One Day in Valencia Spain: Best Itinerary to See It All
If you’re wondering whether one day in Valencia is enough, the answer is yes, you can absolutely experience the city’s highlights in just 24 hours.
This itinerary is designed for the top things to see in Valencia in one day, balancing must-see attractions with a taste of the local culture and even the top Valencia vegan food options without feeling rushed.
From futuristic architecture to charming historic streets, I’ll show you exactly how to make the most of your time so you leave feeling like you’ve truly seen Valencia.
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Is Valencia Worth Visiting?
Valencia is well-known as the birthplace of paella. This city has become a popular destination, and some credit goes to the massive popularity of the America’s Cup, followed by the City of Art and Science. Every corner of Valencia is picturesque, especially in the historical center.
This city is undeniably beautiful and offers an abundance of things to do. Unfortunately, we couldn’t explore everything during our one day in Valencia, Spain. However, we fell in love with this place, feeling completely safe walking around. We were so captivated by our visit that we’re already imagining what it would be like to spend months, or even years, in Valencia.
Best time to visit Valencia, Spain?
I visited in May when temperatures were around mid-70°F during the day and cooled off nicely at night. This month is perfect not only for the ideal weather but also for avoiding the busy crowds of summer tourists.
One Day In Valencia Spain: City Of Arts And Sciences
The spectacular City of Arts and Sciences was designed by architects Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela. This complex consists of several impressive structures and two stunning reflecting pools. Each structure is designed to offer a different purpose, and most have an entry fee to access their interior.
Given that you only have a day in Valencia Spain, we recommend making the City of Arts and Sciences your first stop. It’s the most well-known tourist attraction and tends to get busy quickly. If you’re aiming for those Instagram-worthy shots by the iconic pools, prioritizing this stop is essential.
Tip: With just one day in Valencia Spain, we honestly recommend you explore the exterior of the complex. It takes about 1.5 hours to appreciate the outdoor sights fully.
That’s exactly what we did, given our limited time, and it was worth it to take time to appreciate the outdoors of the futuristic design that has been used in films like Tomorrowland and TV shows like Westworld.
How To Get To the City Of Arts And Sciences in Valencia
The city of Arts and Science is located outside the historical center. We chose to stay at the SH Colon Valencia Hotel, which is located near the Train Station Nord.
Note: If you’re wondering if the SH Colón Valencia Hotel is good, we’ve put together a full review sharing our experience at this hotel in Valencia, so you can decide if it’s the right stay for you.
However, the train doesn’t reach the City of Arts and Science. So, we opted for Cabify to get a ride, the European equivalent of Uber or Lyft. We took a local taxi in front of ‘The Oceanographic’ main entrance to return to the historical center.
Visit The Queen Sofia Palace Of Arts
This is the performing arts and opera center.
- Open Hours: The exterior is open 24/7, while inside, tour hours vary.
- Cost: You can enjoy the exterior for free, while tour ticket prices range from 14€ to 18€.
Hemispheric
The cinema and planetarium, where the exterior structure itself resembles an eye.
- Open Hours: The exterior is open 24/7, and the cinema showing typically runs from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm based on the selected film.
- Cost: Access to the exterior is free, and the general cinema tickets start from 8,90€.
Prince Felipe Science Museum
The Prince Felipe Science Museum features science exhibitions. The exterior structure was designed to represent a whale skeleton.
- Open Hours: The exterior is open 24/7. The museum’s visiting hours are from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.
- Cost: Entry to the exterior is free, while general museum tickets start at 9,40€.
The Umbracle
The Umbracle is a stunning garden that features a vibrant array of tropical and local plants. While walking through this place, I was captivated by the delicious scent of rosemary and other floral aromas.
- Open Hours: Open 24/7.
- Cost: Free to access.
The Agora
The Agora is a multifunctional venue that hosts concerts, sports events, and conferences.
- Open Hours: Open 24/7 (exterior) and from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm (access inside).
- Cost: Free to access the exterior, and with varying prices for access to the exhibitions.
