7 things to do in Valencia
Valencia is located on Spain's Mediterranean coast and is one of Spain's most popular tourist destinations. It has a vibrant cultural scene and a rich historical heritage, with Roman ruins scattered throughout the city center.
It also has some of the best beaches in Spain, where you can sunbathe or enjoy water sports such as windsurfing or scuba diving.
Valencia is also renowned for its architecture and cultural heritage, as well as being a major economic center on Spain's eastern coast. Valencia is the third most populous city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona, and its metropolitan area ranks fifth in population among Spanish cities.
So what can you do in a day in Valencia?
The best place to start a day in Valencia is at the City of Arts and Sciences
Start your day with culture and architecture! This modern tourist destination is located right in the center of the city, so you can easily get there on foot or by bus. The City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias) is also free, which means it won’t cost you anything extra to get yourself set up for your day!
The gardens are perfect for enjoying great views and taking photos. You can also find numerous sculptures within the park that can be great backdrops for pictures, including one of a giant spider made entirely out of steel wire!
It gets even better: The park stays open until 9pm every day!
This cultural center was built on the former riverbed of the Turia river
Valencia is built on the former riverbed of the Turia River. At one time, it was an important port city and the river was diverted in the 1930s. Today, this open space has been converted into a park, which plays host to numerous cultural events including live music and theater performances.
Home to several museums and art galleries, restaurants, cafes and shops
In addition to being one of the most visited cities in Europe, Valencia is also a great place to eat and shop. It's home to several museums, art galleries and restaurants where you can take in some culture or enjoy a delicious meal. The city center offers many choices for both tourists and locals alike!
For breakfast: try one of the many traditional places you'll find on your way from your hotel to Valencia's historic center. If you're looking for something more modern but just as tasty, head over to Mercado Central (Central Market). Here you'll find plenty of delicious options at reasonable prices; if it's sunny outside they have tables where you can sit down while enjoying your meal.
The city center is quite compact and all the major sights are easily reached on foot
Valencia is a great city for walking tours. This makes it possible to see all the main attractions in a few hours, or even in one day if you set out early in the morning from your hotel or apartment.
The climate is ideal for sightseeing too: Valencia has hot summers but rarely experiences extreme heat because of its proximity to the ocean, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore before temperatures start rising too much during midday hours!
Visit the Mercado Central
Like mentioned before, just north of the old town is the Mercado Central, a huge covered market selling fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, meat and all sorts of other culinary delicacies.
The market has been in operation since 1801 and continues to thrive today. It's divided into two sections: one for fresh produce and another for prepared foods such as tapas and paella. The latter area also contains several bars where you can enjoy a drink while you browse.
It’s a great place to buy fresh food—especially oranges, which are famous throughout Spain!
The Mercado Central is open from 8am until 1pm and 2pm until 7pm Monday through Saturday; Sundays it opens earlier at 7am but closes at noon instead of 7pm. During these times there's usually no need to book ahead—just show up!
Try the traditional paella
Paella is a traditional Spanish dish, originally from Valencia. It’s a mix of rice, vegetables and seafood that can be cooked over an open fire. The ingredients are placed in a wide, flat pan to ensure even cooking. Paella is served in its own pan with the meat on top and the vegetables underneath.
Paella is very popular in Valencia and you will find many restaurants serving different variations of this local dish throughout the city.
Paella is so ingrained into the Valencian identity that you’re almost guaranteed to find it on any menu here. But in order to get the best paella experience, stick to restaurants that have been serving it for generations. The best place to find these places is out of town, as they are often run by family members and are not afraid of using good-quality ingredients like fresh seafood and high-grade olive oil (as opposed to cheaper options).
The best places to eat paella are located in Valencia's beach resorts: La Malvarrosa and El Saler. These two neighborhoods offer picturesque views with an array of beaches nearby where you can take a dip before or after dinner!
A must-see attraction: La Lonja de la Seda
La Lonja de la Seda (the Silk Exchange) is a must-see attraction in Valencia. The building was originally built as a silk exchange in 1482, but today it is a museum. It is considered to be one of the most important buildings from the Spanish Renaissance and was declared by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site in 1996. Inside you will find many different exhibitions about Valencia’s history, including its art and traditions.
This building has been used for many things over its long life—it even served as city hall for some time—but today it houses the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions of Valencia, which has displays on local artisanship like wood carving or ceramics making.
It also hosts as well as hosting numerous concerts throughout the year. If you get a chance to visit this spot, you won’t be disappointed!
In one day you can see so much of this amazing city. It's compact, full of culture and history and has something for everyone, plus incredible food.
If you visit Valencia and would like to enjoy the city more and grow your career, we have job offers in your own language! This way you can really explore the city and take your professional career to the next level. Click here to see all offers.
