Valencia wears its history and innovation on the same sleeve. Founded by Romans in 138 BCE, shaped by Moorish irrigation, and crowned by Gothic merchants’ wealth, the city is now equally famous for Calatrava’s sci‑fi City of Arts and Sciences and the meandering green ribbon of the Turia Gardens. Its cathedral claims the Holy Chalice, while La Lonja de la Seda (the Silk Exchange) is a UNESCO World Heritage jewel.

Food is a way of life here. Valencia is the birthplace of paella—traditionally made with rice from nearby Albufera, chicken, rabbit, and beans—best savored unrushed, preferably by the sea. You’ll graze on tapas in El Carmen, sip horchata with fartons in century-old cafés, and linger over vermouth in bodega-lined Cabanyal.

Practical notes: Valencia is walkable and bike-friendly; the Turia Gardens function as the city’s green highway. The metro connects the airport to the center in about 25 minutes, and contactless cards work on buses and trams. Markets close early afternoon and many restaurants serve paella at lunch only, so plan your meals accordingly.

Valencia

Valencia blends timeworn stone and white, flowing modernism. Wander from medieval towers and frescoed churches to Europe’s largest aquarium at the Oceanogràfic, or cycle the Turia riverbed past citrus trees and playgrounds. Beaches at Malvarrosa and Patacona are wide, sandy, and blissfully local.

• Top sights: La Lonja de la Seda, Mercado Central, Valencia Cathedral and the Miguelete tower, Torres de Serranos, City of Arts and Sciences, Oceanogràfic, Turia Gardens, Albufera Natural Park.
• Neighborhoods to know: El Carmen (history and nightlife), Ruzafa (street art and indie cafes), Cabanyal (sea-breezy bodegas), and the Marina/La Malvarrosa (sunset strolls).
• What to eat: Valencian paella (chicken and rabbit), fideuà (noodles), esgarraet (roasted pepper and cod salad), clóchinas (tiny local mussels in season), horchata with fartons, and Agua de Valencia (sparkling orange cocktail).

Where to stay (Hotels.com/VRBO): For a beachfront splurge with a spa and boardwalk at your doorstep, consider Hotel Las Arenas Balneario Resort. For excellent value in the very heart of the city, Hostal Venecia sits on the City Hall square. Near the City of Arts and Sciences, sleek Hotel Primus Valencia puts you steps from Turia Gardens and the Oceanogràfic.

Compare more stays across neighborhoods via Hotels.com Valencia or browse apartments and family-friendly homes on VRBO Valencia.

Getting to Valencia: From elsewhere in Europe, check trains and flights on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). Madrid–Valencia high-speed trains take ~1h50–2h and often run €20–€65 if booked ahead; Barcelona–Valencia (Euromed/Intercity) takes ~2h50–3h15, typically €25–€70. For long-haul or multi-city tickets, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Valencia Airport is 25–30 minutes from the center by metro; taxis usually take 20–25 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Old Town Origins, Market Flavors, and Tapas After Dark

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs on a gentle Old Town loop: Plaza del Ayuntamiento’s stately arcades, La Lonja de la Seda’s twisted columns, and the stained-glass ceiling at Mercado Central (go before ~3 pm). Pause for a classic merienda: horchata and sugar-dusted fartons at Horchatería Santa Catalina, or an espresso at Bluebell Coffee Roasters in Ruzafa if you prefer specialty beans.

Evening: Ease into the city with a guided storytelling walk that ends in a memorable dinner setting:

Valencia Old Town Tour with Wine & Tapas in 11th Century Historic Monument — Explore Roman, Moorish, Gothic, and Baroque layers, then sit down to regional wines and elevated tapas in an atmospheric monument few visitors ever dine in.

Night: If you still have energy, taste local nightlife without the crowds: vermouth and anchovies at Casa Montaña in Cabanyal (historic bodega, bustling but timeless), Agua de Valencia at Café de las Horas (a kitschy baroque salon), or live jazz at Jimmy Glass (intimate, reservations recommended). Late-night bite: bravas and sepia a la plancha at Bar Ricardo—lively, old-school, and beloved by locals.

