The best 1-day itinerary for Valencia, Spain

Valencia is a sunny, vibrant, and beautiful town on the Mediterranean coast. It is the third-largest city in Spain and I have called it my home for almost a year now, so I will let you know the best sights to enjoy your time here.

If you don’t have already a time set and you are just researching, I would strongly suggest giving it 4 to even 7 days. However, if it is not possible, I will let you know how you can make the best of your time with just one day!

If you only have 24 hours in the city, don’t worry, you can still see the main sights and get a taste of this amazing city! I am not a fan of the “all or nothing” mentality. If I only have a day to see a place, I will absolutely do it, as I love discovering new places! One day in another city is better than one day at home, haha.

Why you should visit

Valencia is a beautiful city, it has a great location, between the mountains and the sea, stunning architecture and lots of intereresting sites to explore. Did you know that it’s the birthplace of paella? Paella is the most known Spanish dish, mainly consisting of rice, rabbit, beans, and saffron. That is paella valenciana. There are other variations as well, with veggies or seafood.

Valencia has everything in terms of architecture as well, from the old buildings in the center, with the dreamiest balconies, to the most futuristic-looking building and the stunning City of Arts and Sciences! All that is completed by the unmatched beauty of the orange trees that decorate the city.

Furthermore, the city is knows for the famous UNESCO-heritage festivas Fallas. It’s more than 19 days filled with joy, fireworks, people singing, dancing and cooking in the streets, culminating with literal fire! But I will elabrate more on that on another blogpost.

Where to start

I recommend starting in the city center. If you are using the metro, get off at the Xativa metro station and admire the Nord Train Station (Estación del Norte). It’s a masterpiece of art nouveau style, full of elements representing the city, like oranges on the outside and details specific to the Albufera lake on the inside. It is considered one of the most beautiful railway stations in Europe. Next to it, you can see the Bull Ring Square (Plaza de Toros). It is usually the city’s busiest part, with many people shopping on Colon Street.

The Old Town

Next, head to the Town Hall Square (Plaza del Ayuntamiento), one of my favorite places in the city. You can see cute flower shops, admire the stunning architecture and just people watch. It’s a beautiful, open space. You can also visit the Town Hall for free, I really recomment just entering and admiring the gorgeous chandeliers. The visiting hours are Monday to Friday, 9-14.

If you in the mood for it, you can get a drink and/or eat something at the Atenea rooftop bar. It has to some amazing views of the city. (optional)

After that, walk to The Queen Square (Plaza de la Reina) and enjoy the vibe of the place. It is usually bustling with people! There you can admire the Valencia Cathedral (La Seu). It is a true work of art that survived the test of time, being here since the 13^th century. It is believed also that the Holy Grail is kept here (the cup used by Jesus in the Last Supper). The cathedral has a Mediterranean Gothic style, combined with Romanesque, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical features. Due to its longevity, it evolved with the representative style of its time. You can visit it for free when there is a mass going on, or for 9 euros otherwise (if you are a student or a resident, you can benefit from discounts).

An alternative to seeing the Cathedral is buying tickets to the Miguelette bell tower for 2,5 euros only (or even less if you qualify for the discounts). You will go through the cathedral and still see it, and it’s a great alternative for a time scrunch. Bonus point for this option for seeing the city from above if you skipped the Atenea sky bar.

After the Cathedral, if you choose to see it on the inside, or not, I suggest going to the Central Market (Mercado Central). Besides being the biggest fresh produce market in Europe, it also has stunning architecture. It’s an experience just walking through the stalls. Don’t forget to look up as well! You can find different things to buy, although don’t expect it to be as touristy as the Bouqeria Market in Barcelona. You can’t really find a large variety of snacks, such as fries and hot dogs as you could as in the later mentioned. But that is a good thing, it has a more local feel because people are actually doing their shopping here, you can see different meats, grains, fruits and veggies. But do not worry, you can still find some great things to get a taste of the place on the go, such as juices or coffee and cut-up fruits. Also, if you want a unique souvenir, you can buy tiger nuts here, from which horchata is made, a local beverage. Just be careful regarding the timetable, as it closes quite early. The usual schedule is from 7:30 to 15, and it is always closed on Sundays (as most shops are).

As an optional thing to check out, I suggest visiting The Silk Exchange (La Lonja de la Seda), the only UNESCO-heritage building of the city. It is very well preserved for over 500 years and a true example of Gothic Architecture. The interior is stunning and resembles some Game of Thrones vibes. Also, since it has such a rich history, being part of the silk exchange route, as the name suggests, it may be cool to visit. The visiting hours are from 10 to 19 (10-14 on Sundays). It is inexpensive also, 2€ usually, 1€ for students and groups and free on Sundays and other holidays.

Next, I would suggest exploring the old center further. It has tiny streets, beautiful squares, and many restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. My favorite squares in the old center are Redona Square (Plaza Redona) for its unique shape, Virgen Square (Plaza de la Virgen) for its beautiful fountain and open space, and Negrito Square (Plaza Negrito), a little square with relaxed vibes. Those are optional, if you have time for them or if they may be on your way.

A place you shouldn’t miss is The Serranos Towers (Torres de Serranos), the old medieval gateway to the city. It used to ring before the city would close and those who would be left outside would have to sleep under the moon. You can go up for only 2€ or for free on Sundays and other holidays for beautiful views of the city.

The Turia Gardens

After this, you should check out the Turia Gardens, at the feet of Serranos Towers. You can either rent a bike and go to the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de les Arts y Sciencias) through the park, or walk if you have the time and energy. The scenery will change as you get close to the City of Art and Sciences, you will see palm trees, grass everywhere, and beautiful flowers.

If you choose this route, through the park, you will see the Music Palace (Palau de la Música) as well, a stunning building, surrounded by water and palm trees.

The City of Arts and Sciences

Once you get to The City of Arts and Sciences, I suggest strolling around, admiring the stunning architecture of the place. It is a truly unique and gorgeous place, formed of multiple buildings connected by the most stunning blue water. Since being on a time crunch, I don’t think visiting anything would be possible, but trust me, just being around these structure is an experience in itself, so don’t worry! While you are there, check out Umbracle as well, it is a semi-enclosed structure filled with palm trees. You can take great pictures there as a reminder of your trip.

The beach and/or the Marina

From the City of Arts and Sciences, I would suggest going to the beach (Cabañal or Malvarrosa) to end the day with a well-deserved rest with a view. You can also eat at the restaurants on the beach, so you can enjoy the experience fully.

As a stop before the beach, you can check out the Port (Marina). It is filled with beautiful boats and yachts.

Tips and main takeaways

I advise you to not stress during the trip and visit the main points of interest to you. I suggested the most iconic places of Valencia to get a feel of the whole city and its vibe. If you can’t fit everyting in, don’t worry! Expore at your own pace and don’t forget to enjoy every minute!

If you wish to be more efficient and still see everything, renting a bike is a great option. The city is perfect for that, very flat and bike-friendly, with more than 200 km of bike lanes!

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to comment!