Wondering what to see in Valencia Spain in 2 days? Planning an itinerary of 2 days in Valencia can be tricky. As opposed to what many people think, this charming budget-friendly city has a lot to offer, and it can be challenging to prioritize. But don’t worry, because although two days in Valencia may not seem like a lot of time, they’re still enough to enjoy the city’s beautiful landmarks, enchanting streets, exquisite food scene, relaxed vibe, and even a few hidden gems. Let me help you plan the perfect 2 days in Valencia itinerary.
Where to stay in Valencia
For spending 2 days in Valencia, the old town (Ciutat Vella) is the best area to stay in the city, and Host & Home is a wonderful guesthouse you’ll surely love.
Beyond its perfect location, the rooms are super cozy and comfortable, the staff is welcoming and helpful, and you’ll get a very good value for your money.
Booking.com
General Valencia Travel Tips and Notes
These are things you should know before visiting Valencia, my go to Valencia Travel Tips.
- Spain’s travel restrictions have been changing frequently. Know the latest travel rules regarding Spain’s Health Control Form at Natvisa.
- Getting from the airport: Besides taxis, Metro lines 3 and 5 and bus number 150 go directly from the airport to the city center.
- You can save money by getting a 48 hours Valencia Tourist Card including excellent discounts, free travel, and entrance to museums. Eat-in restaurants, shop, take a tour–and get great savings all at once! The card is easy and quick to use.
- Most of this itinerary is walkable, so be sure to bring comfortable shoes.
- This itinerary is not suitable if you’re visiting during Las Fallas festival. The festival’s events can take a lot of your time and some landmarks are closed.
- If you prefer, you can book a budget-friendly city walking tour.
- The Spaniards eat quite late, so it’s normal to have your lunch at 2 PM and dinner at 9 PM.
- Valencia is a very safe city. I’d still watch out from pickpockets, but it’s not as bad as in Barcelona or certain areas in Madrid.
RECOMMENDED: Visiting Madrid on a budget
2 Days in Valencia Itinerary – Day 1
The first half-day is all about exploring the southern part of Valencia’s old town, while the rest of the day will be dedicated to the northern part, also known as the neighborhood of El Carmen.
Breakfast – Horchateria Santa Catalina
Start your first morning with a Valencian breakfast of horchata and fartons. If you traveled to Central America, there’s a good chance you’ve already tried a few versions of horchata, but in Valencia, this sweet, refreshing drink is made from tiger nuts. Now, “What on Earth are fartons?” you might ask. Well, they are a type of sweet bread glazed with sugar, and the idea is to dip these tube-shaped pastries into the horchata.
There are plenty of places to feast on this breakfast in the city, but if you only have two days in Valencia, head to the iconic Horchateria Santa Catalina. This place prides itself on 200 years of tradition, and that’s exactly what you’ll get – traditional atmosphere, food, and drinks.
Address: Plaça de Santa Caterina, 6.
Opening hours: Everyday 8:15 AM – 9:30 PM.
Extra tip: If you’re here on a weekend, try to squeeze in another visit. On Saturdays and Sundays in the afternoon, this place also serves buñuelos, fried doughnuts that are usually only made during the local Fallas festival (that takes place in March).
Museo Nacional de Ceramicas
After a delicious breakfast, head to the National Museum of Ceramics. Also known as the palace of the Marquess of Dos Aguas, this stunning building was built in the 15th century and refurbished in Rococo style in the 18th century. Today, it houses an important museum, where you’ll find ceramic collections dating back to Medieval, Roman, Greek, and even prehistoric times.
Admission is only 3 Euros (free on weekends), but even if you don’t want to visit the museum itself, you have to at least appreciate the palace’s magnificent exteriors.
Address: Carrer del Poeta Querol, 2.
Opening hours: Sunday 10 AM – 2 PM, Tuesday-Saturday 10 AM – 2 PM and 4 PM – 8 PM.
