Valencia

The Mediterranean as a city

Valencia-València

Max 20ºC / Min 11ºC

A place full of contrasts awaits the visitor with a charming old town next to futuristic buildings. This is Valencia, one of Spain’s most welcoming cities to spend a few days. Beyond the cultural effervescence of its cities, a stroll is always a good idea, or bathing at its Mediterranean beaches. Of course, you must try the star dish, paella (true authenticity!) and other delicacies such as clams or tiger nut milk.

Any time is a good time to visit Valencia, although if there is one day that is even more special than the rest, it's 19 March, when they celebrate the famous Fallas by burning gigantic ‘cardboard sculptures’. Its Mediterranean light, mild climate and the bewitching fire make this a city you’ll want to stay in.

A cultural stroll: between the classic and the avant-garde

Valencia is perfect to discover on foot One of the most fascinating attractions is the Plaza de la Reina, with the Cathedral and the Miguelete tower, where you should climb the 207 steps for some beautiful views. In the city centre you can also find the Silk Exchange -one of Valencia’s most beautiful buildings, a World Heritage Site, with its idyllic Patio de los Naranjos courtyard full of orange trees- and the Modernist Central Market – Europe’s largest fresh produce market, so taking in its stalls is a true experience. A few metres away is the National Ceramic Museum with its impressive façade or the Quart and Serrano Towers. And also museums such as the IVAM or many surprising spots full of street art.A little further from the centre is the most modern face of Valencia: the City of Arts and Sciences. Designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, it has fought to become a landmark with buildings such as the Oceanogràfic, Europe’s largest aquarium. Its original shapes make the ideal backdrop for taking a photo.

A paella by the sea

There is no better plan than visiting one of the large beaches and having a paella by the sea. Valencia offers over 300 days of sun a year. The Malvarrosa beach is one of the most well-known options. Once there, the fine golden sand and blue water remind you of the famous paintings in which Sorolla would depict the city. How could you resist a dip in the sea?Those looking for ‘wilder’ landscapes can visit El Saler, or El Palmar and try its famous paella. You can end the day taking in the sunset at the Albufera, a navigable lake next to the sea known as the ‘mirror of the sun’, where you can see the best sunsets on the Mediterranean.The beach is not the city’s only outdoor plan, you can also take a walk along the huge Turia city garden or a family visit to the Bioparc zoo.When the evening comes, there is nothing better than sitting at a terrace or an innovative restaurant, perhaps with a Michelin Star, and enjoying the buzzing nightlife atmosphere of El Carmen, or new fashionable areas for foodies such as Ruzafa.

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Tourist near the Cathedral, in the Ciutat Vella of Valencia

Valencia in two days

If you just have two days to visit this city, we recommend a…

A road trip along Spain’s east coast

A road trip along Spain’s Mediterranean coast is a guarantee of…

Two weeks in Valencia and the Balearic Islands

If you are thinking of spending your next holiday in Spain and…

The Silk Route in Valencia

The silk route reveals the importance of silk and its trade to…

Valencia Marina, plaza of the Mediterranean

The modern seafront of the city of Valencia offers a wide array…

Why Valencia is so much more than a beach destination

When you visit "la terreta" (Valencia's nickname), you will be…

Different ways to explore Valencia

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Practical information

How to get there - transport information

Select the means of transport to see how to get there or how to get around at your destination.

How to get to aeroplane

The airport is 8 kilometres from the city, about a 15-minute drive on the V-11 motorway.
Metro lines 3 and 5 run between the airport and the city from the metro station on the ground floor of the regional flights terminal. The journey takes around 20 minutes.
City bus 150 takes you into the city centre in about 35 minutes. The bus runs from Monday to Saturday.
More information

How to get to train

Valencia has two main railway stations:
Joaquín Sorolla Station:High-speed AVE trains to Madrid, Cuenca, Seville, and Cordoba, and long-distance Alvia or Euromed trains between Valencia and Barcelona or other cities. There is a free bus service to and from Estación del Norte for travellers arriving by train.You can easily leave the station by public transport: metro lines 1 and 5, bus line 64 and taxi services.
Estación del Norte:This station is mainly for local trains, known as the Cercanías network.You can easily leave the station by public transport: Metro lines 3 and 5, bus lines 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 19, 32, 35, 40, 63, 70, 71, 73 and 81, and taxi services.
Book your ticket

How to get to boat

The Port of Valencia is about 5 kilometres from the city centre.
Many cruise lines stop here, mostly on routes to and from Italy and France.
There is a free transport service between the cruise terminals and the main terminal.
There are plenty of transport options from the port: bus routes 4 (to the city centre), 95 (to the City of Arts and Sciences) and 95 (to the beach). It also connects with bus line 30.

How to get to bus

Valencia bus and coach station is in a very central location.
The following city bus routes run from the station: 1, 63, 79, 80, 90
Metro line 1 connects to the rest of the metro network.

How to get there by road

The AP-7 motorway links Valencia to Barcelona and Alicante.
The A-3 motorway runs to Madrid.
During 2023, a large part of the city centre will become a Low-Emissions Zone, where driving and parking are restricted. If you plan to visit Valencia by car or motorbike, find out about the possible restrictions before your trip through your accommodation.

Practical information

The main tourist areas can be explored on foot.
Tourist pass: Valencia Tourist Card can be used on the bus, metro and tram for 24, 48 or 72 hours, or you can choose a 7-day option without transport. Free entrance to some museums and monuments and discounts on leisure.

How to get around in metro/tram

The metro network operates from 4 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. during the week. On Fridays, Saturdays and the eve of public holidays, the hours are extended until 3 in the morning.
More information

How to get around in bus

Over 60 routes cover every neighbourhood in the city.
They normally run from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m..
The night bus service begins at 10:00 p.m., at different intervals, on 23 lines (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 40, 60, 62, 63, 67, 70, 71, 72, 73, 81, 92, 93, 95, 98, 99, C1, C2 and C3).
Take bus routes 24 or 25 or the Albufera Bus Turístic to get to La Albufera Natural Park.

How to get around in other means of transport

Taxi: easily identifiable white vehicles with a red stripe. A green light on the roof shows they are available.
Bicycle: an easy, unusual and sustainable way to get around the city. The city has an extensive cycle lane network. There are many bike rental companies, plus the municipal service Valenbisi.