What to do in Valencia
Either if you come to Valencia for a whole week or a weekend you will have plenty of activities to choose from:
Go to the beach
Valencia offers 25 kilometers of coastline with beautiful sandy beaches to choose from. From May to October, the weather is perfect for sunbathing and enjoying the beach.
You can visit the urban beaches of Las Arenas, Malvarrosa, and El Cabanyal, which are awarded the “Blue Flag” for their cleanliness and facilities. These beaches are located north of the Port of Valencia and can be easily accessed from the city center by bus, tram, taxi, public bike, or even on foot.
If you prefer more natural beaches surrounded by sand dunes and vegetation, you can take a bus or drive about 10 kilometers to reach the beach of El Saler, located in the heart of the Albufera natural park. There is even a bike route that runs along the coast, allowing you to reach these beaches by cycling.
In the southern part of Valencia, you will also find beaches like Pinedo, La Devesa, or El Perellonet, where you can enjoy water sports such as windsurfing or kite surfing.
Join a walking guided tour
Valencia is a city that deserves to be explored through a guided tour, especially with its pleasant and sunny weather.
The city center is charming and attracts tourists all year round. You will never feel alone if you decide to join one of the many guided tours available to discover the city.
During a two-hour tour, you will delve into the history and culture of Valencia. You will learn about the city’s rich history, from Roman times to the periods of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian influences. An expert guide will provide insights into the art, industry, handicrafts, and agriculture of Valencia.
You will explore the hidden corners of the city, following a circular route through ancient streets. The tour will take you to important landmarks such as the Gothic cathedral, Plaza de la Virgen, el Tribunal de las Aguas, the Romanic San Juan del Hospital church the Almudín gothic grain store, the old university, the Patriarch’s church, the Plaza Redonda (round square), and the Gothic Lonja (the Silk Exchange Market that is declared UNESCO Heritage) next to the Central Market.
Along the way, you will have plenty of opportunities to visit cafes, ice cream parlors, pubs, and bars to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Valencia.
You can check the guided tours in https://freetourvalencia.com/en/ or https://www.visitvalencia.com/en/shop/guided-tours
Take the touristic bus
If you prefer exploring the city at your own pace, you can opt for a hop-on-hop-off tourist bus, which offers a 24-hour ticket for 22€ (£19). This ticket allows you to take two different tours: a 90-minute route covering the old town and another 90-minute route that showcases the harbor, Ciudad de Las Artes y Las Ciencias, the Oceanografic, and the seafront. The buses operate every 30 minutes from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
You will ride on a double-decker bus with an open roof, giving you the flexibility to create your own itinerary. You can hop on and off the bus at any time to explore the main attractions, such as the City of Arts and Sciences and the Lonja de la Seda, which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stroll by the sea
You can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the more than 3 kilometers of seaside promenade and admire the luxurious yachts at the Marina Real Juan Carlos I.
Taking a morning walk by the Marina Real can be a truly rewarding experience. This expansive area, located near the port of Valencia, has been the venue for the prestigious America’s Cup.
Close to the Marina Real, you’ll find inviting spots where you can pause and indulge in a snack while enjoying the breathtaking views of the sea. The nearby beaches of Malvarrosa and Las Arenas offer expansive stretches of sandy shores within the urban landscape, allowing you to enjoy a beach experience without leaving the city.
If you’re feeling hungry and craving a delicious meal, this area is perfect for satisfying your appetite. It’s an ideal place to savor a traditional Valencian dish, the renowned “paella,” which is highly appreciated by tourists. You’ll find numerous restaurants with sun-drenched terraces overlooking the sea, where you can relish your meal while basking in the sun with your family and friends.
Discover the city by bike
Valencia is an incredibly bike-friendly city, with over 80 kilometers of bicycle lanes and a dry riverbed that stretches over 8 kilometers and runs through the entire city, making it a flat and easily navigable urban landscape.
Exploring the city by bike and enjoying the pleasant weather is an experience that should not be missed. If you’re looking for a unique and entertaining way to discover Valencia, you can even opt for a segway tour with guided routes designed for tourists.
A great option to get oriented and acquainted with the most iconic places and sports in the city is to join a Bike Tour led by a knowledgeable local guide who will ensure you have a fantastic time and fully enjoy your visit to Valencia.
Alternatively, if you prefer to explore the city at your own pace, there are numerous bike rental shops conveniently located in the city center, making it effortless to rent a bike.
Additionally, Valencia offers a public bike-sharing service called Valenbisi, with 2,750 bicycles available at 275 stations scattered throughout the city. The system is user-friendly: you can rent a bike at any station and return it to any other station in the city. The first 30 minutes of usage are free for each bike, and the service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
See the sunset from a boat in La Albufera
To the south of Valencia, there is a freshwater lake known as the Albufera of Valencia, which is regarded as one of the most captivating natural areas in the region.
The lake is separated from the sea by a stretch of land consisting of dunes, pine trees, abundant shrubs, and protected wildlife.
For nature enthusiasts, it is highly recommended to embark on a boat ride on the Albufera, stroll along the paths that wind through the rice fields, visit the traditional farmhouses known as “barracas,” and, of course, indulge in the exquisite cuisine of the Albufera region, where you can savor the pleasure of tasting an authentic “paella.”