Valencia Travel & Vacation Guide

With no visible barriers, visitors to this 10-hectare zoo park can immerse themselves in the amazing wild habitats where lions, elephants, hippos, gorillas, and many more species live. The emphasis is on the preservation of endangered species and protecting the environment.

The University of Valencia's Botanical Garden has its roots in the orchard that was established in the 16th century to facilitate the teaching of botany. The garden boasts an impressive collection of over 3,000 species of trees and plants from various regions of the world. Its collection of palm trees, tropical shrubs, cacti, and desert flora is particularly noteworthy.

Valencia’s Cathedral is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture and the home of the Holy Grail–the only one certified by the Vatican. Its tower, the Miguelete, is a true icon of Valencia. Climb up to the top for great views of the city.

Opposite La Lonja, you will find the oldest food market in Europe, housed in a fascinating building in a true Valencian style. The market is just as lively now as it was a hundred years ago as if time had stood still. This is a great place to buy some local delicacies and experience Valencia's daily life.

The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, or City of Arts and Sciences, is a cultural and architectural complex designed by Santiago Calatrava that has become the number one attraction in Valencia. Walking around and taking photos of the stunning buildings is a pleasure in itself, and that does not cost anything. However, it is well worth the entrance fee to explore the various exhibits inside.

One of the most beautiful examples of Modernist architecture in the city, the Colon Market is home to several cafes and restaurants, and a good place to pick up interesting crafts and gifts, particularly at the Christmas market.

This small museum’s exhibits focus on Valencia’s huge Las Fallas festival. Las Fallas is a traditional celebration held every year in March, and people use this festive event to ridicule those in power. The term Fallas refers to both the celebration and the monuments created during the celebration. A number of towns in the Valencian Community have similar celebrations inspired by the original one in Valencia.

This playground is quite unusual and very much appreciated by the children. If you look closely you will see that the whole playground consists of a large giant, hence the name "Gulliver".

At Black Note Club, you can enjoy live music most nights of the week. The venue hosts rock, soul, and blues bands in old-school surroundings.

Claimed to be one of the most popular disco bars in Valencia, this venue is the place to be for a night out. You can enjoy drinks, dance to R'n'B music, and make new friends, all while having a great time.

Espit Chupitos is a bar chain with locations throughout Spain that specializes in shots. Their signature shot is the "chupitos de fuego" or fire shot. Since its inception in 1989, Espit Chupitos has been dedicated to innovation and creativity in the world of shot bars. They have developed more than 600 original shots and 180 jugs and cocktail shakers using their own brand of high-quality, competitive beverages. Whether you're looking to try something new or stick to a classic, Espit Chupitos has got you covered.

Tiki Bar in Valencia offering colourful, tropical drinks made with natural fruit juice, exotic essences, and top-quality distillates. In addition to their signature cocktails, they also serve natural juices, smoothies, artisan ice cream, and homemade crepes. These refreshing treats are sure to awaken your senses and provide a taste of paradise.

Since 1991, this cosy, urban jazz bar has been showcasing international and emerging artists while serving tapas and cocktails. It's the perfect spot for a night out if you're a fan of jazz music. Check out their website to see what's on while you're in town.

Johnny Maracas is the place to go for a fun, Latin-inspired night out. The venue features a popular cocktail menu with options like mojitos and Agua de Valencia (a mixture of cava or champagne, orange juice, vodka, and gin). When you're ready to dance, the Latino culture at Johnny Maracas will have you feeling the rhythm all night long.

Located in the heart of Valencia's downtown area, L'Ermità Café is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a great selection of imported beers, high-quality cocktails, and other drinks. This artistic café attracts beautiful groups of intellectual and laid-back people. It offers a good music playlist and hosts cultural activities every day. There are outdoor seating options for those who want to enjoy the fresh air while sipping on a drink.

