While it’s always better to spend a couple of days in a new city, it’s completely possible to spend 24 hours in Valencia and make headway on the sights.
Valencia is a small city in comparison with the sprawling Barcelona and Madrid. Its historic heart, the Ciutat Vella, is walkable and rich in historic sights. You could spend the whole of your 1 day in Valencia pottering around the museums and landmarks.
Otherwise, you can split your day across the City of Arts and Sciences and beaches of Valencia – as this Valencia in one day itinerary will illustrate.
This customizable guide to what to see in Valencia in a day is designed for cruisers, layovers, and day trips to Valencia by train.
Getting around Valencia in 24 hours
You can either explore independently using public transport or book a tour for your 1 day in Valencia. But, first.
- Is your day trip to Valencia part of a cruise? The Port of Valencia is located in the Poblats Marítims district three miles east of the Old Town (Ciutat Vella). Some cruise operators arrange transport to the center so you’ll want to check that before hailing a cab.
- Quick layover? Valencia Airport is served by metro lines 3 and 5. Hop off at Xàtiva and walk from there.
- Planning a day trip to Valencia by train? The city has two train stations: Estació del Nord (regional trains) and Estació de Joaquin Sorolla (long-distance trains). Both stations have luggage storage facilities and are walkable from the Ciutat Vella
Public transport in Valencia
The main tourist neighborhoods in Valencia are walkable. If you’re spending 24 hours in Valencia, you’re best sticking to the Old Town and squeezing in a trip to the City of Arts and Sciences and/or the beach if time allows.
If you use any buses, you can pay with cash (only euros!) or contactless credit/debit card. Each journey costs €1.50, so come prepared with loose change. You can use Google Maps to check for your closest bus stop and routes.
Otherwise, it might be easier to hail a taxi. Uber in Spain is available but it isn’t hugely reliable. You’re better off hailing a taxi or using a more popular app, such as Cabify or Free Now. Download these apps before commencing your day in Valencia.
Take some time to get lost amid the winding streets of Valencia’s old town.
Best Valencia Sightseeing Tours
Your other option is to join a tour. On a short itinerary, a private tour allows more flexibility and customization.
This is a great way to learn about the history of Valencia and streamline the process – i.e., limit the risk of getting lost and seeing your cruise ship floating away into the horizon.
These are the three best private tours for a day trip to Valencia:
- Valencia Must-See Attractions Private Walking Tour: You’ll have the undivided attention of a local guide on this walking tour of Valencia’s Old Town. The itinerary takes you to the cathedral, the market, the defensive towers, and the main plazas. It runs throughout the hour and is easy to slip into your 1 day in Valencia itinerary.
- Valencia City Highlights Private Tuk-Tuk Tour: Save your feet on this two-hour private tour shared between four guests. The route focuses on the Old Town, City of Arts and Sciences, and the main beach. As a private, personalized activity, you may be able to arrange pick-up near the cruise port.
- Valencia Private City Tour on Bike, E-Bike, & E-Scooter: Valencia is a treat to explore on a two-wheeler. This private tour lets you choose between regular or pedal-assisted vehicles. You’ll cover a lot of ground during these three hours. Locations include the Ciutat Vella, the City of Arts and Sciences, Turia Park, and Malvarrosa Beach.
24 Hours in Valencia: What to See in Valencia in a Day
If you have one full day in Valencia, you can split your time between the Ciutat Vella and the City of Arts and Sciences.
With a couple of hours, it’s better to prioritize the Old Town where most of the attractions are located.
And what to see in Valencia in 24 hours? Conveniently, this guide to things to do in Valencia has one activity for every hour of the day!
Morning in Valencia’s Old Town
If you are traveling on a cruise, your operator will likely provide a shuttle service. This is the most practical means of reaching the center of Valencia.
Otherwise, you can catch a taxi which will take around 20 minutes and save you the hassle of buses.
We’ll start in the Ciutat Vella as this district gets busy later. These are the sights to prioritize.
Barrio del Carmen is one of the most popular neighborhoods to explore, especially for food and culture.
Barrio El Carmen
El Carmen is one of the oldest parts of the Ciutat Vella with narrow little alleys and ornamental plazas. The Serranos Towers stand over the Plaça dels Furs and they’re open to the public from 10:00 AM.
There’s lots of street art in this neighborhood which makes it a great place to start your 24 hours in Valencia with a stroll and some early morning photography.
You can pick up a coffee at Cafetería Lavin which opens early or hold out for Cafe de las Horas which opens at 10:00 AM.
This gorgeous cafe is famed for its Aigua de València, a traditional Spanish drink, which it might be a little early in the day for! That said, it’s great for avoiding scurvy after all those days at sea…
Otherwise, you can order a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice or a coffee.
Barrio El Carmen is located at the northernmost boundary of the Old Town. Therefore, you can start here and work your way south through the central district.
Time estimation: 1 hour, give or take
La Lonja de la Seda
Now a designated World Heritage Site, La Lonja de la Seda is the former Silk Exchange. It dates to the late 15th century when it would have been chock-full of silk merchants during the Golden Age
It’s impressive from the outside but you’ll want to hand over the €2 (around $2) fee to see the Hall of Columns. Your ticket also lets you into the courtyard where orange trees provide welcome shade from the summer sun.
There are audio guides in English to help you understand the history and visualize how La Lonja de la Seda would have appeared in its heyday.
La Lonja de la Seda opens at 10:00 AM.
