14 Best Things to Do and See in Valencia
Exploring Valencia on foot is one of the best ways to feel the city’s atmosphere, connect its landmark places and discover its neighbourhoods at a more natural pace.
In this guide, you will find the attractions not to miss when planning a walking route in Valencia, with simple reference points.
To go further, you can also enjoy a private guided tour in Valencia. It is a smoother way to connect places, understand details you might miss on your own and enjoy a more human, personal discovery adapted to your trip.
1. City of Arts and Sciences
The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia is a vast cultural and leisure complex where visitors can explore several complementary spaces. You can discover an interactive science museum, observe marine life in a large aquarium and enjoy spectacular screenings in an IMAX cinema. Its contemporary architecture and large pools also make it a very popular place for a stroll. This site brings together discovery, entertainment and architecture, offering a visit that appeals to families as well as science and ocean enthusiasts.
2. Central Market of Valencia
In the heart of Valencia, the Central Market is one of the city’s major fresh food markets, set in a remarkable building where you can experience the lively atmosphere of everyday local life. Its colorful stalls offer seasonal fruit and vegetables, fish, meat, cured meats, cheeses, spices, bread, and regional specialties. It is also a pleasant place to watch the exchanges between vendors and locals, enjoy the aromas of the day’s produce, and sample Valencian cuisine in a lively, authentic, and very central setting.
3. Bioparc Valencia
Bioparc Valencia is a modern zoo in Valencia, Spain, where visitors can explore wildlife in spaces designed to resemble natural habitats. See African species and enjoy an immersive, family-friendly visit.
4. Príncipe Felipe Science Museum
The Príncipe Felipe Science Museum in Valencia is a vast discovery space dedicated to science in all its forms. Located in the City of Arts and Sciences, it features interactive exhibitions that make physics, biology, technology, and natural history easy to explore. Its playful displays let visitors of all ages learn by handling, observing, and experimenting in a modern, spectacular setting. It is an ideal visit for families and curious travelers looking to learn while having fun.
5. Torres de Serranos
Torres de Serranos is one of Valencia’s most iconic monumental gates in Spain. Set at the entrance to the old town, it offers a striking glimpse into medieval defensive architecture and the city’s historic past. Visitors admire its powerful towers, ramparts and imposing silhouette above the urban landscape. The site is appealing both for its heritage value and for the views it offers over the historic centre, making it a must-see stop on any visit to Valencia.
6. Colón Market
Colón Market in Valencia is an elegant historic building that appeals to both architecture lovers and foodies. Discover a lively covered market with fresh produce stalls, cafés, dining areas and shops. Its remarkable architecture, decorative structure and bright atmosphere make it a pleasant place to stroll, shop or stop for a drink. A great visit to experience the city’s everyday rhythm.
7. Turia Garden
Turia Garden in Valencia is a vast urban park loved for its walks, green spaces and bike paths. Built in the former Turia riverbed, it crosses the city with gardens, bridges, playgrounds and areas for sport and relaxation.
8. Saint Mary’s Cathedral of Valencia
Saint Mary’s Cathedral of Valencia, in the heart of Valencia’s old town in Spain, is a must-see for discovering the city’s religious and artistic heritage. This Catholic cathedral impresses with its blend of architectural styles, chapels, altarpieces, and solemn atmosphere. The site also includes archive and museum spaces, where visitors can better understand local religious history through objects, artworks, and documents linked to the cathedral. A visit offers both rich heritage and the living character of the place.
9. Silk Exchange
The Silk Exchange in Valencia is a remarkable historic site that reflects the city’s rich commercial past. This iconic landmark invites you to discover elegant civil Gothic architecture, with grand halls, slender columns, and sculpted details. Once a hub for trade and merchant activity, it helps visitors understand the importance of silk in Valencia’s history. The visit is captivating for its solemn atmosphere and the refinement of its interior spaces, among Valencia’s greatest heritage treasures.
10. Museo Fallero de Valencia
The Museo Fallero de Valencia showcases a unique collection of ninots spared from the flames of Las Fallas, the city’s great popular festival. See satirical figures, everyday scenes and works that reveal the skill of the fallero artists. The museum also preserves posters and items linked to this tradition, offering a clear look at its evolution. Together, they provide a lasting memory of a celebration normally destined to disappear.
11. Piscina Parque de Benicalap
Piscina Parque de Benicalap is a leisure facility in Valencia that combines swimming with a park setting. Located in the Benicalap district, it is part of the city’s municipal facilities designed for local use. The site stands out as a public pool integrated into an urban environment, offering a relaxed space rooted in daily neighborhood life. Its setting in Parque de Benicalap makes it a landmark for water activities in the area.
12. Albufera Natural Park
Albufera Natural Park offers a landscape typical of southern Valencia, centered on a large coastal lagoon, wetlands, and rice fields. The light changes quickly here, highlighting reflections on the water and the patterns of the crops. The area is important for its ecological value, especially for birds, and for its history linked to the lagoon, fishing, and rice growing. It is a place where nature and human activity share the same territory.
13. Parque del Museo Príncipe Felipe – Turia Garden Section XV
Parque del Museo Príncipe Felipe – Tramo XV del Jardín del Turia is a green space linked to one of Valencia’s most recognizable areas. It sits at the foot of the Museu Príncep Felipe, in an environment dominated by the contemporary architecture of the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències. The park offers lawns, walkways and open views that enhance the district’s striking shapes. As you explore it, you can also discover the continuity of the great Turia Garden, created in the former riverbed and now a major feature of Valencia’s urban landscape.
14. Cabecera Park Lake
Cabecera Park Lake offers a peaceful view of Valencia’s urban park, with a lake surrounded by greenery, paths, and open spaces. It is a pleasant walking area where the water shapes the landscape and adds depth to the park. Rather than monuments, the site stands out for its atmosphere, open views, and the way it connects nature and city life in western Valencia.
Antony M
During my travels, I looked for guides who spoke my language. This search turned out to be long and tedious. That is why I created MYTOGU (My Tourist Guide): a matching site between tourists and professional tourist guides.
