One Day in Valencia, Spain: The Best Itinerary [+FREE Map]

Where to Stay in Valencia for a Day

Before we get into the details of the itinerary, it’s key to find the most suitable accommodation considering the short time you’ll be staying in Valencia.

With only 24 hours, you should stay in the city center, that is to say in the districts of Ciutat Vella, Extramurs, or El Carmen. Here are some good recommendations that will allow you to easily follow this itinerary:

✅ Best Hotel – MYR Hotel Plaza Mercado & Spa: This is a great hotel located in the old town, modern with large spotlessly clean rooms, all furniture, friendly staff, and a spa/hammam! Perfect for relaxing after a long day.

💰 Best Budget Hotel – Bet Apartments – City Suites Abastos: Located in the Extramurs neighborhood, this is the best value-for-money accommodation you could find. Everything is great here, tastefully decorated with all the equipment and amenities nearby.

✨ Best Luxury Hotel – MYR Palacio Vallier: This is a 5-star hotel like no other in El Carmen. All rooms are simply exceptional, and some units even have balconies with a view of the town. The staff is highly qualified and the breakfast is fabulous according to customers.

How to Get Around Valencia in 1 Day

The last thing to clear up to make this Valencia in 1 day itinerary work is transportation. Several possibilities are available to you:

Public Transport in Valencia

Valencia has a good and easy-to-use public transport network with subways, trams, and buses. It’s also budget-friendly.

There are 5 metro lines and 4 tram lines running from 4 am to 11.30 pm on weekdays and from 5 am to 12.30 am on weekends. Frequency varies from line to line, but you can expect to wait around 10 minutes between each metro.

As for buses, they run from 6 am to 10 pm, and night buses operate from 10 pm to 2 am.

To use the public transport, you’ll need to get one of these:

• Valencia Tourist Card: With this card, you’ll be able to use all types of public transport as you wish, and enter +15 museums and monuments for free. So this is the best option if you plan to use public transport a lot and/or visit several attractions. For 24 hours, the card costs 15€. Book your Valencia Card here.
• Regular tickets: If you’re going to use public transport only once or twice and don’t plan to enter attractions, then getting regular tickets is best. Simply get your tickets in the subway vending machines or pay the driver directly for the bus. Here are the fares:
  • Metro & Tram: €1,50 to €3,90 one way depending on the zone, valid for 30 minutes
  • Bus: €1,50 one way, valid for an hour with unlimited transfers between buses

Other Transportation Options in Valencia

🚌 Hop-on Hop-off Bus: This bus covers 17 of Valencia’s best-known attractions every 15 or 30 minutes, allowing you to board and disembark as often as you wish. It’s a very efficient way to visit Valencia in one day if you don’t want to walk or if you’re interested in specific places only. The 24-hour ticket is €22, you can book your spot here.

🚲 Bike: Valencia is one of Spain’s best cities for cycling. It’s completely flat, with over 150 kilometers of bike paths. If you’re ready to bike, I recommend using Valenbisi bikes for easy access to bike stations (€13.30/week).

🚕 Taxi & Uber: This is the most expensive option, but you can consider it if you need a really fast option or for a night trip. Simply wave at a driver on the street or wait at a taxi station. Uber is available in Valencia, but not as common as regular taxis so you might have a long waiting time.

Valencia 1 Day Itinerary Overview & Free Map

Here is my recommended itinerary for 24 hours in Valencia, which is doable at a steady yet reasonable pace. However, feel free to remove or add steps as you wish.

Morning:

• 10.00 am – Shop at the Mercado Central
• 10.45 am – Enter La Lonja de la Seda
• 11.30 am – Discover Valencia Cathedral
• 12.15 pm – Stop at Horchateria Santa Catalina
• 12.45 pm – Take shots of the Plaza Redonda

Afternoon:

• 1 pm – Lunch
• 2.30 pm – Wander the Ciutat Vella
• 3.30 pm – Plaza de la Virgen
• 4 pm – Step into Basílica de la Virgen
• 4.20 pm – Have a break at Café de las Horas for Agua de Valencia
• 5.20 pm – Climb the Torres de Serranos
• 5.35 pm – Stroll around Turia Gardens

Evening:

• 6.35 pm – Explore the City of Arts and Sciences
• 8 pm – Enjoy dinner and have fun in Russafa District

To get your Valencia one day itinerary map for free, simply click on the image below to open it in Google Maps. Then click on the “star” icon to save it to your own maps.

Now, keep scrolling to discover the best things to see in Valencia in one day in detail + insider tips👇

Valencia in One Day Step-by-Step Itinerary

I recommend being at the first step of this route at 10 am at the latest so you can enjoy Valencia to the fullest.

