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Magic. Charm. Traditions. Modernity. All this awaits you for a fantastic weekend in Valencia. A truly evocative city that will give strong emotions. Perfect union between past and present. A Weekend in Valencia to spend in pairs, with friends, or family.
1st DAY WEEKEND IN VALENCIA
The beginning is, as always, full of good intentions. Discovering the marvelous old town is the ideal start to a good weekend in Valencia. A holiday to spend in a relaxed way, among the beautiful views and charming alleys.
Starting point is Plaça de l’Ajuntament, a splendid and vast square, the beating heart of the city, and a fundamental transport hub. You can easily access by bus and metro.
The square is really huge, spacious, and surrounded by beautiful buildings. In the center a splendid fountain. The area is incredibly lively, both during the day and at night, with plenty of restaurants, cafes and clubs to suit all tastes and pockets. Continuing up Carrer de Sant Vincent Màrtir, and then, on Avinguda de Maria Cristina, we reach the Central Market. A must for the Weekend in Valencia. Keep in mind that the Market closes at 15. If you find it closed, postpone the visit the following day.
In a blaze of smells, colors, and tastes, you will literally be kidnapped by the largest market in the Valencian Community. With almost 1000 counters of fresh produce, in modern architecture, the Mercado Central offers an endless variety of food and drink.
You will find the best fruit and vegetables, coming from the Valencian Huerta, that is, an area of agricultural lands south of Valencia. And, of course, genuine meats and salami, among which the Salamanca hams, and very fresh fish, stand out, with stalls that offer real ‘crustacean’ waterfalls: a pleasure for all the senses.
Photo, 2016 Juan Mayordomo
Llonja de la Seda, is located a hundred meters from the Market. A splendid example of the Valencian Gothic style, it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the 1996. It was born as an emblem of the golden age of Valencia, and has been the center of commercial and cultural activities since the early 16th century.
Today, it hosts the Valencia Cultural Academy. In the building, exhibitions and cultural events are often carried out. The Palazzo and the hall with its typical spiral columns are beautiful.
Open every day, from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 7pm, and on Sunday from 10am to 2pm. Closed on Mondays.
The entrance ticket costs €2.00.
In front of the Silk Lodge, do not miss out on a visit Horchatería El Collado, to savor the delicious Bunuelas, the typical Valencian pancakes.
The central Plaça de la Reina, it is about 5 minutes walk. It is a beautiful central square, particularly crowded, full of cafes and clubs. It is the gateway to the Micalet and the Cathedral of Valencia.
The beautiful Cathedral, is the mother church of the Christian Community of Valencia. Built in Valencian Gothic style, it is particularly appreciated, and visited, for the presence of the Chapel of the Holy Chalice, which is thought to have been used by Christ at the Last Supper.
There is no certainty that it may actually be the Holy Grail. The fact is that, the Holy Chalice, has always attracted crowds of curious from all over the world.
El micalet is the symbol of Valencia. This is the splendid bell tower of the Cathedral, from whose top you can enjoy a truly marvelous view of the city. Really recommended to go up to the top.
The Cathedral, with the Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados and the palace de la Generalitat, surround the beautiful Plaça de la Virgen. It is a beautiful irregular square, which rises on the ruins of ancient Roman Valentia, with a fountain in the center. Beautiful by day and by night, it is a place particularly loved by young people.
We recommend to spend some time at the Basilica dedicated to the Virgin of the Abandoned. The entrance does not give due credit to this gem, with its beautiful dome.
For the first evening of your Weekend in Valencia, we recommend staying in the Old Town area. Plaça del Carmen it is ideal for the peaceful and relaxing environment, and to enjoy an excellent Valencian paella. Not far from the square, El Forn del Carmen, is a cozy, good value for money. You can enjoy tapas and a tasty paella. Booking is advisable, especially at the weekend.
