One day in Valencia Spain – a fantastic guide to seeing all the popular sites around the city and more
Spending one day visiting Valencia in following our guide will show you all the popular sites, important landmarks and things to do around the city with just one day to explore the entire city. This is colorful city that combines both old and new – offering a contrast of the traditional mixed in with the newer parts of the city which is so opposite and yet exciting to experience..
Valencia is such a cosmopolitan city being the 3rd largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona. The city thrives with amazing culture and history, delicious specialty foods and cuisine, stunning architecture and attractions all wrapped into a colorful and dynamic city. The city oozes with charm and layered history, showcasing the best it’s wonderful landmarks, walking promenades and squares and hidden historic gems. There’s a lot to see in just one day, so I would definitely extend my time in Valencia – it’s so worth it!
Where is Valencia in Spain located
Valencia is located on the eastern coast of Spain, along the Mediterranean Sea. It is the regional capital city of the autonomous community of Valencia (Comunidad Valenciana) and is Spain’s third-largest city after Madrid and Barcelona.
The city is situated about halfway down Spain’s eastern coastline, making it a central point between the regions of Catalonia to the north and Murcia to the south. Valencia is approximately 350 km (220 miles) southeast of Madrid and around 350 km southwest of Barcelona, easily accessible from both by train or car.
Valencia’s location makes it a popular destination for those looking to experience both urban attractions and beach life, as it offers a mix of historic sites, modern architecture, and Mediterranean beaches.
Weather and best time to visit Valencia
Valencia, located on Spain’s southeastern coast, enjoys a Mediterranean climate, which makes it an appealing year-round destination. However, the best time to visit can vary depending on your preferences for weather, crowds, and events.
Weather Overview
Spring (March to May):
Spring is one of the best times to visit Valencia. The weather is mild and comfortable, with daytime temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). Rain is infrequent, and the landscape is lush with blooming flowers. It’s a great time to explore the city without the summer heat or crowds.
Summer (June to August)
Summers in Valencia are hot, with temperatures often reaching 30°C to 35°C (86°F to 95°F). July and August, in particular, can be quite hot, but the coastal breeze helps to keep things comfortable. These months are ideal if you want to enjoy the beaches, but expect more tourists and higher prices during peak season.
Autumn (September to November)
Early autumn, especially September, is still warm with temperatures between 20°C and 30°C (68°F to 86°F). As the season progresses into October and November, it cools down to around 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F). The sea remains warm for swimming, and there are fewer crowds compared to summer, making it an excellent time for sightseeing.
Winter (December to February)
Winters are mild, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 10°C to 17°C (50°F to 63°F). It rarely gets cold enough for frost, and while it’s cooler, it’s still pleasant for exploring the city. The winter months see fewer tourists, so this is a good time to visit if you prefer a quieter experience.
Best Time to Visit
For Sightseeing:
Spring and autumn are perfect for exploring Valencia’s historic sites and architecture. The weather is comfortable, and the crowds are manageable.
For Festivals
March is a vibrant time to visit due to the famous Las Fallas festival, which takes place from March 15 to 19. The city transforms with parades, fireworks, and enormous papier-mâché figures that happen throughout the historic district of the city.
For Beachgoers
Summer is best for those who want to spend time on Valencia’s beaches, though late May to early June or September can be less crowded while still offering great beach weather.
In summary
spring and autumn
offer the best combination of pleasant weather and fewer crowds, while summer is ideal if you’re focused on enjoying the beach.
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Here’s some of our favorite things to do with one day visiting Valencia
Start the day in the historic district – Valencia Ciutat Vella
The heart of Valencia starts in the amazing central district with walking promenades, gorgeous squares or plazas, historic buildings and museums and so many interesting narrow streets that lead you to unexpected places. It’s easy to get lost, but that’s the fun of exploring this exciting area. You can easily grab a map from the tourist district or just follow a map with the sites shown.
I would recommend taking a walking tour around the historic old town to get a better idea with expert guides that lead you through with historic and cultural perspectives to what you are seeing and various sites around the area.
