If you want to visit Spain and check out one of its coolest cities, the Mediterranean can be a great starting point. Yet, there’s more to explore, and Valencia is one of those gems worth discovering. And did you know you don’t need many days to explore this mediterranean city? That’s why I have put together 5-day plan for your next vacation in Valencia.
While Madrid and Toledo boast majestic beauty, Valencia’s vibe is different: its modern Science and Arts complex blends with a charming historic center, creating a unique energy. Also, it’s a great city to go out at night.
Ready to live this incomparable experience?
Why you should plan 5 days in Valencia? What does it offer?
1- The good weather: this city located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea in Spain, boasts of having good summer months from May to almost October and very mild winters.
That is why you can go to Valencia at any time of the year, although keeping in mind that from May to October it is very hot and the humidity is quite noticeable.
2– Art: Everywhere you look, there’s cool art and history. You’ve got this awesome Gothic architecture that rivals any other city in Spain.
3- Las Fallas are the most important festival in Valencia, they are celebrated in March, in honor of San Jose. Over several days, the city brings out the ninots, enormous artistic monuments that take approximately a year to design and build; They are usually dolls that represent some hot topic through satire.
The dates of the Fallas are officially from March 15 to 19, but it is true that the city prepares much earlier to celebrate San Jose: normally from March 1.
4- Valencian gastronomy is a fusion of land and sea, where fresh products usually have the majority role. Paella is in fact originally from Valencia, with the most popular versions being paella made with rabbit or chicken paella. Although it is true that there are more and more versions of paella, such as cuttlefish. But Valencia is also known for its other delicacies such as horchata, fartons, esgarraet…
5– Dream beaches throughout the region and in its capital, Valencia: the most famous are Malvarrosa Beach and Las Arenas Beach, both located in the city of Valencia. However, there are thousands of beaches near the city that are also easy to access and ideal for relaxing and enjoying the sun, such as Patacona Beach.
Join this adventure to explore Valencia :)!!
DAY 1 OF THE PLAN IN VALENCIA
THE SERRANOS TOWERS
They were part of the old wall of Valencia and later served as a prison. This tower is well known in the city because it is where the Fallas (the big festivity of the city), kicks off. You gotta check out this spot smack dab in the historic center! Trust me, it’s totally worth a visit, especially if you wanna soak in those awesome panoramic views from the terrace.
Just you know, though: in the winter months it usually closes a little earlier because it gets dark around 7 pm.
LA LONJA DE LA SEDA
One of the most representative buildings of Gothic art in the city, at the time of its construction it was the symbol of the wealth of Valencia, thanks to the silk industry. Fun fact: if you look at the exterior you will surely notice that it is full of messages 😉
CENTRAL MARKET IN VALENCIA
Isn’t it weird how in Spain, they really make a big deal out of food markets? Well, in Valencia it has much more relevance, since it is one of the largest markets on the continent. This is why I think it’s worthy to visit in this 5 day plan in Valencia.
If you want to eat something delicious and healthy, I recommend that you stop by the Central bar, where you can enjoy tapas!
DAY 2 OF THE PLAN IN VALENCIA
CITY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES IN VALENCIA
Have you ever seen a city within a city?
Welcome to the city of Arts and Sciences located within Valencia. This place houses different buildings dedicated to culture and science.
It is a space designed for both adults and children and the truth is that it is worth every cent the ticket costs!
By the way, about the tickets: you can buy the entire package (the Oceanografic, the science museum, the palace of arts and the Hemisferic) or separately, depending on what plan you have.
What is my recommendation?
Get up early in the morning and enjoy the three experiences. The oceanographic is quite large so it may not be possible to see it all in one morning, but the Hemisferic offers documentaries for around an hour, while the Palace of Arts offers different disciplines to enjoy (such as opera).
The Science Museum, on the flip side, is like paradise for tech lovers!
TURIA GARDENS
If you’re hanging out at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, you gotta check out the coolest park in town! It’s not just for little kids – everyone can have a blast there: the garden is immense with several entrances and exits, and more than 10 bridges with different architectural styles.
If you go with children or out of pure interest, look for Gulliver’s Park within the garden.
RUFAZA’S NEIGHBORHOOD
Finally, are you hungry? Perhaps thirsty? No problem, in this 5 day plan around Valencia got you covered 😉
Ready to get into one of the most charming neighborhoods in Valencia? I’m talking about Rufaza’s neighborhood.
What is it known for?
In recent years this place has become trendy since you have thousands of places to eat and dine or even go out to party.
It Is full of life, basically. In it, you can see the diversity that Valencia offers, that is: different people religions and cultures coexist in the same neighborhood.
DAY 3 (AN ART DAY PLAN IN VALENCIA)
Valencia offers a chance to explore Spanish and Valencian art. That’s why I believe you don’t have visit just Madrid to get to know Spain’s art scene. If you’re into art, definitely Valencia is for you!
Although Joaquin Sorolla‘s main museum is in Madrid, it’s cool to know that he was actually from Valencia: In any case, to learn a little about his work, it is best to go to the Valencian Museum of Fine Arts. You will be able to enjoy a room exclusively dedicated to Sorolla but there are also works by different Spaniards artists, such as Francisco de Goya or El Greco.
