Valencia Day Trip: How to Spend One Day in Valencia

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Anyone visiting Valencia can expect sunshine, good food, beautiful beaches, architectural gems, and so much more. During your Valencia day trip you’ll experience a melting pot of history and modernity as the two perfectly blend everywhere you look. Medieval towers and churches sit next to contemporary buildings with yummy cafes and restaurants in between – ready to serve you some Spanish favorites.

Not sure what to do on your Valencia day trip? Here’s my complete itinerary for one perfect day in Valencia.

Start early if you want to make the most of your Valencia day trip. If you’re a big picture taker and scene gawker like me, then start even earlier! You can save yourself a some time by renting a bike because not only is Valencia super walkable, but it’s also very bike friendly.

Is one day in Valencia enough?

Hardly! Valencia is Spain’s third largest city, but we’re up for the challenge, aren’t we? Valencia in one day…that certainly sounds like an impossible feat, but if I did it then so can you! Besides, you might only have one day in Valencia if you’re coming from spending a few days in nearby Barcelona. Nonetheless, if you are traveling through Spain and have decided to add a Valencia day trip to your itinerary, then I’ve got the perfect itinerary for you. Put on your comfortable shoes, and let’s get this awesome Valencia day trip started already!

The best time to visit Valencia

Valencia has a beautiful Mediterranean climate so you can expect cool short winters and long hot summers. Valencia doesn’t get a lot of rain, so you should be able to get some sunshine no matter when you visit. I would recommend visiting in April, May, September or October because these months are warm yet the masses of crowds won’t be there. You can also plan your trip around the Las Fallas Festival – which is a unique and one of a kind experience.

How to get to Valencia

If you’re just coming for a Valencia day trip, then it’s likely you’ll be arriving by train. It’s totally doable to do this itinerary from the Valencia Nord Train Station. If you come by car, there’s a parking lot right at the station. Even the train station is beautiful with interior and exterior architecture in the Art Nouveau style, and right outside is Valencia’s bull fighting arena.

I visited Valencia after Barcelona because it’s only an hour away by train, so if you’re visiting Barcelona then Valencia is a must!

Things to do in Valencia in one day

Valencia Cathedral

Valencia Cathedral opens at 10 am and just gets busier as the day goes on, so try to come as soon as it opens before the crowds emerge.

Valencia Cathedral is similar to other impressive European churches, but what makes it stand out is the huge entrance known as the Door of the Irons, which is a large cast iron gate with exquisitely detailed carvings.

If you choose to venture inside you’ll be greeted with a variety of architectural and design influences, including Gothic and Baroque. You can also oogle and ogle at the large stained-glass windows, classic paintings, and golden décor.

The Valencia Cathedral dates all the way back to the 13th and 14th centuries. If you have time during your Valencia day trip, climb to the top of the Miguelete bell tower to take in the views of the city.

Fun fact: Legend says that the Cathedral is home of the Holy Grail. Now to be fair, there are several places that claim to have it, but definitely head inside if you want to check it out!

Explore the Plazas

Plaza de la Virgen – This is the most popular and well-known plaza in Valencia. You can get there by crossing the street north of the cathedral. The square has what you would expect – historic architecture (including more churches), various eateries and tapas bars. This is a great place to stop for breakfast, lunch, or even just a quick snack. Sit on one of the cement benches or ledges just enjoy the central Turia fountain as you chow down. You’ll also find the pink basilica here, so this is a must on any Valencia itinerary.

Plaza de la Reina – Meaning ‘Queen’s Square’ in English, this is a great spot in the old town to just sit in the shade and people watch.

Plaza Redonda – With a peculiar circle design, this is another great spot for people watching.

Plaza Lope de Vega – Keep an eye out for the narrowest building in Europe! At only 107 cm wide, it’s really easy to miss, but I’ll help you out. It’s called La Estrecha, and it’s behind St. Catalina’s Church. It’s also right next to a bar of the same name which calls itself “the prettiest pub in Europe.”

Plaza del Ayuntamiento – Not far from the train station, head here if you’re interesting in seeing the neoclassical Town Hall and Central Post Office. It’s truly a very beautiful square.

The Central Market

Mercat Central is Valencia’s biggest indoor market, and inside this historical market building there are various sections dedicated to different foodstuffs. Buy a snack and just wander around people watching to really get a feel for the daily life of a Valenciano.

While you’re in the area, take a look at the Iglesia de San Juan and the Llotja de la Seda (the old silk market). Then, if you follow the little alley called Carrer dels Cordellats to arrive at Plaça de la Companyia, you can take a look at another side of the Llotja de la Seda and the Moorish style doors of the Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús de la Compañía.

the City of Arts & Sciences

Located at one end of the Turia Gardens, The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia is honestly one of the coolest and most surreal places I’ve ever been. It feels like you’ve been beamed into the future and transported into the Jonas Brothers’ song Year 3000.

