How many days · Valencia · Spain
How many days do you need in Valencia?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Holger Uwe Schmitt, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
4 days is the sweet spot for Valencia, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers the old town, the Mercado Central, the Turia Gardens and the City of Arts and Sciences. Four days adds a beach day, a sunset boat trip and paella at the Albufera, and a day trip to Sagunto or Xàtiva.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 4 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 9.4 h (Dec) to 14.9 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | City of Arts and Sciences, L'Oceanogràfic, Turia Gardens and Lonja de la Seda |
| 2 days | Good | Lonja de la Seda, Mercado Central and Valencia Cathedral and El Miguelete |
| 3 days | Good | Gulliver Park, Plaza de la Virgen and the Water Tribunal and Torres de Serranos |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Albufera and El Palmar |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Albufera and El Palmar and Sagunto |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Valencia add up to roughly 15–20 hours of visiting time — about 2–3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are L'Oceanogràfic (4–5 hours), City of Arts and Sciences (2–4 hours) and Turia Gardens (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| City of Arts and Sciences | 2–4 hours | Penya-roja (City of Arts and Sciences) |
| L'Oceanogràfic | 4–5 hours | Penya-roja (City of Arts and Sciences) |
| Turia Gardens | 2–3 hours | Ciutat Vella |
| Lonja de la Seda | 45 minutes | Ciutat Vella |
| Mercado Central | 1 hour | Ciutat Vella |
| Valencia Cathedral and El Miguelete | 1–1.5 hours | Ciutat Vella |
| Gulliver Park | 1–2 hours | Penya-roja (City of Arts and Sciences) |
| Plaza de la Virgen and the Water Tribunal | 30 minutes | Ciutat Vella |
| Torres de Serranos | 30–45 minutes | El Carmen |
| Torres de Quart | 30 minutes | El Carmen |
| Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas | 1 hour | Ciutat Vella |
| Estación del Norte | 20 minutes | Ruzafa |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 4 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on City of Arts and Sciences and L'Oceanogràfic |
| With children | 5 days | Slower days and time for L'Oceanogràfic |
| With day trips | 6 days | Add Albufera and El Palmar and Sagunto |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 9.4 hours of daylight) than in June (about 14.9 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Valencia with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Ibiza | About 167 km | 6 days |
| Palma de Mallorca | About 260 km | 5 days |
| Madrid | About 303 km | 4 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Valencia?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 4 days is more comfortable. Two days covers the old town, the Mercado Central, the Turia Gardens and the City of Arts and Sciences. Four days adds a beach day, a sunset boat trip and paella at the Albufera, and a day trip to Sagunto or Xàtiva.
+Is a week too long in Valencia?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Albufera and El Palmar and Sagunto.