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.
Walking Tours in 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.
Cruises and Boat Tours in the Valencia Marina
The Valencia Marina, built for the America’s Cup, is the departure point for catamaran cruises that tour the coast and the harbor. The itinerary includes sunset cruises, tours combined with paella or mussel and wine tastings, and the option to stop for a swim in the open sea during the warmer months. These are one- or two-hour cruises, designed more as an afternoon activity than a full-day excursion. Most depart directly from the Marina’s docks, a short distance from downtown.
Day Trips from Valencia
Outside the city, the itinerary includes three very different excursions. La Albufera, the lake and rice paddies south of Valencia, can be visited on a guided tour that includes a ride on a traditional boat; the San José Caves in Vall d’Uixó are the largest navigable cave system in Europe, with a guided tour and transportation included; and Peñíscola, with its walled old town and castle (a Game of Thrones filming location), or the hot springs and waterfalls of Montanejos, offer the option of spending the day by the sea or in nature. All include pickup from Valencia.
Experiences in Valencia
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Essential Valencia Tour with a Visit to the World Heritage Sites
Walking Tours of Valencia
Cancelación gratuita hasta 24 horas antes de la visita.
2h
from 20 €
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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 €
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Peñíscola: Guided Day Trip from Valencia + Game of Thrones Locations
Day Trips from Valencia
Cancelación gratuita hasta 24 horas antes de la visita.
8:30
from 89 €
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.
- What day trips can you take from Valencia?
La Albufera is the closest, just 20 minutes away, and offers a boat ride across the lake and through the rice paddies. For a full-day outing, Peñíscola (with its castle and walled old town) and the San José Caves in Vall d'Uixó—Europe’s largest navigable cave system—are the most popular choices, both with transportation included from Valencia.