Walking past the futuristic structures in the City of Arts and Sciences is especially cool because it’s such a stark contrast to the historic buildings in the city center. It’s also what paints Valencia in a different light than most European cities because it’s not just another city with old buildings. It’s the kind of architecture that you can’t find anywhere else, except maybe on the moon someday!

These six out-of-this-world buildings were constructed in the 1990s. Even if you only have one day in Valencia, this is a MUST. 

Here are the main attractions at the City of Arts and Sciences Complex:

L’Hemisferica – Built to look like the human eye, it has a 3D projection cinema where you can watch a film in any language.

Prince Philip Science Museum – It’s time to get interactive! Whereas the exterior of the museum (much like the other buildings here) looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie, the inside has tons of interactive exhibits for both kids and adults. Unfortunately, the exhibits aren’t open year-round. If you’re visiting during a slow season for tourism, most of the museum can be explored in about 30 minutes. That’s ok because that just give you extra time during your Valencia day trip for all the other fun activities.

Turia Gardens – The Turia River used to run through Valencia, but flooding in the 1950s caused widespread damage to the city. After that, the river was diverted outside of the city. Because something good always comes out of something bad, you can now find one of the biggest parks in Europe in its place, and it’s the perfect spot for a peaceful stroll. If you only have one day in Valencia, your best bet is probably to rent a bike to explore the park. But by all means, just take a leisurely walk if you’ve got time to spare!

This huge park is way more than just a normal park. It’s actually divided into different areas, including sports facilities, the Royal Gardens, and the Botanical Garden. The latter two are located close to the Alameda metro stop, so it’s an easy entrance or exit point.

Climb on top of a giant at Gulliver Park – This is a fun photo op, and besides – it’s pretty hard to miss this 70-meter sculpture of Gulliver. Trust me.

The Oceanographic

Ok so this is still part of the City of Arts and Sciences, but it was just too cool so I had to give it it’s own little section.

Next stop: the Oceanographic – a MASSIVE aquarium with over 45,000 marine animals from several hundred different species. This is not only a must see destination in Valencia, but it belongs on any itinerary when visiting Spain. It’s the largest structure of its kind in Europe, taking up over 110,000 square meters and containing over 42,000,000 liters of water. Woah.

Inside the aquarium you’ll see fish, birds, reptiles, sharks, dolphins, penguins, walruses, and even beluga whales (which are adorable btw). The aquarium contains nine different marine ecosystems housed in different underwater towers. There’s A LOT to see, but it’s organized very efficiently so it’s easy to find your way around.

If you’re hungry, why not treat yourself to a meal at the underwater restaurant? You can eat your food while watching marine life swirl around you. Although maybe don’t order the fish while they’re swimming right in front of you…that just wouldn’t be cool.

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Take a dip at Malvarrosa Beach

I’m getting tired just writing this Valencia day trip itinerary because I remember how busy my one day in Valencia was. If you’re following this guide, then you’re probably pretty wiped out, too.

Rest those weary legs in the sand and cool down in the water Malvarrosa Beach – there’s no place better! Lots of people come to Valencia just for the beach, so make sure you at least step one foot on that soft sand during your Valencia day trip!

Malvarrosa Beach is great because even during the peak seasons, the beach isn’t super crowded. You’ll never have a problem claiming a big spot in the sand just for you. It has even been awarded a blue flag for its cleanliness and facilities.

Although the beach and waters aren’t packed with people, the nearby promenade sure is. That’s because it’s the best spot for a drink or some food when you’ve worn out your sea legs.

Have an amazing Paella

If you’ve read any of my other posts about Spain, then you know paella is my all time favorite Spanish cuisine. But you might not have known that it originated in Valencia before it spread across the rest of Spain. It’s still considered the local specialty though (as it should!).

The only problem is that just about everywhere in Valencia serves paella, so how do you find the best one? Hint: look for a place filled with Spaniards – that’s usually a good sign! You’re also better off staying away from places right in the city center or on the beach because they’re a little pricier. Wander a little further in your hunt for the perfect paella. You won’t be disappointed!

Try a glass of horchata de chufa

Horchata de chufa is a traditional Valencian drink made from tiger nuts (huh?). This milky drink is served cold, so it’s the perfect way to cool down on hot days (which there are a lot of in Valencia). The Horchateria Santa Catalina is a popular option right in the city center.

Another favorite is the Agua de Valencia at Café de las Horas. It’s made of cava, orange juice, vodka, and gin, so think mimosa but kicked up a notch.

If you only have one day in Valencia, there’s still plenty that you can see and do! Start off with a walk around the city, find some Paella for lunch and then spend the afternoon visiting whatever takes your fancy the most, whether it’s the City of Arts and Sciences or the beach. Of course, you could spend plenty more time in Valencia than one day, and I’d highly recommend that you do!