While planning our trip to the Spanish Islands, we scheduled a one-day stop in Valencia because the flights worked out perfectly. Little did we know that one day would be enough to make us fall in love with Valencia!
Our flights were very convenient, allowing us to spend one full day in Valencia, which turned out to be just enough time to explore most of the city. We visited the bustling Central Market, the world-renowned City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, and also managed to squeeze in an hour at Malvarrosa Beach. So, if you’re wondering if one day in Valencia is enough, we can confidently say YES!
We’ve compiled a guide with answers to all your questions before visiting this amazing city, along with a complete itinerary of the top things to do in Valencia, Spain. We’ve also added a list of the best places to eat because, let’s be honest, the food in Spain is incredible! Valencia has many great places to eat; this guide will save you time by showing you the best ones.
Is Valencia Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Valencia exceeded our expectations by far, and we can’t recommend it enough. The city has a great vibe, and unique attractions, and packs a bunch of awesome things to do. Plus, being by the sea, it’s perfect for combining a city trip with some relaxing time on the beach!
Is Valencia a Walkable City?
Valencia is super easy to explore on foot, which made our day there so enjoyable. With only one day to spend, we didn’t waste time in traffic since most of the top attractions are a relatively short distance from each other, with the only exception being Malvarrosa Beach.
What is the best way to get around Valencia, Spain?
Valencia is easy to get around with buses, the metro, bikes, and taxis. However, walking is the best way to explore the city. The only spot we couldn’t reach on foot was Malvarrosa Beach. Although the city’s public transport is cheap and reliable, we chose an Uber since we only had one day in Valencia. The ride from the city center to the beach takes about 25 minutes and costs around €13, while the bus is much cheaper at about €1.50.
Is Valencia safe?
We made the most of our one day in Valencia, exploring late into the night, and we always felt safe. From our experience, Valencia is a safe city. Just remember to stay aware of your surroundings and take basic precautions. Avoid secluded areas, and don’t leave your bags unattended.
How many days do you need to visit Valencia, Spain?
We usually recommend spending at least two days exploring a city of Valencia’s size. Having said that, we spent one day in Valencia, and we can confidently say that it was enough time to see its most popular attractions and even have some free time to indulge in the local cuisine and relax.
What is the best month to visit Valencia, Spain?
We visited Valencia in May, and the weather was perfect for exploring. The temperatures ranged from 25 degrees during the day to 17 degrees during the night.
If you want to avoid extreme temperatures in the summer, or you don’t particularly enjoy cold, then we’d recommend visiting anytime between March to May or September to October. These are the best months to visit Valencia as they offer mild temperatures and fewer crowds compared to the summer months.
How to spend one day in Valencia, Spain
Mercat Central de Valencia
We love markets, so the Central Market of Valencia was at the top of our list of best places to visit in Valencia. The building is stunning, but what’s even more exciting is what is inside. The market offers fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, and local Spanish products like cheeses and jamon. It is the perfect place to experience the local food culture and try delicacies such as jamón. We had the best bocadillo here with jamón ibérico, which is made of fresh baguette and the best quality jamón. It was finger-licking good!
Jardin Del Turia
This is one of the largest parks in Spain, stretching about 9 km long! The park offers the perfect escape from the heat and the bustling streets. The park attracts bikers, joggers, and dog walkers due to its beautiful scenic space. We only had one day in Valencia, so we only walked a fraction of the park, the side leading to the City of Arts & Sciences. If you add this to your itinerary, we recommend you do what the locals do: pack your lunch and, once you’re done walking, enjoy a nice picnic.
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences)
The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia is an impressive architectural complex and an unmissable attraction in Valencia. The jaw-dropping structure is the work of world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava and comprises the Hemisfèric (an IMAX and planetarium), the Science Museum, the Oceanogràfic (Europe’s largest aquarium), and the Palau de les Arts (an opera house). Although they are located within the same complex, they are separate from each other, and as such, you’ll need to purchase a separate ticket for each one if you want to explore the interior of the buildings. If you’re an architecture enthusiast, we highly recommend this tour, which combines access to all sites, a walk through the Jardin Del Turia, and ends with tapas and wine tasting.
Valencia Cathedral
The Valencia Cathedral – also known as the Metropolitan Cathedral–Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady of Valencia – is a must-see on your list of things to do in Valencia. This beautiful Gothic-style cathedral sits right in the city center and is famous for its blend of architectural styles, from Baroque to Renaissance. Rumor has it that the Cathedral is home to the relic of the Holy Grail, where it’s been kept since the 15th century!
The entrance fee is €5 for general admission and €9 for admission to the museum, the Chapel of the Holy Grail, and the climb up the Miguelete Tower.
The opening hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM and Sundays and Holidays from 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM.
Jardi Botanic
While you are in the historical part of the city, we highly recommend a visit to the Botanical Gardens. Valencia is a very busy city, so Jardi Botanic is the perfect escape from its bustle, with shaded pathways and ponds. You might want to grab some snacks and sit on one of the benches to enjoy them while taking in the surroundings. The garden is affordable, rarely crowded, and offers a nice break from the typical tourist spots.
The entrance fee is €3, and is open daily, with hours ranging from 10 AM to 6-9 PM depending on the season.
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Malvarrosa beach
A visit to Valencia is incomplete without seeing Malvarrosa Beach, so naturally, it was at the top of our list of things to do in Valencia. Although public transportation in Valencia is reliable and cheap, we opted for an Uber when we were ready to visit the beach because we had only one day in Valencia. The distance from the city center to Malvarrosa Beach is roughly 25 minutes, so understandably, the cost wasn’t as cheap compared to public transport. The taxi ride costs about €13, whereas the bus costs roughly €1.50. If you have a limited budget, you can choose the bus that is the easiest and most convenient alternative. Bus lines 32 and 95 from the city center will drop you right at the beach
Best places to eat in Valencia, Spain
Taska La Reina—Located a few minutes from the beach, this place is great for tapas and seafood. If you find a free spot, make sure to sit at one of the outside tables so you can soak up the sun as you enjoy your meal.
Horchateria De Santa Catalina is one of the oldest and most famous places in Valencia to try the famous horchata, a refreshing traditional drink made from tiger nuts. If you have a sweet tooth, make sure to try their churros and fartons.
Tasca Hogan “La Coveta”—This restaurant was highly recommended by friends, and we’re happy we tried it out. It serves traditional dishes, and it’s particularly popular for its paella. The prices are rather high, but the food tastes sublime, so it’s definitely worth it. The location is excellent, too, so it’s a win-win.
Cerveceria 100 Montaditos – the first time we visited this cerveceria was during our first visit to Spain over a decade ago. We were happy to see that nothing’s changed since then. 100 Montaditos is a chain restaurant spread across the country, mainly in the bigger cities. Usually, you can find more than one in one city, so you have to Google it and pin the closest one to you on your map. The cerveceria is popular for its mini bocadillos (small sandwiches) and draft beer. The fillings vary from simple jamon Serano to more complicated flavors. The fun doesn’t stop there though, as they also serve sweet bocadillos for those with a sweet tooth.
So here it is, the quintessential guide on how to spend one day in Valencia, Spain. Packed with information on what to see, where to eat, and the best places to visit. We hope you enjoy Valencia just as much as we did!
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