7 Unique Things to do in Valencia, Spain

Valencia is one of the most beautiful Spanish cities and I couldn’t recommend it more for a weekend away or even a holiday over the summer months. 

It has the best of both worlds between the city and the beach. You can experience the hustle and bustle of the streets or chill out by the water. The two are only a few kilometres from one another. 

I lived in Valencia for almost 4 months last year and I absolutely fell in love with the city. In this blog I will be discussing 10 things you must do if you are visiting Valencia

La Ciutat de les Arts I les Ciències

First up is the Arts and Sciences Museum, this is such a beautiful place to get out of the city centre and take a walk around some of the most insane buildings.

If you have seen pictures of Valencia before you will know what I am talking about but if not, this area is built up of several super cool buildings that are surrounded by a pool of crystal clear blue water.

Even if you aren’t interested in paying into the Arts and Sciences Museum it is so worth heading down to the general area for a stroll and to get some really cool pictures.

Right by the entrance to the museum, you can also rent boats, water bikes, or step pedals, to paddle around the lake surrounding the area. This activity costs only €2.50 and is open everyday (weather depending). You do not have to pre-book this activity, so you can just head down to their information stand located right outside of the museum.

There is also a rental service down here for bikes, karts, scooters, and electric scooters. Prices range from €5 for a bike for one hour to €25 for an electric scooter for 12 hours. This is a super cool way to explore the city. Their stand is open from 10am to 8pm Monday to Sunday (excluding rainy days).

Europe’s largest aquarium is also located down at the Arts and Science Museum. It is called ‘Oceanografic,’ so if you unfortunately visit Valencia on one of the very few days it rains there, this would be really fun to do. The entry fee to the aquarium is a little pricey, starting at €33.70 per person.

However, if you opt to go to the Arts and Science Museum, the entry fee is only €8.70, so this could definitely be an option if you are on a budget and looking for some indoor activities.

The ticket office is open from 10am to 6pm on weekdays and 10am to 7pm to weekends. You can also buy your tickets online at: https://tickets.cac.es/internetCAC/home.do?language=en-US.

Central Market

Valencia’s Central Market is in the heart of the city! This is a super fun and affordable activity to do on your trip.

This is Europe’s largest fresh produce market and it is open Monday-Saturday from 7.30am to 3pm. 

I recommend going as early as possible as this way you will get the best of what the stalls have to offer. As well as this it can get really busy after 12pm, so heading down to the market as early as possible would be smart.

The Market has over 1,200 stalls, so even just strolling around to have a browse can be really interesting. 

You can find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables, to meats, cheeses, fish and anything else your heart desires in this market. As well as this you can stop by one of the coffee stalls or juice stalls to get a fresh beverage while you explore the market.

The building itself is so beautiful, with a coloured tiled ceiling, it really makes a great backdrop for pictures. I definitely would not skip this beautiful market if I was visiting Valencia.

Port Saplaya 

Nicknamed the ‘Little Venice’ of Valencia, Port Saplaya is a beautiful little town about a 10 minute car ride away from Valencia city centre.

This little town is known for its beaches, its unique buildings and its harbour. It is a quiet and quaint spot, perfect for breaking away from city life. I would highly recommend heading out here for a day trip to chill out at the beach, stroll around the town, and grab something to eat.

The town itself is built up of colourful buildings, little cafes and restaurants, and boats. It has two beaches that are perfect if you are looking for a relaxing time, away from the hustle and bustle of Valencia’s main beach Malvarrosa.

We opted to cycle to this little town from our apartment which took about 20 minutes. If you decided to use the Valenbisi bikes as a means of transport during your trip, then I would definitely recommend cycling to Port Saplaya. You can cycle along the beach’s boardwalk, which will allow you to take in some of the most amazing views. (For more information on bike rental check out this blog: Thinking of Moving Abroad? Here is What You Should Know – (saorblog.com).

Just be mindful to keep an eye on your Valenbisi app for bicycle ports to park up your bike, as there are none of these in the town of Port Saplaya. So before taking off, plan where you are going to park your bike and then walk the rest of the way to the little town, so you can be sure to take in all it has to offer without hauling a bike along after you.

This is another cheap and cheerful activity to do during your trip to Valencia. You will get some of the most beautiful pictures too!

Jardin del Turia 

The Turia Gardens runs through the city. It is roughly nine kilometres long and it is the perfect space to take some chill time to yourself and be with nature. 

There are so many beautiful spots in this park, which are perfect for a picnic, a long walk, or a cycle. If you are heading to the Arts and Science Museum you can walk directly through this park and it will lead you right there.

Here you can also find the Gulliver Park, which is a place that children can play. This is perfect for a family trip where there might be small kids.