Oceanographic
The Oceanographic Complex is recognized as the largest aquarium in Europe. While some may enjoy visiting zoos or aquariums, we prefer seeing animals in their natural habitats. However, the exterior design of the structure itself is worth a moment to admire.
- Open Hours: Open 24/7 (exterior)and from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (access to the aquarium).
- Cost: Free to access the exterior, and prices for access to the aquarium start from 38,30€.
One Day In Valencia Spain: Historic Center
After our exploration of the City of Arts and Sciences, we hopped in a local taxi and made our way to the historic center, which is the charming old town of Valencia.
DON’T FORGET TO READ:
Here, you’ll find the most picturesque streets, tapas bars, restaurants, and impressive architecture. The historic center is pedestrian-friendly, and all the places we were able to visit were within walking distance from each other.
Valencia Station North (Valencia Estacion Del Nord)
This beautiful train station was designed by the Valencian architect Demetrio Ribes and built around 1917. The Valencia Station North is the principal train station in Valencia.
I traveled from Barcelona to Valencia on the high-speed train, and it was a smooth and easy journey. If you’re planning the same trip or wondering how to do it, I recommend reading my post on how to get from Barcelona Airport to Valencia Nord train station.
Even if you’re not planning to catch a train, visiting the station is worthwhile. You’ll be impressed by the spectacular decoration with a diverse mix of wood, marble, crystal, and ceramic mosaics in the ticket area.
When we visited, the station was undergoing significant restoration, and it was heavily shored up. However, the station was fully operational. I can only imagine how magnificent it will look once renovations are completed.
- Open Hours: Open 24/7
- Cost: Free to access the exterior and the ticket area.
Valencia Virgin Square (Valencia Plaza De La Virgen)
The Valencia Virgin Square is one of the most visited spots in the historic center. This beautiful square offers so much for those architecture lovers like my husband. This square is the home of the Turia fountain, which represents the irrigation system that the Turia River provides to the city.
Additionally, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken, located in the Valencia Virgin Square, offers free access, and you’ll be amazed by the breathtaking high dome ceiling adorned with incredible painted frescos. While we were there, we caught a mass taking place and enjoyed a few moments of beautiful wisdom.
Another popular spot located in the square is the Valencia Cathedral. This cathedral is well known for keeping the holy grail used by Jesus in the Last Supper.
If you’re a cathedral architecture lover, you might enjoy reading about my experience visiting the Palma de Mallorca Cathedral while sailing with Virgin Voyages. It was an unforgettable tour!
The Valencia Virgin Square has several tapas bars around, but I don’t recommend dining here since it leans toward the touristy side. Instead, venture a short walk to find local spots serving delicious vegetable paella in Valencia.
Tip: During my travels, I learned that to have a better tasting experience, I need to avoid dining in heavily touristed areas, especially at restaurants that display pictures of their dishes outside the restaurants.
And if you have more than 24 hours in Valencia and you’re a plant-based foodie like me, you can even join a cooking class in Valencia to learn how to make your own vegan paella, which is such a fun way to dive deeper into the local cuisine.
St Nicolas Church, Valencia, Spain
This stunning church is a must-visit on your visit to Valencia, Spain. The main entrance may initially escape your notice due to its somewhat concealed entrance, which is hidden behind an exterior hallway.
Note: To help fellow travelers, I included the pin location of the hallway because we spent several minutes searching for the main entrance.
Once you get in, you’ll be shocked by the impressive frescoes painted on the ceiling, which is the reason for earning St Nicolas Church the title of “the Sistine Chapel” of Valencia.
- Open Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10:30 am to 7:00 pm. Saturday from 10:30 am to 7:00 pm. Sunday from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Closed on Monday.
- Cost: Tickets vary, starting at 11€, which includes an audio guide.
Central Market In Valencia, Spain
The Central Market is another must-see on your one day in Valencia Spain. The building itself, with so many architectural details, deserves a moment to appreciate it. This market is categorized as one of the largest European fresh produce markets.
As you enter, you’ll find a vibrant array of selling booths, where we were impressed with the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables available. Especially, the number of people buying in the central market made it clear that the people of Valencia genuinely appreciate cooking with fresh, local products.
