Things to Do in Valencia

Discover 9 activities and experiences in Valencia, Spain — from outdoor adventures to cultural events. Curated from real traveler recommendations.

Valencia, Spain 9 activities
  1. Festa del Corpus Christi

    The city has been celebrating Corpus Christi since the late 13th century, and holding feast day processions since 1355. All processions terminate at the cathedral; the tourist office can give a precise itinerary for each.The main procession, known as the ''Cavalcada del Convit'' (Spanish: ''Cabalgata del Convite'') begins at 12:00 and follows an itinerary established in the 18th century, and features several medieval dances and rituals unique to Valencia. The most famous dance is ''La Moma i els Momos'', in which a man in white dress and white-veiled face is surrounded by seven men clothed and veiled in black; the dance represents the fight of virtue against the seven deadly sins. Also noteworthy is the dance of the ''Gegants'' (giants) and ''Nanos'' (dwarves), with dancers wearing oversized heads and costumes, and ''La Poalà'', in which participants are doused with buckets of water.16:30 marks the start of the ''Pas de les Roques'' (Spanish: ''Paso de las Rocas'', or Parade of Carriages), the highlight of which are the antique horse-drawn carriages. The final procession, the ''Solemne Processó'' (Spanish: ''Solemne Procesión'') begins at 19:00, with participants from parishes and guilds followed by biblical characters and finally by the monstrance.

    60 days after Easter, usually late May or early June
    Free
    More info
  2. Nou d’Octubre

    This annual public holiday has been celebrated since 1365 and commemorates the date in 1238 when King James I of Aragón entered the city, freeing it from Moorish rule. Festivities commence at midnight on 8 October with a fireworks display from the Túria River park by the Pont de l'Exposició (by Alameda metro station). At noon on the following day a formal procession carries the Valencian flag from the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) to the Parque del Parterre (Parterre Park), where a wreath is laid before the equestrian statue of King James.The highlight of the day is the parade of '''Moros i Cristians''' (Spanish: ''Moros y Cristianos''), which commences near the Parque del Parterre and proceeds down Carrer de la Pau and Carrer de Sant Vicent, finally terminating at Plaça de l’Ajuntament. The parade starts at 17:00 but it is best to find a spot about a half-hour before the parade begins.The 9th of October is also the day of St. Dyonisius, which for Valencians is similar to Valentine's Day. In a tradition dating to the 18th century, it is customary for men to give their sweethearts a ''mocaorà'' – a small bundle of marzipan treats shaped like fruits and wrapped in a handkerchief.

    9 October
  3. Café del Duende

    This café is an intimate venue for flamenco performances, with well-known dancers and musicians hailing not only from Valencia but from across Spain. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays performances begin at 23:00 and last for one hour; on Sunday they begin at 20:00. As shows are very popular, it is advisable to get there at least an hour before the show in order to secure a seat – getting to the door 15 minutes before opening is even better.

    Carrer del Túria, 62
    Th 22:00-02:30, F Sa 22:00-03:30, Su 17:00-23:00
    €10 (includes drink)
    More info
  4. L’Hemisfèric

    Designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatravato to resemble a giant eye, this building functions as an IMAX and 3D cinema as well as planetarium. Multiple films are screened daily, with a schedule available online. For visitors interested in seeing the inner workings of the building, guided tours are available M-F at 12.00 and 16.00 in Spanish and English. The building also has a restaurant and shop.

    Ticket office: 10:00 until beginning of last film
    Shows: €8.80 (adults), €6.85 (concessions); guided tour: €28
    More info
  5. Palau de la Música

    Designed by José María de Paredes and opened in 1987, this is considered to be one of Europe's most important concert halls. The building is marked by an enormous glass greenhouse-like structure which also serves as the main entrance. In addition to classical music, jazz concerts are also performed here.

    Paseo de la Alameda, 30
    10:30-13:30, 17:30-21:00 (ticket office); tickets can also be purchased [http://www.entradas.com/tickets.html?affiliate=EES&doc=venuePage&fun=venue&action=overview&venueGroupId=18884 online]
    More info
  6. Cines Babel

    An art-house cinema which screens films in their original languages, including many current releases. The cinema has an adjoining café, and offers mid-week deals of dinner plus a movie for a reduced ticket price.

    Calle de Vicente Sancho Tello, 10
    More info
  7. Teatro Principal

    Valencia's oldest theatre was opened 1832 and has a Rococo interior. It is the venue for a varied program of plays and musicals (in Spanish), modern dance, ballet, and concerts.

    Carrer de les Barques, 15
    Box office: Tu-F 11:00-13:00 17:00-20:00, Sa and holidays 17:00-20:00
    More info
  8. Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia

    This opera/concert house has four halls and covers an area of 37,000m². A schedule of events can be found [http://www.lesarts.com/agenda/ here].

    Ticket office: M W F 10:00-14:30, opens again 3 hrs prior to performance; T Th 10:00-19:00 or until performance; Sa Su and holidays opens 2 hrs prior to performance
    More info
  9. Yelmo Cines

    A modern cineplex which shows the latest blockbusters, with both dubbed and original language versions (''VOS'': versión original subtitulada).

