Best Things To Do in Valencia

Become an expert in Valencian paella, visit its ancient and futuristic architecture or marvel at the art of Valencia, there are hundreds of plans and places to visit near the Turia River and in this post you will find a top with the best things to do in Valencia. Join me.

Valencia boasts a rich history and its architecture, as futuristic as it is contemporary, deserves to be explored, if possible accompanied by an expert. You can take a walking tour of the Old Town. Add spice to your adventure with a guided tour of the City of Arts and Sciences with wine and tapas tasting or hop on a motorised transport. Choose from:

• Hop on the sightseeing bus. The Hop on Hop Off bus offersan easy way to see the city and, you can do it at your own pace. These buses run 17 stops from 9.30am to 10pm and you can choose between 24 or 48 hour tickets with an audio guide in English.
• Have fun in an electric tuk-tuk. If you fancy getting to know Valencia in air-conditioned comfort and without having to walk too far, consider a Tuk Tuk ride from the centre to the seafront, one of the best options for small groups.
• Ride aSegway. Personalise your experience by riding Valencia's best Segways, the most comfortable, practical and entertaining way to get around the Turia Gardens and the old town.
• Take a bike tour. Whether you opt to rent a bike or take part in a guided bike tour, this is one of the top activities in Valencia, aligned with its ecological and sustainable vision.

This is a majestic art complex where you can choose what you are most passionate about. In 1998 the first part of this futuristic work designed by Santiago Calatrava was inaugurated and nowadays you can visit all its buildings:

• The Science Museum. This is the most modern building for its popularisation of science in an entertaining atmosphere. Its rooms and exhibitions are constantly being renewed around its three floors located on 40,000 m2.
• Umbracle. A 17,500 m2 pathway that houses fountains, sculptures and gardens with vegetation adjusted to the seasons of the year.
• The Oceanografic. One of the largest oceanographic aquariums in Europe thanks to its 110,000 m2 where there is a building for each representative ocean and sea. Make a note of your visit as one of your things to do in Valencia with children, between the friendly beluga whales and the activities on site, they'll love it. And the adults? A good meal in the underwater restaurant, an experience on another level.
• The Queen Sofia Palace of Arts. A building where the performing arts and classical music are exhibited in four large-capacity halls.
• The Agora. A contemporary Greek-inspired square to bring Valencians and tourists together for sporting events and concerts.

The atmosphere is stimulating to say the least. Valencia is considered the design capital of the world and this complex is a testament to that recognition. I recommend you consider a Valencia Segway Tourrent a bike or scooter to get to know every corner of the complex in comfort.

Interesting details

• Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday between 10:00 - 18:00 hours and Friday to Monday between 10:00 - 19:00 hours.
• Address: Avenida del Professor López Piñero, 7, Valencia.

Be sure to stop by the Church of San Nicolás de Bari and San Pedro Mártir, one of the oldest places in the city and a key example of exquisite Baroque architecture.

During the 17th and 18th centuries there was a transformation from Gothic to Baroque, especially in the decoration. In this temple the arches and vaults were softened and painted with scenes from the life of Saint Nicholas and Saint Peter Martyr. The lunette division of this pictorial cycle and its beauty make the vault of Saint Nicholas comparable to the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. The 2,000 square metres of frescoes have been restored by one of Pablo Picasso's pupils and the work captivates visitors.

The church was donated by King James I of Aragon to the Dominican monks, who dedicated it to Saint Nicholas the Bishop. It was founded over 700 years ago on the site of a Roman temple and is now a testament to history, a mixture of Gothic structure and landmark Baroque decoration.

Details of interest

• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday between 10:00 - 19:30. Saturdays between 10:30 am - 6:30 pm. Sundays between 13:00 - 20:00 hours.
• Address: Calle de los Caballeros 35 Access to the tour through Calle Caballeros nº 35.

