Boasting a whopping 300 days of sunshine per year, Valencia is the perfect destination for a chilled-out, sun-soaked break. Located on Spain’s eastern coast just a couple of hours south of Barcelona, Valencia is a true gem of a city.
In this blog post I’ll share my personal recommendations about how to spend three days there. That’s a good amount of time to enjoy what Valencia has to offer, ensuring your stay is filled with beautiful beaches, architectural wonders and some of the tastiest food you’ll ever try in your life. Move out the way Madrid and Barcelona, it’s Valencia’s time to shine!
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Day One AM – Exploring the Old Town
Start your day by exploring the picturesque streets of Barrio del Carmen, Valencia’s old town, with its pretty pastel-coloured buildings, striking architecture, and winding narrow streets. Find your way to Plaça de la Mare de Déu, a charming square at the heart of the city. Surrounded by sand-coloured buildings, the centrepiece of this square is the Turia Fountain. It’s also a great spot to take photos of the iconic Valencia Cathedral (Catedral de Valencia).
Built between the 13th & 15th centuries, the cathedral is an eclectic mishmash of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic architectural styles. The site is steeped in history as an ancient Roman temple and an Arabic Mosque once stood in this exact spot. The interior is just as beautiful, with its stained-glass windows, sculptures, Renaissance frescoes and a Holy Chalice thought to be the original Holy Grail! It costs €9 to enter (concessions available) which includes an audio guide, available in multiple languages.
Attached to the cathedral is the bell tower Miguelete Tower (El Micaelet). You can buy a separate ticket to climb the bell tower; there are 207 steps to the top, but your efforts will be rewarded with fantastic panoramic views of the city (€2.50 per person).
After exploring the cathedral and bell tower, rest your feet in Plaça de la Reina, one of Valencia’s prettiest squares, surrounded by cafes, bars, restaurants and palm trees. It’s the perfect spot to try a traditional Valencian breakfast of horchata (a refreshing drink made from tiger nuts and cinnamon) and fartons (sweet breadsticks to be dunked into the horchata).
When you’re suitably satiated, walk towards La Lonja de la Seda, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This gorgeous Chamber of Commerce was originally used for trading silk between the 15th and 16th centuries. You can explore the rooms admiring their intricate details, learn about Valencia’s historic silk trade and enjoy the tranquillity of the peaceful inner courtyard, which is lined with orange trees. Entrance price is €2 (concessions available) with an optional audio guide to enhance your experience.
Day One PM – Central Market / Turia Gardens
For lunch, head on over to Central Market (Mercado Central), one of Europe’s largest fresh food markets. You’ll be blown away by the variety and quality of the fresh, colourful produce and local delicacies on offer in this enormous art deco building. I recommend making a beeline for Central Bar, a popular restaurant serving up delicious, modern tapas. If you don’t manage to get a seat at the Central Bar, there are plenty of restaurants directly outside the market serving up all manner of tasty treats. Central Market is open Monday-Saturday 7.30-3pm, making it the ideal breakfast, brunch or lunch spot.
Next visit Turia Gardens (Jardines del Turia), a 9-kilometre park created in a former riverbed. The river Turia once flowed through Valencia, but after repeated flooding, it was diverted in 1957. The riverbed was repurposed into a huge park, with something for everyone; you can rent a bike, admire the park’s fountains, sculptures and colourful plants and flowers, enjoy leisurely strolls, go for a jog or work out in the open-air gym.
In addition, there are lots of children’s playgrounds and dog parks scattered throughout Turia Gardens. The most impressive park has a Gulliver’s Travels theme; there’s a gigantic model of Gulliver, sprawled on his back. Children can climb over his face, hair and limbs, using slides and climbing ropes. Even as an adult I wanted to clamber all over it!
After a couple of hours of exploring, make your way back to the Old Town. You may want to stop off somewhere for a cool drink. Try the quirky Cafe de las Horas for a jug of Agua de Valencia, a local concoction of gin, vodka, fresh orange juice, andcava (Spanish sparkling wine). For dinner, I suggest Jamon-Jamon. The restaurant is as modern and stylish as its menu. We enjoyed Iberian ham, Spanish cheese, braised octopus and black pudding with apples roasted in cider.
After you’ve eaten, take a nighttime stroll along the illuminated streets of Valencia, soaking in the ambiance of the city at night. Fancy a nightcap? Tyris On Tap has a wide range of artisanal beers on tap (along with bottled and alcohol-free beers) and a small food menu if you’re still peckish. If you’re a gin fan, make sure you don’t miss Doce Gin Club which has an impressive 429 brands of gin on its menu!