This chic, futuristic dance club offers cocktails and champagne under an arched glass roof adorned with palm trees. It is considered one of the essential night spots in Valencia, with its stylish interiors and beautiful outside view of the modern buildings of the City of Arts and Science. Here, you can dance the night away or relax in the outdoor lounge.

Adolfo Domínguez is a Spanish fashion brand with a history dating back to the 1950s. Today, it has stores all over Spain and around the world. With an emphasis on sustainability, the brand offers stylish and elegant clothing, bags, and shoes for both men and women.

Spain's department store colossus is both loved and hated, but successfully performs the main task of a department store, which is to offer most things to most people. Designer fashions, their own low and medium-priced lines, enormous perfumery and make-up departments, accessories, toys, children's and baby's clothes, art materials, souvenirs, food and delicatessen, household furniture and decorations, electrical goods, books, and a range of services can be found here.

Located in one of Valencia's most iconic modernist buildings, the Central Market is the largest fresh produce market in Europe. It features over 1,200 stalls selling a variety of items, including fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, spices, nuts, fish, and seafood. The market is bursting with colour, aroma and flavour, and is a must-visit destination for anyone in the city. Don't forget to stop at the Central Bar for some tapas while you're there!

El Rastro de Valencia is a weekly flea market that takes place on Sunday mornings and attracts over 500 vendors each week. It is one of the largest flea markets in Spain and offers a wide variety of items, including old books, ornaments, toys, household items, jewellery, vinyl records, vintage clothing, ceramics, and more. The market is a great way to spend a few hours exploring and finding unique treasures but is open for a short time, so it's best to arrive early to avoid the largest crowds.

April-June and September-October are the best months for a trip to Valencia when it comes to cultural events, as well as for the weather, which should be warm and mostly sunny. June and the first couple weeks of September are also good for beach holidays: the weather is still warm, but the place is less crowded and the prices are lower. The high season at the seaside is in July-August, but the weather can get very hot then. Whichever dates you choose, don't worry about missing out on nightlife: Valencia is a lively university city, so something is always going on. Last but not least, take a look at the "Event" section of this guide if you haven't: many interesting festivals take place in Valencia during the year, and you might want to include one in your trip. Las Fallas in March is particularly popular, thus very crowded, but so very worth it.

Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Spain, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.

Valencia Airport is located approximately eight kilometres west of Valencia. Bus line 150 runs to the city centre and the port, and the journey takes about 45 minutes. You can also take one of the two underground lines that connect the airport with the city; the journey takes about 25 minutes. The taxi service in València is provided by the urban taxis of the joint service area. Please note that there is a supplement for trips from the airport, and make sure that the taxi driver starts the taxi meter at the beginning of the journey. It is advisable to request a receipt in case you need to make a complaint. The metropolitan bus line 150, also known as the Metrobus, connects the airport with the city centre of València, with intermediate stops at Mislata, Quart de Poblet and Manises. Metrovalencia line 3 links the airport with the city centre, the university area and the northern part of the metropolitan area. The station is located on the ground floor of the regional flights terminal, and there is an information office in the arrivals area of the airport.

The public transport system consists of a network of buses, underground trains, and trams. It is easy to get around Valencia and the metro is both the fastest and the easiest. Ticket prices vary for a single journey. You can buy combination tickets that include all means of transportation. The Valencia Tourist Card is a good option for tourists.

Taxis in Valencia are white and are available 24 hours a day. You can easily get hold of one in the city. You can either hail a taxi on the street or call for one. Here are a couple of taxi companies operating in Valencia: Teletaxi Valencia: +34 963 57 13 13 Radio Taxi Valencia: +34 963 70 33 33 Another option for lower fares is the rideshare company Uber.

Spain’s power grid operates at 230 volts with a frequency of 50 Hz, using Type F, Schuko plug, and Type C, Europlug, outlets. Both types accept plugs with two round prongs, common across continental Europe.

Pharmacies in Valencia have alternating opening hours at night and at weekends.

Spanish post offices are known as Correos. Stamps can be purchased from post offices and kiosks.