Is Valencia Worth Visiting in 2024? Top Reasons to Explore This Spanish City

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Is Valencia worth visiting?

Yes, Valencia is 100% worth visiting. It’s a unique Spanish city full of culture, history, and delicious food. The city meets every traveler’s expectations, and everyone can find some of the best things to do here. I visited Valencia during a 2-week trip to Spain, which is when it first drew my attention.

Then, I spent 2 years living in Spain (Barcelona), and Valencia was only 2 hours away, so I visited a couple more times and fell in love with the city. I’m sure you will, too. Read on for all the reasons I recommend why you should visit Valencia.

Planning a trip? Use my favorite resources:

Accommodations: booking.com
Travel Insurance: SafetyWing
Tours & Excursions: Viator
Flights: Skyscanner
City Pass: Go City
eSim: Airalo

11 Reasons Valencia is Worth Visiting

Now that you know you should definitely come to Valencia, here are the reasons why you need to visit this Spanish city:

1. Birthplace Of Paella

Have you ever heard of Paella? It’s a traditional Spanish dish made of rice and saffron, with various ingredients including chicken, seafood, and vegetables.

Valencia is the birthplace of Paella, so even if there were nothing else you would be interested in seeing in the city, it’s worth a visit to taste authentic Paella.

It’s also the best place to join a cooking class and learn how to make paella yourself. You can even buy paella rice as a souvenir from Spain to recreate the dish at home!

👉 Authentic Valencian Paella Cooking Class

2. City Life & Beaches

Valencia doesn’t have the best beaches in Spain. But it’s a great destination for those who want to enjoy a city with history and culture, swim, and also be able to spend time on a beach.

If a purely beach holiday is not your main purpose, but you’d still like to cool off in the sea and sunbathe for a few hours, Valencia is a great destination.

The city offers a combination of everything, so it’s worth adding to your Spain itinerary.

3. City Of Arts & Sciences

city of arts & science building: Is Valencia worth visiting?

You’ve likely seen the City of Arts & Sciences in photos, as it’s one of Valencia’s iconic landmarks. It’s a huge museum putting culture, science and architecture at the forefront.

Adults and children alike enjoy this attraction. You can explore a large interactive science museum, watch movies inside ‘the Hemispheric,’ visit Spain’s largest aquarium, and see Spanish art samples.

Even if you don’t have the time or desire to explore the museums themselves, it’s worth seeing the exterior of this complex.

👉 Rooftop Wine Tasting & Tapas, City of Arts and Sciences

4. Valencian Food Market

Valencia’s food markets are another great reason to visit. Despite Valencia being the third-largest Spanish city, its markets are not as crowded as those in other parts of Spain can get.

Personally, I loved the bustling atmosphere of Mercat Colón, the Valencian food market.

Locals come here to enjoy tapas (small food portions) and a traditional Valencian drink – Horchata. Horchata is made from white rice and ground cinnamon. Locals like adding vanilla, almond milk and sugar to make a delicious beverage.

The Central Market is another amazing place to experience the Spanish food culture in Valencia. If you’re into Michelin-star cuisine, I recommend going to Central Bar in the middle of the market. You can experience traditional food with a modern touch while enjoying the energy of the market.

👉 Foodie Experience: Old Town Tour with Wine and Tapas

5. Beautiful Street Art

Valencia is also known for its beautiful street art. If you’re like me and enjoy aimlessly meandering around city streets, finding different buildings with unique architecture on each corner, you’ll love Valencia.

And the best part about it? Most of them are original. Locals respect the street art, love the artists, and see this as an important cultural aspect of their city.

Truly, Valencia is like an open art museum you’re sure to love.

El Carmen is the neighborhood most famous for street art in Valencia. There, you’ll also find many boutique shops and street cafes with a unique vibe.

👉 Book a Street Art Private Bike Tour

6. Lonja Silk Exchange

The Lonja is the Valencian Silk Exchange and one of Spain’s most beautiful, civil Gothic buildings. It was built during the Golden Age, when the city became famous for its silk trade.

The Lonja became part of the Unesco World Heritage in 1996. You can admire the building’s exterior and even step inside. Entry is free on Sundays and on public holidays.

7. Las Fallas Festival

Valencia is home to one of the most famous Spanish festivals, Las Fallas.

Las Fallas is one of the most enjoyable and peaceful celebrations in Spain. It takes place in mid-March each year. You’ll find many fallas (giant figures) parading in the Valencian streets, built by local artists for the event.

Authorities rate these fallas, and burn all of them at the end of the festival except the best-rate one. Only the best one, the winner, is saved from fire.

Then, locals dress up and dance in the streets with musicians, bringing flowers to the main falla which is placed in the Plaza de Ayuntamiento.

Participating in this festival is one of the most fun and special ways to experience Valencia. Or, you can take a Las Fallas walking tour any time of year to learn about the history and hidden meanings behind the festival’s traditions.