Day Two AM – City of Arts and Sciences / Aquarium
It’s time to explore the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias) where you can marvel at the fantastically futuristic architecture, designed by Santiago Calatrava. On this site you can find the Hemisfèric (an IMAX cinema and planetarium), interactive Príncipe Felipe Science Museum (Museu de les Ciències), and the Queen Sofia Palace of Arts (Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia) opera house.
If you’re a fan of aquariums like me, you can’t miss the Oceanografic, Europe’s largest aquarium. Although you can buy tickets on arrival, I suggest pre-booking your Oceangrafic ticket, like I did, so you can skip the ticket line and maximise your time there. There is an incredible variety of weird and wonderful animals there, including jellyfish, dolphins, turtles, sharks, sea lions, birds, and every kind of fish imaginable!
Day Two PM – Playa de la Malvarrosa beach
When you’ve finished exploring, take the bus or tram down to Valencia’s beach Playa de la Malvarrosa. The city beach is clean, well-maintained and as the tide goes out really far, there’s plenty of space for everyone.
There are lots of seafood restaurants alongside the seafront; I personally recommend La Pepica and trying one of their delicious paella dishes. This iconic rice dish did originate in Valencia after all! There are many variations (like vegetarian or with seafood, black squid ink, or lobster) but I suggest trying paella valenciana which comes with rabbit, chicken and green beans. Check to see if your paella has soccarat (a golden caramelised crust at the bottom of the pan) – a sign that it’s cooked to perfection! Afterwards, take a stroll along the promenade or perhaps go for a swim.
Playa de la Malvarrosa is in El Cabanyal, a maritime neighbourhood known for its colourful houses and lively atmosphere. If you want to stay in the area until dinnertime, head to Casa Montaña for tasty tapas and Valencian wine. If they’re on the menu, I recommend the smoked eel fillet, sausages, cured pork loin, and stewed broad beans and anchovies.
If you’re back in the city centre for dinner, check out Sidreria el molinon which has delicious tapas, friendly staff and incredibly cheap wine (€2.50-€3 per glass!). Don’t miss chorizo in cider and the meatballs.
Alternatively check out Tasca Angel tapas bar, which serves up some classic dishes along with some more adventurous plates like cuttlefish eggs, pig kidney and snails. It is a small, casual place, with only a few bar stools so you may need to stand while you eat.
If you’re looking for an evening activity, why not watch a live flamenco show at the Palosanto Flamenco Theatre? I have seen several flamenco shows before and am always so impressed by the passion, intensity and agility of the dancers. The guitarists and singers are incredibly talented too.
Day Three – Day Trips & City Tours
On your final day in Valencia, I’ve got some options for you:
City Sightseeing
There’s much more to see in the Old Town; you could join an organised tour like the Historical Walking Tour or Essentials and World Heritages Sites Walking Tour or explore independently. If you want to plan your own route, I suggest visiting Banys de l’Almirall, a stunning Islamic style bath house built in 1320 (Free entry).
If you love history and exquisite paintings, don’t miss San Nicolás chapel (Sant Nicolau de Bari i Sant Pere Màrtir), known as the ‘Sistine Chapel of Valencia’. You’ll be blown away by the beauty of this atmospheric church (€11 entry, including an excellent audio guide). You can climb the mediaeval city gate Serrans/Serranos Gate (Torres de Serranos), built between 1392 and 1398, for great views over the city.
Lastly the Colon Market (Mercado de Colón) is not one to be missed. Located in a beautiful modernist market hall dating back to the early 20th century, it contains fancy wine bars, restaurants, coffee bars, craft beer bars, ice cream parlours, butchers, fishmongers and a gin bar.
Albufera Natural Park
If you want to get out of the city, how about a day trip to Albufera Natural Park, located just south of Valencia? You can reach Albufera Natural Park by car or bus (#24 or #25 from Porto de la Mar / Metro Colon) in approximately 45 minutes. This website shows the order of the bus stops, from Valencia city centre to the end of the line (El Palmar/El Perellonet). Get off at the stop Embarcador de l’Albufera (I).
Once you’re there, you can rent a bike to explore this freshwater lagoon and rice fields, visit Playa Lago Saler beach or take a boat ride on the tranquil waters. Have lunch at one of the traditional restaurants overlooking the lagoon, where you can try “arròs a banda” (rice cooked in fish broth) or “all i pebre” (eels stewed in garlic and paprika sauce). When you’re ready to return to Valencia, catch the #24 or #25 from ‘Embarcador de l’Albufera II‘ bus stop. If you’d like to visit the Natural Park but don’t feel confident navigating the public buses by yourself, this guided tour organised by Valencia & Go could be a great solution!
Caves of San José
If Albufera doesn’t interest you, you could book one of the most popular excursions from Valencia, a half-day trip to Caves of San José. You can take a boat ride along Europe’s longest navigable underground river, admiring the stalactites, stalagmites, and UNESCO-listed cave paintings. Your ticket includes the boat ride, entrance ticket, a guided tour and roundtrip transportation from Valencia.
