Valencia itinerary in 3 days

Sunny and hospitable, Valencia is the third most important city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona. Rich in culture, art, entertainment and good food, it is an ideal destination to visit in a weekend , between cultural visits and wonderful typical dishes of the Valencian tradition. Here are all our tips for organizing a Valencia itinerary in 3 days !

Consider purchasing a card : to save on the cost of individual attractions or on transport, we recommend purchasing the Valencia Tourist Card. Prices starting from € 15.00.

Day 1

• Distance covered : 5.2 km
• Places visited : Plaza de la Virgen and Cathedral (€ 3.00), Lonja de la Seda (€ 2.00), Mercado Central, Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciencies (Oceanografic € 31.90 / Science Museum € 8, 00), flamenco show with dinner at the Buleria
• Place to eat: Lunch at Mercado Central (Get directions), Dinner at La Buleria Tablao Flamenco (Get directions)

1 – Plaza de la Virgen and Cathedral
Start this first day in the heart of the Ciutat Vella, which is the historic center of Valencia. More precisely, you reach the wonderful Plaza de la Virgen, one of the most important squares in the city , surrounded by numerous historic buildings and many places with outdoor tables. Given its central location it will be easy to reach it from any neighborhood. If you arrive by metro, the reference station is Colon (lines 0, 3, 5, 7 and 9).
Right in this square is the entrance to La Seu de Valencia, or the Valencia Cathedral of the city, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary (Mon-Sat 10:30 am to 5:30 pm / 6:30 pm, Sun from 2:00 pm; full admission € 3.00, reduced € 2.00). Built at the behest of James I, its main feature will immediately catch the eye: it is a building created from a mix of completely different architectural styles. Don’t miss the beauty of the interior: according to legend, the Holy Grail is hidden here. Finally, climb the bell tower to admire a splendid view of the historic center.

Breakfast at Orxateria Santa Catalina: one of the historical places of Valencia, a real institution in the city! Here you should definitely order Horchata, a typical drink originally from Valencia, or the famous churros with hot chocolate, one of the favorite breakfasts of Spaniards. Get Directions

2 – Lonja de la Seda
Photo by Juan Mayordomo. After your visit to the Cathedral, reach what is a real historical jewel of Valencia : the Lonja de la Seda (Tue-Sat 10: 00-19: 00, Sun and holidays 10: 00-14: 00, closed Mon; full admission € 2.00, reduced € 1.00). Just 400 m from the Cathedral, you can easily reach it on foot (5 min).
This place is the old silk market of Valencia, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It is a true testimony of the commercial importance of the city in the past and today houses the Cultural Academy of Valencia. However, it is open for visits and you can discover its wonderful interior!

If you visit Valencia in Semana Santa : or Easter Holy Week, don’t miss the traditional sweets of the period! Just behind the Lonja, there is the Horno y pasteleria Alfonso Martinez oven, open since 1886, where you can taste the traditional Mona de Pascua, a kind of focaccia with a colored hard-boiled egg inside! Get directions

3 – Mercado Central
In the late morning you reach one of the most characteristic places in Valencia: its famous Mercado Central (Mon-Thu 8: 00-14: 30, Fri 8: 00-20: 30, Sat 8: 00-15: 00; free admission). Also located in the historic center, it is within walking distance of the Lonja de la Seda (60 m, 1 min).
Valencia is full of markets, ideal places to stop for lunch, but the Mercado Central is the most colorful and particular in the city ! Housed in a wonderful building that mixes an Art Nouveau style with Gothic and Baroque elements, inside you can walk among over 900 stalls with all kinds of goods: from meat and fish to fruit and vegetables, from clothing to souvenirs, from spices to dried fruit. There are also numerous places, ideal for tasting the typical dishes of Valencia !

Discover the local gastronomy: the famous Valencian paella and fideua, tapas and arroz nero, there are many typical Valencian dishes that combine sea and land ingredients, creating truly unique combinations. Find out what to eat in Valencia here.

4 – Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciencies In the
afternoon we recommend that you dedicate it to one of the great institutions of the city : the wonderful complex of Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciencies (Mon-Thu 10: 00-18: 00, Fri-Sun 10 : 00-19: 00, summer period until 21:00; combined admission for all attractions € 38.20, reduced € 28.80). More than 3 km from the market, the most convenient solution is to reach the Navarro Reverte stop, take the bus line 24 or 25 and get off at Ciutat de la Justicia (20 min).
Here you can spend a whole afternoonimmersed in art and science . The entire complex is developed into 5 different sections , each of which is divided into the main thematic areas: science, art and nature. It therefore includes the Oceanografic, the Umbracle, the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, the Museu de les Ciencies and the Hemisferic. Visiting everything in a single afternoon is impossible, we advise you to dedicate yourself to visiting the Oceanografic (buy the entrance ticket here to avoid the long queues at the ticket offices) and the Museu de les Ciencies (buy the entrance ticket here ).

