Updated 2026

12 best things to do in Valencia

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

Heads-up: this page contains affiliate links. If you book or buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes our picks. How we make money.

These picks cover Gothic and modern Valencia: the cathedral and the Micalet, the Water Tribunal, the Silk Exchange, the Central Market, the medieval city gates, the Turia Garden, the City of Arts and Sciences and the Oceanogràfic, plus Ruzafa, the beach and the Albufera. For each: honest cost, time needed, best time and when to skip it.

Things to do in Valencia: tap a number to open it in Google Maps. Out of town (not on the map): 12. Day trip: Albufera & El Palmar.

Tickets & tours in Valencia: compare before you buy

Official sites are often cheapest for single museums; resellers are handy for skip-the-line combos, tours and free cancellation.

Tickets on Tiqets Tours on GetYourGuide Tours on Viator

Valencia Cathedral & the Micalet

Plaza de la Reina / Plaza de la Virgen

Consecrated in 1238 on the site of an older mosque, the cathedral is mainly Valencian Gothic, with Romanesque and Baroque parts. A chapel holds the Holy Chalice, which many believe is the Holy Grail; King Alfonso V gave it to the cathedral in 1436. Climb the Micalet bell tower (207 steps, no lift) for the best view of the old town.

Cost: Cathedral €12 full, €6 reduced, family €22; includes museum and audio guide; under-8s free. Micalet €3, reduced €2 (2026, check catedraldevalencia.es)
Time needed: 1–1.5 hours
Best time: Opening time

Insider tip: Cultural visits run Monday–Friday 10:30–18:30, Saturday 10:30–17:30 and Sunday 14:00–17:30 (longer on summer Sundays). The Micalet opens daily 10:00–18:45. No tourist visits on some holidays, such as 9 October and 25 December (2026).

Skip it if: Never – it’s the heart of the city.

Cathedral tours Compare on Viator

Plaza de la Virgen & the Water Tribunal

Ciutat Vella

The old town’s grandest square, with the Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken (the city’s patron) and a fountain showing the river Turia. Every Thursday at 12:00 the Water Tribunal meets at the cathedral’s Apostles’ Door. It is said to be the world’s oldest court, settling irrigation disputes in Valencian, and has been on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list since 2009.

Cost: Free (basilica and Water Tribunal)
Time needed: 30 min (longer on Thursdays at noon)
Best time: Thursday just before 12:00

Insider tip: If Thursday is a public holiday, the Water Tribunal may move to another day (check tribunaldelasaguas.org).

Skip it if: Never – you’ll pass it anyway.

La Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange)

Plaza del Mercado

A masterpiece of late Valencian Gothic, built between 1482 and 1533 for the silk trade. Its Hall of Columns has twisted pillars rising like palm trees. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

Cost: €2, €1 reduced; free on Sundays and holidays, and with the Valencia Tourist Card (2026, check)
Time needed: 30–45 min
Best time: Morning, combined with the market

Insider tip: Open Monday–Saturday 10:00–19:00, Sundays and holidays 10:00–14:00 (2026, check).

Skip it if: Never – it’s €2 and stunning.

Tickets & tours

Mercado Central

Opposite La Lonja

One of Europe’s largest markets, covering more than 8,000 m², built in Valencian Art Nouveau style between 1914 and 1928. Iron, glass, tiles and domes over hundreds of fresh-food stalls.

Cost: Free to enter
Time needed: 45 min
Best time: Morning

Insider tip: Open Monday–Saturday 07:30–15:00; closed Sundays (2026, check mercadocentralvalencia.es).

Skip it if: It’s Sunday – it’s closed.

Food tours Compare on Viator

Torres de Serranos & Torres de Quart

Edges of the old town

The two surviving gates of the medieval wall, which was pulled down in 1865. Serranos (1392–1398) was the ceremonial main entrance; Quart (1441–1493) still shows cannonball and musket damage from the Peninsular War. Both can be climbed.

Cost: €2 each, €1 reduced; free on Sundays and holidays (2026, check)
Time needed: 30 min each
Best time: Late afternoon

Insider tip: Open Monday–Saturday 10:00–19:00 and Sundays 10:00–14:00. The towers may close in bad weather (2026, check).

