Valencia in 2 days: day by day
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 0 of 4 free; 4 paid — see “Cost”
- Duration
- 2 days, 9:30 to 18:06 each day
- Start and finish
- Valencia Cathedral → Albufera
- On foot
- ≈ 0 min in total
- Transport
- 2 rides, ≈ 1 h 30 min
- Lunch
- around 10:30
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- April to October; in winter the Albufera sunset comes earlier, around 6pm.
Day-by-day plan
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Day 1 · Valencia09:30–15:54 · 2 places · 6 h 20 min
Valencia Cathedral
· 1 h · Paid
- Lunch · 1 h
- 24 min · transport or taxi
City of Arts and Sciences
· 4 h · Grounds free, venues paid
Day 2 · Valencia09:30–18:06 · 2 places · 8 h 40 min
Bioparc Valencia
· 3 h · Paid
- Lunch · 1 h
- 66 min · transport or taxi
Albufera
· 3 h 30 min · Free; boat rides paid
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
0 of 4 are free; 4 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 1 | Valencia Cathedral | 40 | 1 h | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | City of Arts and Sciences | 37 | 4 h | Grounds free, venues paid |
| 3 | Bioparc Valencia | 29 | 3 h | Paid |
| 4 | Albufera | 21 | 3 h 30 min | Free; boat rides paid |
| Total | 11 h 30 min | 0 of 4 free |
Tips for each stop
Day 1
- 1
Valencia Cathedral. The old town's Gothic cathedral and its Micalet bell tower, 207 steps up to a rooftop view. Entry and the climb are ticketed.
- 2
City of Arts and Sciences. Calatrava's white buildings above turquoise pools: aquarium, science museum and planetarium. The grounds are free; venues are ticketed.
Day 2
- 3
Bioparc Valencia. An African zoo without cages: elephants, giraffes, hippos seen underwater and lemurs right by the path. Ticketed, cheaper online.
- 4
Albufera. A freshwater lagoon among rice fields south of the city: a boat ride, paella in El Palmar village and sunset over the water.
Who this route is for
- A first trip to Valencia
- City and nature in one trip
- Couples and families
- Sagunto needs its own half day
- Just the beach? Pick a day by the sea
April to October; in winter the Albufera sunset comes earlier, around 6pm.
How the two days work
Day one is the centre: the cathedral and market in the old town, then a walk east through the Turia gardens to the City of Arts and Sciences, where the pools and bridges are lit up at night.
Day two begins in the west at Bioparc, when the animals are livelier and crowds thinner. After lunch, take a bus or taxi south to the Albufera, about half an hour. El Palmar village is full of paella restaurants, and boats wait at the jetties for a trip on the lagoon. Arrive an hour before sunset.
Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, add something nearby, and the timings update.
Where to eat
On day one, have lunch in the old town or at the Central Market, and cool off with horchata and fartons. On day two the star is paella in the Albufera: rice is grown here, and locals consider these villages the birthplace of paella.
El Palmar's restaurants also serve all i pebre, an eel stew with potato and garlic that is the lagoon's own dish. Paella is cooked to order in about 30 minutes, so don't cut it too fine before sunset.
Tips for two days
Bioparc and aquarium tickets are cheaper on their official websites. If you want both, split them across two days, as this plan does, or the day gets too long.
City buses run to the Albufera but are infrequent in the evening, so a taxi back is easier. Bring insect repellent, as mosquitoes gather by the water in summer. Boats usually wait at the jetty, with no need to book ahead.
If you have more time
With a third day, take a trip to Sagunto for its Roman theatre and hilltop ruins, or spend a morning on Malvarrosa beach.
How to do it right
- Bioparc in the morning.
- The Albufera at sunset.
- Paella at lunchtime.
- Insect repellent by the lagoon.
- 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 2 days?
The cathedral, the Turia gardens, the City of Arts and Sciences, Bioparc and the Albufera lagoon.
How do I get to the Albufera?
By city bus or taxi, about 30 minutes from the centre.
Where can I eat paella in the Albufera?
In the small restaurants of El Palmar village.
Are two days enough for Valencia?
Yes, for the highlights; add a day for the beach and Sagunto.
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.
Sources and fact-check
- Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
- Valencia tourism portal, visitvalencia.com
