Valencia balances medieval heritage with sci‑fi architecture and Mediterranean ease. Founded by Romans, shaped by Moorish irrigation, and enriched by Silk Road wealth, it’s a city of bell towers, orange blossoms, and gleaming white curves by Santiago Calatrava. Expect sunny plazas, inventive cuisine, and a rhythm that invites you to slow down.

Fun facts to prime your wanderlust: paella was born in the rice fields just south of Valencia; Turia Gardens is a former riverbed turned 9-km green ribbon; and La Lonja de la Seda, the Silk Exchange, is a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece. From the City of Arts and Sciences to street art in El Carmen and Ruzafa, Valencia rewards the curious at every corner.

Practical notes: many shops close mid‑afternoon, Sundays are quiet, and dinner often starts after 8:30 p.m. Spring’s Las Fallas festival (mid‑March) brings fireworks and giant sculptures; summer calls for beach time and high SPF. The airport metro whisks you downtown in ~20 minutes, and the compact center is blissfully walkable and bike‑friendly.

Valencia

Valencia is Spain’s third city—laid‑back yet creative, with Gothic bones and a contemporary soul. Wander El Carmen’s tangled lanes, climb El Miguelete for skyline views, and glide through Turia Gardens to the City of Arts and Sciences. Then refuel on smoky paellas and briny tapas that taste like the sea breeze itself.

• Top sights: La Lonja de la Seda, Mercado Central, Cathedral & El Miguelete tower, City of Arts and Sciences, Oceanogràfic, Turia Gardens, Cabanyal quarter, Malvarrosa Beach.
• Where to stay: Beach bliss, design hotels near the Arts & Sciences, or a VRBO in Ruzafa’s café‑lined streets.
• What to taste: Authentic Valencian paella (chicken, rabbit, garrofó beans), clóchinas (tiny local mussels in season), horchata with fartons, and the cocktail “Agua de Valencia.”

Stay in style (affiliate options):

• Beachfront classic with spa: Hotel Las Arenas Balneario Resort (steps from Malvarrosa Beach; indoor/outdoor pools, sea‑view rooms).
• Best value in the heart of the city: Hostal Venecia (on Plaza del Ayuntamiento, walkable to Mercado Central).
• Modern and convenient near the Arts & Sciences: Hotel Primus Valencia (spa, parking, easy tram to beach).
• Compare more stays: Hotels.com: Valencia | Apartments and homes: VRBO: Valencia

Getting to Valencia (VLC): From elsewhere in Europe, check flights and trains on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). Madrid–Valencia AVE/Avlo trains take ~1h50m (from ~€20–65); Barcelona–Valencia Euromed/Intercity ~2h40m–3h10m (from ~€20–60). Budget buses run ~3.5–4.5h (from ~€15–35) via Omio (buses). Flying in from outside Europe? Compare global fares on Trip.com (international flights).

Airport to city: Metro lines 3 or 5 reach the center in ~20–25 minutes. The Valencia Tourist Card can bundle transport and museum discounts; biking is excellent with flat terrain and dedicated lanes.

Day 1 — Old Town welcome, silk and tapas

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs around Plaza del Ayuntamiento and stroll to Mercado Central to admire stained glass and 1,000+ food stalls (snack on jamón cones, olives, and a slice of coca). Step into La Lonja de la Seda across the street—its twisted columns and traders’ hall whisper the city’s golden age.

Evening: Begin with a classic horchata at Santa Catalina and learn why tiger nuts are a Valencian obsession. For dinner, graze through El Carmen: try Casa Montaña (historic bodega; anchovies, bacalao, croquettes), Bodega Anyora in Cabanyal (market‑fresh seafood and vermouth), or La Pilareta (local clóchinas in season). Nightcap at Café de las Horas—order an “Agua de Valencia” (cava, fresh orange juice, gin, vodka), born here in the 1950s.

Day 2 — Market-to-pan paella, parks, and a twilight feast

Morning: Coffee at Dulce de Leche (Ruzafa) or Bluebell Coffee Roasters. Then dive into Valencia’s culinary heart.

Featured experience (Viator): Paella Cooking Class, Wine Tasting & Central Market in Valencia

You’ll shop Mercado Central with a local, then learn the soul of traditional paella (chicken, rabbit, garrofó) step‑by‑step—ending with a communal feast.