I haven’t included breakfast, but I strongly recommend doing it as the day is going to be busy. Take your breakfast at 9-9.30 am depending on the travel time you have between your starting point and the first stop of the itinerary.

If you’re not much of a breakfast person, make sure to pack some snacks along to keep you going through the morning.

Enjoy your day!

10 am – Shop at the Mercado Central

Allow about 45 minutes

Starting your day at Mercado Central is a good move. It’s a bustling food market housed in a pretty impressive building, a mix of Gothic and modernist styles.

This is where you’ll find a wide variety of fresh produce (including oranges – one of the things that Valencia is most famous for!), meats, olive oil, and local cheeses. If you’re looking to try some authentic Valencian food, you can’t really get more authentic than this.

It’s a working market, frequented by locals doing their daily shopping, which gives it an authentic feel. And if you’re on the hunt for souvenirs, several vendors offer locally made products that can easily fit in your suitcase.

10.45 am – Enter La Lonja de la Seda

Allow about 45 minutes

After you’ve had your fill at Mercado Central, take the short walk over to La Lonja de la Seda, also known as the Silk Exchange. If buildings could talk, this one would have stories to tell.

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, and for good reason. You’ll find it’s an impressive example of late Valencian Gothic architecture, right from the intricate carvings to the towering pillars.

While the interior is worth exploring, don’t skip the courtyard. It’s an incredibly serene space, complete with fountains and orange trees, where you could sit and contemplate for a while…especially if, say, you grabbed a coffee back at the market!

11.30 am – Discover Valencia Cathedral

Allow about 45 minutes

Once you’re done soaking in the history at La Lonja, it’s a short stroll to Valencia Cathedral.

First things first, this isn’t your average cathedral. It’s like a little timeline of architectural styles: Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque elements all find a place here. It kind of reflects the city itself, a blend of old and new.

The cathedral is also famous for claiming to house the Holy Grail – yes, that Holy Grail. If you’re intrigued, it’s displayed in a chapel inside, and it’s quite an experience to stand in front of a relic with so much lore around it.

If you’re up for it, don’t miss climbing the Miguelete Tower. It’s a bit of a hike with its 207 steps, but the panoramic view of Valencia from the top is totally worth it.

12.15 pm – Stop at Horchateria Santa Catalina

Allow about 30 minutes

By this point, you’re probably feeling peckish but not quite ready for a full lunch. That’s the perfect time for a quick pit stop at Horchateria Santa Catalina.

Oliver Townend / CC BY-ND

Horchata is a traditional Valencian drink made from tiger nuts, and it’s not like anything you’ve had before. It’s creamy and refreshing with just enough sweetness.

As for fartons, they’re elongated pastries, fluffy and a bit sugary, specifically designed to be dunked into horchata. The combination is, quite simply, comfort in a cup and on a plate.

Horchateria Santa Catalina has been around for ages, so you know they’ve got this down to an art.

12.45 pm – Take shots of the Plaza Redonda

Allow about 15 minutes

As you leave Horchateria Santa Catalina, head over to Plaza Redonda just around the corner. It’s a circular plaza, hence the name, and it’s a lovely spot that feels a bit like a tucked-away secret.

You’ll find an array of shops around the plaza selling everything from textiles to ceramics. There’s also a small fountain in the center, around which you can find people sitting and taking in the atmosphere.

It’s a nice place for some light people-watching or even to just catch your breath.

1 pm – Indulge in Paella for Lunch

Allow 1.5 hours (Spaniards take their time with lunch!)

By now you’ve been on your feet, you’ve seen some sights, and you’re probably getting hungry for something more substantial. You’re in luck because you’re in the home of paella – in fact, in my opinion, it’s one of the things that makes Valencia worth visiting!

And get this, locals usually only eat paella for lunch. So, you’ll fit right in with the crowd.

You’ll find a good number of restaurants serving authentic paella in the Old Town. A couple of recommendations to consider are La Riua and Restaurante Navarro. Both places have a strong local following, which is always a good sign. And yes, it’s best to book a table in advance, especially if you’re visiting during peak tourist season.

When you get to the menu, you’ll likely find a few different types of paella. The traditional Valencian paella has chicken, rabbit, beans, and sometimes snails. Seafood paella is another popular option. Regardless of which one you pick, it usually takes a bit of time to cook – good paella isn’t rushed, after all.

To accompany your meal, you can’t go wrong with a glass of local Valencian wine. Whether you prefer red, white, or rosé, the servers can usually point you toward a regional wine that pairs nicely with your dish.

Take your time here, as this is a meal that won’t only fill you up but also give you a true taste of the city’s culinary tradition. And once you’re fuelled up, you’ll be ready to continue exploring!