The only thing to note is that many stalls also sell seafood and meat, so in certain areas the seafood smell can feel a bit strong, but it’s easy to move past and continue enjoying the market’s lively atmosphere.
And if you’re a foodie, you’ll be excited to know that chef Ricard Camarena even has a stylish bar-style restaurant inside the market. We didn’t eat there since we were already booked for an upscale dining experience at Ricard Camarena’s main restaurant later that day.
- Open Hours: Open from Monday to Saturday from 07:30 am to 3:00 pm and closed on public holidays.
- Cost: Free to access
Round Square Valencia (Plaza Redonda Valencia Spain)
The square is named Redonda (Square) because it is literally a circular space surrounded by shops and tapas bars on the ground level, with residential buildings above.
The plaza is a little bit hidden behind all the gorgeous structures surrounding it, but if you visit the famous Horchateria de Santa Catalina, you’ll find nearby one of the four different streets that lead to the Plaza Redonda.
Not sure if it’s because it’s somewhat tucked away, but the atmosphere in the round square felt calm and relaxed, especially compared to the Valencia Virgin Square, which tends to be busier and more touristic.
- Open Hours: Open all day (shops and tapas bars don’t operate all day).
- Cost: Free to access
Torres Serrano Valencia (Serrano Towers Valencia)
The Torres Serrano is an iconic part of Valencia and served as one of the original 12 entrance gates to the old town. Designed in the 14th century to protect the city during the Spanish Civil War.
Later in the 19th century, walls and gate towers were demolished, but only two towers remained: the Torres Serrano along the Quart Towers, which is located on the southwest side of the Torres Serrano.
When visiting, you have two choices: appreciate the architectural beauty from the outside for free or pay a small fee to climb the stairs for a panoramic view of the historic center on one side and the stunning Turia Park on the other.
- Open Hours: Open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm and closes on Sunday at 2:00 pm.
- Cost: Free to view from outside and 2€ to climb to the top.
Note: If you purchase a Valencia tourist card, you’ll gain complimentary access to the Serranos Towers and other museums.
Turia Park Valencia Spain
Turia Park occupies the former channel of the Turia River, which was diverted after a devastating flood back in 1957. This impressive green space stretches about 10 miles, starting at Canaleta Park and finishing at the City of Arts and Science.
In Turia Park, you’ll find different activities to enjoy. From playing soccer and taking dance or aerobics classes, to simply lounging with a book or having a quick picnic with friends.
If you have one day in Valencia, you might opt to rent a bicycle to get to the City of Arts and Science. It takes about half an hour from one end of the park to the other.
- Open Hours: Open all day
- Cost: Free to access
Last Tips For One Day In Valencia Spain
- Plan for the siesta, many small businesses like bars, restaurants, and shops will close for a couple of hours. Times hours vary, but typically from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Book a hotel within the Historic Center since most attractions you’ll want to visit are nearby.
- For our trip, we only used Cabify and a local taxi to travel to the City of Arts and to have an upscale dining experience at Ricard Camarena restaurant.
- Avoid planning your visit on Sunday or Monday, as some places may not be open.
- The local currency is euros, and we had no issues using credit cards for all our purchases and transportation. When paying with a credit card, ask to be charged in euros instead of your currency to secure a better exchange rate.
Map of Top Places To Visit in Valencia
Here’s a map with all the places mentioned in this post, which I prepared for you to have handy for your upcoming visit to Valencia.
To Wrap up
We recently visited Valencia as part of our journey to catch a Virgin Voyages cruise from Barcelona. We took a high-speed train from Barcelona to stop in Valencia to make the most of our time. We only had one day to explore it, but we are looking forward to returning soon to discover the city even more.
Since we knew our time was limited, we did our research beforehand and planned our itinerary accordingly. We hope our suggested itinerary helps you make the most of your one day in Valencia, Spain!
If you love short, well-planned city itineraries, don’t miss my one-day guide to San Diego, California, or my itinerary for seeing Barcelona, Spain, in just a day. We created both, packed with tips to help you enjoy the best spots without feeling rushed.