2nd DAY WEEKEND IN VALENCIA
Generally, the second day represents, for many, a real tour de force. To start with the right charge, there is nothing better than a good one horchata. It is a tasty refreshing drink, extremely energetic, it is typically Valencian. The ideal place to start your second day of the Weekend in Valencia. And if you had to stay downtown, try it in the Horchateria Santa Catalina, a few steps from the Cathedral, combined with typical sweets.
There is no Weekend in Valencia that does not contemplate the visit to the majestic complex of the City of Arts and Sciences. A real city in the city. Five structures, divided into three thematic areas: art, science, nature. The complex is located in the southern part of the metropolitan area, extending for the most part on the Turia bed. The original style that is well suited to the context is the merit of architect Calatrava.
A complete visit would be practically impossible, although each structure is really interesting. Our advice is to dwell on the buildings that most interest you. An ideal place for your children, and for new and incredible discoveries.
The complex is reached, with the 3 and 5 lines of the metro, getting off at the stop Mall, and continuing for about 10 minutes on foot. Or, by bus, with numerous lines, including 19, 35, 40, 95.
The main buildings that are part of the complex are: the Hemisfèric, the Oceanografic, the Umbracle, El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, the Principe Felipe Science Museum, the Pont de l’Assut de L’Or, and the ‘Agora.
The Oceanogràfic It is one of the largest aquariums in Europe. It hosts 45.000 living beings belonging to 500 different species. The main marine ecosystems of the planet have been reproduced inside it.
The Oceanogràfic is composed of several buildings, where the most important ecosystems of each of the seas and oceans of the planet have been recreated. Do not miss the beautiful Dolphinarium, one of the largest in Europe, and Oceans, one of the largest aquariums in the world. A journey through the Atlantic Ocean is recreated, from the Canary Islands to Bermuda, along a tunnel where you can admire the bull shark, the gray shark, the moon fish and many other species.
A magical and fantastic journey.
More info, schedules and updates, from this link.
Umbracle, is located in the south facade of the complex. Long 300 meters, and high about 30, has a transparent cover that allows you to observe the sky and capture the sunlight. Inside, there are many floral species and tropical plants, and above all, the largest display of robotic dinosaurs in Europe. Really a must for children who can admire reproductions of over 27 meters in length!
At Umbracle Terrace, in the evening, you can sip fine drinks, and attend one of the many parties that are organized.
The Queen Sofia Palace of the Arts it is a majestic building, destined to the promotion and diffusion of all the scenic arts. It has 4 rooms and facilities for teaching activities related to artistic and cultural areas. In addition, it features a garden area of 87.000 square meters.
“It is forbidden not to touch, not to feel, not to think”. The slogan of the Principe Felipe Museum of Science of Valencia, it makes good the idea, and purpose, of this museum. It is a grandiose building, designed to make you discover, in an educational, interactive and pleasant way, all the aspects related to the evolution of life, science and technology.
Really nice and interesting.
A gigantic human eye, reflected in a lake of 24.000 m2: here you are at the Hemispheric, an IMAX cinema, planetarium and laser projection room. It has a 900 m2 screen.
Furthermore, with the ValenciaTouristCard you will be entitled to Reductions for admissions within the City of Arts and Sciences.
Photo ©, Rafa Esteve
Valencia and Fallas: an indissoluble partnership. Anyone wishing to understand more deeply, one of the most loved and spectacular traditions of the city, can not miss a visit to Faller de Valencia Museum, not far from the Hemisferic.
In the beautiful building, which was formerly a convent, are guarded, among other things, the famous ninots indultados from the 1932, e ninots infantiles, from the ’63. More info on these, and other extraordinary traditions related to the Fallas, from this link.
The museum is open every day from Monday to Saturday from 09:30 to 19:00 and Sunday from 09:30 to 15:00. The museum is part of the Valencia Tourist Card circuit.
A few minutes from here, if you still have time available, you await the beautiful Gardens of the Turia. Excellent, above all, in the company of children.
