5 days in Valencia

Day by day

1. Day 1: City of Arts and Sciences and L'Oceanogràfic

   City of Arts and Sciences, L'Oceanogràfic and Gulliver Park, then El Carmen in the evening.

   1. Morning

      City of Arts and Sciences

      Visit at dusk, when the buildings are lit and reflected in the pools, and book the science museum for the hottest part of the day. (2–4 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      L'Oceanogràfic

      Arrive at opening and see the shark tunnels and Arctic area first, before tour groups and school visits arrive. (4–5 hours, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Paella valenciana

      Restaurants in El Palmar in the Albufera, along the Malvarrosa promenade and traditional Valencian restaurants in the centre.

   4. Afternoon

      Gulliver Park

      Go in the morning or late afternoon in summer, as the surfaces get very hot in the midday sun. (1–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      El Carmen

      Bars and pubs along Calle Caballeros and around Plaza del Tossal in the medieval lanes of the old town.

2. Day 2: Turia Gardens and Lonja de la Seda

   Turia Gardens, Lonja de la Seda and Mercado Central, then Ruzafa in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Turia Gardens

      Rent a bike or use the Valenbisi bike-share and ride the whole length; it is flat, traffic-free and the best way to get across the city. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Lonja de la Seda

      Look up at the gargoyles on the outside walls; some are surprisingly bawdy. (45 minutes, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Arroz a banda

      Seafood rice restaurants along the beach and in El Cabanyal.

   4. Afternoon

      Mercado Central

      Go in the morning, when the stalls are fully stocked; it does not open on Sundays. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Ruzafa

      Cocktail bars, wine bars and late restaurants, the city's most fashionable night out.

3. Day 3: Valencia Cathedral and El Miguelete and Plaza de la Virgen and the Water Tribunal

   Valencia Cathedral and El Miguelete, Plaza de la Virgen and the Water Tribunal and Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas, then Plaza Cánovas in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Valencia Cathedral and El Miguelete

      Climb the Miguelete late in the afternoon for softer light, then step out into Plaza de la Virgen for a drink. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Plaza de la Virgen and the Water Tribunal

      Arrive a few minutes before noon on a Thursday to watch the Water Tribunal; the session is short and held entirely in Valencian. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Black rice

      Rice restaurants in El Cabanyal, Malvarrosa and the old town.

   4. Afternoon

      Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas

      Even if you skip the museum, stop to study the carved façade on Calle Poeta Querol. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Plaza Cánovas

      Upmarket bars and clubs around Plaza Cánovas del Castillo in the Eixample, with a smarter dress code.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Albufera and El Palmar

   About 30–40 minutes by bus each way. Getting there: EMT bus 25 from the city centre.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Albufera and El Palmar

      About 30–40 minutes by bus (EMT bus 25 from the city centre); about 15 km.

   2. Day

      Albufera and El Palmar

      A freshwater lagoon surrounded by rice fields in a natural park south of the city, where traditional flat-bottomed boats take visitors out at sunset. Best for food lovers, couples and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Valencia

      Dinner: try Fideuà.

5. Day 5: Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart

   Torres de Serranos, Torres de Quart and IVAM, then Beach and La Marina in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Torres de Serranos

      Combine it with a walk through El Carmen to the Torres de Quart, the other surviving gate, about 15 minutes away. (30–45 minutes, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Torres de Quart

      Look for the impact marks on the outer façade facing away from the old town. (30 minutes, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Fideuà

      Most rice and seafood restaurants, especially near the beach.

   4. Afternoon

      IVAM

      Pair it with a walk to the Torres de Quart and lunch in El Carmen. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Beach and La Marina

      Beach bars and seasonal clubs around the port and the Malvarrosa promenade in summer.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for L'Oceanogràfic before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Ciutat Vella keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, El Carmen ($$) suits nightlife, budget, solo travellers and culture. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 15–22 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.4 hours in December to 14.9 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Valencia
• 2 days in Valencia
• 3 days in Valencia

Questions travellers ask