Plaza Redonda & Plaza Lope De Vega
Translating to ‘The Round Square,’ Plaza Redonda is the next stop on this itinerary. This is a charming little corner in Valencia, surrounded by shops and tapas bars and hosting a flea market on Sundays. Not even a minute away, you also have to check out Plaza Lope de Vega, which is home to Europe’s narrowest building, ‘La Estrecha’ (it is only 107 cm/a little over 42 inches wide).
Mercado Central
Next, head to Mercado Central, one of Valencia’s (and Europe’s) biggest markets, covering more than 8,000 square meters and housed in a gorgeous Art Nouveau building. Inside, you’ll find about 1,000 stalls selling fresh produce including fruit and vegetables, cheeses, spices, seafood, and more.
Strolling through markets is a great way to get to know the local culture, so even if you’re not going to buy anything, visiting this place is a must-see in Valencia.
Address: Plaça de la Ciutat de Bruges.
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 9 AM – 2 PM.
La Lonja de la Seda
Your next stop is one of the most important historical buildings in the city. Being a major center of commerce centuries ago and a Gothic architecture masterpiece, it’s no wonder that La Lonja de la Seda (‘The Silk Exchange’) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 15th-century landmark is one of the top places to visit in Valencia, and the admission is only 2 Euros (free on weekends).
Address: Carrer de la Llotja, 2.
Opening hours: Sunday 10 AM – 2 PM, Monday-Saturday 10 AM – 7 PM.
RECOMMENDED: Best Things To in Costa del Sol, Southern Spain
Plaza de la Reina & Plaza de la Virgen
Pass through the beautiful Plaza de la Reina and continue to Plaza de la Virgen. In this stunning square, you’ll see some of Valencia’s most significant landmarks like the Palau de la Generalitat (the seat of the government of the Valencian Community region), BasÃlica de la Virgen de los Desamparados, and the 13th-century Valencia Cathedral.
Not only does the cathedral and the museum inside it hold important Spanish art pieces, but it’s also where the Holy Grail is kept (though not everyone believes it is the actual Holy Grail). The funny thing is that if you look at its front facade, you’ll actually notice a Star of David.
Opening hours of the cathedral: Sunday 2 PM – 6:30 PM, Monday-Saturday 10 AM – 6:30 PM.
Price: 8 Euros.
Right behind the cathedral, you’ll see the bell tower – El Miguelete. For 2 Euros, you can climb up to get the most spectacular views of the city, but prepare yourself, because there are more than 200 stairs.
Lunch – La Riua
If there’s one big reason to visit Valencia, it’s that you can indulge yourself in authentic paella. This region is where Spain’s most famous dish was born, and La Riua is definitely one of the best places in the city to have a delicious Valencian meal.
In this restaurant, not only you’ll get amazing food but also a traditional atmosphere and welcoming service.
Good to know: As in other restaurants in Valencia, the paella is prepared on demand and takes about 30 minutes to cook. It’s made for a minimum of two people, and its prices on the menu are per person.
Address: Carrer del Mar, 27.
Opening hours: Monday 2 PM – 4:15 PM, Thursday-Saturday 2 PM – 4:15 PM and 9 PM – 11 PM.
Heladeria Llinares
Who can say no to ice cream? If you’re in for an unusual experience in Valencia, head to Heladeria Llinares, which is located right next to Horchateria Santa Catalina, where this wonderful day has started.
Apart from chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and other ordinary ice cream flavors, in this unique spot, you can also try some bizarre tastes like tortilla de patatas (a Spanish potato omelet) and gazpacho (a cold, raw Spanish soup). Weirdly intriguing, right?
Address: Plaça de la Reina, 6.
El Carmen
This neighborhood, which is located in the northern part of the old town district, has to be my favorite in Valencia. Alongside old buildings and squares, traditional tapas bars and taverns, you’ll notice crazy amounts of colorful urban art.
This contrast is exactly what makes El Carmen so fascinating, so it’s best to explore it freely. However, if you’re looking for a few visit-worthy spots, here are some suggestions.