You can walk among pines, oleanders and palms breathing clean air; or, taking advantage of one of the sports facilities that the Gardens offer. Do not miss the monumental sculpture of Gulliver, main attraction of the park. Long 70 meters, and inspired by the character of Jonathan Swift, is formed by ramps, slides and stairs that allow you, “Lilliputians”, to walk on the body of the giant. Guaranteed fun especially for the little ones.
Unmissable, the next stop at the neighbor Mercat de Colon, built between the 1914 and 1916, it is considered as one of the emblematic places of the city. Beautiful architecture, it is referred to as a National Monument. Particularly loved by the Valencians, who frequent it as a meeting point for drinking a beer and having a chat. Ideal to rest from work.
For your evening, we recommend the port area. In particular the area of Playa Malvarrosa, ideal in summer, even if particularly populated. In winter, however, it retains its charm. A rather wide and wide beach, dotted with bars and cafes, with numerous events. Also nice for a simple walk along the seafront. TO La Pepica, you will taste a good paella, in a really nice environment, near the sea.
3rd DAY WEEKEND IN VALENCIA
Time to…. goodbye!
Last day of your weekend in Valencia. The city has really a lot, yet, to offer. If you are in the company of your children, do not miss the Bioparc, a beautiful zoo, under the ashes of the old Valencia Zoo.
The Bioparc is located in the north-west area, on an area of about 100 thousand square meters. Here, 4000 animals are hosted, of 250 different species, and various habitats of Africa are reproduced. From the dry, wet savannah to the equatorial forest or Madagascar. The most modern systems have reduced the sight of the barriers to a minimum, so much so that they seem to be in close contact with the animals.
Guaranteed fun for everyone.
The Bioparc is open every day, from Monday to Sunday, with times varying according to seasonality. Generally, in winter, it is open from 10:00 to 18:00. In the summer, from 10:00 to 20:00 or 21:00.
The nearest metro stops are Mislata e Nou d’Octubre.
The whole ticket, from 13 to 64 years, costs 23.80€. Over 65, they pay 17.50€. Children from 4 to 12 years, pay 18.00€. FREE admission for children under the age of 4.
Info, schedules and updates, available on the official website at this link.
With the metro you go down to Àngel Guimerà. In a few hundred meters, after passing Torres des Quart, you arrive at the Museum of Prehistory.
Torres des Quart, also known as Porta de Quart, is one of the 12 access doors that opens along the stretch of the ancient walls. On the top, you will enjoy a nice view of the city.
A little further, the Museu de Prehistòria de València, is an interesting museum where archaeological finds are exhibited from the Neolithic to the Visigoth era.
The museum is housed in a 19th-century building. Really nice, interesting and well organized. Contains an important collection of Iberian archeology
The Museu de Prehistòria de Valencia is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 20:00. Closed on Monday. The admission ticket costs 2,00€.
Photo, Felivet
Last but not least, of course, the Museum of Fine Arts is more than just a point of reference for art lovers. Because of the wealth of the preserved works, it is a must for your Weekend in Valencia. A museum like that, COMPLETELY FREE. Really incredible!
Located on Calle San Pio V, the building that now occupies the Museum of Fine Arts in Valencia was originally the College of Saint Pius V, founded in 1683 by the archbishop Juan Tomas de Rocabertì, for the formation of priests. The museum, however, was built only in the mid-eighteenth century.
They are almost 3.000, the paintings that make this museum priceless: paintings from different schools, Spanish as well as foreign, from the 14th century to the 20th century. Among these, stand out the works of Valencian artists such as Joan de Joanes, Ribalta, Vicente Lopez and universal works by Velazquez, Van Dyck, Goya, Murillo and many others.
You can visit the Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 20:00. Closed on Monday. Admission is free. More info on the official website, from here.
Obviously, those proposals are just a limited number of museums, monuments and points of interest that you can meet during a Weekend in Valencia. Have a good trip.
All information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Times and ticket prices may vary. Access could be staggered to tackle the pandemic. A vaccination pass or negative swab may be required to enter the facilities. We always invite you to inform yourself in advance of the rules applied by the individual structures and by the host country.