Time estimation: 30-40 minutes
Lonja de la Seda is a must-visit on any trip to Valencia.
Valencia Cathedral
The Metropolitan Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady of Valencia stands at the heart of the Old Town. It presents a mix of Romanesque, Baroque, and Neoclassical elements and a tower with city views.
Eyeing what is believed to be the real Holy Grail is the main reason to visit. Admission to the cathedral costs €9 ($10) and access to the Miguelete Tower costs €2.50 (just under $3).
Valencia Cathedral opens at 10:30 AM.
Time estimation: 25-50 minutes
Lunch Option 1: Quick Lunch in Valencia
Plan your lunch stop ahead of the main rush hour. This will help you avoid waiting for a table and, subsequently, your order.
Seeing as Valencia is where paella was invented, this is the dish to order. Valencian paella (paella valenciana) is traditionally made with chicken, rabbit, snails, and vegetables – back in the day, farmers would throw in whatever they had.
These days, seafood paella is more common. In Valencia, you’ll find paella restaurants serving a mix of different recipes. Quite a few restaurants will open later in the afternoon than is ideal when you’re trying to squeeze the best of Valencia in one day.
In terms of good, central places to eat paella, Babalu Mediterraneo & Caribeño opens at 12:00 PM, which is very early for lunch in Spain.
The menu fuses traditional Valencian dishes with Spanish, Mediterranean, and West Indian cuisine which is a fun experience! The restaurant has lots of patio seating, too.
Rincón 33 opens for lunch at 1:30 PM while La Riuà opens at 2:00 PM. This might work if you’re more keen on staying in the Old Town for your 24 hours in Valencia.
The Central Market is a place to eat and experience a buzzing environment when touring Valencia in 24 hours. Service at Central Bar by Ricard Camarena is generally quite fast but, again, you’ll need to get ahead of the lunch crowd.
Be sure to sample some of the cuisine around the city, it’s home to some amazing tapas spots.
Lunch Option 2: Valencia Food Tour
If you’re a die-hard foodie you might want to dedicate more of your one day in Valencia to food. This might mean prowling around Valencia’s best tapas bars instead of having a quick lunch at a single restaurant. Or, you could sign up for a food tour.
This small-group food tour commences at 10:00 AM and lasts three hours. It includes a wander around the Central Market to chat with vendors and learn how to shop like a Valencian. You’ll partake in the local tradition of almuerzo, or brunch.
With all the tastings you’re covered for breakfast and lunch. Which is great if you flew in on a budget airline with no meals or are growing weary of cruise ship fodder.
Afternoon in the City of Arts and Sciences
If time allows, it’s worth visiting the City of Arts and Sciences to see a different side of Valencia.
This district is also known as the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias in Spanish and the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències in Valencian/Catalan.
Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela designed most of the development with the latest building being completed in 2009. It was wrapped up in the repurposing of the old riverbed as Turia Park.
You can get there using one of the following options:
- Walk through the Turia Gardens. This will take 30/40 minutes at a brisk pace but you can stretch it out as long as you are able.
- Catch bus number 23 or 25 from Porta de la Mar or bus 14 or 19 from Plaça de l’Ajuntament.
- Hail a taxi. It’ll take around 20 minutes from the market.
Once in the City of Arts and Sciences, you can take your pick of activities.
- Lletres de València: A great photo opportunity with the pools in the background!
- L’Umbracle Terrassa: This sculpture garden overlaps with the Jardí d’Astronomia where you’ll find vintage astronomy apparatus amid plants and trees.
- L’Oceanogràfic: The largest oceanographic aquarium in Europe has incredible architecture and is a fun way to spend an hour of your 1 day in Valencia.
- L’Hemisfèric: The oldest part of the complex contains an IMAX cinema, planetarium, and laser show.
- Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe: Resembling a whale’s skeleton, this science museum is very hands-on.
- L’Àgora: An avant-garde venue for sports, music, and cultural events as well as temporary exhibitions.
- Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía: If you’re spending more than 24 hours in Valencia, check out what’s on at this concert hall.
In terms of what to see in Valencia in a day, you’ll have to whittle down a shortlist. You can pay as you go to the attractions which appeal most to you.
If you want to try and see a couple of museums, you can save money with Oceanografic, Hemisferic, and Science Museum combo tickets.
Time estimation: You can spend an hour exploring the open parts. If you want to visit a museum, allow a couple of hours here and skip the final leg of your Valencia in one day itinerary.
Explore the different plazas around Valencia, you can even go inside the City Hall building.
Valencia Beach Trip
If you have enough time to stop at the beach, do it! Valencia’s main beach is close to the port.
However, it’s the opposite side of the city for the airport. If you have a flight to catch, we’d suggest you take your sun bath in Turia Park.
Playa de las Arenas (also known as Playa Cabanyal) sits directly next to the marina.
This is a wide and sandy beach with a multi-purpose path shared by walkers, runners, and cyclists. You can follow this as far as you have time for, with more than 24 hours in Valencia you could go as far as Platja de la Patacona.
There are a few places to eat on the seafront. Boa Beach is open all day serving healthy brunches, seafood mains, burgers, and cocktails.
Quiosc Duana doesn’t have the best view but the food is excellent quality, far better than the sea-view places nearby. The restaurant serves shellfish platters, catch of the day, and Valencian tapas. It’s minutes from the cruise terminal so you can keep one eye trained on your ship!