Things to do in Valencia: top sights and where to go
Valencia's headline sights: the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences with its aquarium and science museum, the Gothic cathedral and Micalet bell tower in the old centre, and Bioparc's African animals in the gardens of the old Turia riverbed. Ten kilometres south lies the Albufera lagoon, home of paella, with rice fields and sunsets, and half an hour away by train is Sagunto with its Roman theatre. The metro reaches the centre from the airport in 20 minutes.
Sights
Valencia itineraries
Valencia travel guide
Before you go: where to stay, airport and metro, beaches, weather by month, paella, prices and trips to the Albufera and Sagunto.
Valencia on your own: the essentials
- How long
- 2–3 days, +1 for the beach or Sagunto
- Best time
- April–June and September–October
- Food
- Paella, horchata with fartons, tapas
- Visa
- Schengen rules apply
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Money
- Euro; cards accepted almost everywhere
- Airport
- Manises (VLC), metro to the centre ≈ 20 min
- Getting around
- Metro, tram to the sea, bikes
- Beaches
- Malvarrosa and Las Arenas, in the city
- Meal times
- Lunch from 2pm, dinner after 9pm
- Time zone
- CET, UTC+1; summer UTC+2
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 782Sourcei
Wikipedia, Turia GardensSourcei
UNESCO Intangible Cultural HeritageSourcei
Wikipedia, ValenciaThings to do in Valencia
Valencia's top sights are the City of Arts and Sciences with its aquarium, the cathedral and Micalet bell tower in the old town, and Bioparc in the Turia gardens. Outside the city lie the Albufera lagoon and Sagunto's Roman theatre. The centre is compact and a tram runs to the sea. Every place with a YesGo score is in the list above.
| Old town | Cathedral and Micalet | 2–3 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Turia gardens, east | City of Arts and Sciences | Half a day |
| Turia gardens, west | Bioparc | 3–4 hours |
| South, 10 km | Albufera | Half a day |
| North, 30 km | Sagunto | Half a day |
Rather not plan it yourself? The list above includes ready-made Valencia itineraries.
Valencia in 1, 2 or 3 days
One day in Valencia covers the old town with the cathedral and Central Market, a walk through the Turia gardens and an evening at the City of Arts and Sciences. With two days, add the Albufera for paella and sunset; with three, Bioparc or a trip to Sagunto and an evening on Malvarrosa beach.
- Day 1 — the cathedral, Central Market, Turia gardens and the City of Arts and Sciences.
- Day 2 — the beach in the morning, then the Albufera for paella and sunset.
- Day 3 — Bioparc or Sagunto.
Valencia beaches
Valencia's beaches are wide strips of sand right in the city: Malvarrosa and Las Arenas, with a promenade and restaurants, are 20 minutes from the centre by tram. Further south, by the Albufera, the wild beaches of El Saler and La Devesa sit among dunes and pines. The swimming season runs from June to October.
- Malvarrosa — the best known, with a promenade and cafés.
- Las Arenas — by the port, lined with paella restaurants.
- Cabanyal — between the two, by the old fishing quarter.
- El Saler — dunes and pines on the way to the Albufera.
- La Devesa — a wild beach in the nature park.
Where to stay in Valencia
The handiest base is the old town, Ciutat Vella and El Carmen, within walking distance of the cathedral, market and Turia gardens. Ruzafa is a trendy café district south of the station, and Malvarrosa suits a beach-focused trip.
| Ciutat Vella | First visit, all close | Noisy at night |
|---|---|---|
| El Carmen | Old lanes, bars | Nightlife |
| Ruzafa | Cafés, market, young crowd | Far from the sea |
| By the beach | Sea and relaxing | Tram to the centre |
Valencia airport to the city centre
Valencia Airport (VLC) at Manises is 8 km west of the centre. Metro lines 3 and 5 run from the terminal to the centre in about 20 minutes, and a taxi takes about the same. High-speed AVE trains from Madrid arrive at Joaquín Sorolla station.
| Metro L3, L5 | Airport — Xàtiva, Colón | ≈ 20 min |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | Airport — centre | ≈ 20 min |
| Tram L4 | Centre — Malvarrosa beach | ≈ 20 min |
| Cercanías C6 | Valencia Nord — Sagunto | ≈ 30 min |
| AVE train | Madrid — Valencia | ≈ 1 h 40 min |
| Train | Barcelona — Valencia | ≈ 3 h |
Valencia weather by month
Valencia has a mild Mediterranean climate, with over 300 sunny days a year: around 17 °C by day in winter and about 30 °C in summer, with a warm sea. Rain is rare and mostly falls in autumn. The best time is April–June and September–October; for the beach, June to September.
°CiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 17° | 18° | 20° | 22° | 25° | 28° | 31° | 31° | 29° | 25° | 20° | 17° |
| Night | 7° | 8° | 10° | 12° | 15° | 19° | 22° | 22° | 19° | 15° | 11° | 8° |
| Rain | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: April–May and September–October
- day ≈ 17°
- night ≈ 7°
- rain 4 days
Cool but sunny.
- day ≈ 18°
- night ≈ 8°
- rain 4 days
Mild, almond blossom.
- day ≈ 20°
- night ≈ 10°
- rain 4 days
Spring and the Fallas festival.
- day ≈ 22°
- night ≈ 12°
- rain 5 days
Warm, orange blossom.
- day ≈ 25°
- night ≈ 15°
- rain 4 days
A great month, first swims.
- day ≈ 28°
- night ≈ 19°
- rain 2 days
Warm, beach season.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 22°
- rain 1 days
Hot, warm sea.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 22°
- rain 3 days
Peak heat, busy beaches.
- day ≈ 29°
- night ≈ 19°
- rain 5 days
Warm, the sea still warm.
- day ≈ 25°
- night ≈ 15°
- rain 5 days
Mild, some rain.
- day ≈ 20°
- night ≈ 11°
- rain 5 days
Cool, few tourists.
- day ≈ 17°
- night ≈ 8°
- rain 5 days
Mild winter, Christmas lights.
From 15 to 19 March Valencia celebrates Fallas, with giant papier-mâché figures in the streets, fireworks and parades in traditional dress.
What to eat in Valencia
Valencia is the home of paella: the true Valencian version uses chicken, rabbit and beans, while paella de marisco is made with seafood. In the heat, locals drink horchata, a cold tiger-nut drink served with sweet fartons. The Central Market and the Albufera villages are the places to try it all.
- Paella valenciana — chicken, rabbit and beans.
- Arròs negre — black rice with cuttlefish ink.
- Horchata with fartons — a cold drink and soft buns.
- All i pebre — eel stew with potato and garlic in the Albufera.
- Agua de Valencia — a cocktail with orange juice.
- Oranges — from local groves in winter and spring.
Valencia attraction prices
Free in Valencia: the Turia gardens, the grounds of the City of Arts and Sciences, the beaches, the Albufera lagoon and Sagunto's ruins. You pay for the cathedral and bell tower, the aquarium and museums at the City of Arts and Sciences, Bioparc and boat rides on the lagoon.
| Valencia Cathedral | 40 | 1 h | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Arts and Sciences | 37 | 4 h | Grounds free, venues paid |
| Bioparc Valencia | 29 | 3 h | Paid |
| Sagunto | 25 | 4 h | Free |
| Albufera | 21 | 3 h 30 min | Free; boat rides paid |
Tips
- Eat paella at lunch, not dinner, like the locals.
- Cycle the Turia gardens end to end.
- Reach the Albufera an hour before sunset.
FAQ
What should I see first in Valencia?
The City of Arts and Sciences, the cathedral and Micalet, the Turia gardens and the Albufera lagoon.
How many days do you need in Valencia?
2–3 days, plus a day for the beach or Sagunto.
How do I get from Valencia airport to the centre?
Metro lines 3 or 5 in 20 minutes, or a taxi.
What is the weather like in Valencia in May?
Around 25 °C by day and 15 °C at night, a great month to visit.
What is Valencia like in winter?
Mild and sunny, around 17 °C by day, though the sea is cold.
What are the best beaches in Valencia?
Malvarrosa and Las Arenas in the city; El Saler and La Devesa by the Albufera.
Where should I stay in Valencia?
The old town, El Carmen, Ruzafa or by the beach.
Where can I eat real paella?
In the Albufera villages or the restaurants on Las Arenas beach, at lunchtime.
What day trips can I take from Valencia?
The Albufera and Sagunto, both half an hour from the centre.
When is the Fallas festival?
From 15 to 19 March, with the biggest events on the final days.
Sources and fact-check
- UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 782 — La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia
- UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage — Valencia Fallas festivity
- Wikipedia, Valencia; Valencia climate (1991–2020 normals)
- Valencia Airport and Metrovalencia official websites