Here’s a few I would recommend exploring in the historic district below:
Visit the grand Central Market – Mercado Central
If you’re a foodie or just hungry, this historic and gorgeous site is probably one of the most impressive markets to experience in all of Europe. Housed in an ornate and clean historic building, the Central Market of Valencia is huge and well organized into various sections that easily lure you in to sample and see some really fresh and delicious produce, prepared meats, fish and regional products that are worth sampling and taking home for a picnic or gift. You can easily spend an entire morning exploring all the various stalls and enjoying the wonderful presentations and they really aim to please and sell you everything made and grown from this area. So try some of the pastries, local cheeses, sausages and other specialty goods to take away and support local farmers and producers from the area.
Tip – The Central Market is definitely a good first stop for breakfast or a quick bite browsing through the many stalls to see what catches your eye for a tasty first meal.
Experience the Cathedral of Valencia
Visiting the Cathedral of Valencia is a must when exploring the city’s historic center. Located in the beautiful square called the Plaza de la Virgen, this impressive cathedral blends Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance, and Romanesque styles. Its iconic bell tower, Miguelete, offers stunning panoramic views of the old town if you’re up for climbing the 207 steps. Inside, the cathedral’s grand vaulted ceilings, intricate stone carvings, and the famous Holy Grail located in the Chapel of the Holy Grail add to the sense of history and spirituality.
One of the highlights is the ornate altarpiece in the main chapel and the beautifully restored frescoes in the apse, rediscovered in the 20th century. The peaceful atmosphere, combined with the artistic and architectural beauty, makes the Cathedral of Valencia not just a place of worship but a historical landmark worth exploring.
La Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange)
The main Unesco World Heritage site which is Valencia’s only site is this 15th century building that was La Lonja or the old Silk Exchange. With a gorgeous entry hall filled with orange trees and the grand Columnario main hall, the entire building showcases the importance and old glory of the silk exchange days. Visit the Silk Exchange tower to enjoy some amazing views of the city below.
On Sundays, you’ll find an outdoor flea market that’s surrounding the Lonja with typical goods, crafts and even souvenir vendors.
Check out the Gates or Torres of Valencia
Visiting the medieval gates and climbing out to the top of the walls are a past time favorite things to enjoy to see the extensive gates and defensive structure along with fantastic views of the city and surrounding area.
Torres dels Serrans
This is one of the main tower/gates to the city with a 14th century gate and part of the medieval wall that you can explore. The top of the gate offers fantastic views over the city and from the tower you can check out more vistas.
Portal del Quart
Another old medieval gate and entrance to the old town of Valencia, the Portal del Quart was built around the 15th century. You’ll find the gate drom Calle Quart from the centre of the Old Town and leading directly to the entrance.
Another gorgeous public market Mercado de Colon for lunch
This is one of my favorite markets to enjoy and relax, grab a nice coffee or snack or even have a fantastic meal with the many restaurants that cater to all different taste buds. Housed in a beautiful historic Modernista styled building that feels like a glass and ceramics structure, the Mercado de Colon is a gorgeous building and very inviting to explore, shop and dine. You’ll want to definitely have a nice long meal here because there are plenty of dining choices with excellent restaurants to choose from this market space.
Originally used as a public market for fresh produce, meats and other daily items, a complete restoration project has developed the space into lively cafes, coffee shops, bars and restaurants in a very pleasing outdoor like space with al fresco dining options.
Here’s some dining options to choose from:
Ma Khin Café
Known for its fusion of Asian and Mediterranean flavors, Ma Khin offers a unique and creative menu that includes dishes like Thai curries, Vietnamese rolls, and fresh salads. It’s perfect for a light lunch or dinner with a modern twist.
Habitual
Chef Ricard Camarena’s restaurant focuses on Mediterranean cuisine with a contemporary touch. Expect fresh, seasonal ingredients in dishes like seafood risotto, tapas, and flavorful salads. The ambiance is relaxed yet elegant.
Momiji
If you’re in the mood for Japanese cuisine, Momiji is a standout option in the market. They serve sushi, sashimi, and other traditional Japanese dishes, known for their fresh ingredients and artistic presentation.
Bocados Café
Perfect for a casual bite, Bocados Café serves a variety of snacks, sandwiches, and fresh juices. It’s a good spot for a quick meal or coffee break, with a relaxed atmosphere.
