20 Best Things to Do in Valencia, Spain | The Ultimate 2026 Guide

The Valencia 20: A Masterlist of History, Flavour, and Future

Discover the top 20 things to do in Valencia, Spain. From the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences to the historic Holy Grail and golden beaches, here is your ultimate 2026 travel guide.

1. City of Arts and Sciences (CAC)

A futuristic "city within a city" designed by Santiago Calatrava. This sprawling complex is an architectural marvel of white concrete and glass, housing Europe’s largest aquarium (Oceanogràfic), a science museum, and an IMAX cinema.

• Fact: The entire complex is built in the former bed of the River Turia, which was diverted after the Great Flood of 1957.
• Price: Free to walk the grounds; Museum/Aquarium tickets start around €9 - €35.
• Location: Av. del Professor López Piñero, 7, 46013 Valencia
• Website: cac.es

2. Valencia Cathedral & Micalet

A stunning mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles. It is most famous for housing the Holy Chalice, which many historians believe is the true Holy Grail used at the Last Supper.

• Fact: You can climb the 207 steps of the Micalet (bell tower) for a bird’s-eye view of the city’s rooftops.
• Price: Cathedral & Grail Museum €9; Micalet climb €2.50.
• Location: Plaza de la Reina, s/n, 46003 Valencia
• Website: catedraldevalencia.es

3. Mercat Central (Central Market)

One of Europe’s oldest running food markets. It is a masterpiece of Valencian Art Nouveau (Modernismo), featuring high iron ceilings, colourful stained glass, and hand-painted ceramics.

• Fact: There are over 1,200 stalls selling everything from live eels to the famous local "Bomba" rice.
• Price: Free to enter.
• Location: Plaça de la Ciutat de Bruges, s/n, 46001 Valencia
• Website: mercadocentralvalencia.es

4. Turia Gardens (Jardín del Turia)

A 9km-long green ribbon that snakes through the city. It contains football pitches, fountains, orange groves, and the famous Gulliver Park, where children can climb a giant model of Lemuel Gulliver.

• Fact: It is one of the largest urban parks in Spain and was created because the people of Valencia protested against a plan to turn the dry riverbed into a highway.
• Price: Free.
• Location: Antiguo Cauce del Río Turia, 46010 Valencia
• Website: visitvalencia.com

5. El Cabanyal & Las Arenas Beach

The old fisherman’s quarter (El Cabanyal) is famous for its houses decorated with colourful "azulejo" tiles. It leads directly onto Las Arenas, a wide, golden sandy beach lined with traditional paella houses.

• Fact: This area was once an independent town called Pueblo Nuevo del Mar before being absorbed by Valencia.
• Price: Free.
• Location: Paseo Marítimo / Calle de la Reina, 46011 Valencia
• Website: visitvalencia.com

6. La Pépica

A legendary restaurant on the seafront that has been serving paella since 1898. It is famous for its traditional decor and its "Pepica" style paella where the shellfish is served peeled.

• Fact: Ernest Hemingway was a regular here, and the walls are lined with photos of world leaders and celebrities who have dined at its tables.
• Price: Main courses around €20 - €30.
• Location: Paseo de Neptuno, 6, 46011 Valencia
• Website: lapepica.com

7. Bioparc Valencia

A "zoo-immersion" park where barriers are hidden by rocks, rivers, and glass, making it feel like you are walking through the African Savannah or Madagascar.

• Fact: They focus exclusively on African fauna and have one of the most successful gorilla breeding programmes in the world.
• Price: Approx €26 (Adults).
• Location: Av. Pío Baroja, 3, 46015 Valencia
• Website: bioparcvalencia.es

8. Mercado de Colón

A former wet market transformed into a high-end gastronomic hub. It is one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, filled with flower shops, horchaterías, and Michelin-starred chef outposts.

• Fact: The facade is covered in intricate mosaics depicting the Valencian countryside and traditional harvest scenes.
• Price: Free to enter; food/drink prices vary.
• Location: Calle Jorge Juan, 19, 46004 Valencia
• Website: mercadocolon.es

9. La Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange)

A UNESCO World Heritage site and the finest example of civil Gothic architecture in Europe. Its "Trading Hall" features towering spiral columns that look like palm trees.

• Fact: In the 15th century, this was the financial heart of the Mediterranean, where silk merchants from across the globe traded.
• Price: €2 (Free on Sundays).
• Location: Carrer de la Llotja, 2, 46001 Valencia
• Website: valencia.es/lallonja

10. IVAM (Institut Valencià d'Art Modern)

Spain’s first modern art museum. It focuses on 20th-century sculpture, photography, and avant-garde painting, housing a massive permanent collection of Julio González’s ironworks.