2.30 pm – Wander the Ciutat Vella (Old Town)

Allow about 1 hour

Post-paella, you might feel like you could use a walk. The Ciutat Vella, or Old Town, is perfect for that.

What’s interesting about wandering here is that you’ll stumble upon some seriously cool street art. Valencia’s got a vibrant arts scene, and you can see it splashed across walls, shutters, and doorways.

Each piece gives you a tiny window into local culture and current issues. And don’t worry about getting lost; that’s sort of the point. The narrow, meandering streets are part of the charm.

3.30 pm – Plaza de la Virgen

Allow about 30 minutes

As you wander, you’ll naturally end up at Plaza de la Virgen. It’s a spacious square that often serves as a gathering point for locals and tourists alike.

The Turia fountain in the center is quite the sight, depicting Neptune surrounded by eight women representing the various entry points into Valencia’s Turia River. Plus, you’ve got Valencia Cathedral on one end and the Basilica de la Virgen on the other, so it’s like a trifecta of historical landmarks in one spot.

People often sit around the square, sometimes there are musicians, and the general vibe is unhurried. It’s a nice place to take in the atmosphere and rest your legs.

4 pm – Step into Basílica de la Virgen

Allow about 20 minutes

Since you’re already at the plaza, it makes sense to pop into the Basilica de la Virgen. It’s not as grand as the cathedral you visited earlier, but it’s got its own understated elegance.

The interior has intricate frescoes and the main attraction is the statue of the Virgen de los Desamparados, a revered figure in Valencia. Spend a few moments inside; it’s pretty tranquil.

4.20 pm – Have a Break at Café de las Horas for Agua de Valencia

Allow about 1 hour (as there’s often a queue)

To cap off this part of your afternoon, head over to Café de las Horas. This isn’t just any café; it’s got a whimsical, almost theatrical, vibe.

This makes it the perfect spot to try Agua de Valencia, which is basically a cocktail made of cava, orange juice, vodka, and gin. It’s as Valencia as it gets, both refreshing and packing a punch.

Agua de Valencia

And yes, it’s totally acceptable to have a cocktail in the afternoon when you’re on vacation!

5.20 pm – Climb the Torres de Serranos

Allow about 15 minutes

Once you’ve got that Agua de Valencia coursing through your veins, make your way to Torres de Serranos. These are some of the best-preserved medieval city gates in all of Europe.

Built in the 14th century, they once served as both defensive structures and as a kind of grand entrance into the city. Today, they offer another excellent vantage point for views.

It’s not as many steps as the Miguelete Tower, but climbing to the top still gives you a sweeping look at the area you’ve been wandering through.

5.35 – Stroll around Turia Gardens

Allow about 1 hour

After coming down from the towers, it’s a good time to head over to Turia Gardens. This expansive green space used to be the Turia River, which was rerouted to prevent flooding.

Now it’s an incredible linear park that winds its way through the city. The gardens are filled with walking and biking paths, sports areas, and even playgrounds for kids.

It’s a popular spot for locals to jog, bike, or simply hang out, and it’s easy to see why. As you walk, you’ll notice that the gardens take on different characters – some areas are lush and botanical, others more manicured and open.

6.35 pm – Explore the City of Arts and Sciences

Allow 1 to 1.5 hours (especially if you choose to go into any of the buildings)

Your walk-through Turia Gardens will naturally lead you toward the City of Arts and Sciences, and you’ll know you’re getting close when the architecture starts to look like it’s straight out of a sci-fi movie. Designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, the complex is a spectacle of modern architecture and of Spain’s major landmarks.

It consists of several buildings, each with a unique function, from an opera house to a science museum to a planetarium. Even if you don’t go inside any of the buildings, just walking around the complex is fascinating.

The reflecting pools make for some great photos, and the entire place has this futuristic yet organic feel to it.

From 8 pm – Enjoy dinner and have fun in Russafa District

As the sun sets, you’ll want to head over to Russafa, a district that’s a melting pot of cultures and styles. This is where Valencia gets its hipster on.

The area is known for some seriously good vibes, complete with art galleries, indie shops, and a wide range of eateries and bars. It’s a great spot to experience Valencia’s nightlife and more modern, edgy side after a day of traditional sightseeing.

For dinner, check out Canalla Bistro if you’re up for some creative fusion dishes. They take traditional Spanish ingredients and give them a global twist. Think paella but with international flavors.

If you’re craving something a bit simpler, El Rodamón de Russafa is another good pick. It’s got a laid-back atmosphere but the food is anything but casual, featuring a mix of Mediterranean and international dishes. You can’t really go wrong with their tapas selection, either.

Before or after dinner, if you’re in the mood for drinks, there are plenty of options. Café Berlin is known for its cocktails and frequently hosts live music, creating a lively atmosphere that’s perfect for kicking back and soaking in the local culture.