Berlanga Bar
If you’re looking for a place to unwind with a drink, Berlanga Bar offers great cocktails and local wines, alongside light snacks and tapas. It’s ideal for an afternoon or evening hangout.
The Mercado de Colón offers a variety of options, making it easy to find something delicious whether you’re looking for a full meal, a snack, or just a coffee.
What else to do around the Old Town and city center of Valencia
That’s a lot of attractions to visit around the historic district of the city but if you can squeeze in more places depending on your schedule here’s more historic sites, contemporary venues and parks and other places of interest that you can visit on your day tour of the city:
Wander around the City of Arts and Sciences
Totally different from the Old Town center the City of Arts and Sciences sits in a park like setting and is a surreal and contemporary tribute to the city. To get to the City of Arts and Sciences you can take bus, metro and faster grab a taxi to get there.
This amazing complex of architecture was designed by master architect Santial Calatrava with this large scale project of a city within a city housing 6 large scale buildings, two bridges a park system and water pools and parks that create a lush green and water garden which transformed the original riverbed of Turia park into this amazing garden space.
Checking out the botanical garden at the City of Arts and Sciences
You can easily spend the rest of the afternoon exploring all the public areas, buildings and parks. You can also visit the main attraction which is the Oceanografic, housing the largest aquarium based in Europe.
Doing a selfie pic by the water ponds of the City of Arts and Sciences
Evening: Drinks and dinner in the marina
Towards the later part of the day you can enjoy the marina and beach areas for a lovely sunset and finding some cool eateries to enjoy in the area.
I do love long beach strolls and you can enjoy the marina all the way to the expansive beach areas that are lined up with bars and restaurants that fill up the long promenade area. There’s also a lively club and nightclub scene in this area if that’s what you want to do and party late into the night.
Here’s some classic places to consider for drinks and appetizers or for a nice dinner with sunset views to boot below:
La Pepica
A classic spot, La Pepica has been serving seafood and paella since 1898. Located right by the beach, it’s one of the best places to try **paella valenciana** or **arroz a banda** while enjoying sea views. Its history and quality make it a must-visit.
Casa Carmela
Another iconic place for paella, Casa Carmela is slightly outside the marina but still close to the water. They cook paella over wood fires, offering a traditional Valencian experience. The rustic setting and authentic flavors are a draw for locals and visitors alike.
Marina Beach Club
For a more modern, chic dining experience, Marina Beach Club offers Mediterranean cuisine in a trendy beachfront setting. It’s perfect for enjoying fresh seafood, rice dishes, and cocktails with views of the sea and the marina.
Destino Puerto
Located within the marina itself, Destino Puerto specializes in Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients. Their seafood dishes and creative tapas are popular, and the setting is ideal for a more refined dining experience with a view of the harbor.
El Coso del Mar
Situated near the marina, this restaurant offers a mix of traditional Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine. It’s a good option if you’re looking for both seafood and meat dishes, all in a laid-back atmosphere with a seaside view.
These restaurants provide a variety of dining experiences, from traditional paella to modern Mediterranean fare, making the Marina District a great place to enjoy Valencia’s culinary offerings. You’ll enjoy visiting the area and walk the long promenade in the beach area to digest that amazing meal you’ve just had.
Biking along the beach promenade in Valencia
Check out these other posts to visiting Valencia, Spain
A visit from Barcelona to Valencia
Specialty foods and markets in Valencia
Conclusion to visiting Valencia in one day
Visiting Valencia in one day offers a glimpse into the city’s rich history, vibrant culture, and modern charm. From exploring the stunning Cathedral and its famous Holy Grail, to strolling through the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, and enjoying the local cuisine at markets like Mercado Central or Mercado de Colón, you can experience a mix of the old and new. Cap that off with a fun stroll around the marina district or beach promenades and some gorgeous drinks, a meal and sunset and you’ve spent an amazing day exploring the best of Valencia.
Whether you’re admiring the Mediterranean coastline or indulging in authentic paella, Valencia leaves a lasting impression with its beauty, diversity, and welcoming atmosphere.
