerhouse among mercantile cities during the 15th and 16th centuries.
General admission is 2€, reduced admission is 1€ (groups, students, seniors, families). Entrance is free on Sundays and holidays.
It’s open Monday – Saturday from 10am – 7pm, Sundays and holidays from 10am – 2pm.
7. Museo Nacional de Cerámica y Artes Suntuarias González Martí
If you’re interested in exploring more of Valencia’s museums, the ceramics museum is stunning on the inside and out. It is the largest national collection of ceramics in Spain. It was also once a noble palace.
Tickets are 3€ general admission, 1.50€ for groups, and free for anyone under 18, older than 65, unemployed, or retired. Entrance is free for everyone on Saturdays after 4pm and on Sundays.
The museum is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10am – 2pm and 4pm – 8pm. It’s also open on Sundays from 10am – 2pm.
8. El Celler de Proava
My roommates and I were able to tour the medieval wine cellar and taste 3 of Valencia’s local wines for only 10€ (I think the price has risen to 12€ since we last visited).
Located in the heart of El Carmen, the wine tasting room is built on top of the 14th century wine cellar, which you can see from a bird’s-eye view if you look down through the glass floors.
9. Iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari y San Pedro Mártir de Valencia
This is known as the Sistine Chapel of Valencia. It’s a beautiful place to check out for a classic Spanish church experience. Check this website for hours and ticket prices.
10. Plaza Ayuntamiento
This is the main town center of Valencia. It’s surrounded by large government buildings.
During Fallas (Valencia’s fire festival in March) everyone gathers here for the daily Mascletá (a daytime fireworks show). This is also where the main burning (la Cremà) happens during Fallas.
In the winter, there is an ice skating rink and a Christmas market in the center of the plaza.
You’ll want to head to this Plaza any time there is an impromptu celebration. I will never forget running to the Ayuntamiento after Argentina won the World Cup.
Throughout the year, there are concerts, events, and flea markets (Sundays) that happen here.
Learn more about Las Fallas in an article coming soon.
11. Ruzafa
Ruzafa is Valencia’s trendy neighborhood. Its streets are lined with bars, vintage shops, tapas restaurants, and colorful apartment buildings. I highly recommend this neighborhood for dinner and drinks, or just to wander around. You’ll likely spend a lot of time here during your trip to Valencia.
12. Parque Central
Valencia’s “Central Park” is located on the edge of Ruzafa. It is full of hidden gardens and walking paths. It also has a large grass field where you’ll see Spanish kids playing fútbol. It’s a great place for a picnic or a relaxed stroll.
13. Gran Vía
Gran Vía is another popular neighborhood located just northeast of Ruzafa, named after the major street that runs through it.
Like Ruzafa, it hosts a number of edgy restaurants and bars. The nightlife in Gran Vía never disappoints. It also has a boujee side, with a number of high-end shops and boutiques.
If you’re in the area, check out Mercado de Colón, an impressive marketplace made up of restaurants and bars.
14. Turia Park
Several decades after the catastrophic flood in 1957, the Turia river was drained to create the Turia park. Even today you’ll often hear Valencians refer to it as el río or “the river.”
It is an urban, public park that extends through the center of the city, reaching all the way to the City of Arts and Sciences. There are playgrounds for kids, biking, walking, and running paths, and limitless places to sit and have a picnic.
The Turia is a must-see in Valencia. I recommend starting somewhere near the Serranos Towers or the Alameda metro stop and walking about 25 minutes to the City of Arts and Sciences.
15. Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
The City of Arts and Sciences is arguably the main tourist attraction of Valencia. It is a collection of modern buildings surrounded by pools of aqua-colored water.
You can purchase entrance tickets to the aquarium, the children’s science museum, and the IMAX hemispheric dome on the website.
You can also search Tripadvisor, Get Your Guide, and Viator for entrance tickets and tours.
During the winter they also have Christmas markets here.
In my opinion, the CAS is the most impressive from the outside. Rather than buying tickets, take a walk around the “city” to truly appreciate the futuristic design.
16. Playa de la Malvarrosa
Depending on the time of year, Playa Malvarrosa is a great place to take a break from visiting all of the tourist attractions. In the hot summer months, the beach is absoluetly essential for cooling off.
There is a line-up of restaurants on the beach, including La Pepica, a famous paella hall (get the seafood paella). If you want something fast and simple, there is also a beach bar closer to the volleyball courts.
One important Spanish holiday, Noche de San Juan, takes place at Playa Malvarrosa on the night of June 23rd – the celebration of the summer solstice.
In the wee hours of the weekend mornings, you may find yourself going for a dip after Marina Beach Club.
17. Parque natural de la Albufera
If you have time, the Albufera Natural Park is a 40-50 minute bus ride from the center of Valencia city. Located in the agricultural region, with rice being the major crop, it is the true home and birthplace of paella. There are several famous restaurants located in the town of El Palmar.
If you choose to take the bus, you should take the line 24 (2€) from Navarro Reverter (in Porta de la Mar) to Vicent Baldoví – Novelda (in El Palmar). Read this article for instructions on how to navigate your way to El Palmar.
If you prefer to go with an organized group, Tripadvisor, Get Your Guide, and Viator have unique tours of the park (most include transportation to and from the park and a paella lunch).
You can also rent a car and drive yourself if you prefer to avoid the hassle of public transportation but don’t want to sign up for a full tour either. Search Discover Cars, Economy Bookings, and Rentalcars.com for the best prices.
Once you’re there, you can eat at local paella and tapas restaurants (be sure to call ahead for a reservation) and even take a boat ride through the lagoon at sunset for only 6€ per person.
Bonus: Falles de València
Las Fallas, or Falles in Valencian, is Valencia’s fire festival. It takes place during the week leading up to March 19th, although there are celebrations that begin at the end of February and last through the month of March. It is the city’s long-anticipated event each year, and it is unlike anything that I have ever seen. Read more on Las Fallas in an article coming soon.
Valencia Tours and Experiences
If you’re looking for a more organized tour of the Old Town, a sunset catamaran cruise, an excursion to the natural pools of Montanejos, entry tickets to the City of Arts and Sciences and more, you can find a range of experiences availbale on Get Your Guide, Tripadvisor, and Viator.
Where to Stay in Valencia
Not sure where to stay in Valencia? Read this article to learn about the best neighborhoods in Valencia. For the best prices, take a look at Airbnb, Booking.com, and Hostelworld.
How to Get Around Valencia
If you are overwhelmed by Google Maps and public transportation, use this guide to help you with getting around Valencia.
Find out more about Valencia:
How to Get Around Valencia
Everything you need to know about transportation in the city.
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