# 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.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia

## Ready itineraries

- [One day in Valencia: an itinerary](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/in-1-day.md): The Gothic cathedral and Micalet tower, a walk through the Turia gardens and the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences with its aquarium, all in order.
- [Valencia in 2 days: day by day](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/in-2-days.md): The old town, cathedral and City of Arts and Sciences, then Bioparc's giraffes and hippos and sunset over the Albufera lagoon with paella in a fishing village.
- [Valencia with kids: a day out](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/with-kids.md): Elephants and hippos at Bioparc, a walk through the green Turia gardens and an aquarium with sharks and dolphins at the City of Arts and Sciences, all close by.

## All 5 places with the YesGo score

- [Valencia Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/valencia-cathedral.md): YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Paid. Valencia Cathedral is the old town's great church, begun in 1262 and added to over centuries, so Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque portals…
- [City of Arts and Sciences](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/city-of-arts-and-sciences.md): YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Grounds free, venues paid. The City of Arts and Sciences is modern Valencia's emblem: Santiago Calatrava's futuristic white buildings above turquoise pools in the…
- [Bioparc Valencia](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/bioparc-valencia.md): YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Paid. Bioparc Valencia is a 10-hectare zoo devoted to the animals of Africa. Its big idea is immersion: instead of cages and bars, visitors are…
- [Sagunto](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/sagunto.md): YesGo score 25/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Free. Sagunto is one of Spain's oldest towns, half an hour from Valencia by commuter train. Above the old town rises a long hill of ruins where…
- [Albufera](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/albufera.md): YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h 30 min · Free; boat rides paid. The Albufera is a large freshwater lagoon and nature park 10 km south of Valencia, separated from the sea by a strip of dunes and pines…

## 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.

## Trip 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
- 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

## Key facts

- **1996** — the Silk Exchange joined the UNESCO list (source: UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 782)
- **≈ 9 km** — of Turia gardens in the old riverbed (source: Wikipedia, Turia Gardens)
- **2016** — the Fallas festival listed as UNESCO intangible heritage (source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage)
- **3rd** — largest city in Spain (source: Wikipedia, Valencia)

## Things 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.

| Area | What to see | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Old town** | [Cathedral and Micalet](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/valencia-cathedral) | 2–3 hours |
| **Turia gardens, east** | [City of Arts and Sciences](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/city-of-arts-and-sciences) | Half a day |
| **Turia gardens, west** | [Bioparc](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/bioparc-valencia) | 3–4 hours |
| **South, 10 km** | [Albufera](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/albufera) | Half a day |
| **North, 30 km** | [Sagunto](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/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.

| Area | Best for | Keep in mind |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **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.

| How | From — to | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **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.

- **January in Valencia**: day ≈ 17°C, night ≈ 7°C, rainy days: 4. Cool but sunny.
- **February in Valencia**: day ≈ 18°C, night ≈ 8°C, rainy days: 4. Mild, almond blossom.
- **March in Valencia**: day ≈ 20°C, night ≈ 10°C, rainy days: 4. Spring and the Fallas festival.
- **April in Valencia** (best time): day ≈ 22°C, night ≈ 12°C, rainy days: 5. Warm, orange blossom.
- **May in Valencia** (best time): day ≈ 25°C, night ≈ 15°C, rainy days: 4. A great month, first swims.
- **June in Valencia**: day ≈ 28°C, night ≈ 19°C, rainy days: 2. Warm, beach season.
- **July in Valencia**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 22°C, rainy days: 1. Hot, warm sea.
- **August in Valencia**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 22°C, rainy days: 3. Peak heat, busy beaches.
- **September in Valencia** (best time): day ≈ 29°C, night ≈ 19°C, rainy days: 5. Warm, the sea still warm.
- **October in Valencia** (best time): day ≈ 25°C, night ≈ 15°C, rainy days: 5. Mild, some rain.
- **November in Valencia**: day ≈ 20°C, night ≈ 11°C, rainy days: 5. Cool, few tourists.
- **December in Valencia**: day ≈ 17°C, night ≈ 8°C, rainy days: 5. 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](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/valencia-cathedral) — Paid
- [City of Arts and Sciences](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/city-of-arts-and-sciences) — Grounds free, venues paid
- [Bioparc Valencia](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/bioparc-valencia) — Paid
- [Sagunto](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/sagunto) — Free
- [Albufera](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/albufera) — 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.

## Questions

### 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

- 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

Facts checked: 11.11.2026

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