What to do in Valencia in 3 days
Third largest city in Spain, on its southeast coast, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean, Valencia is an attractive Mediterranean city that bears witness to a glorious history that has not prevented it from innovating and renewing itself, making it one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Southern Europe. Valencia is perfect for those who want to combine sea, relaxation and fun with culture, history and tradition.
Here are some tips on what to see and do in Valencia if you stay in the capital of Paella for 3 days.
Practical tips
The first tip if you are about to visit Valencia is to visit the official portal of the city’s Tourist Office (VisitValencia.Com). Here you will find all the information and practical advice to enjoy the city to the fullest.
How to get to Valencia? The most convenient way is certainly the plane that will take you to the International Airport of Valencia, a few kilometers (about 30 minutes by metro) from the city centre. Valencia is also well connected via the railway network to the other main Spanish cities, should you decide to include it in a larger tour, as well as to the Balearic Islands with numerous ferries.
Public transport in Valencia works well and is convenient! The best way to get around the city is to take advantage of the dense network of trams, metro and buses, which will take you almost everywhere in the city.
First of all buy the Valencia Tourist Card! This card includes unlimited travel for 24, 48 or 72 hours. It is activated with the first use and can be used on the entire public transport network in the city. In addition, the Valencia Tourist Card includes the journey Valencia-Airport-Valencia (metro lines 3 and 5), which by taking a taxi would cost around 15 euros each way. It also guarantees free admission to numerous municipal museums and monuments as well as numerous discounts on attractions, clubs and restaurants. It can be purchased on the website or in the tourist offices located in the city. If you buy on the internet, you will then have to collect it in the aforementioned places (there is an ATM at the arrivals at the airport) as the card is a physical card.
Another tip is to book and purchase the main attractions (such as oceanography, etc) in advance! Valencia in the high season is very popular and the risk of running into long queues or not being able to visit what you had set out to do is high!
Old Town
Valencia offers ample evidence of its glorious past, through a large array of monuments, museums, etc. Walking through the streets of the historic center with its palaces and monumental squares is an experience in itself! The places not to be missed are many but certainly the Lonja de la Seda (Unesco heritage), the Central Market, the Cathedral (which houses nothing less than the Holy Grail!), the Church of San Nicolas of Bari (with its magnificent frescoes), the Colon Market, the Town Hall and its elegant square. Getting lost in the narrow streets of the Barrio del Carmen, admiring the plazas and squares like Plaza Redonda is a unique experience!
To admire a unique panorama of the city you have to climb the Quart Towers or the Serrano Gate or the Miguelete.
Any other advice? The Archaeological Museum of Almoina (where you can discover the past of the city since Roman times) and the City Museum.
City of Arts and Sciences
An obligatory stop on a trip to Valencia is to visit the City of Arts and Sciences, a monumental complex of museums and iconic buildings that have established themselves as symbols of the city of Valencia. The work of the Valencian archistar Santiago Calatrava, this large complex of modern buildings, fountains and pools of water attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world every year.
Easy to reach via a pleasant walk through the Turia Gardens or by tram, once you arrive you can visit all or some of the attractions and museums. If you opt for more attractions, I recommend a combined ticket that will allow you to save a few euros.
The Science Museum (interactive science museum for adults and children), the Hemisfèric (3D digital cinema with a 900m concave screen to enjoy unforgettable projections – to be booked in advance!), the Palau de les Arts, the magnificent Umbracle garden with free admission, the Agora/ Caixa Forum Valencia, are unmissable stops on your visit. But especially for adults and children, a visit to the Oceanographic, the largest aquarium in Europe, is a must! You will go around the seas and oceans of the world admiring over 45,000 specimens of 500 different species!
Beaches, surroundings, etc.
Valencia offers miles of beaches within walking distance of the city centre. For lovers of seaside tourism, the most famous beaches in the city are Las Arenas Beach and Malvarrosa. A stop in the restaurants on the seafront where you can enjoy an excellent paella (I recommend the Sabbia by Gabbeach) or for the more worldly a tour of the clubs and discos that swarm a few steps from the beach is a must.
About 10 km from the city we find the Albufera Natural Park, reachable by buses 24 and 25. Here you will come across unspoiled nature where you can enjoy unique sunsets. You will have the opportunity to walk among rice fields and woods, take boat trips and discover the origin of paella which was invented right here!
Any other random tips?
To stay, I recommend the very central Melià Plaza in the Town Hall Square where you can enjoy the city from the most central point and take a bath in the whirlpool on its rooftop!
Speaking of rooftops, the Ateneo Sky Bar is an essential stop for a good drink! Shopping can only be missed in the Corte Inglés and to end your trip to Spain on a high note, a dinner in the fantastic tablao La Buleria, where you can enjoy an excellent typical dinner and watch an exciting flamenco show!