Ubik Café is another spot that’s worth visiting, especially if you’re a book lover. By day, it’s a bookstore and café, but at night, it transforms into a chill spot where you can enjoy a drink, often with the backdrop of some live acoustic music or even a local art exhibit.

Russafa offers a change of pace, showcasing the city’s diversity in food, art, and nightlife. You get the full spectrum from traditional to modern, all in one jam-packed day.

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Hope you got your answer to what to see in Valencia in one day through this itinerary. But wait before leaving, I have more tips & recommendations for you that might be helpful!

Best One-Day Tours & Experiences

If you love guided tours and activities while exploring a new city, Valencia won’t let you down, as the city has tons of options. Here are my top recommendations, tailored perfectly for a one-day adventure in Valencia.

• 24-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Bus: This is by far the most efficient way to discover the city when you have limited time.
• Valencia Bike Tour: This 3-hour guided bike tour will get you to the best city’s sights, monuments, and attractions.
• Valencia: Tapas and Drinks Evening Tour: Indulge in Valencia’s most delicious dishes thanks to this 3-hour food tour.
• Valencia: Catamaran Cruise with Sunset Option: This 1.5-hour cruise is a great way to unwind after a long day of walking, offering great views of the city skyline.

Plaza del Ayuntamiento

Extending your Valencia Trip

If you’re lucky enough to have more than a day in Valencia, you can choose to explore the city in more depth or take a day trip. Here’s a quick list of things you can do in your extra time in Valencia:

• Have a fun day at the beach: Valencia has several beaches, the best ones being La Malvarrosa and El Saler beaches. If you’re there in spring or summer, you should definitely enjoy basking in the sun and bathing.
• Discover Picasso’s best works at the Fundación Museo Miro
• Enter Europe’s biggest aquarium: The Oceanogràfic is one of the most popular attractions in Valencia, and it’s easy to see why.
• Explore Albufeira Natural Park: Located to the south of Valencia, this park offers an impressive lagoon perfect for beautiful walks, boat tours, or wildlife watching.
• Go on a day trip to Xàtiva: Located about 1 hour west of Valencia, Xàtivia hosts exceptional monuments much worth visiting.

Albufera Natural Park

FAQ About Visiting Valencia

Is one day in Valencia enough?

Valencia is Spain’s third largest city and as such, it offers plenty of things to do and see. So one single day in Valencia is certainly not enough to experience it to the fullest. However, you can still have a good glimpse of the city and enjoy yourself in a day rather than skipping it altogether. It’s worth it!

If you extend your trip though, I’d say the perfect amount of time to visit Valencia is 2-3 days.

When is the best time to visit Valencia?

The best time to visit Valencia is May-June (spring to early summer) and September-October (end of summer to early fall). These months present the most ideal weather to enjoy all the activities Valencia has to offer with average morning temperatures ranging from 13 to 18°C (32-64.4°F), and average afternoon temperatures about 25-29°C (77-84.2°F). Also, it’s less crowded than in the high season, and prices are more affordable.

But in fact, Valencia is one of the rare destinations that can be visited all year round thanks to a very pleasant Mediterranean climate.

Is Valencia safe?

Well, Valencia is one of the safest cities in Spain. The safety rate when walking alone in the street is above 91%, which is very high compared to other major European cities.

It’s a city where you can feel safe at any time of the day or night. You can walk home alone from your evening out, phone in hand, headphones on, and still enjoy peace of mind.

La Lonja de la Seda facade

Final Thoughts on this Valencia One Day Itinerary

There you have it – a whirlwind day in Valencia that packs in a bit of everything this vibrant city has to offer. From the historic side of things of La Lonja and the Valencia Cathedral to the modern marvel that is the City of Arts and Sciences, you’ll get a full-on crash course in Valencia’s diverse character.

Toss in some local flavors like paella and horchata, and you’ve got yourself a day that’s not just a checklist of tourist spots, but a genuine slice of Valencian life.

What’s impressive about this Valencia itinerary is that it all fits neatly into one day without feeling rushed. It’s a great reminder that you don’t need a whole week to get under the skin of a place.

Instead, sometimes all it takes is a well-planned day to see why locals are so in love with their city – and maybe fall a bit in love with it yourself.

More to visit in Spain:

• One Day in Malaga
• One Day in Cordoba
• Seville Day Trip from Malaga
• Best Day Trips from Madrid
• Best Castles to Visit in Spain
• Famous Landmarks in Spain

And discover even more Spain travel guides here.

I hope you enjoy your Valencia trip; if you have any questions, let me know in the comments below. Help a fellow traveler and share this guide using the buttons below! 🙂