Valencia combines a 2,000-year-old historic center, Spain’s most futuristic architectural complex, 5 km of city beaches, and the birthplace of paella. The city is flat, bikeable, and compact enough to cover the major sights in two full days. Here are the specific things to do with practical details.
Top Things to Do in Valencia: Attractions, Landmarks, and Activities
City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias)
Valencia’s iconic futuristic complex, designed by Santiago Calatrava and built in the drained Turia riverbed, spans 2 km and includes six structures. The Hemisfèric (IMAX cinema and planetarium, €8.70), the Science Museum (Museu de les Ciències, interactive exhibits, €9.00), and the Oceanogrà fic (Europe’s largest aquarium, €36.70) are the three most-visited buildings.
The Oceanogrà fic houses 45,000 animals across 500 species including beluga whales, sharks, and penguins; budget 3-4 hours. Combination tickets: Oceanogrà fic + Science Museum + Hemisfèric costs €47.70 online. Open daily; hours vary by building and season, typically 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (winter) or 8:00 PM (summer). Avenida del Profesor López Piñero 7. Bus 19, 35, 95, or 40-minute walk from the Cathedral. Book Oceanogrà fic tickets online to skip a 30-45 minute queue.
Valencia Cathedral and the Holy Grail
Valencia Cathedral (Catedral de Santa MarÃa) was built between the 13th and 15th centuries on the site of a Roman temple and a mosque. It houses what the Vatican recognizes as the Holy Grail (the chalice used at the Last Supper), displayed in the Chapel of the Holy Chalice.
The Miguelete bell tower (207 steps, €2.50) offers 360-degree city views. Cathedral entry: €9.00 including audio guide. Open Monday-Saturday 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM (until 5:30 PM in winter), Sunday 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Plaza de la Reina. The Holy Grail chapel is free to enter; the museum and tower require the ticket.
La Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange)
A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Europe’s finest examples of Gothic civil architecture, built between 1482 and 1548. The main trading hall (Sala de Contratación) features twisted helical columns reaching 17.5 metres to fan-vaulted ceilings. Free entry. Open Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM, Sunday 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Closed Mondays. Plaza del Mercado. Budget 30-45 minutes. Located directly opposite the Central Market, making them an easy combo.
Mercado Central (Central Market)
Valencia’s Art Nouveau covered market, opened in 1928, occupies 8,160 m² with 300+ stalls selling fresh seafood, cured ham, local cheeses, fruits, and vegetables. It’s one of Europe’s largest fresh food markets and a working market, not a tourist attraction.
Open Monday-Saturday 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Closed Sundays. Free entry. Go before 10:00 AM for the fullest displays and fewest tourists. The Central Bar by Ricard Camarena (inside the market) serves excellent tapas from 12:00 PM. Plaza del Mercado. Combo with La Lonja across the street.
Turia Gardens (JardÃn del Turia)
After a catastrophic flood in 1957, the Turia River was diverted around the city and the former riverbed was converted into a 9 km-long urban park crossing the entire city from west to east. The park contains sports fields, running paths, rose gardens, the Gulliver playground (a giant figure of Gulliver with slides, free, Plaza de la Constitución)
the City of Arts and Sciences at its eastern end. Free, open 24/7. The best way to experience it is by bicycle; rental shops near the Serranos Towers charge €10-15 per day. The park is shaded by pine and orange trees, offering relief from summer heat.
Valencia Beaches: Playa de la Malvarrosa and Playa de las Arenas
Valencia’s main city beach stretches 2.8 km along the eastern edge of the city. Las Arenas is the southern section, closest to the port with fine golden sand and a promenade of restaurants (paseo marÃtimo). La Malvarrosa extends north, wider and somewhat less crowded. Both beaches are clean, Blue Flag certified, and offer sunbed and umbrella rentals (€15-20 per day for two loungers and a parasol).
The sand is golden and medium-grain. Water quality is good but visibility is limited due to the Gulf of Valencia’s sandy seabed. Lifeguards on duty June through September 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Reach via bus 19, 31, or 32 from the city center (20 minutes); Metro line 5 to MarÃtim-SerrerÃa, then tram line 6 to Platja Les Arenes. Free public showers and toilets available.
Bioparc Valencia
An immersive zoo designed to eliminate visible barriers between animals and visitors, with African ecosystems recreated across 100,000 m². Species include gorillas, lemurs, lions, and hippos in naturalistic habitats separated by water and rock rather than bars. Avenida PÃo Baroja 3. Open daily from 10:00 AM; closing times vary seasonally (5:00 PM winter, 8:00 PM summer). Adult tickets: €27.90 online, €30.90 at the gate. Budget 3-4 hours. Located at the western end of the Turia Gardens.
Albufera Natural Park and Paella Origins
The Albufera is a freshwater lagoon 10 km south of Valencia, surrounded by rice paddies that have produced rice for paella since the Moorish period. The park is where paella valenciana (with chicken, rabbit, and local green beans) originated. Boat trips on the lagoon cost €5 per person for a 30-minute ride; no booking needed, boats depart from El Palmar village.
Sunset trips are the most scenic. El Palmar village has 10+ paella restaurants; the traditionalists at Restaurante El Palmar serve authentic paella valenciana for €15-18 per person (minimum 2 people). Bus 24 from the city center to El Palmar takes 35 minutes. The park is free to enter and has walking trails and bird-watching hides (250+ bird species). Best visited in August-September during rice harvest.
Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart
Valencia’s two surviving medieval gates from the 14th-century city walls. The Serranos Towers (built 1392-1398) on the north side are the larger and more impressive; you can climb to the top for city views. Entry: €2, free on Sundays and public holidays.
Open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Sunday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The Quart Towers (built 1441-1460) on the west side still show cannonball damage from the Napoleonic Wars. Both are within 10-minute walks of the Cathedral. The Torres de Serranos is also where the opening ceremony of Las Fallas takes place.
For seasonal events, see our Valencia events and festivals guide. Our Valencia neighborhoods overview maps the districts.