- Casa de los Gatos (Carrer del Museu, 9): A homage to a local legend, this quirky miniature house serves as a shelter for the neighborhood’s cats.
- L’iber (Carrer dels Cavallers, 20): The world’s biggest museum of historical miniatures. It includes exhibition rooms dedicated to the history of Valencia and Spain, ancient history, and other eras. It’s only open on weekends (Saturday 11 AM – 2 PM and 4 PM – 7 PM, Sunday 11 AM – 2 PM) and admission is 8 Euros.
- Portal de Valldigna: The archway that seperated the Christian Valencia and the Arab quarter centuries ago.
- Torres de Serranos & Torres de Quart: Both towers were gateways in the ancient wall that used to surround the old city of Valencia. Apart from admiring their architecture, you can also climb them to get some views of the city (though not as impressive as the views from the Miguelete).
- Centre del Carme (Carrer del Museu, 2): An old monastery converted into a cultural center. It’s completely free to visit, so if you want to enjoy some art exhibitions, this is a great spot.
- Prehistory Museum (Carrer de la Corona, 36): One of the best archeological museums in Spain, and it only costs 2 Euros to visit it (it’s closed on Mondays).
Dinner
El Carmen offers plenty of exquisite dining options, and here are a few try-worthy places:
- Bar Richard (Carrer de Pinzón, 9): In the evening, it’s only open on Thursday and Friday, but it’s definitely one of the best tapas bars in Valencia, mostly serving vegetarian and seafood dishes.
- El Botijo (Carrer de Sant Miquel, 14): Another fantastic tapas bar, offering a variety of options for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.
- Restaurante Canela (Carrer de Quart, 49): From amazing paella to seafood to tapas, this is a perfect dinner place located next to the Torres de Quart.
Drinks – Cafe De Las Horas
If you want to finish off your first day in Valencia at a unique bar, head to Cafe de las Horas. Even before ordering anything, you’ll be captivated by the extravagant Neo-Baroque decor which makes this place a must-visit.
On the menu, you’ll find anything from wines and cava to cocktails and Agua de Valencia – the city’s staple drink made from cava, orange juice, vodka, and gin. You can also have non-alcoholic beverages like mocktails, coffee, or tea.
Address: Carrer del Comte d’Almodóvar, 1.
Valencia 2 Day Itinerary – Day 2
Breakfast – Dulce de Leche
Located in the lovely Ruzafa neighborhood, Dulce de Leche is an excellent place to start your morning with a breakfast of toasts with tomatoes (a Spanish classic), pastries, sandwiches, or even cakes. Everything looks absolutely mouthwatering (and tastes accordingly), and the coffee is great as well.
Address: Carrer del Pintor Gisbert, 2.
Opening hours: Everyday 9 AM – 9 PM.
Abanicos Carbonell
Next, head to Abanicos Carbonell. A hand fan can be a cheesy Spanish souvenir, but if you find the right place to buy one, it’s a treasure.
The Carbonell family has been making handcrafted fans since 1860, and in this little shop, you’ll find dozens of works of art created by them.
While most of their fans are pretty pricey (especially the antique ones, though they still deserve to be admired), you can find some affordable yet beautiful designs you’ll want to take home with you.
Address: Carrer de Castelló, 21.
Casa Judia
On the other side of the street, you’ll be amazed by La Casa Judia (‘The Jewish House’), a true hidden gem that even some of the locals don’t know about.
This 1930 Art Deco house was built for a Jewish man, hence the name and the little Star of David you’ll see above the entrance door. It is filled with intricate architectural details and bright colors, and it’s so unique that you won’t regret adding that one extra stop to your 2-day Valencia itinerary.
Carrer de Castelló, 19.
Gran Via del Marques Del Turia & Punete De Las Flores
Continue to Gran Via del Marques del Turia, one of the most charming avenues in Valencia. It makes a lovely late morning stroll, and along the way, you’ll see some beautiful buildings like Casa Ortega (Gran VÃa Marqués del Turia 9) and Casa Chapa (Gran Via del Marqués del Túria 69 – 71).