After visiting the Museum of Fine Arts, you must visit something more characteristic of the city: Valencia is renowned for its big week, the Fallas. It happens in March, but what if you can’t be in Valencia during that month? You can still experience this massive experience in Valencia, but with a twist…
There is the Fallero Museum of Valencia! 😉
So, what makes this Museum cool enough for you to get a taste of Fallas even though you’re not partying it up there? Well, besides learning about what Fallas are all about, you’ll also get to check out those famous ninots everyone’s talking about!
Yes, tradition says the ninots are burned on the last night of Fallas… but is it true? Visit the museum and discover for yourself what happens in Fallas!
Like I mentioned earlier, it’s about soaking up the city’s art vibes, so let’s keep up it with… You’ve gotta make a pit stop at the Cathedral of Our Lady Maria—it’s another one of those spots that totally represents Valencian Gothic art.
This church is seriously unique. The altar and altarpiece are packed with details, plus don’t forget to take a good look at the dome, it’s incredibly beautiful :).
I suggest grabbing a ticket for a church tour, which includes a visit to the museum. But hey, you can totally explore it solo too if you prefer 😉
For more information, here you have the Valencia Cathedral Museum website.
4TH DAY PLAN IN VALENCIA
This day we are going to walk a lot so make yourself comfortable! The first place to visit is going to be the Barrio del Carmen.
What to see in Carmen?
Located in the historic center of Valencia, this neighborhood is known for its medieval aesthetics.
In fact, the Serrano towers are located in this neighborhood and also the silk market or the central market. But this time we are going to get to know the neighborhood, since it has a lot to offer!
You should visit the botanical garden of the University of Valencia. There, you will learn about different species of plants and you will be able to enjoy the exhibitions.
There is also a Muslim wall, known as the Valldigna Portal
The Cat House (I found it very curious!)
And finally, if you want to visit more Museums, look for the La Beneficencia cultural center.
To eat there you can’t miss this restaurant that makes one of the best rice dishes: it’s called La Lola. But if you feel like going for tapas, I invite you to visit La tasca del Ángel or El Refugio.
If you want more recommendations on where to eat and dine (or party) in the Barrio de el Carmen because I am sure you will be fascinated by it, you have it all in my free guide!
After eating in the afternoon we will go to the city’s seafront, specifically to the El Cabanyal area. This place is the maritime neighborhood of Valencia and is linked to the history of the city.
One of the things that attracts the most attention about this place are the houses, since they are old and have different colors. The neighborhood is large and is like a kind of labyrinth, and has a bohemian atmosphere to this day.
Anything that sparks interest in El Cabanyal’s neighborhood?
It has become the epicenter of the city’s gastronomy, for example. But in addition to that, it has a curious but at the same time obvious museum for the city: the rice museum. I think what they explain there is very enriching and interesting, so be encouraged to visit it!
Next to this neighborhood is the seaport or the famous Malvarrosa beach. If it is not too hot it is a walk with incredible views, or if you want, to cool off in the sea too 🙂
THE 5TH DAY PLAN IN VALENCIA
The last day is not in the city but in one of the best-known natural parks in Spain, La Albufera.
A dream place, worth spending the day there: this wetland has a rich biodiversity and you can sail in its traditional boats. To sail the boats you simply have to go to El Palmar de Valencia, which is a town in the Albufera.
On the other hand, if you go between January and March, you might be lucky and see flamingos!
From Valencia, you have the possibility of renting a car or taking a bus.
By bus, the lines are number 24 and number 25. Keep in mind that there is a summer schedule and another schedule for winter, so make sure you look carefully at the schedule. It is approximately a 50 minute journey.
FAQs about 5 day plan in Valencia
Here are some questions and doubts that I think may be helpful 🙂
How to get to Valencia?
The most comfortable thing is to arrive by plane and then go by metro to the city of Valencia from the airport. Valencia offers many international flights so you will have no problems getting there.
Where to stay in Valencia?
Hotels that are at a very good price and are quite centrally located:
Turia Hotel, Malcolm & Barrett Hotel, NH ciudad de Valencia, Hotel Ilunion Valencia 3
On the other hand I know two good hostels in Valencia, “The Venue” and “Quarth youth hostel”
Can you visit the city of Valencia together with another place?
Usually a 5 day plan to visit Valencia is more than enough. However, if you want to get to know other cities it is doable, just keep in mind you will need at least one extra day.
Cities like Alicante or Madrid are well connected by public transport to the city of Valencia, both by train and by plane.
How to get around Valencia?
Since you will be in Valencia for 5 days, get the tourist card as soon as you arrive:
There are 3 types, depending on how many days you are tourism and the truth is that each of them has different advantages. The 72 hour one, for example, gives free tickets to various monuments in the city. It costs approximately 20 euros. You can buy it in the airport, train station or online.
Where to eat in Valencia?
In Valencia you are in food heaven! These are my favorite spots :
Nou Gourmet
Ahuevo restaurant
The Orange Club: do you want a burger? Well, here they make the best in Valencia! There is also vegan meat 😉
Alenar: a great place if you want to have some beer or wine and meanwhile enjoy their tapas.
Santa Rita: a very famous restaurant in Valencia, with Italian cuisine. If you feel like pizza or pasta while in Valencia, this is your place. They have a lot of variety and also…what a dessert menu! If you like sweets, order any gelato (I’ve tried almost all of them, they are delicious) or their Panacotta. You are welcome! 😉
And that’s all for now! Tell me, have you been to magnificent city of Valencia? And if not, would you try this 5 day plan to visit Valencia?
Until next time!