Plan the ultimate trip with this wonderful 3 day Valencia itinerary. Discover the best things to do in the city, plus everything you need to know before you go.
Nestled along Spain’s sun-drenched eastern coast, this vibrant city is a treasure trove of contrasts. Here, old meets new and labyrinthine streets wind between bustling food markets and crumbling plazas.
Whether you’re wandering through the historic centre, marvelling at the avant-garde architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences, or escaping to the nearby Chulilla, Valencia promises an adventure that will ignite your wanderlust.
Explore This Itinerary
3 Day Valencia Itinerary
Day 1: City of Arts and Sciences, Turia Gardens, Russafa
Kick off your first day in Valencia by heading to the City of Arts and Sciences, AKA an architectural wonderland and museum hub. You could easily spend an entire trip here visiting the different museums and galleries (and taking photos), but we suggest you pick one or two.
While pricey, the Oceanogràfic is one of the best things to do in Valencia and a must-visit if you love aquariums. Likewise, make sure you head up to L’Umbracle and step inside the leafy enclosed garden.
We also recommend bringing a picnic to enjoy in the Turia Gardens that surrounds the City of Arts and Sciences – you’ll spot people lounging, playing football, and maybe even flexing their aerial rope skills.
Nearby is Russafa, a trendy neighbourhood known for its bohemian atmosphere and Moorish architecture. Head here in the late afternoon to admire the colourful buildings and stop by a cool bar for a drink – La Catrina Café y Rock and Ubik Cafe are two popular options.
Read Next: The Best Things to do in Valencia
Day 2: Historic Centre of Valencia
The second day of your Valencia itinerary is jam-packed with history. Pay a visit to the stunning La Lonja/Silk Exchange in the morning (free to enter on Sundays) and spend some time snapping photos of the soaring Gothic columns inside.
Around the corner, the Central Market is a popular place to grab a bite to eat in the morning – choose between fresh fruit, jamon sandwiches, olives, and more. It’s common to grab lots of smaller snacks here and wander through the market as you chow down.
Once you’ve satisfied your hunger, head towards the Plaza de la Reina to see the magnificent Valencia Cathedral. This area is buzzing with tourists and locals at all times of day, and you’ll often see street performers here.
Make sure to swing by Plaza de la Virgen behind the cathedral. Plus, Horchateria Santa Catalina around the corner is the best place to try a Valencian specialty: fartons dunked into a cup of milky nectar. Delicious.
Day 3: La Malvarrosa Beach, Marina of Valencia
Day three sees you enjoy Valencia at a slower pace. It’s time to make the most of the city’s beautiful beaches by heading to La Malverossa. You could also head to Cabanyal Beach but we think it’s worth the extra 10 minute walk to a nicer stretch of sand.
Once you’ve had your fill of beach bumming, head south towards the Marina of Valencia. This is one of the most peaceful places in the city and, if you’re a Formula 1 fan, you can take a stroll around the old racetrack and spot the remnants of the pit lane. Afterwards, head back into the centre of Valencia to grab some dinner – we love Begin Marine.
Valencia Itinerary: Extend Your Trip
Day 4: Day Trip to Chulilla
We really hope you have an extra day in Valencia, as visiting the Hanging Bridges of Chulilla is one of our top recommendations. The hike along the scenic Ruta de los Puentes Colgantes, towards the pair of suspension bridges crossing over the deep canyon, is worth the visit alone.
Chulilla itself has plenty to offer, including the ruins of a castle, the Charco Azul (a postcard-worthy blue pool), and an adorable little town. We rented a car from Valencia Airport and it took us around an hour to get there.
Read Next: Visiting the Hanging Bridges of Chulilla
Day 5: Port Saplaya or Albufera Natural Park, Colon Market
For day five of your Valencia itinerary, you’ve got a couple of options. You can head up to Port Saplaya and wander around an adorable seaside town that looks like it has been plucked straight out of Italy. Or you can go south to Albufera Natural Park, which offers hiking trails, beautiful views, and wildlife in abundance.
End your day by visiting another of Valencia’s top foodie spots, Colon Market. This beautifully-restored building is home to a selection of gourmet spots – why not finish your trip with a special dinner?
Map – Valencia Itinerary
How to Get Around Valencia
The public transport options in Valencia are excellent. The metro, trams, and buses are fast and reliable, connecting the airport to the city and running from around 5:30 am to midnight. You can purchase tickets at metro/bus stations or opt for the Valencia Tourist Card, which gives you unlimited access for 24, 48, or 72 hours.
Cycling is also popular – there are cycle lanes everywhere in the city. Just make sure you brush up on the rules of the road as we found the locals had very little patience with tourists.
Where to Stay in Valencia
Because Valencia is so well connected, there are a handful of areas we recommend you to stay in. Eixample or Ciutat Vella (Old Town) are popular as they are both central and near the main attractions. We recently stayed in L’Amistat and loved how laidback it was, plus we had plenty of stellar cafes and restaurants on our doorstep.
Valencia Trip Costs
Transportation
Valencia’s public transportation is relatively inexpensive. Bus and metro tickets start at €1.50 for travel within Zone 1. We recommend purchasing a 10-journey metro ticket if you’re going to be travelling multiple times throughout your trip. The price of this starts at €8.50 depending on which zones you will be passing through.
If you are going to be relying on Uber (or Cabify/Freenow) to travel between the city and the airport, expect to pay around €25 for one way. Within the city, it’s often easier to travel by bicycle than car – these are cheap to rent and will set you back around €5 per day.
Accommodation
If you’re planning to travel to Valencia in the peak summer season, hotel prices are on the expensive side. That said, middle of the range hotels in Valencia start at around €80 per night, while hostel dorms can be found for as little as €18.
If you’re looking to visit Valencia on a budget but don’t want to sacrifice comfort, we suggest booking a private dorm at a hostel. In our experience, Airbnbs can often be cheaper than hotels, though you might need to compromise on location.
Food
If you’re travelling from the UK or the USA, you’ll find that food is a similar price in Spain. There are restaurants and cafes to suit all budgets, from cheap takeout to high end spots, and everything in between.
If you want to save some cash, head to a Carrefour or Mercadona for bread, meat. cheese, and snacks. Hitting up the City of Arts and Sciences for a mid-afternoon picnic is one of our favourite things to do in Valencia.
Entrance Tickets
We love that there are so many cheap things to do in Valencia. It’s free to amble through the City of Arts and Sciences and Turia Gardens, though you’ll need to pay to get inside the Hemisfèric or the Oceanogràfic. You’ll also need to pay a small fee (usually between €1-3) to enter the majority of historic buildings, including Valencia Cathedral and the Silk Exchange.
Mobile Data
Looking for WiFi in Spain? We love using Airalo’s e-sims as they are easy to install on your phone and work out very cost effective. You can choose between a Spain-only, Europe, or Global e-sim and top up as you go.
Best Time to Visit Valencia
With its toasty Mediterranean climate, Valencia boasts pleasant weather year-round. We recommend visiting in the shoulder months of May, June, September, and October for warm weather sans heaving crowds.
We visited in May and, while it was certainly a little bit chilly in the evenings, the days were between 12°C (54°F) to 23°C (73°F).