    Avenida de Tirso de Molina, 16
    More info

Exploring Valencia: A Traveler's Guide to Activities

Valencia rewards curious travelers with an exceptional range of experiences. Whether you have a weekend or several weeks, the city's 9 documented activities cover the full spectrum — architectural landmarks and world-class museums at one end, local neighborhood festivals and underground cultural scenes at the other. The activities listed on this page come from Wikivoyage contributors who have personally explored Valencia and written detailed, practical descriptions to help you plan your visit.

The most rewarding way to experience Valencia's activities is with company. Solo travelers who arrive without plans often find that meeting a fellow traveler at a hostel, cafe, or through the Nomax app opens up entirely new itineraries — a museum visit becomes a half-day exploration, a street food crawl turns into an evening of discovery, a day trip to a nearby site becomes an adventure. Valencia has an active traveler community, and the city is designed to reward those who explore it with open curiosity.

When planning what to do in Valencia, consider mixing well-known attractions with neighborhood-level experiences. The city's most photographed sights are popular for good reason, but Valencia's character lives in its quieter corners too — the local markets, the parks where residents spend their weekends, the small performance venues where the next generation of artists and musicians are finding their voice. The 9 activities on this page include both categories, ordered by the richness of their traveler-written descriptions.

How to Get the Most from Valencia's Activities

Timing matters in Valencia. Many of the city's best attractions have shorter queues and better atmospheres on weekday mornings. Major cultural sites — museums, galleries, historic monuments — often run free admission windows on certain days or evenings; check before booking. Outdoor activities and walking tours are best enjoyed in the morning before the city heats up or fills with tour groups.

Budget-conscious travelers will find that Valencia has a strong free-to-access layer. Public parks, open-air markets, architectural walking routes, and many community events cost nothing. The price information included with activities on this page (where available) helps you plan a realistic daily budget. A mix of free and paid activities across a week in Valencia is entirely feasible for most traveler budgets.

For travelers who want to do more than just sightseeing, Valencia offers organized activities through local guides, tour companies, and traveler apps like Nomax. Group activities — cooking classes, cycling tours, kayaking excursions, photography walks — are a natural way to meet people while experiencing the city. Many travelers who use Nomax in Valencia coordinate these types of group experiences together, splitting costs and building memories that last beyond the trip itself.

Activities for Different Travel Styles

Not every traveler wants the same experience. History enthusiasts will gravitate toward Valencia's museums, heritage sites, and guided historical walks that reveal the layers of the city's past. Outdoor and adventure travelers will focus on the parks, cycling routes, climbing areas, and day trips to surrounding natural areas. Food travelers will treat Valencia's markets, restaurants, and food tours as the primary activities of each day. Culture seekers will fill evenings with concerts, theater, gallery openings, and street performances.

The 9 activities documented on this page span all these categories. Use the numbered list above to browse in order of description quality — longer descriptions generally mean more detailed, firsthand traveler knowledge. For each activity, the address and opening hours (where available) give you everything you need to plan your visit without needing to search elsewhere.

Connecting with Travelers in Valencia

One of the best things about traveling to Valencia is the community of international travelers already there. Backpackers, digital nomads, long-term expats, and short-trip tourists all share the same city at any given moment. Nomax makes it easy to find who is in Valencia right now, see what activities they are joining, and coordinate plans. Whether you want a hiking companion, someone to split museum entry with, or a group for an evening out — the app connects you to people with the same itinerary in minutes.

Download Nomax before your trip to Valencia to set your travel dates and start discovering who else will be there at the same time. The app is free, requires no subscription, and works across all the major traveler destinations worldwide — meaning the community you build in Valencia often extends to your next destination too.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Valencia?

Valencia offers 9+ activities and experiences for travelers. Top highlights include Festa del Corpus Christi, Nou d’Octubre, Café del Duende, and much more. This page lists every documented activity in order of description quality, so you can find both the major attractions and the hidden gems.

Are there free things to do in Valencia?

Yes — Valencia has a strong selection of free activities. Public parks, open-air markets, walking routes through historic neighborhoods, and many cultural institutions offer free admission on specific days. Scroll through the list above and look for activities marked with free or no price information — these are often the city's most authentic experiences.

How do I meet other travelers while exploring Valencia?

Download Nomax — a free travel companion app that shows you other solo travelers currently in Valencia. You can join group activities, chat with travelers at the same spots, and plan outings together. Many travelers in Valencia use Nomax to find companions for day trips, museum visits, and evening activities.

What activities can I do with travel companions I meet in Valencia?

Valencia has activities for every interest — guided tours, food experiences, outdoor adventures, cultural events, and nightlife. Use Nomax to coordinate with other travelers: join a group for a walking tour, split a day-trip cost, or simply explore the city together. The app makes spontaneous plans easy.

Explore Valencia with fellow travelers

Download Nomax — find travel companions, join group activities, and chat with solo travelers in Valencia right now. Free forever.

Travel tips by Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 3.0). Content may have been updated since publication.