SEE ALSO : Visit to the Oceanografic: timetables, prices and advice

End the evening with a flamenco show: one of the experiences to live absolutely in Spain! Then return to the historic center and watch a flamenco show with dinner at the Buleria!

Day 2

• Distance covered : 6.6 km
• Places visited : Museu de Belles Arts de Valencia (free), Bioparc (€ 23.80), Barrio del Carmen
• Place to eat: Lunch at Kiosko La Pergola (Get directions), Dinner at Lamburguesa (Get directions)

1 – Museu de Belles Arts or Valencian Institute of Modern Art
Photo by Joanbanjo. Dedicate the morning of this second day to a museum visit. You can choose between the Museu de Belles Arts de Valencia (Tue-Sun 10: 00-20: 00, Mon closed; free admission) or the Valencian Institute of Modern Art (Tue-Sun 10: 00-19: 00; full admission € 6.00, reduced € 3.00).

Option A at the Museum of Fine Arts , which houses 2,000 works from the end of the 15th century. Some rooms are entirely dedicated to the Valencian school, with works by artists such as Pinazo or Bennliure. There is also a large collection of Renaissance pictorial art. Here you can spend two abundant hours among wonderful works of art.

Option B at the Valencian Institute of Modern Art, one of the most important modern art museums in Spain. it is more than just a museum: it is a real cultural center, where artists from all over the world are invited every year. Inside there are over 11,000 works, including painting, photography, drawings and sculptures.

SEE ALSO : What to see at the Valencian Institute of Modern Art: timetables, prices and advice

If you travel with children : you can opt for a visit to the Museu de Ciencies Naturals, in the setting of the Real and Viveros gardens. Open Tue-Sat 10 am-7pm, Sun 10 am-2pm, free admission.

2 – Bioparc Valencia In the
afternoon reach one of the must see attractions in the city: the famous Bioparc Valencia (every day generally 10: 00-19: 00; admission € 23.80, reduced price 18.00). From the Museum of Fine Arts you can reach it on foot, crossing the Jardi del Turia (3.8 km, 45 min) or, more conveniently, by bus line 95 from the Museu de Belles Arts stop to the Parc de Capcalera stop (15 min) .
The Bioparc of Valencia is a real flagship in terms of the protection and preservation of animal species . The habitats have been recreated respecting the natural environments, the welfare of the animals is put in the first place and a whole series of activities are organized to discover the animal world and the protection of nature. The visit will take you away all afternoon.

SEE ALSO: Visit to the Bioparc of Valencia: timetables, prices and advice

Reach the Bioparc with the tourist bus : without walking km or worrying about taking the right bus line, you can easily reach the Bioparc with the comfortable tourist bus, also ideal for enjoying the city ​​from another perspective thanks to its uncovered panoramic plan.

3 – Barrio del Carmen
Photo by Jorge Franganillo. Finally, for dinner, head to the Barrio del Carmen, one of the most characteristic neighborhoods of Valencia , located in the Ciutat Vella. From the zoo, the best solution is to take bus line 95, getting on at the Conselleries stop and getting off at the Na Jordana stop (15 min).
Barrio del Carmen is one of the hubs of the city’s nightlife! Ideal to stay if you are looking for nightlife and entertainment, in this neighborhood you will find restaurants and clubs of all kinds, from typical Valencian inns with typical dishes to worldly pubs where you can spend a lively night.

The most popular clubs in the area : if you want to stay up late and have fun all night, here you will find the famous Fox Congo disco, the Radio City disco bar or the Espit Chupitos Carmen. If, on the other hand, you want to spend a quieter evening, you can opt for the Immortal club, which also has billiards tables.

Day 3

• Distance covered : 8.4 km
• Places visited : Plaza de la Almoina, Jardi del Turia, Ruzafa and Russafa Market, La Malvarrosa Beach
• Where to eat: Lunch at Russafa Market (Get directions), Dinner at La Lonja Del Pescado (Get directions)

1 – Plaza de la Almoina
Photo of Joanbanjo. Third day in the city, start it from another important square of the Ciutat Vella : we are talking about Plaza de la Almoina, always located near the Cathedral. As with the Plaza de la Virgen, it has a very central location. By metro, the reference station is always Colon (lines 0, 3, 5, 7 and 9).
The square was once the cultural center of Valencia . But the real beauty of this square, nowadays, are the ancient archaeological remains of the ancient Roman city. Furthermore, crossing the particular Arc del carrer de la Barcella, you can also reach the nearby Placa de la Reina, very elegant and completely surrounded by shops, boutiques and clubs.