• Fact: The museum is built on top of a section of the city’s medieval walls, which are still visible in the basement.
• Price: €6 (Free on Sundays and Wednesday afternoons).
• Location: Guillem de Castro, 118, 46003 Valencia
• Website: ivam.es

11. El Carmen Neighborhood

The historic "old town" maze. It’s a mix of Roman remains, medieval gates (Torres de Quart), and some of the world’s most vibrant street art.

• Fact: El Carmen is home to the "House of Cats"—a tiny, detailed facade of a house built into a wall specifically for the neighborhood's stray cats.
• Price: Free to explore.
• Location: Barrio del Carmen (Ciutat Vella), 46003 Valencia
• Website: visitvalencia.com

12. Central Bar (by Ricard Camarena)

Located inside the Central Market, this is a high-end tapas bar where every ingredient is sourced from the stalls just meters away.

• Fact: There are no tables—only a long, bustling counter where you watch the chefs cook your food right in front of you.
• Price: Tapas start around €5 - €12.
• Location: Mercat Central, Stalls 105-131, 46001 Valencia
• Website: centralbar.es

13. Casa Montaña

Established in 1836, this is one of Spain’s oldest and most famous taverns. It is lined with giant wine barrels and serves elite-level cured meats, cheeses, and local wines.

• Fact: You have to duck under a wooden bar counter to reach the "secret" back dining room.
• Price: Tapas range from €4 - €20.
• Location: Calle José Benlliure, 69, 46011 Valencia
• Website: emuntanya.com

14. Mestalla Stadium (Valencia CF)

The home of Valencia CF. Even if you aren't a football fan, the "Mestalla Forever Tour" takes you into the changing rooms, the tunnel, and the VIP boxes.

• Fact: It is the oldest stadium in the Spanish First Division (La Liga) and has the steepest stands in Europe.
• Price: Tour approx €13.30.
• Location: Av. de Suècia, s/n, 46010 Valencia
• Website: valenciacf.com

15. Albufera Natural Park

A massive lagoon and bird sanctuary. It’s the best place in the region to watch the sunset from a traditional wooden boat.

• Fact: The park is surrounded by rice paddies that produce the specific grain required for authentic Valencian paella.
• Price: Free (Boat tours approx €5).
• Location: El Saler, 46012 Valencia
• Website: parquesnaturales.gva.es

16. Museo Fallero (Fallas Museum)

The museum dedicated to the city's world-famous March festival. It stores every "Ninot" (statue) that was saved from the fire by public vote since 1934.

• Fact: You can see how the materials used to make the statues changed from wax to wood to modern polystyrene.
• Price: €2 (Free on Sundays).
• Location: Plaza de Monteolivete, 4, 46006 Valencia
• Website: valencia.es/museofallero

17. Ruzafa Neighborhood (Russafa)

Valencia’s trendy "bohemian" district. It is packed with vintage boutiques, independent bookshops, and a huge variety of international restaurants.

• Fact: In late February and early March, this neighborhood hosts the "Light Festivals" (Encendido de Luces) with millions of LED bulbs.
• Price: Free.
• Location: Barrio de Ruzafa, 46006 Valencia
• Website: visitvalencia.com

18. La Malvarrosa Beach

Valencia’s main urban beach, famous for its wide golden sands and the "Paseo Marítimo" promenade. It is the liveliest spot in the city for volleyball and beachfront dining.

• Fact: The beach is named after the "Malvarrosa" (pink mallow) flowers that were once planted here to transform the landscape.
• How to Get There: Take Tram Line 4 or 6 to "Eugènia Viñes" or Bus 32 from the city centre.
• Location: Passeig de Neptú, 46011 Valencia

19. Pinedo Beach

Located just south of the city's port, Pinedo offers a more relaxed, local vibe. It features a line of natural dunes and a designated "PlatjaCan" section for dogs.

• Fact: It is one of the few beaches in the area that still maintains a traditional picnic culture among local families.
• How to Get There: Take Bus 24 or 25 from Porta de la Mar; the journey takes about 15 minutes.
• Location: Playa de Pinedo, 46012 Valencia

20. El Saler Beach

A wild, protected beach within the Albufera Natural Park. It is surrounded by pine forests and sand dunes, offering a quiet, nature-first experience.

• Fact: Because it sits within a National Park, there are no high-rise buildings allowed, leaving the horizon completely natural.
• How to Get There: Take Bus 24 or 25 from the city centre (approx. 30 mins) or cycle via the Turia Garden path.
• Location: Carretera del Saler, s/n, 46012 Valencia