This city is known for its excellent food and drink, and with one of the city 's best food tours you can sample some of the city's exquisite dishes. Delight in the gastronomic tasting prepared by the local hosts, who are experts at telling their Valencian cultural heritage through authentic culinary delights.

Often this type of tour focuses on learning how to prepare the typical seafood paella in one of the kitchens that Ruzafa market houses. Another popular option are the tapas and wine tastings that take visitors around some of the bars in the Old Town.

And if you prefer to combine your time in **Valencia'**s central market, bodegas and bars with a taste of all its emblematic dishes, cured meats, beers and wine, the gastronomic tours with multiple tastings have your name on them. Iberian ham, Manchego cheese, juices, local beer, wines and cava are just some of the frequent selections, all to please discerning palates.

Visitors to Valencia are attracted, among other things, by the range of cultural offerings the city has to offer, and a tour of the museums is one of the essential activities. From art galleries to museums of international renown, I invite you to discover a Top 5 of the best examples (not to mention the City of Arts and Sciences complex):

• Fallas Museum. A stroll through the cultural revelry of the Fallas that includes the collection of the "ninots indultados" since 1934, following the Valencian society. You can find it in Plaça de Montolivet, 4.
• The Valencian Institute of Modern Art (IVAM), in an avant-garde city like this province, the art institute must enter among the fixed visits and the place is divided into two venues located at: Carretera Guillemo de Castro, 118. And Carretera Rigobert Albors, 8.
• TheValencian Museum of the Enlightenment and Modernity (MuVIM) revolves around the Age of Enlightenment, passing through Enlightenment thought until reaching Modernity. A building to reflect on critical thought through different eras. You can find it at: Quevedo 10 and Guillem de Castro 8.
• González Martí National Museum of Ceramics and Sumptuary Arts A museum that makes an impact from the moment it enters. The architecture of the gabled palace serves as a setting to present collection pieces and you can visit them at Calle Poeta Querol 2.
• Museum of the tin soldiers Do you want to see more than 100,000 tin soldiers in perfect condition? In this museum you can do so, as well as take part in the regular schedule of activities. Find them at: Calle Caballeros 20-22.

If you've ever dreamed of exploring a world-class cave complex, you're in luck! The San José Caves, located in Vall d'Uixó, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is a complex of natural caves formed around one of the longest underground rivers in Europe, measuring 2,500 metres in length.

This geological enclave is one of the most important in Spain. And with your excursion to the Cuevas de San José you walk through its internal galleries, navigate by boat on the river that takes you on a walk through a space full of ancient cave paintings, while you explore this incredible complex of caves formed approximately 250 million years ago.

This is one of the best excursions in Valencia because of the adrenaline rush during the 4x4 ride through the Albufera Park and then finish by sailing in a traditional boat.

In Arabic literature this park finds its place as the Mirror of the Sun and as you move along its trails some 30 kilometres from Valencia, the imprint of the 100 kilometres of rainforest tells its story, amplified by the guided tours.

The combined 4x4 + boat ride takes you to the rice fields and the lake where you can admire the bird migration, especially if you make your tour one of your things to do in Valencia in winter, the best time for bird watching. In the late afternoon, you have the opportunity to take a dip in El Saber Beach after the boat ride. Bring your swimming costume and get ready to enjoy this paradise.

The medieval village of Bocairent is well worth a visit and with this tour you will discover its winding streets, the Moorish caves and the mountain springs of Pou Clar. Be prepared to hike through the ancient Moorish caves to crown the tour in their pools.

The Moorish Caves (Covetes dels Moros) were unearthed by the Berber tribes living in the village, who created this route of caves to shelter their belongings and hide from their enemies. Today, we can explore their natural escape rooms by climbing through them.

Thanks to the variety of caves that this site offers, the guide chooses together with the group between moderate and easy hiking, as well as defining the natural cavity to be explored. In addition, the group takes some time to wander through the narrow streets of Bocairent as the views take them back in time before lunch.

