Valencia, Spain’s third biggest city, is an urban gem with a rich history. This city has fabulous architecture and it offers lots of sightseeing opportunities. Whether you like history, sandy beaches, exceptional restaurants or amazing contemporary attractions, Valencia will certainly not disappoint you. To help you organize your trip, I have compiled a list of my the best things to see and do over a weekend in Valencia.
1) Explore the Ciutat Vella (Old Town)
Founded by Roman legionaries in 138 BC, Valencia was made an industrial centre by the Moors and became one of the strongest trading centres of the Mediterranean sea in the 15th century. The Ciutat Vella is the heart of the city and it is where you will find most of the key sights. One of them is the Cathedral.
Valencia Cathedral and the Miguelete Tower.
The Cathedral was built over a mosque in the 13th century. This Gothic church, locally known as La Seu, is totally worth a visit as it contains lots of beautiful frescoes and in one of the chapels (Capilla del Santo Cáliz) you can admire what is claimed to be the Holy Grail, the cup from which Christ sipped at the Last Supper.
The entrance costs €5 and it includes an audio guide. I also recommend climbing the Miguelete Tower. It will cost you an additional €2, but the view you get from the top is totally worth it! Please note that there are about 200 steep steps to climb and the stair gets quite narrow at the top.
You can access the Cathedral from Plaza de la Reina, from the Porta de los Hierros. Not far from this square you can find Plaza de la Virgen, which used to be the forum Of Roman Valencia. This beautiful square is surrounded by cafes and restaurants and gets busy during the day. This square is home to a beautiful fountain representing Rio Turia and the canals flowing from it.
Another highlight of the Old Town is La Lonja, the city 15th-century silk exchange. This building has been added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sights in 1996.
Other great places for amazing views of the city are the Serranos and Quart Towers. Built in the 14th century, these towers are all that remains of the old town defence walls. The Quart Tower is one of Spain’s most magnificent city gates. It faces towards Madrid, while the Serranos Towers where the main gate to Barcelona and the North. Entry fee is €2 each during the week and free at weekends.
2) Visit the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences)
The futuristic buildings of the City of the Arts and Sciences occupy a massive 350,000 square metres area and have been designed by the local architect Santiago Calatrava.
The architectural complex includes a science museum (the Museo de la Ciencias Principe Felipe), Europe’s biggest aquarium (the Oceanographic), a concert hall (the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia) and a 3D cinema (The Hemispheric). The architecture of these buildings is stunning! I recommend visiting here twice, during the day and at night. The place looks even more amazing when the lights switch on.
3) Try Valencia Local Food & Drinks
Valencia is famous as the home of paella, but its dining scene offers lots of options. This city is a paradise for foodies and I have tried lots of amazing restaurants while there. And you cannot leave this city without having seen the amazingly beautiful Mercado Central (Central Market). Valencia also has its typical drinks that you should definitely try before leaving this town: Horchata and Agua de Valencia.
Check out my article What & Where To Eat & Drink In Valencia for more information about local food and drinks and where to taste them.
4) Chill Out at the Beach
Valencia also has amazingly huge sandy beaches just 3km away from the centre. And you can choose from a number of them too: Playa de las Arenas, Playa de la Malvarrosa and Playa de Pinedo. The first two are usually very popular choices for locals and tourists as they are closer to town and they can get pretty packed over summer days. There are lots of restaurants and cafes nearby so you can enjoy fresh seafood paella and some cocktails after sunbathing for a few hours.
5) Relax at Jardines del Turia (Turia Gardens)
This beautiful 9-km long park stretches through the city, on what used to be the Turia riverbed before its course was diverted outside the city. In 1957 there was a devastating flood in Valencia. The river was therefore drained, diverted and its course turned into a fabulous green open space. It now is a great green space to spend the day, cycle, walk or go for a picnic. If you walk all the way going towards the sea, you will reach the City of Arts and Sciences.
If you still have some time left, I recommend visiting the Eixample, the newest part of the city, where you can find the Mercado de Colon, a former market which now houses lots of cafes and boutique food stores. And for some nightlife, don’t miss the trendy Russafa neighbourhood.
How to get around Valencia
The best way to explore the city is on foot or cycling. We barely used public transports during our stay and I would recommend trying to enjoy the city by walking around as much as you can. The Valencia Tourist Card includes free public transport and it is a great option if you are planning to visit lots of attractions and museums during your stay. It can be bought at any tourist office (24h-€15/ 48h-€20/ 72h-€25).
Booking.comHow to get to Valencia
Valencia has its own airport and lots of airlines fly there regularly during the day. Valencia’s airport is about 8 kilometres away from the city and the metro takes you to the city centre. Thanks to fast train connections, it’s easy to get there from all main cities in Spain as well.
Here is an indication of how long it takes to get to Valencia by train:
- Madrid – Valencia – 2 hours (about 350km)
- Barcelona – Valencia – 3 hours (about 350km)
- Alicante – Valencia – 1 h. 40 m. (about 168km)
Check out What & Where To Eat & Drink In Valencia
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