Valencia Travelers Recommend

With three days in Valencia, you have plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere, see the historic sights, take a bite out of the food scene, and journey deeper into the region. Here’s how to make the most of 72 hours in Spain’s 3rd-largest city.

Day 1: Explore the city

Get your bearings on a walking, biking, or Segway tour. Many itineraries focus on the Old Town, with its mazelike center filled with Gothic, Renaissance, and baroque architecture. Landmarks such as the Valencia Cathedral contain elements of each of those styles. For more flexibility, opt for a private or hop-on hop-off bus tour. After lunch, wander the futuristic complex of the City of Arts and Sciences. Guided walking tours introduce you to local son Santiago Calatrava’s strikingly modern buildings, and often include a drink on one of the city’s tallest terraces. Stick around the complex for dinner—you’ll find lots of options.

Day 2: Dive into the food scene

Valencia is the birthplace of paella, so there’s no better place to taste one of Spain’s most famous dishes. Go a step further and learn how to make it. Many cooking classes begin with a tour of a busy public market—typically the Mercado Central or Mercado de Colón—where you’ll join the locals in shopping for the ingredients you’ll need. Afterward, head to the kitchen to discover the secrets of authentic paella-making before enjoying the fruits of your labor with a glass of wine. If you don’t feel like cooking, choose a tour of the markets (including samples of traditional dishes) or the city’s best tapas bars. Finally, make your way to the Old Town for alfresco drinks on the sidewalk. 

Day 3: See more Valencia

Spend your final day away from the hustle and bustle of the city, exploring the surrounding countryside of the autonomous community of Valencia. Around 45 minutes south of the city, Albufera Natural Park is home to Spain’s largest lake, lush wetlands, abundant wildlife, and a bird observatory. Tours from the city usually include hotel transfers and a visit to the charming fishing village of El Palmar, where you’ll see a local fish market and a historic fisherman’s home. 

Back in the city, round out your trip with a flamenco show, or embark on a sunset cruise through the bay. Both experiences often include dinner and drinks.

Two days in Valencia gives you ample time to see the city’s highlights, while also exploring less-visited areas and soaking up the cultural, culinary, and nightlife scenes. Here’s how to spend 48 hours in Spain’s third-biggest city.

Day 1: Soak Up the Scene

**Morning:**Get your bearings while checking off Valencia’s major sights, such as the bell tower of El Miguelete and Valencia Cathedral on a private or group sightseeing tour by foot, bike, bus, or Segway. For more flexibility, create your own itinerary on a hop-on-hop-off bus tour.

**Afternoon:**You may have already had a glimpse on your morning tour, but the City of Arts and Sciences deserves even more of your time. Take a stroll around the futuristic cultural and architectural complex independently or join a walking tour. Some tours include drinks on one of Valencia’s tallest terraces. 

**Night:**Spend your evening soaking up the city’s lively nightlife scene. Embark on a walking tour of the city’s best tapas bars or immerse yourself in Spanish culture with a visit to a flamenco show. Flamenco shows typically include dinner and a glass of sangria. Continue the festivities by checking out some of the Old Town’s bars.

Day 2: Explore Deeper

**Morning:**Kick off your second day with a taste of the local food scene. Food walking tours typically guide guests around the Mercado de Colón and Mercado Central as well as other local spots, and include samples of a variety of classic Valencian dishes, including jamón, horchata, artisan chocolates, tapas, and wine. 

**Afternoon:**Escape the city for the afternoon with a quick excursion to Albufera Natural Park, home to Spain’s largest lake and a haven for birds and other wildlife. Another option is exploring Turia Park, Spain’s largest urban garden, located within the city of Valencia. You can zip around  this lush green space, past trees, flowers, and sculptures, on a Segway tour.

**Night:**Round out your trip to Valencia with a sunset cruise around the city’s beaches and bay aboard a catamaran. Cruises typically include a drink on board as well as dinner at a local beach when you disembark.

Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, draws far fewer tourists than Madrid and Barcelona yet boasts comparable culture and dining scenes. Its mazelike center is filled with Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance, and baroque architecture and is wrapped by a ribbon of verdant parks. Here’s how to make the most of 24 hours in Valencia.

Morning: See the Sights

Valencia is a bike-friendly city, and pedaling around is one of the best ways to see it. A guided bike tour will take you to the city’s most interesting attractions, from an ancient Roman square to the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences complex, while offering plenty of opportunities to stop, snap photos, and ask questions. Other, less energetic, options include tours by car, bus, or Segway. Alternatively, hop-on-hop-off-bus tours allow you to set your own schedule and spend as long as you like at each stop.

Afternoon: Make Paella

As the birthplace of paella, Valencia is the best place to taste one of Spain’s most famous dishes. What’s even better is that you can discover the secrets of authentic paella making and prepare it yourself during a cooking class. Classes often begin with the opportunity to shop for ingredients at the bustling public Central Market (Mercado Central), before getting hands-on in the kitchen. Afterward, you’ll be able to enjoy your delicious homemade paella in the company of your host. Tours often include Valencian wines and typical appetizers and desserts, too.

Night: Sunset and Tapas

Spend the late afternoon strolling through the streets of Valencia—from the historic center to the strikingly futuristic buildings of the City of Arts and Sciences, designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava. When it’s time for dinner, your options include a sunset cruise aboard a catamaran, after which you disembark at a beach for an included traditional Spanish dinner, or a walking tapas tour, which takes you to a few of the city’s best tapas bars. Either way, be sure to toast your day with a glass of local beer, wine, or vermouth.