3 days in Valencia: a day-by-day itinerary

Day 1 · The medieval centre

Climb the cathedral's Miguelete tower, admire the twisting columns of the Silk Exchange, then walk to the two surviving city gates: the Serranos and Quart towers.

1. 1

   Catedral de Valencia

   Historic

   Climb the Miguelete tower for views over the old town.

   Directions Tickets
2. 2

   Lonja de la Seda

   Historic

   UNESCO-listed Gothic silk exchange with twisting columns.

   Directions Tickets
3. 3

   Torres dels Serrans

   City gate

   Directions
4. 4

   Torres de Quart

   City gate

   Directions

Day 2 · City of Arts and Sciences

Spend the day in the Turia gardens at the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences and the Oceanogràfic, Europe's largest aquarium.

1. 1

   Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias

   Attractions

   Futuristic complex with a science museum and planetarium.

   Directions Tickets
2. 2

   Oceanogràfic

   Family

   Europe's largest aquarium, with belugas and sharks.

   Directions Tickets

Day 3 · Bioparc and the Albufera

See the open habitats of the Bioparc in the morning, then head south to El Palmar in the Albufera for paella and a boat ride on the lagoon at sunset.

1. 1

   Bioparc Valencia

   Family

   Immersive African habitats with no visible fences.

   Directions Tickets
2. 2

   El Palmar (Albufera)

   Hidden gems

   Lagoon village where paella was born — take a sunset boat ride.

   Directions Tickets

Good to know

• Paella is a lunchtime dish in Valencia — locals rarely order it for dinner.
• The Turia gardens run right across the city: rent a bike and ride from the old town to the Arts and Sciences.
• Metro lines 3 and 5 connect the airport with the centre in about 20 minutes.
• In March the city celebrates the Fallas: spectacular, but hotels fill up and prices rise.

Questions

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