Right at the of the avenue, lie the Turia Gardens. One of about a dozen bridges that cross these gardens is Puente de las Flores (‘The Flowers’ Bridge), which is basically one big colorful carpet of flowers. It is located only a minute away from Gran Via del Marqués del Túria, so don’t miss it.
El Cabanyal Neighborhood & The Promenade
If you want to seea less touristy side of Valencia, roaming the streets of the coastal El Cabanyal neighborhood is a must. This is Valencia’s old fisherman’s quarter, and everything about it exudes history.
After exploring its beautiful old buildings (which might take a while because it’s such a fascinating area), head to the beach and take a relaxing stroll on the promenade.
Getting to El Cabanyal: From the bus station Finlà ndia – General Gil Dolz (only a minute away from Puente de las Flores), take bus number 32 and get off at Mediterránia – Vicent Brull.
Lunch – La Pepica/Casa Carmela
Both restaurants serve some incredible paella. Open since 1898, La Pepica (Passeig de Neptú, 6) was actually one of Ernest Hemingway’s favorite places to eat in the city.
On the other hand, Casa Carmela (Carrer d’Isabel de Villena, 155) does not sit directly on the promenade, so it’s a bit more hidden and less touristy.
City of Arts and Sciences
I bet you’ve come across a gazillion photos of this complex on Instagram, and of course, it is a must-see in Valencia. It includes six massive structures:
- Oceanografic: Europe’s largest aquarium. You can purchase the tickets in advance here.
- Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia: A space that promotes performing arts like opera and ballet.
- Principe Felipe Science Museum.
- Hemisferic: A planetarium and an IMAX cinema.
- The Umbracle: A gorgeous garden covered by unique arches.
- The Agora: A building that hosts different events.
Wandering around this magnificent complex is free, but if you want to visit the museums, purchase combo tickets that will give you a certain discount. Depending on which and how many museums you visit, you can spend anything from one hour to an entire afternoon in this place.
Getting there from the beach: Near La Pepica, you’ll find the bus station Marcos Sopena – Eugènia Viñes. From there, take bus number 95 and get off at Eduardo Primo Yúfera – Centre d’Investigació.
Museo Fallero
If you still have some time left before you want to grab dinner, pay a quick visit to the Fallas Museum. The Fallas is the city’s biggest annual event and one of the best festivals in Spain.
If you haven’t heard of it, know that it’s meant to welcome spring and that one of its most significant features is the elaborate paper-mache sculptures each neighborhood builds according to the annual theme. At the end of the festival, the sculptures get burned, except for the ones that are voted to be saved from the flames. These are put on display in the Fallas Museum, which only costs 2 Euros to visit (free admission on weekends).
Address: Plaza Monteolivete, 4.
Opening hours: Sunday 10 AM – 2 PM, Monday-Saturday 10 AM – 7 PM (last entry at 6:15 PM).
Dinner – Ruzafa
Walk back to the neighborhood of Ruzafa for dinner, and end your trip in one of these restaurants:
- El Camerino (Carrer de Mossèn Femenia, 16): A beautifully decored Spanish restaurant that serves great food. It’s perfect for anyone with dietary restrictions since every dish on the menu is marked for containing allergens.
- El Cantonet de Pare Pere (Avinguda Regne de Valencia, 38): A typical Spanish tavern that serves amazing food and has an inviting, cozy, local atmosphere.
- Raco del Turia (Carrer de Ciscar, 10): In case you’re craving more Valencian food, this is the place to have some more paella and seafood.
Finish off your second day in Valencia strolling through the streets of Ruzafa. If you want, grab some drinks in one of the neighborhood’s bars like Cuatro Monos for cocktails or RUZANUVOL for craft beers.
This is a guest post by Or from the blog My Path in the World
AUTHOR’S BIO: I’m Or, a passionate traveler with a big love for Spain and Europe in general. I’m not one to tick items off a bucket list, so I’m always in search of underrated destinations and hidden gems in popular destinations. To share my findings and tips, I created My Path in the World.
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