If you are looking for something a little active you can rent out small, swan shaped boats in the Cabecera side of the park. 

Along the gardens you will always find something happening, from dance lessons, to marathons, to live music. It is always bursting with life, so I would definitely not skip out on strolling along the beautiful park, and take in what it has to offer.

If you are looking to get active while you’re in Valencia, the Turia Gardens is the perfect place for an outdoor workout. The park itself has designated workout areas and it is also completely flat so it is the perfect place for a run.

As well as this, while I was in Valencia I did outdoor yoga lessons in the park. This was located near the Art and Science Museum, which allowed for the perfect views while doing the class. 

The class I went to was: jennison grigsby (@yogawithjennison) • Instagram photos and videos

You can find her yoga timetable over on Instagram. Prices range from €5-€8 per class and you can show up on the day with a yoga mat or towel and just join in on the class. This is perfect if you are only on a holiday in Valencia, as you don’t have to sign up to anything. You can just show up and take part!

Torres De Serranos – Old City Gate of Valencia

This monument is one of 12 gates that were built towards the end of the 14th century as part of the city’s defence structure. Shaped as a castle, you will see some of the best views of Valencia if you climb the Torres De Serranos.

Located in El Carme, this is a must do if you are visiting Valencia. Not only will you get amazing views of the city but from the back of the Torres De Serranos you can see a spectacular view of the Turia Gardens.

There are a lot of levels to climb, with really steep steps but once you are at the top it is so worth it. In my opinion, this is one of the best places to take pictures in the city.

Although there are a lot of steps to get to the top, the different levels to the structure break it up and it actually is quite an easy climb.

Another bonus to visiting the Torres De Serranos is that it is free on Sundays and Holidays. We went on a Sunday, so we got free entry. You just head to the ticket office, they will give you a ticket and then you can head straight up.

If you are not in Valencia on a Sunday or during a holiday, you can still do this activity for the super affordable price of €2. Torres De Serranos is open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 7pm and on Sundays and bank holidays it is open from 9.30am to 3pm.

Thrift Shops

The Russafa area of Valencia is built up with lots of amazing thrift shops. If you are in Valencia I recommend visiting Russafa as it is a vibey area with lots of amazing restaurants, coffee shops, and thrift shops.

We got some great pieces in the thrift stores located in Russafa. Some of our favourite shops included:

• Flamingos Kilo Vintage
• Reusado Vintage
• Reborn Vintage
• Vintaker
• Reborn Lab
• El Vestidor Vintage

The Thrift Market is also a great way to spend your morning. It is located outside the central market on Monday mornings until 2pm and you can definitely find some really cool bits here too! The sellers will usually start their pricing pretty high but you can try bargain with them to get it down to a more reasonable price. 

Whether you head to the thrift shops or the thrift market you are bound to find some great vintage bits. Strolling around these thrift stores and the Russafa area in general is a great way to spend a morning in Valencia.

Montanejos

Montanejos is a little place outside Valencia where you will find natural hot spring water that is crystal clear in colour, alongside mountains, waterfalls and hiking trails.

If you have the time while in Valencia, I would definitely recommend heading out to Montanejos. Going on a day trip here will take you away from the hectic city life and you can immerse yourself in nature for the day. 

Whether you decide to swim, hike, or just go to see the hot spring, it is an experience you don’t want to miss out on. This area is about an hour car ride from Valencia city and if you rent a car you can stop along the way at some picturesque spots such as Navajas Village and Bridal Veil Waterfall.

Renting a car in Valencia is pretty easy and can be super affordable depending on the car dealership. We found that Sixt car rental was the cheapest option but this all depends on when you are visiting. 

After taking a dip in the water on Montanejos, I would recommend continuing your excursion and visiting Pantano de Arenoso which is a huge dam only a short car ride from Montanejos’ hot springs.

As well as this, make sure to stop by El Chorro Waterspout, which is a huge gust of water that is bursting from a crack in a cliff. This is a really cool spot to take pictures!

If you do not fancy driving while on your holidays in Valencia, lots of tour providers do day trips from Valencia City to Montanejos. These tours can take anywhere from 6-8 hours and can cost between €25-€70. This would be a perfect option if you didn’t want to rent a car but would like to spend a day away from the city.

Personally, I think you can find the best tour providers through GetYourGuide.com or Viator.com.

So, that is 7 unique things to do in Valencia. If you are planning your trip I definitely recommend not skipping out on anything listed above. These 7 things will definitely add to your experience in Valencia and result in some of the most amazing memories.

Of course, the city has some beautiful architecture that is definitely worth seeing too. And if you can, be sure to catch a sunrise/sunset at Malvarrosa beach.

Chat again soon,

Aoife x