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Valencia travel guide
A Gothic silk exchange, the world’s oldest court, a park in an old riverbed and the birthplace of paella.
Photo: Diego F. Parra / Pexels · Pexels License
Valencia packs a compact, flat old town (the Ciutat Vella) with the cathedral and its Micalet tower, the UNESCO-listed Silk Exchange and the Art Nouveau Central Market. A 1957 flood led the river Turia to be rerouted, and its old bed is now a park running about 8.5 km to Calatrava’s City of Arts and Sciences. Add a beach afternoon and a paella by the Albufera lagoon. Three days covers it at an easy pace.
Plan your Valencia trip
Best things to do in Valencia →
12 honest picks with costs, timing and skip-it-ifs.
Where to stay in Valencia →
4 neighbourhoods compared, with hotel picks per budget.
Valencia in 3 days →
A day-by-day route grouped by area.
Day trips from Valencia →
2 easy escapes by train or bus.
Valencia City Quest →
A printable self-guided treasure hunt.
Valencia quick facts
- Best time to visit
- April–June and September–October. July and August are hot and busy. The Fallas festival in mid-March is spectacular but crowded, and hotel prices rise.
- Money
- Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted.
- Airports
- Valencia Airport (VLC), about 8 km west of the centre.
- Airport to city
- Metro lines 3 and 5 run to the centre (Xàtiva or Colón) in about 20–25 minutes. A single AB+ ticket costs €4.80, plus €1.10 for the reusable card (metrovalencia.es, 2026).
- Getting around
- Walk the old town. Metro, tram and EMT buses cover the rest; an EMT bus single ticket costs about €2.00 (2026, check). The SUMA tourist ticket costs €9 / €14 / €17 for 24 / 48 / 72 hours, including the airport (metrovalencia.es, 2026). The Turia Garden is great by bike.
- Budget
- Mid-range. The cathedral costs €12, the Silk Exchange and the city gates just €2, and many sights are free. The Oceanogràfic is the big expense. Compare live hotel prices.
- Language
- Spanish and Valencian (a variety of Catalan). Signs are often in both; English is spoken at the main sights and hotels.
- Plugs
- Type C and F, 230 V.
Only have one day? Do these three
Top things to do in Valencia
- 1. Valencia Cathedral & the Micalet · Cathedral €12 full, €6 reduced, family €22
- 2. Plaza de la Virgen & the Water Tribunal · Free
- 3. La Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange) · €2, €1 reduced
- 4. Mercado Central · Free to enter
- 5. Torres de Serranos & Torres de Quart · €2 each, €1 reduced
- 6. Turia Garden · Free
Watch: Valencia in one video
Video coming soon
Our walk-through of Valencia is in production. See all videos.
Turn sightseeing into a game
Valencia City Quest
Follow 12 quest stops from the battle-scarred Torres de Quart past the Water Tribunal, the Micalet, the Silk Exchange and the Central Market to the orange-covered Estació del Nord, with riddles, photo missions, a kids’ mode and a printable map.
Get the questValencia FAQ
How many days do you need in Valencia?
Two days covers the old town, the Turia Garden and the City of Arts and Sciences. Three days adds the beach, the Albufera and a paella lunch at a relaxed pace.
How much does Valencia Cathedral cost?
In 2026 the cathedral costs €12 (€6 reduced, under-8s free), including the museum and an audio guide. The Micalet tower is €3 extra (catedraldevalencia.es).
When does the Water Tribunal meet?
Every Thursday at 12:00 at the Apostles’ Door of the cathedral, on Plaza de la Virgen. It is free to watch and takes only a few minutes.
How do I get from Valencia airport to the city?
Metro lines 3 and 5 run from the airport to Xàtiva and Colón in about 20–25 minutes. A single AB+ ticket costs €4.80 plus €1.10 for the card (metrovalencia.es, 2026).
How much is the Oceanogràfic?
In 2026 adult tickets cost about €35.90–€43.05 and children aged 4–12 about €26.65–€31.95, depending on the date; under-4s go free. Check oceanografic.org for your date.
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