8. La Tomatina

Another festival that you can experience just outside of Valencia, at the end of August each year, is called La Tomatina. It’s the wildest celebration, and I recommend thinking it through twice before participating.

It’s the wildest thing I’ve ever experienced during my travels. Everyone gathers in the streets of Buñol, and a huge truck full of tomatoes drives through the tiny streets.

Locals start throwing tomatoes at you from the truck, and the battle begins! Then, everyone is throwing tomatoes at each other on the street.

If you want to experience this tomato battle, stay in Valencia the last week of August and make a day trip to Bunol to be part of it.

9. Bioparc Valencia

If you’re visiting Valencia with a family and kids, you should stop at the Bioparc. It’s one of the most impressive zoos I’ve visited (and I’m not the biggest fan of zoo visits).

It’s not only about animals here. You can also explore different types of flora, including plants from Africa. The creators of the zoo did this by design in an effort to help the animals feel more at home in their natural habitats.

10. Valencian Urban Park

Valencia has one of the best urban parks in Spain. It’s huge and offers perfect opportunities for sports lovers.

Whether you’re visiting Valencia with your family and want to enjoy walks in a park, or you’re a runner looking for a pleasant trail, you’ll love the urban park in Valencia.

There are also many outdoor places where you can exercise or playgrounds for children to play on at this park.

11. Spanish Food Culture

Beyond visiting the food markets, Valencia is also great for affordably experiencing Spanish food culture in general. It offers more affordable options (unlike other cities like Barcelona and Madrid), and you can also experience authentic local life while sitting in a café or a restaurant.

You can get the Menu del Dia for 10 – 12 euros at many restaurants, which includes a starter, main course, dessert and drink.

Be sure to spend some time sitting at the Plaza de la Reina for a coffee while enjoying beautiful views of the Valencia Cathedral.

Who Should NOT Visit Valencia?

If you’re looking for lots of unique architecture, like Gaudí’s buildings in Barcelona, Valencia might disappoint you. Valencia is more for street art lovers, although there are a couple architectural gems as well.

Similarly, Valencia isn’t for you if you want to mainly enjoy the beaches. Instead, spend time on Costa Brava or Costa del Sur in the southern part of the country (Malaga, Marbella, Tarifa).

Where to Stay in Valencia

Here are my top hotel recommendations for your visit to Valencia:

🏨 Luxury Recommendation: Palacio Santa Clara

Part of the Autograph Collection, Palacio Santa Clara offers luxury in the heart of Valencia. Rooms are comfortable and filled with character, with select rooms offering city views. In addition to a restaurant, bar and lounge the property features a rooftop terrace with pool.

👉 Book a room at the Palacio Santa Clara

🏨 Mid-Range Recommendation: Only YOU Hotel

walkway in Valencia covered by arches and flanked by palm trees on each side

Only YOU Hotel Valencia is the best hotel in the Old Town of Valencia, only a few steps from Norte Train station. It has perfect facilities, from a fitness center to rooms with AC, friendly staff and delicious breakfast.

👉 Check prices and availability

🏨 Budget Recommendation: Hostal Antigua Morellana

street in Valencia with buildings on each side

Hostal Antigua Morellana has everything you need as a budget traveler. You’ll be greeted by friendly locals, ready to help you organize your stay and plan your activities. All the facilities are clean, and it feels like home away from home to stay in this guesthouse.

👉 Check prices and availability

FAQ

To help you plan your visit to Valencia further, I’ve also answered some of the most frequently asked questions:

How many days in Valencia is enough?

Two to three days are enough for Valencia. You can enjoy the city for the first two days with everything it offers. You can visit the City of Arts and Sciences on the third day, or take a day trip somewhere nearby.

Is Valencia or Barcelona better to visit?

Barcelona is slightly more exciting to visit because it has more unique architecture, better beaches and more things to do. However, you’ll love Valencia more than Barcelona if you prefer fewer crowds and more authenticity.

What’s so special about Valencia?

Valencia has many claims to fame. It is the birthplace of paella and the largest producer of oranges in Spain. It offers a renowned arts and culture scene, most prominently via the City of Arts and Sciences complex. It’s also special for its rich festivals, street art, blend of city and beach life, and overall affordability.

Final Thoughts

Despite being the third largest Spanish city, not as many people regularly visit Valencia as they do Madrid and Barcelona. This makes it the perfect place to escape the crowds while enjoying authentic Spanish culture.

I’m sure you’ll fall in love with the city as much as I did. I suggest planning your visit around one of the Spanish festivals if you’re able, for a more unique experience.

Enjoy your visit!

About the author: Nicoletta is a travel enthusiast and passionate language learner. While traveling, she loves to connect with locals using her language skills to learn about new cultures. She also designs travel itineraries for her clients.