# One day in Valencia: an itinerary > A day in Valencia covers the old town and the city of the future. In the morning, the cathedral and a climb up the Micalet bell tower, then the Central Market with its oranges and ham. After lunch, walk the Turia gardens, laid out in the old riverbed, to the white buildings of the City of Arts and Sciences for the aquarium or science museum, and stay for the evening lights over the pools. Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/in-1-day ## Plan 1. [Valencia Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/valencia-cathedral.md) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Paid Lunch break, about 1 h ↓ 24 min by transport 2. [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 Total with walks: 6 h 24 min ## What to see in Valencia in a day The route runs west to east. The old town, with the cathedral, Plaza de la Virgen and the Central Market, takes a couple of hours on foot. The Turia gardens are 5 minutes away, and the City of Arts and Sciences is about a 40-minute walk or 15-minute bike ride along them. Buses run there too. At the City of Arts and Sciences, pick one venue: the aquarium takes 2–3 hours, the science museum about two. The grounds, with their pools and bridges, are free and open late, and the buildings are lit up beautifully in the evening. Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, add something nearby, and the timings update. ## Where to eat Have paella for lunch: Valencians eat it at midday, not in the evening. The old town has restaurants cooking paella over wood fires, and at the Central Market you can snack on tapas, cheese and fresh juice from local oranges. In the heat, try horchata, a cold tiger-nut drink served with soft fartons; the oldest horchaterías are by the Central Market. Spaniards dine late, after 9pm, and Ruzafa near the gardens is a good area for dinner. ## Tips for the day A cathedral ticket usually includes an audio guide, while the Micalet climb is paid separately. A narrow spiral staircase leads up the tower, so go in the morning before a queue builds. Cover shoulders and knees inside the cathedral. The Turia gardens run almost 9 kilometres across the city. You can hire a bike at the entrances, and the paths are flat and car-free. Summer afternoons are hot, so bring water and a hat. ## If you have more time With time to spare, visit [Bioparc](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/bioparc-valencia) with its giraffes and hippos at the western end of the Turia gardens, or catch the sunset over the [Albufera](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/albufera) lagoon half an hour south. ## Tips - Climb the Micalet in the morning. - Paella at lunchtime. - Cycle the Turia gardens. - Churches require covered shoulders and knees and no beachwear; walking around town in swimwear is not allowed. - Spain uses the euro. Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere. Book the Sagrada Família, Park Güell and the Gaudí houses ahead on their official sites, which list entry times and closing days. ## Questions ### What can you see in Valencia in one day? The cathedral and Micalet, the Central Market, the Turia gardens and the City of Arts and Sciences. ### Can you see Valencia in a day on your own? Yes, the centre and Turia gardens are easy on foot or by bike. ### Is there time for the aquarium in one day? Yes, if you allow 2–3 hours for it after lunch. ### Where can I eat paella in central Valencia? In old town restaurants at lunchtime, or by Las Arenas beach. ### How do I pay in Valencia? Spain uses the euro. Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere. Book the Sagrada Família, Park Güell and the Gaudí houses ahead on their official sites, which list entry times and closing days. --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.