Valencia
is pure science fiction
Welcome to Valencia
Spain’s third-largest city is a magnificent place, content for Madrid and Barcelona to grab the headlines while it gets on with being a wonderfully liveable city with thriving cultural, eating and nightlife scenes. Never afraid to innovate, Valencia diverted its flood-prone river to the outskirts and converted the former riverbed into a glorious green ribbon of park winding right through the city. On it are the strikingly futuristic buildings of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, designed by local boy Santiago Calatrava. Other brilliant contemporary buildings grace the city, which also has a fistful of fabulous Modernista buildings, great museums, a long stretch of beach and a large, characterful old quarter. Valencia, surrounded by its huerta, a fertile zone of market gardens, is famous as the home of rice dishes such as paella, but its buzzy dining scene offers plenty more besides; it's a superb spot for eating.
Top experiences in Valencia
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Food and drink
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La Salvaora in North Ciutat VellaSpanish
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Refugio in Barrio del CarmenFusion
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El Poblet in South Ciutat VellaGastronomy
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Bodega Casa Montaña in Valencia's BeachesTapas
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Bar Ricardo in Western ValenciaTapas
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La Vida es Bella in Northern & Eastern ValenciaTapas
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Entrevins in North Ciutat VellaSpanish
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Sólo del Mar in L'Eixample & Southern ValenciaSeafood
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Cinnamon in North Ciutat VellaFusion
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La Gallineta in L'Eixample & Southern ValenciaSpanish
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Travel guides
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Valencia activities
Valencia City of the Arts and Sciences Tour with Tapas, Wine
Itinerary:Your day will unfold as we personally collect you from your hotel or apartment with a private driver. First we will explore the incredible futuristic complex of the City of the Arts and Sciences including the Hemisfèric, Príncipe Felipe Science Museum, Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía and Umbracle. After hearing the stories of the structures from a local guide and exploring the buildings at ground level, we head to the highest rooftop terrace in Valencia where we can view the complex from new heights and the famous Oceanographic. Indulge in a menu of hand-crafted traditional tapas and enjoy a wine tasting based on regional favorites. Relax in the intimate setting, hear the stories of our city and get an authentic taste of the best of Valencian gastronomy. At the end of your Valencian experience, let our private driver take you back to your hotel or apartment. Sample Menu:Appetizers: A series of appetizers and hand-crafted artisan tapas inspired by traditional dishes and prepared using local ingredientsMain Course: Changed seasonally to showcase the best of Valencian produce Dessert: Cakes, truffles and a dessertBeverages: A selection of 3 regional wines (Minimum Drinking Age: 18 years old) with non-alcoholic alternatives available, Coffee & Water
Valencia Bike Tour
Feel the Mediterranean breeze in your hair as you glide past some of the famous sites Valencia is so well known for, from medieval cathedrals to Santiago Calatrava's City of Arts and Sciences. The Valencia Bike Tour is the perfect chance to experience the magnificent surroundings that make Valencia so unique. Not the least bit strenuous, the bike tour is relaxing, energizing and fun. Stopping every few hundred yards, the tour provides heaps of useful information, unique and fascinating stories, the opportunity to meet other travelers, and fantastic photo opportunities.
Authentic Valencian Paella Cooking Class
Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience in the Valencian Community, not only for the fantastic environment but also for the great conditions of the farmhouse where the real star of the activity is you. Experienced teachers will guide you through each step of the preparation of an authentic Valencian paella. In the process they will unravel the many myths, traditions, and reveal secret tips and special techniques necessary for the preparation of this popular and internationally famous Spanish dish.The country house, known as “El huerto de Consuelín”, is located just twenty five minutes from the city of Valencia. The old farmhouse is ideally situated between orange trees and rice paddies in one of the regions most deeply rooted in rice growing culture. It is home to the authentic paella of Valencia.The warmth of the farmhouse and the beautiful scenery, introduces us to the real Valencian environment. It is the ideal space for cooking your paella and enjoying the pleasures of our lands. On the way, we will visit the Natural Park of Albufera, which is immersed in a vast wealth of rice paddies. We will also see the Saler Dehesa, fed by the Mediterranean sea. The great beauty and ecological value of both, provide us with the opportunity to carry out a large number of activities.