Afternoon: Walk or bike the Turia Gardens to the City of Arts and Sciences. Explore the white‑ribbed architecture, pop into the Science Museum if you’re curious, or simply enjoy the reflecting pools. Gelato stop at Heladería Llinares near the cathedral.

Evening: Get oriented to the historic core with a guided tasting set in a monumental venue.

Featured experience (Viator): Valencia Old Town Tour with Wine & Tapas in 11th Century Historic Monument

It weaves Roman, Moorish, and Gothic layers into a delicious evening. If you prefer a DIY dinner, book El Rall for hearty rice dishes or Central Bar by Ricard Camarena (counter‑style, perfect for seasonal tapas).

Day 3 — Underground river adventure and a beachy evening

Morning: Breakfast at Federal Café (brunch classics) or Ubik Café (bookshop‑café in Ruzafa). Then head out to a natural wonder: Europe’s largest navigable underground river.

Featured experience (Viator): San Jose Caves Guided Tour from Valencia

Glide by boat through otherworldly caverns and learn the geology and lore of Vall d’Uixó. It’s a photogenic half‑day that adds contrast to the city break.

Afternoon: Back in town, browse Mercado de Colón’s elegant stalls—try Horchatería Daniel for a cold horchata or a merienda pastry. Then tram to Malvarrosa or Patacona Beach for a swim and a siesta on the sand.

Evening: Seafood dinner by the sea: Casa Carmela (wood‑fired paellas; book the smoky socarrat crust) or La Pepica (historic beachfront institution—Hemingway dined here). Stroll the palm‑lined promenade under the moonlight.

Day 4 — Cycle the icons, then Albufera’s golden hour

Morning: Espresso at Blackbird Café or Mayan Coffees. Cover a lot of ground on two wheels with a local guide.

Featured experience (Viator): Valencia City Highlights in Guided Bike or E-Bike Tour

Expect El Carmen, Turia Gardens, and the Arts & Sciences, with stories and photo stops along the way—ideal early in a trip, even better on day four to tie threads together.

Afternoon: Head to Albufera Natural Park for rice fields, reeds, and birdlife. Take EMT bus 25 to El Palmar (~45–55 minutes, contactless accepted), then hire a small wooden boat at the pier (~€5–10 per person) for a tranquil lagoon ride.

Evening: Time dinner with sunset over the water. In El Palmar, Restaurant Bon Aire (award‑winning paellas, including eel‑and‑pepper “all i pebre”) and Restaurant Mateu are local favorites. Back in the city, finish with vermouth at Bar Vermúdez or craft beer at Tyris on Tap.

Day 5 — Last tastes and modern marvels (departure day)

Morning: Brunch by the sea at La Más Bonita (Patacona) or grab flaky ensaimadas at La Petite Brioche near the center. If time allows, visit Oceanogràfic—Europe’s largest aquarium—for an architectural and marine life finale, or shop along Calle Colón and in Ruzafa’s indie boutiques (try Gnomo for playful design gifts).

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to the airport or train station. If you’ve time for a final bite, slide onto a stool at Central Bar in Mercado Central for a tender “brascada” steak sandwich or a zingy seafood tapa before you go.

Insider tips: Book paella for lunch (the traditional time). For cathedral views without crowds, climb El Miguelete right at opening. In summer, carry water and a hat; in March, reserve early for Las Fallas. Keep an eye on your belongings in busy areas like Mercado Central and the cathedral square.

Optional add‑ons if you have extra time: IVAM (modern art museum), street‑art hunting in El Carmen, ceramics shopping in Manises (short metro hop), or a day trip to Xàtiva’s hilltop castle.

Transport recap: Within Europe, compare schedules/fares on Omio (trains), Omio (buses), and Omio (flights). Flying from outside Europe? Check Trip.com. Stay choices abound at Hotels.com and VRBO.

This 5‑day Valencia itinerary blends the city’s essentials with flavorful detours: from market‑to‑pan paella and Old Town tapas to underground rivers and lagoon sunsets. You’ll leave with sand on your shoes, saffron in your memory, and a promise to return for seconds.