Valencia Things To Do

The Old Town
Valencia’s Old town is the highlight of any Valencia city break: a beautiful and highly enjoyable maze of picturesque streets and charming squares lined with honey-coloured buildings, fountains and orange trees. The El Carmen neighbourhood, the most famous area, is packed with cafes and bars, bursting with character, and is particularly trendy and lively at night. Old Valencia boasts superb Baroque, Renaissance and Neoclassical architecture, the stunning Gothic Silk Exchange, an intriguing cathedral and a terrific modernist covered market.

City of Arts and Sciences
This futuristic park with its gardens and artificial lakes is well worth walking around even if you do not pay to visit the individual attractions. Walk there via the Turia Gardens, the curious long green park that occupies the bed of Valencia’s former city river. The City of Arts and Science features an impressive planetarium, an IMAX cinema and a laserium. The aquarium is one of the largest in Europe, with over 7000 specimens and a vast dolphinarium. The complex is also home to an entertaining Science Museum and the impressive Paulau de les Arts concert hall.

Museums
As well as the City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia also boasts some fine museums. The beautiful Museu de Bellas Artes has an outstanding collection that includes El Greco, Goya, Van Dyck and Velasquez. The Natural Science Museum has a fine location in Valencia’s Royal Park. The Ceramics Museum is housed in a splendid 16th century palace. The Valencian Institute of Modern Art in Barrio del Carmen has an excellent terrace café and restaurant.

Beaches
Part of the charm of Valencia city breaks is the combination of city and beach life. Valencia’s white, sandy, Mediterranean beaches are an essential part of life in the city. The promenades are excellent spots for shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Beaches in Valencia are well organised and well equipped. The nearest beaches, Las Arenas and La Malvarossa, are close to the city centre and can be reached by bus and tram. Other worthwhile Valencia beaches include Playa del Alboraya to the north and the excellent Pinedo and El Saler beaches to the south. The more distant beaches see fewer visitors in the peak summer.

Nightlife
Valencia nightlife rivals other popular Spanish nightlife destinations like Madrid and Barcelona, but sees far fewer foreign tourists. The city is bursting with lively, friendly, authentic cafes, bars and restaurants. Serious Valencia nightlife begins after midnight so dine late, relax after dinner, try one of Valencia’s famous cocktails and then follow the crowds or ask for recommendations. Barrio del Carmen is buzzing at night, particularly during the summer and at weekends. Other top nightlife areas include Juan Llorens, Plaza Cánovas, the University area and the beaches of Malvarrosa and Las Arenas.

Valencia City Breaks  Getting Around Valencia

Things To Do In Valencia  Valencia Weather