Valencia Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Oceanographic Ticket Upgrade
Sat on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, Valencia is a modern city with a rich Gothic and Roman history. Explore the city at your own pace on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour! Travel between the two routes on an open-top, double-decker bus, hopping on and off wherever you want. This sightseeing tour provides you with 17 convenient stops around town so you can see attractions like the San Pio V Palace or Cathedral of Valencia.See the Silk Exchange, a beautifully preserved example of late Gothic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Quart Towers and see the Serrano Towers, Valencia’s old city gates. See the popular football stadium Nou Mestalla, or visit Valencia’s famous zoo, Bioparc.Each route takes roughly 1.5 hours. The buses depart every 20 to 30 minutes from each stop. Tickets are valid for 24 hours from first use.Upgrade to include the Valencia Aquarium at the City of Arts and SciencesMaximize your time in Valencia by upgrading your hop-on hop-off bus tour with an entry ticket to the Oceanographic at the City of Arts and Sciences. The Oceanographic is Stop 4 on the Maritime Route. See the aquarium’s collection of more than 500 different species from the Mediterranean, the Antarctic, the Arctic, tropical seas and the Red Sea at your own pace. Grab something to eat in the underwater restaurant, surrounded by thousands of fish. After your visit, you can re-join the hop-on hop-off bus for the rest of your tour.
Valencia Shore Excursion: Valencia Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Located on Spain’s Mediterranean coastline, Valencia is a beautiful modern city with a rich Roman and Gothic history. When you arrive in the Valencia port, explore the city at your own pace on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour! Travel between the two routes on an open-top, double-decker bus, hopping on and off wherever you want. This sightseeing shore excursion provides you with 17 convenient stops around town so you can see attractions like the Cathedral of Valencia or San Pio V Palace.See the Silk Exchange, one of the best-preserved examples of late Gothic architecture in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Quart Towers and the Serrano Towers, Valencia’s old city gates. See the futuristic-style football stadium Nou Mestalla, or visit Valencia’s zoo, Bioparc.Both routes each take approximately 1.5 hours. The buses depart every 20 to 30 minutes from each stop – the closest stop to the cruise port is Stop 7, El Puerto. Tickets are valid for 24 hours from first use.Worry-free Shore Excursion: This excursion is located within a 10-minute walk to the cruise port, so you determine the time you return to your ship in Valencia. Please allow yourself ample time to enjoy the excursion and ensure your timely return to the port. This excursion is not covered by our worry-free policy
Spain 6-Day from Barcelona: Madrid, Seville, Granada, Valencia
From Barcelona, tour the most popular cities of Spain on this 6-day tour. Discover beautiful Zaragoza independently before heading to Madrid for a panoramic sightseeing tour. Tour Andalusia’s loveliest cities – Cordoba, Seville and Granada – on a journey through the legendary country of Don Quixote. Enjoy guided tours of Cordoba, with its impressive mosque and Jewish quarter; Seville, where you will visit the Santa Cruz quarter and the famous UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alcazar; and Granada, with its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens. In Valencia, take in views of the beautiful City of Arts and Sciences on a panoramic sightseeing tour.Learn more about Spanish culture with an optional Flamenco dance performance in Seville and a walking tour around Cordoba’s and Valencia's old quarter (additional cost). Enjoy free time in Madrid, Seville, Granada, Zaragoza and Valencia to explore more at your own leisure.Five nights of accommodation in a standard or superior hotel (your choice), transportation by comfortable coach, five breakfasts and three dinners are included.Please see the Itinerary section below for details on each day of the tour.