The next half of the tour is usually a natural spa experience when they stop at the natural pools of Pou Clar, where the water pressure and depth present combinations to suit all tastes. True nature lovers will be delighted with this type of day trip from Valencia.

With this type of tour to the hot springs and the Bride's Waterfall you get to visit at least 3 of the most beautiful places in Valencia chosen between:

• El Velo de Novia. The fixed stop on this type of excursion takes you to bathe in a natural waterfall that cascades down a cliff. The scenery is photographic.
• El Charco Azul. The place to relax in the thermal waters of the so-called Blue Lagoon, a backwater of the River Turia that runs at the foot of the hanging bridges of Chulilla. This geothermal spa is full of healing minerals and has been used by visitors for centuries.
• The Mijares Canyon, a place where you can choose between kayakingin the Mijares River, bathing in one of its natural pools or simply lying in the sun enjoying the scenery.
• The Estació del Nord, known as Valencia-Norte, is Valencia's main railway station and has captured the attention of visitors since 1917 with its modernist architecture.
• Fountain of the Montanejos Baths. After walking through the rural areas of the city, you find this spa with an average temperature of 25° almost all year round.

Are you looking for a relaxing day with unbeatable views? If so, choose between catamaran or sailing boat trips and sail along the coast of the city of the Turia. This river runs through the city and is home to one of the best beaches in Valencia: Malvarrosa beach.

Kayak, paddle surf, or enjoy the good vibes on board the boats with unbeatable views and let the sea breeze and the waves rock you with this boat trip.

This is an animal contact park where you can feed chimpanzees, gorillas and elephants, discover caves, see leaping lemurs, walk through the cycle of life among giraffes, rhinos, leopards, antelopes, tigers, lions and more.

BIOPARC is one of the top zoos in Spain thanks to the fact that it brings visitors closer to the wild nature of the African continent in a safe environment, while the animals live in an environment close to their natural habitat, including landscape and vegetation.

Another of the reasons that places BIOPARC in such a worthy place is its 100,000 m2 free of visual barriers with the animals. Its concept is that of an immersive zoo and sensitivity towards the fauna. During your visit, the zookeepers and biologists guide you through the enclosure, which also presents film cycles, talks and seminars to educate adults and children with entertaining activities.

Details of interest

• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday between 10:00 and 18:00.
• Address: Avenida Pío Baroja, 3, Valencia.

Valencia is a city that has many stories to tell. The Silk Route is one of them and, with this type of excursion, you follow its steps through the Serranos Towers and the Plaza de San Lorenzo to observe the Valencian Parliament.

The next stop will find you in front of the headquarters of the Generalitat Valenciana, where the Plaza de Manises is located. Continuing along the route through this labyrinth of streets, you advance to the Plaza de la Virgen, where the Basilica of the Virgen de los Desamparados is located.

From there you continue walking to the heart of this route, the Lonja de la Seda, an ancient Gothic building declared a World Heritage Site that was used from 1482 to 1835 as a commercial centre for the silk trade. Those who want to satisfy their curiosity about Valencia's commercial splendour should visit this landmark.

After learning anecdotes, stroll through the last stops on the route: the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, the Silk Museum and the Plaza de Toros or Estación del Norte.

If you are thinking of a city break in Valencia, both winter and summer can be peak tourist seasons in the city of the Turia, as its beautiful coastline is mild all year round and it is a very popular destination in Spain.

To better plan your trip, I recommend that you check in advance about transfers between the airport and the centre of Valencia. Although they are only about 10 kilometres apart, having them booked in advance will give you peace of mind when you arrive.

Finally, to make it easier for you to plan all the things you can do on your trip to Valencia, here are our most complete travel guides so that all you have to do is pack your suitcase and enjoy your trip.

• What to see and do in Valencia in 1 day
• What to see and do in Valencia in 2 days
• What to see and do in Valencia in 3 days