Valencia in 1 Day: all you need to know

Valencia has so many attractions to offer that seeing it all in one day is impossible, but if you plan a 24-hour stay in the city you can take an intensive tour of the main sites to discover at least some of the spirit and beauty of Spain's capital of culture and science.

Some of the best things to see and do in Valencia for a day include visiting the historic quarter and its main buildings, such as the Cathedral, the Lonja de la Seda and the Micalet, touring the city's beaches and enjoying Valencian gastronomy.

The best way to start a tour of Valencia is by getting to know the historic quarter, which is home to some of the city's most representative sites such as the Castellfort Palace, the Santa Catalina Tower, the Church of Santos Juanes, the Plaza de la Vírgen and the Central Market, but also the Cathedral and the Micalet, which are the focal points of the old quarter.

The Cathedral is located in a Gothic building and is built on an ancient Roman temple, although it has a mixture of styles from different periods because it was also a mosque and was reformed during the Renaissance. That is why visiting the Cathedral is also a journey through the history of Valencia.

In addition to the architecture and the Renaissance frescoes, the Cathedral holds among its treasures the Holy Grail. The building also stands out for the Micalet, which is the bell tower, one of the highest points in the historic quarter and from which it is possible to contemplate a wide panoramic view of the city.

You can visit the Cathedral and the Micalet any day of the week and, if you plan to visit Valencia during the summer, when the sky is clearer, you can take some of the best photographs of the city from the top of the bell tower.

Interesting details

• Price... General admission to the Cathedral costs approximately 8 euros and for the Micalet an initial fee of 2 euros.
• Location... Plaza de la Almoina s/n, Valencia.
• Opening hours... Every day from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm.
• How to get there... Bus lines 9, 19 and 73.

Four streets away from the Cathedral, on a 10-minute walk, you will find the Church of San Nicolás de Bari, which is considered the most beautiful church in the city and is nicknamed the Valencian Sistine Chapel. This is because its interior is decorated with Renaissance frescoes and its dome resembles that of the Vatican chapel.

The church has a 15th-century Gothic structure and Baroque decoration inside and on the bell tower. It is one of the most active religious institutions in Valencia, as it continues to maintain its hours of worship and every Monday it hosts the San Nicolás walks, in which the faithful make a pilgrimage through the historic quarter.

Iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari is the epicentre of the patron saint festivities held in December, so if you plan to visit Valencia in winter you can attend the church during the festivities and take part in an activity that is typical of the locals.

Interesting details

• Price... General admission costs approximately 7 euros.
• Location... Camino de los Caballeros 35, Valencia.
• Opening hours... Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 19.00. Mondays only open for walks and during religious worship hours.
• How to get there... By bus lines 7, 27 and 73.

Three streets away from the Church of St. Nicholas of Bari and after a walk of about 5 minutes you can reach the Silk Exchange. This place was the focal point of the textile industry, which for centuries was the economic engine of Valencia and also of a large part of Spain.

The Lonja de la Seda is a Gothic building from the Middle Ages that is considered a World Heritage Site and is notable for its central tower and the colonnade inside. You can tour the site on a guided tour and also visit the Sala Consulado del Mar and the Patio de los Naranjos.

A visit to the Lonja de la Seda building is usually part of the best tours of Valencia, as it is essential to understand the history of the city and the influence that the textile industry had on the Velluters neighbourhood, which was distinguished by the artisans' workshops.

Details of interest

• Price... General admission costs approximately 2 euros.
• Location... Plaza de Brujas s/n, Valencia.
• Opening hours... Every day from 10.00 to 19.00.
• How to get there... Bus lines 15, 24, 25, 35 and 95.

Opposite the Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange) is the Central Market of Valencia, the oldest in the city. It is housed in a beautiful building that is an exponent of Valencian modernism. In the market you can relax and stroll around the more than 1,000 stalls where you can buy fish, cold meats and seafood, or visit the bars and restaurants for lunch before continuing your tour.

The Central Market will allow you to immerse yourself in one of the places that Valencians visit every day to do their shopping, so if you are one of those who are interested in getting to know the local experiences when you travel, the market will be an ideal place for you.

It will also serve as a refuge from the cold or the heat of the city, as the historic centre of Valencia can be walked through and after a few hours you will probably need a break before continuing your tour.

Valencia also has other markets where you can eat, such as the Mercado de Colón or the Mercado de Ruzafa, although they are a little further out of the way of the main buildings in the old quarter.

Interesting details

• Price... Admission is free.
• Location... Plaza de Brujas s/n, Valencia.
• Opening hours... Monday to Saturday from 7.30am to 3pm.
• How to get there... Bus lines 15, 24, 25, 35 and 95.

