What to see in Valencia

The capital of the Valencian Community brings together many cultural, culinary, sporting, and natural highlights. The tricky thing is choosing only a couple! But we got your back – we’ve compiled the best options for you so you can make the most of the city.

How about a day trip to the Albufera? Or a cultural visit to the City of Arts and Sciences? Or perhaps a Valencian paella workshop?

City of Arts and Sciences

If the hustle and bustle of the Fallas in Valencia is a bit overwhelming to you, you can always opt for a more relaxed plan and learn a lot in a pleasant and fun way. The perfect place for this is the City of Arts and Sciences: a huge complex located in the old Turia riverbed.

The site is divided into several cultural spaces, with three main areas: the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum, the Hemisfèric 3-D IMAX cinema, and the zoo and aquarium area of the Oceanogràfic.

Who said learning about science was boring? At the Príncipe Felipe Museum, you’ll learn how simple experiments can change the world. Also, you can admire our planet (and even others of the Solar System) in the Hemisfèric. And what about at the Oceanogràfic, you might be wondering? The sea wildlife, not only from the Mediterranean but also from other parts of the world, is sure to catch you by surprise.

You can enjoy all these museums and facilities by purchasing your ticket for the City of Arts and Sciences.

Art and history in downtown Valencia

The historic center of Valencia is also an attraction in itself due to the large number of monuments that can be found in its old town. The Royal Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken and the cathedral and its famous bell tower, the Miguelete, are all definitely worth a visit.

The Serranos and Quart towers are also part of the city’s must-see heritage. And speaking of unique monuments, the Lonja de la Seda is one of those landmarks that are never forgotten. It’s an excellent example of 15th-century Valencian Gothic architecture.

This complete tour of Valencia with tickets will allow you to know in depth the exciting history of the city. The activity also includes entrance tickets to the Lonja (Silk Exchange) and the cathedral – all the more reason not to miss out on this visit!

A delicious food culture with paella as the star

What’s the most iconic Spanish dish? The answer, obviously, is known all over the world: with a good Valencian paella. Chicken and rabbit meat, a good fumet, vegetables and, above all, a suitable fire, cooked on a wood fire – perfection.

The Valencian paella recipe is clear, but how to combine all the ingredients to achieve an exquisite dish? An excellent way is to do it in this Valencian paella workshop, where an authentic paella master will teach you how to cook correctly this dish which is a hallmark not only of Valencian but also of Spanish cuisine.

However, paella is not the only landmark of Valencia’s cuisine. You can find out what other recipes stand out in the city in this tapas tour.

Soccer, another of Valencia’s great passions

This city has two teams in the Spanish League First Division: Valencia Club de Fútbol and Levante Unión Deportiva. The former is based at the Mestalla stadium, while the latter’s home ground is the Ciudad de Valencia stadium.

The Mestalla Stadium has the largest capacity of the two stadiums: up to 45,000 spectators. Kempes, Albelda, Mendieta, and other soccer legends have proven their worth on the turf of Mestalla, a legendary stadium that has hosted important events such as several Copa del Rey finals.

This tour of the Mestalla Stadium will make you feel like a real Valencia CF star.

Peace and tranquility at Albufera

This protected area, declared a Natural Park, is located less than an hour from the historic center of Valencia.

The barracas, the traditional Valencian constructions, are part of a unique landscape featuring a coastal lagoon surrounded by rice fields. Due to its exceptional environmental value this considered one of the greatest wetlands in the Iberian Peninsula. The calm and peacefulness of this area of the province of Valencia makes it the perfect spot for those who prefer to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

This day trip to Albufera from Valencia will also allow you to get to know the local wildlife and vegetation.