20 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN VALENCIA

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Poor who thinks that Valencia is only failures and paellas, because he can't be more wrong. The capital of the Valencian Community is a vibrant city, full of surprises and perfect activities for any type of traveler. Old or young. Comilón or healty. Party or cultural. In this post we will tell you 20 things to see and do in Valencia, you'll see how you find your perfect plan!

1. As always, we recommend spending your first hours breaking the ice with the city with a free tour. It is the best way to remove the first mask and "friend" with destiny. Here you have the option to hire it online, you know they are free, but leave a tip to the guide.

2. After the free tour of the historic center, you can go up to the Miguelete, to see, this time, the city from the heights. But what is the Miguelete? This is how the bell tower of the Valencia Cathedral is known. Once the 207 steps have been saved (and after taking control of your lungs again), you can enjoy a 360º panorama of Valencia. The entrance costs € 2 and is located in the Plaza de la Reina, beautiful by the way.

3. Although if there is a building that we would label as “the most precious of preciousness”, it is undoubtedly the Silk market. Valencian civil Gothic style, this was the place for trade and all commercial transactions in the city. Due to its beauty it was proclaimed a World Heritage Site in 1996. Admission costs € 2.

4. Are you urban art cool? Then go through the Carmen neighborhood, the most colorful and artistic of Valencia. Here you can even take a street art tour (€ 10): Our favorite neighborhood, the second? Keep reading 🙂

5. On October 14, 1957, Valencia suffered a terrible flood, which is why it was decided to divert the river Turia to the south. As a result, a large area where it used to travel was left unused. What was done with this land? One of the most beautiful and largest urban parks in Spain was created: the Turia garden. Nowadays there you can play sports, there are recreational areas for the little ones and spaces for picnics or just walking. Cool!

Torre del Miguelete, in Valencia

6. But it is to talk about Valencia and come to mind the silhouette of the City of Arts and Sciences. There you can discover the most avant-garde side of Valencia and visit several buildings and pavilions:

Hemisfèric, where there is an impressive IMAX movie theater and a planetarium.
science Museum, an interactive science museum.
L'Umbracle, a walk full of native plants and sculptures.
The oceanographic, an aquarium (although we like free animals more, so you are not obliged to visit it).
Queen Sofia Palace of the Arts, dedicated entirely to the performing arts.

Tickets can be purchased separately for each attraction, or combined (here)

Hemisfèric € 8.80
Museum of the Sciences 8.00 €
Oceanogràfic € 29.70
Joint: € 38.20

7. Our first visit to Valencia coincided with the failures, and we must recognize that we were impressed. The biggest celebration in Valencia takes place in mid-March, if you can square your visit with these parties, you have succeeded. Although if you don't like firecrackers (we say firecrackers, even though they looked like bombs) and fire, the date changes better. More info.

8. Even if it's a big deal, you can't leave Valencia without eat a little straw on the beach, because it is true that Valencia is not just paella ... but would you leave Naples without eating pizza? Oh no! An area where Valencians usually go, and therefore does not fail, is El Palmar. In the post of where to eat in Valencia we tell you several places to try a rich, rich Valencian paella.

9. Another thing you have to taste in Valencia is its famous chufa horchata. And if she knows you little, accompany her with some fartons. A mythical place to try the best in Valencia is the Horchateria Santa Catalina, (the horchata costs € 2.8).

10. If you have time on your trip to Valencia, a good idea is to make a excursion to the Albufera, a natural park where, they say, you can enjoy the best sunset in the Valencian Community. This lagoon is located about 10 km south of Valencia and to get there you have the option of public transport, rent a bike or a boat trip (this last option is very cool). If you prefer to go on a tour, to learn as much as possible, we recommend this.

Graffiti in the neighborhood of El Carmen, in Valencia

If you intend to use public transport, you may be interested in Valencia Tourist Card (€ 15), which includes transportation by bus, tram and subway (also to the airport) and also free admission to many Valencia attractions and discounts. More info.

11. Yes, that Barcelona is the queen of modernism, but did you know that Valencia does not have much to envy the city? Find out with a Modernist Valencia tour, this is free! It will take you to know, among other treasures, the Palace of the Marquis de Dos Aguas.

12. If you arrive in Valencia by train you are in luck: the North Station It is a pasote! It was built in 1917 and is one of the best modernist buildings in the city. If you like architecture, we recommend you approach even if you arrive by bus, car, plane, spaceship ...

13. The Serranos Towers They are a living testimony of what were the medieval walls of Valencia. These two curious polygonal towers flank one of the old city gates. A very photogenic place!

14. Not too far away is the Quart Tower, another entrance to the medieval citadel. The most curious are the remains of the impacts of the cannon shots that French troops threw at the door, during the War of Independence.

15. Are you a foodie traveler who loves to visit city markets? Then you have to approach the Colon Market, a spectacular building, built between 1914 and 1916 by Francisco Mora Berenguer. Inside there are gourmet shops, a super beautiful florist, breweries, bars and even horchaterias. The Central Market It is another essential stop if you are going this roll, also the building is very cool.

Central Market of Valencia

16. Go take solecito a la Malvarrosa beach, the most frequented in Valencia, where there are also a few beach bars to eat paella or some ration.

17. One of the most original places in Valencia is the Round Square, which, as you suggest, is ... a round square surrounded by the facades of the rear facades of the surrounding buildings. Rare, weird.

18. Explore the Ruzafa neighborhood, right now the trendy neighborhood, full of shops and places to go brunch or have a coffee or a cane with friends. Also approach the Ruzafa Market, it's very good! This is our favorite neighborhood!

19. Does it rain? Look it's weird since the sun almost always shines in Valencia, but hey ... the plans for rainy days are not lacking: you can lock yourself in the Museum of Fine Arts and contemplate the main works of Joaquin Sorolla.

20. And obviously you can't leave Valencia without going through the Town Hall Square, where there is also the beautiful Post Office building. This square is the main protagonist of the mascletá, a pyrotechnic show that literally shakes the city during the Fallas. You have to live it at least once in your life!