Day 2: Paella, Turia Gardens, Future-Forward Architecture, and Sunset by the Water

Morning: Immerse yourself in Valencia’s culinary heartbeat—shop and cook like a local before savoring the city’s most iconic dish:

Paella Cooking Class, Wine Tasting & Central Market in Valencia — Start with a guided Mercado Central tour (spot saffron, bomba rice, and local produce), then learn to build flavor step-by-step and share your paella at a convivial long table.

Post-class stroll the Turia Gardens toward the City of Arts and Sciences. The white curves of the Hemisfèric and the skeletal museum make striking backdrops for photos. If you want a longer taste of the complex, budget 2–3 hours for the Oceanogràfic—the dolphinarium and Mediterranean habitats are standouts.

Afternoon: Trade the city for rice fields and bird song. Albufera Natural Park is where paella began—its freshwater lagoon glows at golden hour.

The Original Albufera Tour: Barraca, Boat Ride & Local Guide — Glide across the lagoon by traditional boat, visit a barraca (historic thatched house), and learn how irrigation shaped Valencian cuisine. It’s an easy, eco-minded escape minutes from town.

Evening: Dine by the Mediterranean. For classic rice dishes served pan-to-table, book Casa Carmela (wood-fired paellas, century-old traditions) or La Pepica (sea views; Hemingway once ate here). Prefer something casual? At Mercabañal, sample local craft beers and seafood from multiple stalls in a lively open-air setting. Finish with ice cream at Heladería Llinares—try turrón or horchata flavors.

Day 3: Bikes, Bell Towers, Ruzafa Coffee, and Farewell

Morning: See more in less time on two wheels, riding the Turia and the city’s bike lanes with a local guide:

Valencia City Highlights in Guided Bike or E-Bike Tour — Roll past the Serranos Towers, Cathedral, Turia Gardens, and Calatrava’s masterpieces with context that knits history to the present.

Refuel afterward in Ruzafa: Dulce de Leche Boutique for pastries (the carrot cake is a local favorite) or Retrogusto for specialty coffee. If you’d rather climb, ascend the 207 steps of El Miguelete for skyline views, then browse ceramics and carved portals around the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas.

Afternoon (departure): Pick up edible souvenirs at Mercado Central (saffron, rice, olive oil) if open, or browse the airy Mercado de Colón for last sips and snacks. Head to the station or airport: Madrid by high-speed train in ~2 hours, Barcelona in ~3 hours—bookable via Omio trains; flights across Europe on Omio flights. For intercontinental journeys, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Dining and cafe cheat sheet (use throughout)

• Breakfast/coffee: Dulce de Leche Boutique (artisan pastries), Bluebell Coffee Roasters (single-origin brews), Horchatería Santa Catalina (historic horchata).
• Lunch staples: Central Bar by Ricard Camarena inside Mercado Central (gourmet counter), Restaurante Navarro (seafood and rice near City Hall), Casa Carmela (traditional paellas by the beach).
• Tapas/dinner: Casa Montaña (iconic bodega in Cabanyal), Bar Rausell (classic Valencian tapas), El Poblet (fine dining tasting menus by Quique Dacosta; reserve ahead).
• Drinks/nightlife: Café de las Horas (Agua de Valencia), Plaza del Negrito bars (El Carmen ambience), Jimmy Glass (jazz).

Optional add-ons (if you have extra time)

• Oceanogràfic for marine life across the world’s seas (2–3 hours).
• Bioparc Valencia for an immersive, barrier-light zoo experience.
• Museums: IVAM (modern art) and the National Museum of Ceramics inside the ornate Marqués de Dos Aguas palace.
• Half-day nature escape to the San José Caves (UNESCO-listed underground river) via San Jose Caves Guided Tour from Valencia if you’re staying longer.

In three days, you’ll taste Valencia’s past and future—from Gothic guild halls to gleaming white arches, from rice fields to surf-brushed sands. Come hungry, pack comfortable shoes (or hop on a bike), and let the city’s warm rhythm set the pace.