Enjoy a coffee at Cafe de las Horas : this place is housed in a palace from 1850, with a truly unique atmosphere. Particularly popular in the evening, it is already open in the morning and offers delicious breakfasts, both sweet and savory. Get Directions

2 – Jardi del Turia
Photo by Dorieo. From the square, enjoy a stroll in Valencia’s most famous park : the Jardi del Turia. The park runs throughout the city, from the Bioparc of Valencia, the famous city zoo, to the City of Arts and Sciences.
This is the green lung of the city. Here the locals can be found for walking, jogging or to spend a few hours in the middle of nature with their family. Enjoy a walk through its paths until you reach Parc Gulliver, a small playground with a picturesque sculpture of Gulliver , a sort of “anthropomorphic slide” where you can play and spend a few relaxing hours among nature.

Discover the park and the city by bicycle : a bicycle tour is one of the best ways to explore this area and to enjoy the city from another perspective, especially on a beautiful sunny day.

3 – Ruzafa and Russafa Market
From Gulliver Park you reach the Ruzafa neighborhood, one of the liveliest neighborhoods in all of Valencia. You can do it easily on foot, strolling through the streets (1.3 km, 17 min).
Enjoy a stroll through the streets of the neighborhood and its many shops and clubs, also making a stop at the wonderful café Dulce de Leche Boutique Ruzafa. Around lunchtime, reach the Russafa Market, the traditional market of the neighborhood , dating back to 1957 with stalls selling meat, fish and local agricultural products, the ideal place to stop for lunch.

Stay here if you are looking for nightlife : together with the Barrio del Carmen, this is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in if you are young or if you are looking for nightlife and entertainment. There are numerous clubs and the liveliest streets are Calle Cadiz, Calle Sueca and Calle Cuba!

4 – La Malvarrosa beach
Photo by Mihael Grmek. Finally, for the last afternoon in Valencia, we mainly propose two alternatives , to be chosen also according to the period in which you will visit this destination.

Option A at La Malvarrosa Beach . If you visit Valencia in the summer then you cannot miss an afternoon of relaxation and fun at the most famous beach in the city. There are numerous places on the seafront, free sections and equipped sections, beach volleyball and football fields, all you need to spend a pleasant afternoon.

Spend the evening in the La Malvarrosa district : in summer this area, which extends to the port, is one of the liveliest in Valencia. The seafront is full of restaurants, especially fish, and clubs of all kinds.

Alternative for Day 3: Excursion to the Albufera Natural Park
If you do not visit Valencia in the summer and therefore cannot relax on the beach, or if you are particularly interested in natural parks, we recommend that you join a boat and jeep excursion to the Albufera lagoon, a wonderful park about 10 km from the city. The excursion takes place in the morning, so you could enjoy it in the first part of the day and then visit the Jardi del Turia and Ruzafa on your return.

How much a weekend in Valencia costs
Valencia is not a particularly expensive destination. In fact, it presents many options that are ideal for saving . For the choice of flight, there are numerous low cost direct flights from Italy (compare flights here).
For accommodation, the best solution would be to stay in the historic center . Here you can find numerous hostels also with really low prices. To save money, the Extramurs and Benimaclet districts are also ideal. The city is also easily visited on foot , but sometimes you will necessarily have to take the means. Alternatively, we recommend the tourist bus. Finally, having lunch in the markets you can save a lot and, above all, get to know the typical products of the area!
Let’s see in detail the costs of a weekend in Valencia:

• Costs for eating : about € 40.00 per day per person (including breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Costs for museums and attractions : average price € 25.00 per day per person following the itinerary suggested by us
• Transport : average price € 5.00 per day per person (indicates costs for public transport, any taxis and transfers to and from the airport)
• Hotels, accommodation and b & b : from € 45.00 per room – see the offers
• Leisure : from € 20.00 per day per person (including snacks, coffee, aperitifs, drinks, …)
• Total cost of a weekend in Valencia : from € 320.00 per person (flights and / or transfers excluded)

Before leaving: useful tips

• When to go : it would be better to avoid August, the days are really hot and the destination is full of tourists. Prefer months like June or September, which are also ideal for the sea. Great to visit during Semana Santa – find out more here;
• Where to sleep: the most central district is the Ciutat Vella. Also for families El Cabanyal and Eixample. For young people Ruzafa, Benimaclet and La Malvarrosa. To save Extramurs and Benimaclet – neighborhood map here;
• Get around on foot or by public transport : the neighborhoods can be easily explored on foot, otherwise use the excellent urban and metro network. The tourist bus is an excellent alternative – find out more here;
• Discover the city like a local : explore Valencia with a local. Who better than him will be able to accompany you to the most particular and least touristic places in the city. Info and costs here;
• If you arrive on a cruise : the ships dock in the port of Valencia, from here you can reach the center by bus. With little time available, you will have to select what to visit – discover Valencia on a cruise here;
• Free museums: several museums in the city are free, such as the Museum of Fine Arts or the Museum of Natural Science, so take the opportunity to visit them. Alternatively, you can buy the Valencia Tourist Card to save on admissions;
• Eat in the markets: each neighborhood has its own market, the ideal place to taste the local street food and to save money without sacrificing taste and quality.