Valencia is one of the most exciting cities in Spain to visit, and there’s no doubt about it. There’s nearly always something happening in Valencia, and if there’s not, then there are bucket loads of exceptional places you won’t want to leave without seeing.
From the moment you arrive in Valencia, you’ll be captivated by this city’s incredible vibe. The atmosphere here really is unique and truly magnetic. But what more could you expect from a city that hosts such incredible festivals as Las Fallas and invented paella?
There are, in reality, a lot more than ten can’t-miss experiences in Valencia, and it is hard to navigate them all if you’re trailing your suitcase behind you. Head to a luggage storage in Valencia to ease the burden so you can discover the best and most essential experiences everyone should have when they visit this city on Spain’s east coast. If you can cram in a few more besides these, then you’ll be onto an absolute winner.
Top 10 Things You Shouldn’t Miss Doing In Valencia
Go Sightseeing The Stress-free Way
Jump aboard the hop-on-hop-off bus in Valencia and you’ll get to know the city like the back of your hand in just a couple of hours. Sitting on the top deck of this roofless bus really is the chilled-out way to do your sightseeing. You can see so much more from up high as nothing is blocking your view.
Purchase a hop-on hop-off bus ticket that’s valid for 48 hours, and you’ll save yourself a fortune on public transport costs too.
Pedal Around The Park
The Jardin del Turia is a huge park in Valencia. It covers a total area of more than a million square meters and stretches for about nine kilometers from the port through the city center.
To explore it on foot would take all day and be exhausting. Rent a bicycle to pedal around on, and it becomes a fun experience you’ll more than likely want to repeat. It’s a great place for a picnic too, so take food and drinks and make a day of it.
Hit The Beach
Going to the beach is a must-do whether it’s sunbathing weather or not when you’re in Valencia. The best beach by far at any time of the year is the one-and-a-quarter kilometer-long Playa de las Arenas.
This broad beach of golden sand is exploited in some sections during the warmer months, so if you’re here in the summer, you can relax on a sun lounger and get a drink from a nearby kiosk. In winter, the beach is practically abandoned, so it’s perfect for uninterrupted seaside strolls.
Eat Paella Valenciana
If you’re going to eat paella anywhere in Spain, then it has to be in Valencia, in an arroceria, a specialist rice restaurant, like the Flor de Valencia.
The authentic version of this rice dish that’s seasoned and colored by saffron contains rabbit, chicken, and green beans. Now there are multiple variations, so you can try a seafood paella, one seasoned with squid ink, or a vegetable-only version. They’re all really flavorful, except perhaps for the squid ink one, which is something of an acquired taste.
Be Stunned By The City of Arts and Sciences
The City of Arts and Sciences has an incredible architectural wow factor that makes it a must-see when you’re in Valencia. The complex consists of eight state-of-the-art buildings, all designed to replicate something they’re not, and they’re all dedicated to different uses. Here are the top four you won’t want to skip photographing.
- L’Hemisferic – an eye-shaped planetarium and cinema.
- Museum of Science – a whale’s skeleton-shaped museum with three floors of interactive exhibits.
- L’Umbracle – A walkthrough garden showcasing native plants and a sculpture park.
- L’Oceanografic – a water lily-shaped aquarium
Be Flabbergasted By Las Fallas
Las Fallas isn’t just an experience to have in Valencia; it’s a reason to go there. Las Fallas is the city’s carnival celebration, and it’s one of the biggest and best in Spain.
The week-long celebration sees the city streets adorned with enormous and elaborately made figurines that, after the party is over, are set on fire in a special ceremony. To be in Valencia during Las Fallas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Make Some Waves
Valencia is right on the coast, so it would be almost inexcusable not to take a boat cruise of one sort or another while you’re here.
Sail along the Valencian coast in a catamaran while music plays, stop for a swim break and a mad banana boat ride before tucking into a paella lunch. If you don’t want too much sun, go for a sunset cruise instead.
Go Deep
There are some amazing dive sites along Valencia’s coast, and if you haven’t tried the activity before, Valencia is a great place to lose your diving virginity.
On a full-day beginners course, you’ll be taught all the safety procedures and go for your first dive, but be warned; it’s addictive. Snorkeling is a good alternative if you don’t have enough time to dedicate a whole day to learning to dive.
Go Underwater Without Getting Wet
If water-related activities like diving or snorkeling don’t appeal, you can still explore the underwater world by paying a visit to Oceanografic. There are plenty of beasties here you wouldn’t want to come face to face with on a scuba dive.
Oceanografic in the City of Arts and Sciences is a massive aquarium with the world’s longest shark tunnel. Walking through it as the sharks swim around you is a memorable experience and one that may well give you nightmares for a week.
Tuck Into Some Tapas
For atmosphere and gastronomic delights, you can’t beat the Mercado de Colon in Valencia. The Colon Market is housed in a historic glass-roofed building that contains some of the best tapas bars in the city.
In the market, you can go from one tapas bar to the next, nibbling on different small plates at each one. Don’t miss trying Spanish omelet, meatballs, marinated olives, Serrano or Iberico ham, and some of the local cheeses. It’s the perfect way to experience Valencia like a local.
