City of Arts and Sciences
How to plan your visit to the Oceanogràfic, the Hemisfèric, and the Museu de les Ciències, and when the combined ticket is worth it.
Iglesias y catedrales en Valencia
Valencia combines the sea and the avant-garde like few other cities: Calatrava’s City of Arts and Sciences and the Oceanogràfic on one side, the beaches of Malvarrosa and the Albufera—the birthplace of paella—on the other, and in between, a historic center featuring the Silk Exchange, the Cathedral, and the Central Market. Here we’ve gathered the tickets and guides you need to make the most of your visit without waiting in line or taking detours.
Valencia is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace: from a mid-morning glass of horchata to paella by the sea, you can experience the whole city in a single day.
Featured experiences in Valencia
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Valencia with the Family
Europe's largest aquarium, Bioparc, and the Turia Gardens: activities that are great for kids without taking up the whole day.
Beaches, the Albufera, and paella
Where to go swimming just a stone's throw from downtown, how to get to the Albufera, and where to eat paella in its place of origin.
Explore Valencia
Valencia is Spain's third-largest city, located on the shores of the Mediterranean. The former Turia Riverbed, transformed into a 9-kilometer-long green park, connects the historic district with the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences. In the center, the Silk Exchange (World Heritage Site), the Cathedral with the Holy Chalice, and the Central Market, one of the largest in Europe.
The Must-Haves
If this is your first time: the Oceanogràfic, a stroll through the Turia Gardens to the City of the Arts, the Central Market and La Lonja, an afternoon at the beach at the Pink Mallow and one paella at the Albufera at sunset. With reserved tickets, you'll skip the lines at the Oceanogràfic during peak season.
How to Get There
The airport in Valencia (Manises) It's about a 15-minute ride from downtown by subway. By train, the station Joaquín Sorolla It's connected to Madrid by AVE in less than two hours. The city center is very walkable, and the metro and public bike-sharing system (Valenbisi) take you almost anywhere.
Cruceros y paseos en barco por la Marina de Valencia
La Marina de Valencia, construida para la Copa América, es el punto de salida de los cruceros en catamarán que recorren la costa y el puerto. El catálogo incluye salidas al atardecer, paseos combinados con paella o con degustación de mejillones y vino, y la opción de parar a bañarse en mar abierto en los meses de calor. Son salidas de una o dos horas, pensadas como plan de tarde más que como excursión de día completo. La mayoría sale directamente desde los pantalanes de la Marina, a poca distancia del centro.
Day Trips from Valencia
Fuera de la ciudad, el catálogo cubre tres planes muy distintos. La Albufera, el lago y arrozal al sur de Valencia, se visita en excursión guiada con paseo en barco tradicional; las Cuevas de San José, en Vall d’Uixó, son la mayor gruta navegable de Europa, con tour guiado y transporte incluido; y Peñíscola, con su casco antiguo amurallado y su castillo (escenario de Juego de Tronos), o las termas y cascadas de Montanejos, cubren la opción de pasar el día fuera junto al mar o en la naturaleza. Todas incluyen recogida desde Valencia.
Destinations
- Gandía 1 experiencia
Experiences in Valencia
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Church of St. Nicholas in Valencia – The Light of St. Nicholas: No Lines
Best SellersChurch of St. Nicholas, Valencia
Cancelación gratuita hasta 24 horas antes de la visita.
from 18 € 16 €
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Valencia Tourist Card
Attraction Passes in Valencia
Cancelación gratuita hasta 24 horas antes de la visita.
from 17 €
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Royal Parish Church of Los Santos Juanes: Admission + Immersive Baroque Experience
Royal Parish of the Saints John
Cancelación gratuita hasta 24 horas antes de la visita.
1h
from 15 €
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Valencia 7-Day Tourist Card (transportation not included)
Attraction Passes in Valencia
Cancelación gratuita hasta 24 horas antes de la visita.
from 15 €
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Silk Market, St. Nicholas Church, and the Cathedral: Guided Walking Tour
Walking Tours of Valencia
Cancelación gratuita hasta 24 horas antes de la visita.
3 hours
from 45 €
Frequently asked questions
- How many days do I need to see Valencia?
In two or three days, you can see the historic district, the City of Arts and Sciences (including the Oceanogràfic), and still have an afternoon left for the beach and the Albufera. A weekend is enough to cover the essentials.
- Is the admission fee to the Oceanogràfic worth it?
Yes, especially if you have kids or if you like aquariums: it’s the largest in Europe, and you can easily spend 3–4 hours there. The combined ticket with the Hemisfèric or the Bioparc is a good deal if you’re visiting more than one place.
- Where can you find the best paella?
Valencian paella originated in the Albufera; the rice paddies of El Palmar and Pinedo are the gold standard. In the city center, steer clear of menus with photos and look for rice restaurants with a good reputation; order it for lunch, not dinner.
- How do I get there from the airport?
The metro (Lines 3 and 5) connects Manises Airport to downtown in about 15–20 minutes. Taxis and ride-hailing services are also available; during rush hour, the metro is usually the fastest option.
- ¿Qué excursión de un día se puede hacer desde Valencia?
La Albufera es la más cercana, a 20 minutos, con paseo en barco por el lago y el arrozal. Para un plan de día completo, Peñíscola (con su castillo y casco amurallado) y las Cuevas de San José en Vall d'Uixó, la mayor gruta navegable de Europa, son las opciones más buscadas, ambas con transporte incluido desde Valencia.