The Turia Gardens are one of the most representative green lungs of the city and also the site of the annual Gran Feria de Julio amusement park. The gardens are ten streets away from Valencia's Central Market, so you can get there with a 15-minute walk or by bus.

If you are planning to visit Valencia with children you might be interested in visiting the Jardines del Turia because there you will also find the Parque Gulliver. This is a children's park with a giant sculpture of Gulliver, the main character of the story written by Jonathan Swift, who is tied to the ground by the Lilliputians. There, children can play on ramps, slides and stairs, while you can rest quietly in the nearby areas before continuing the tour.

The Turia Gardens are on the way between the historic quarter and the City of Arts and Sciences complex , so if you are one of those who enjoy a tour of natural spaces, you can't miss out on a visit.

Interesting details

• Price... Admission to the gardens is free.
• Location... Turia Gardens, Valencia.
• Opening hours... Open 24 hours a day.
• How to get there... By bus lines C2, 6, 95 and 115.

The City of Arts and Sciences is the complex that gives Valencia the image of a cultural city and was designed by the renowned local architect Santiago Calatrava. It is home to the Science Museum, the Oceonografic aquarium, the Reina Sofia Palace of the Arts and the Hemisferic.

The complex is located in front of section XII of the Turia Gardens and you can take an outdoor guided tour of the buildings. You can also go inside if you plan to attend a show at the Palacio de las Artes Reina Sofía, which is noted for its dance performances and opera concerts that usually include leading figures in most of its billboard shows.

Bear in mind that during the summer months and high season the influx of tourists increases significantly, so if you want to visit the City of Arts and Sciences it is ideal to book in advance online to avoid delays during your short stay.

Interesting details

• Price... Tickets have an initial cost of approximately 9 euros, but it will depend on the building you visit and the activity you do.
• Location... Av. del Profesor López Piñero 7, Valencia.
• Opening hours... Every day from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
• How to get there... Bus lines 10, 19, 24, 25 and 35.

If you want to make the most of your visit to the City of Arts and Sciences, you can also visit Oceanografic, the largest aquarium in the world with more than 600 species of dolphins, beluga whales, seals, penguins, sharks and rays. It is one of the best activities to visit with children, although it also has exhibits that will amaze adults.

The aquarium, in addition to the permanent exhibits, also has restaurants, terraces for lunch and if you plan to visit Valencia in July you can also take the guided night tour, which is available during the summer. The total tour of the Oceanografic will take you approximately 2 hours.

The aquarium has reduced rates for children and scheduled tours, although you should note that some of the activities are not included in the general admission price and cost extra. Touring Oceanografic is one of the best things to do in Valencia.

Interesting details

• Price... General admission costs approximately 34 euros for adults. Children up to 12 years old pay a reduced rate of approximately 25 euros.
• Location... Carrer d'Eduardo Primo Yúfera 1B, Valencia.
• Opening hours... Every day from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.
• How to get there... Buses lines 10, 19, 24, 25 and 35.

Valencia is also recognised as a magnificent holiday destination, and in the central area it has some of the best beaches in Spain, bathed by the Balearic Sea. These include Malvarrosa Beach, Patacona Beach and El Cabanyal Beach , which is in one of the city's most picturesque neighbourhoods. Given the short time you have in the city, a good way to discover these beaches is by bicycle.

The bicycle tours of Valencia's seaside resorts, which last approximately two hours, are accompanied by a local guide and allow you to discover golden sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, as well as beach bars with terraces from which you can watch the sunset, considered one of the most beautiful in Spain.

You can also visit other wild or rugged beaches such as El Saler, La Garrofera or Recati, but they are in areas far from the city so you will lose a lot of time in transfers if you only have one day in the city.

As you come to the end of your express visit to Valencia, and you've already visited the main points of the historic quarter, the City of Arts and Sciences and the beaches to watch the sunset, you can't leave the city without enjoying the local gastronomy, which is one of the most outstanding in Spain.

The city has many restaurants and bars where you can try paella, salted fish, Valencian stew and seafood or you can also opt for some of the best gastronomic tours in Valencia. If you plan to visit the city during the summer you can walk along some of the terraces on the seafront promenade to dine with an open view of the sea.

In the historic centre you can eat at Tasquita La Estrecha, El Ocho y Medio or Café del Mar, which is one of the best places for tapas in Valencia. You can also try sweet dishes such as arnadí and fartons with horchata.

This is the itinerary I recommend to get the most out of your day trip to Valencia, if you follow some of my tips you will get to know a great part of the wonderful experiences that the City of Arts and Sciences has to offer to its visitors.