Skip it if: You don’t like steep steps – they look great from outside too.

Tickets & tours

Turia Garden

Across the city, in the old riverbed

After the Great Flood of 14 October 1957 the river Turia was rerouted. A citizens’ campaign won the old riverbed as a park, opened in 1986. Today it is about 8.5 km of paths, playgrounds, sports fields and bridges, running from Bioparc to the City of Arts and Sciences.

Cost: Free
Time needed: 1–3 hours
Best time: Morning or evening

Insider tip: Rent a bike and ride the whole length to the City of Arts and Sciences.

Skip it if: Never – it’s the best way to cross the city.

Bike tours Compare on Viator

Planning Valencia?

Get our free printable city map + 48-hour checklist plus our ticket-saving tips.

By signing up you agree to receive emails from us. See our privacy policy.

City of Arts and Sciences

End of the Turia Garden

Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela’s futuristic complex of white buildings and pools. It includes the eye-shaped Hemisfèric (1998), the science museum and the Palau de les Arts opera house (2005).

Cost: Free to walk around. Science museum about €8.90–€9.90, reduced €6.90–€7.60 (2026, check cac.es)
Time needed: 1–3 hours
Best time: Late afternoon and blue hour

Insider tip: Combination tickets with the Oceanogràfic and the Hemisfèric cost about €44–€51 (2026, check).

Skip it if: Modern architecture isn’t your thing.

Tickets Compare on Viator

Oceanogràfic

City of Arts and Sciences

Designed by Félix Candela and opened in 2003, it is the largest aquarium of its kind in Europe: 110,000 m², with about 45,000 animals of 500 species. The seawater comes from Malvarrosa beach.

Cost: Adults about €35.90–€43.05, children 4–12 about €26.65–€31.95, under-4s free; the price depends on the date (2026, check oceanografic.org)
Time needed: 3–4 hours
Best time: Opening time

Insider tip: Buy online for your date. The ticket office closes one hour before the park.

Skip it if: You’re on a tight budget.

Oceanogràfic tickets Compare on Viator

Estació del Nord

Next to Plaza del Ayuntamiento

A working railway station and a jewel of Valencian Modernism, designed by Demetrio Ribes and opened in 1917. Look for oranges and orange blossom on the façade, and mosaics of local scenes inside.

Cost: Free
Time needed: 15–20 min
Best time: Any time

Insider tip: Restoration work is under way in 2026, so parts may be covered.

Skip it if: You’re not passing the city centre.

#10

Ruzafa

South of the centre

A lively neighbourhood with its own market, cafés, small shops and many restaurants. It’s a good place for dinner away from the old-town crowds.

Cost: Free
Time needed: An evening
Best time: Evening

Insider tip: It’s about a 15-minute walk from Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

Skip it if: You prefer quiet evenings.

#11

Malvarrosa beach

North of the port

Valencia’s best-known city beach: wide sand and a seafront promenade lined with restaurants.

Cost: Free
Time needed: Half a day
Best time: Late afternoon

Insider tip: Reach it by tram or bus from the centre (check Metrovalencia or EMT for the route).

Skip it if: It’s winter and you only have two days.

#12

Day trip: Albufera & El Palmar

About 11 km south of Valencia

A freshwater lagoon in a 21,120-hectare natural park, protected as a Ramsar wetland since 1990, surrounded by rice fields. Modern paella is traced back to this area in the mid-19th century. Paella valenciana is made with rabbit, chicken, duck and snails.

Cost: EMT bus fare; boat trip about €5 adults, €3 children (2026, check)
Time needed: Half a day
Best time: Late afternoon for the sunset

Insider tip: EMT bus line 25 runs to El Palmar. A boat trip on the lagoon takes about 40–45 minutes, then have paella in the village.

Skip it if: You have less than two days.

Albufera trips Compare on Viator

Frequently asked questions

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.

Plan your next step

Where to stay in Valencia →

Neighbourhoods compared, with hotel picks per budget.

3-day itinerary →

All of this turned into a day-by-day route.

Valencia City Quest →

Explore the highlights as a treasure hunt.

Valencia travel guide →

Quick facts, getting around and every guide.

Packing list →

A printable checklist for city breaks.

Tours & tickets in Valencia

See options