Cooking Class / Food Tour
If you’re a fan of Spanish cuisine, why not take part in a cooking class to learn how to make some local specialities? Paella Workshop and Algiros Market Visit tour includes a visit to Algiros Market to pick up the fresh ingredients you’ll be cooking with, followed by a tutorial in how to make Valencian paella, Spanish tortilla and coca de llanda (a typical Valencian dessert) to be enjoyed with alcoholic or soft drinks. I also love the sound of this tour – Valencian paella cooking class, tapas and visit to Ruzafa market – as Ruzafa market is smaller and less touristy than some of the others in this itinerary, and the neighbourhood is very cool and bohemian.
If you’re more a fan of eating rather than cooking, this Morning Food Tour with Central Market Visit sounds like a really fun way to try different Spanish dishes and learn more about the country’s cuisine. Another option is this amazing-sounding tour; Old Town Tour, Wine & Tapas in an 11th c. Monument. After a tour of the historic centre, you’ll be treated to a delicious tasting menu of local tapas and paella inside a monument dating back to the 11th century.
If you’re looking for a restaurant recommendation for your final evening, check out Ostras Pedrín Centro which serves up delicious oysters alongside local wine, starting at just €2 per glass! The menu includes oysters served in different ways (starting at €2.50 per oyster), along with smoked, pickled and tinned fish tapas. If you’re not a fish fan, perhaps a burger at Hundred Burgers, an award-winning burger restaurant? My husband and I loved their burgers; order the “Showdown” burger – you won’t regret it!
Best Areas & Hotels to Stay in Valencia
Valencia offers a wide range of accommodation options that reflect the city’s blend of historic charm and modern vibrancy. In the Ciutat Vella (Old Town), visitors can stay in boutique hotels housed in centuries-old buildings, surrounded by landmarks like the Cathedral and Plaza de la Virgen. If you’re drawn to a more polished, stylish atmosphere, Eixample is a popular choice thanks to its elegant streets, leafy boulevards, and café culture. For something more creative and lively, Ruzafa stands out with its street art, independent bars, and buzzing nightlife.
If being near the sea is a priority, El Cabanyal and the area around Malvarrosa Beach offer apartments and guesthouses within easy reach of the Mediterranean. Families and architecture lovers often opt for the area near the City of Arts and Sciences, where modern hotels sit alongside Valencia’s striking futuristic landmarks.
Across the city, accommodation typically blends traditional Valencian touches – think tiled courtyards and wrought-iron balconies – with modern interiors and up-to-date amenities. Valencia is easy to get around on foot, and excellent public transport connects the historic centre with the beach, making it simple to combine sightseeing with seaside downtime. Prices rise significantly during major events and festivals like Las Fallas in March, so booking early is essential.
Check out these different accommodation options, suitable for different budgets and preferences:
- Kora Lluna ($) – Casual hotel near the beach in Poblats Marítims, offering simple comfort steps from seaside promenades and Mediterranean cafés.
- Habitaciones Barra 89 ($) – Simple private rooms in a residential neighbourhood with essential amenities, perfect for travellers who want clean, basic accommodation without hotel facilities.
- Residencia Universitaria Resa Damià Bonet ($$) – A no-frills student residence-style place offering basic rooms in a quieter area of Algirós, ideal for budget-minded travellers who value low cost over hotel services.
- Abcyou Bed&Breakfast ($$) – A welcoming B&B with a friendly vibe and cosy rooms in the elegant Eixample area, putting you close to plazas, markets and historic streets.
- Dorm4You Arena 2 ($$) – Modern apartment-style units near the City of Arts and Sciences, offering practical space and a local feel for travellers who prefer self-catering options.
- Apartamentos Plaza Picasso ($$$) – Spacious self-catering studios and apartments in Campanar, great for families or longer stays with kitchen facilities and easy access to public transport.
- Soho Valencia ($$$) – Stylish apartments in the trendy Ruzafa district, combining the comforts of home with proximity to tapas bars, cafés and boutiques — excellent for culture lovers.
- Pathos by Mimood Aparthotels ($$$) – A creative aparthotel blending apartment convenience with boutique design touches – ideal for visitors seeking comfort, personal style and a neighbourhood vibe.
All too quickly, your time in Valencia will come to an end. I hope this three-day itinerary has given you a good understanding of the city and what it has to offer tourists and locals alike. Whether you’re into the futuristic wonders of the City of Arts and Sciences, the buzzing markets, the mouth-watering cuisine or the luscious nature, Valencia truly has something for everyone. If you’re visiting Valencia soon, don’t forget to check out my Valencia Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors and let me know if you have any other questions.
Ciao for now
Izzie, the Curious Sparrow