Valencia is a port city in Spain and is located on the southeastern coast. It is known for having a great cultural scene, beautiful architecture and a real mix of history with contemporary things to see and do too. While Valencia might seem like a large city, it is all relatively close together making it ideal to head to for a weekend break. If you’re looking to get your fix of food, culture and a bit of sun, it’s the perfect place. No matter if it’s a break with your other half, a city trip with your friends, or a solo trip for you, Valencia is a place that has it all. Here we take a look into the top things to do in Valencia to make the best trip.
Early backpacking days in Valencia, Spain outside the Mestalla stadium where Northern Ireland beat Spain 1-0 in 1982.
Visit the city of the arts and sciences
The City of Arts and Sciences is a cultural and architectural complex that’s one of the largest tourist destinations and hot spots. The building itself measures 42,000 metres and is the largest exhibition space in the whole of Spain. It’s made up of six main buildings, Oceanogràfic, Hemisfèric, the Science Museum, Palau de Les Arts. Opera house, Umbracle and Ágora, the most recent building to have been added to the City of Arts and Sciences. When here you can explore the museums, exhibitions and conferences that take place. The museum is a fantastic place to get lots of photos and relax outside with a picnic lunch so make sure to leave plenty of time! Buy yourart and city museum ticket ahead of time for the best deal.
A fountain in downtown Valencia.
Head to the oceanarium
L’Oceanogràfic is a large oceanarium in the southeast of the city and is a piece of incredible architectural design. The aquarium costs to enter but once you are inside you can enjoy a host of magnificent sea life. This includes ocean tortoises, angel sharks, beluga whales and so much more. The park is segmented into fifteen main sections and it’s also ethical, having earned the Human Certified seal showing it is good for the marine life that resides there.
Take a trip to the Cathedral
The Valencia cathedral is a stunning building that was first built in the 13th century. Over the next few years, there were a number of additions that were added before it was finally completed in the 17th century. Entry to the cathedral is free and you can wander around the main ground floor as well as pay a 2 Euro fee to climb the 207 stairs to the top. From here you have a beautiful view of the old city.
Loving my experience visiting the Mestalla while backpacking in Valencia back in 2003.
Try the food scene
There are a whole host of delicious restaurants that you need to head to in Valencia so be sure to mark out some time in your itinerary to visit these. Make sure to try the traditional dishes such as paella, tapas and sangria. The Central Market is a great spot if you want to sample some fresh produce and also immerse yourself in the culture of a traditional part of Spain. The local wines include Horchata and Agua de Valencia so make sure to sip a glass of these on your holiday.
Tapas in Valencia
Spend time in the Jardin del Turia
The Jardin del Turia spans over 9 kilometres and is a beautiful space to visit on your trip. The park goes through the historic centre of Valencia, passing under a number of bridges and with the backdrop of the City of Arts and Sciences in the background. It’s the largest urban park in the whole of Spain and has plenty of space for running, taking a romantic walk with your other half and spending the day with your family. You could rent some bikes from the city centre and enjoy taking these around the different sights, enabling you to see more of the city in less time.
Visit the Mestalla
As a football fan, I loved my visit to the famous Mestalla. This is the home of Valencia CF and also the venue for Northern Ireland’s 1-0 away win v. Spain in the 1982 World Cup.
Drinking in Valencia in 2003 – old school camera!
Top tips for booking your trip to Valencia
- Speak to a travel agent to try and get the best deal
- Always pay in the local currency when paying by card as it charges you fewer fees
- Book your excursions ahead of time to save money
- Make up a draft itinerary so you don’t miss anything you want to do
- Look up the weather before you go
These are just a few of the top things you need to do in Valencia when heading for the weekend. Be sure to pack clothes that you can easily layer up as while it’s warm, the evenings can sometimes be a bit chilly. Valencia is a fantastic place to visit no matter the reason you’re going. By sorting an itinerary before you go you will ensure you don’t miss anything important and by booking tickets ahead of time you can rest assured you’ve probably got the best price. Have you been to Valencia before? What are some top tips you would share for a trip to Valencia? Let us know in the comments below.