Free things to do · Valencia · Spain
9 free things to do in Valencia
Valencia without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Felivet, Public domain
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Valencia without paying an entry fee: Turia Gardens, Mercado Central, Gulliver Park and Plaza de la Virgen and the Water Tribunal are all free. The Museo de Bellas Artes is free, and several municipal monuments have offered free entry on Sundays; check current policies before you go.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 9
- Low-cost extras
- 8
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and November
Free sights and experiences
Park · Ciutat Vella
1.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.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
- Iconic
Market · Ciutat Vella
2.Mercado Central
Go in the morning, when the stalls are fully stocked; it does not open on Sundays.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Architecture
- Shopping
- Free
- Iconic
Park · Penya-roja (City of Arts and Sciences)
3.Gulliver Park
Go in the morning or late afternoon in summer, as the surfaces get very hot in the midday sun.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
Landmark · Ciutat Vella
4.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.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Couples
- Photo spot
Architecture · Ruzafa
5.Estación del Norte
Step inside to see the mosaic panels in the hall, even if you are not catching a train.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Free
- Photo spot
Architecture · Eixample and Pla del Remei
6.Mercado de Colón
Order horchata and fartons here to try the drink in a striking setting.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Food
- Free
Beach · El Cabanyal and Malvarrosa
7.Malvarrosa beach
Walk the promenade for a beachfront paella at lunchtime; locals eat it around 2pm.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
Neighbourhood · El Cabanyal and Malvarrosa
8.El Cabanyal
Walk the streets between Calle de la Reina and Calle Escalante for the best tiled façades, then eat in one of the old bodegas.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Food
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Turia Gardens
9.Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia
Head for the Sorolla rooms first; his sunlit beach scenes are a good preparation for Malvarrosa.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Ciutat Vella | Turia Gardens, Mercado Central and Plaza de la Virgen and the Water Tribunal | 2–3 hours + 1 hour + 30 minutes |
| Penya-roja (City of Arts and Sciences) | Gulliver Park | 1–2 hours |
| Ruzafa | Estación del Norte | 20 minutes |
| Eixample and Pla del Remei | Mercado de Colón | 45 minutes |
| El Cabanyal and Malvarrosa | Malvarrosa beach and El Cabanyal | Half a day + 1–2 hours |
| Turia Gardens | Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia | 1.5–2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Historic site · Ciutat Vella
Lonja de la Seda
Look up at the gargoyles on the outside walls; some are surprisingly bawdy.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Religious site · Ciutat Vella
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.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Architecture
Historic site · El Carmen
Torres de Serranos
Combine it with a walk through El Carmen to the Torres de Quart, the other surviving gate, about 15 minutes away.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Architecture
Historic site · El Carmen
Torres de Quart
Look for the impact marks on the outer façade facing away from the old town.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Views
Museum · Ciutat Vella
Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas
Even if you skip the museum, stop to study the carved façade on Calle Poeta Querol.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
Gallery · El Carmen
IVAM
Pair it with a walk to the Torres de Quart and lunch in El Carmen.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
Museum · Penya-roja (City of Arts and Sciences)
Museo Fallero
Visit after the City of Arts and Sciences; it is about a 10-minute walk away.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
- Art
Historic site · Ciutat Vella
L'Almoina Archaeological Centre
Look down through the glass pool on the square above before going in, to understand the layout.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- The Museo de Bellas Artes is free, and several municipal monuments have offered free entry on Sundays; check current policies before you go.
- Combined tickets for the Oceanogràfic, the science museum and the Hemisfèric cost less than buying them separately.
- Eat a menú del día at lunchtime for the best-value meals.
- Use Valenbisi or a rental bike and the Turia Gardens instead of taxis to cross the city.
- Avoid booking during Fallas (mid-March) unless you are coming for the festival, when hotel prices peak.
- Shop for picnic supplies at the Mercado Central rather than eating every meal in restaurants.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Valencia expensive to visit?
Valencia is affordable for most visitors, but 9 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Valencia?
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.