12 Free Things To Do In Valencia In One Day (Itinerary)
Valencia is an amazing city in Spain that is much cheaper and with far fewer tourists than its famous siblings Barcelona or Madrid. There are also lots of cool free things to do in Valencia to make it even more affordable.
We spent a week pet-sitting in Valencia and loved our time there. If we were to choose somewhere to live in Spain it may be Valencia! So let’s find out the best free things to do in Valencia in one day and what your itinerary could look like.
One tip upfront: Most attractions in Valencia are free on Sunday!
1. Start at Torres de Serranos (A free thing to do in Valencia with a view)
Torres de Serranos is a beautiful Gothic tower that is one of the most recognizable buildings in the city center. It was built between 1392 and 1398 and of the 12 gates to the city that were originally built Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart is the only ones that remain.
It is a very impressive structure and walking through Torres de Serranos will bring you straight into the middle of the old town. So it is a great way to enter the city and start your day exploring the best free things to do in Valencia in one day.
Plus, you can climb to the top of Torres de Serranos for an awesome view of Valencia. There is also a small museum inside showcasing the history of the wall that used to surround Valencia. Entry is only 2 euros but on Sundays it is free!
2. Visit La Plaza de la Virgin
Next head to the main square in Valencia called La Plaza de la Virgin with an impressive fountain in the middle. The square is surrounded by some of Valencia’s oldest and most iconic buildings such as the beautiful Valencia Cathedral and takes you back in time.
Tip: There are also lots of little bars and cafes around which gives the place a relaxed atmosphere. But if you are looking for cheap, filling, and tasty food with a beautiful old-city view head to Burritos San Lorenzo around the corner.
3. Check out La Almoina Archaeological Museum
La Almoina Archaeological Museum is located right next to Valencia Cathedral and showcases the history of Valencia and the surrounding region in the Roman, Islamic, and Christian periods.
The museum contains many artifacts from the Roman city that used to exist where Valencia stands today. Most of the museum is located underground as there are many Roman ruins such as baths that have been uncovered.
It is a really interesting place and a must-visit if you are interested in archaeology, history, or culture. The entrance to the museum is only 2 euros but on Sunday it’s free!
4. Go inside the Silk Exchange
The Silk Exchange is another beautiful Gothic building built between 1482 and 1492 that is also a UNESCO world heritage site. The building is located within walking distance from the main square and next to the central market which is the next free thing to do in Valencia in one day on this list.
The most impressive room is the Trade Hall which is full of massive spiral columns that spread out over the roof like tree branches. In this room, merchants would meet to work out contracts for the sale of silk. During the medieval period, silk trading was one of the most important industries in Valencia so it was a historically important place.
The entry fee to get into the Silk Exchange is only 2 euros but on Sundays it is free!
5. Check out Central Market (A free thing to do in Valencia for foodies)
After the Silk Exchange head to Valencias Central Market which is the largest market with fresh produce in Europe. The architecture of the building is beautiful with lots of stained glass and tiles covering the ceiling so make sure to look up when you are inside.
The market was built in the early 20th century, and it is one of the largest markets in Spain, covering over 8,000 square meters. It is home to over 1,000 small vendors who sell a wide variety of goods, including fresh produce, meats, seafood, cheeses, spices, and baked goods.
Note: Unfortunately the market is closed Sunday and Monday. Also during the week, you have to come early as vendors start packing up at 2 pm and the doors shut at 3 pm.
6. See the Street Art in El Carmen
El Carmen is a neighborhood located at the northern end of Valencia’s old town. The narrow streets of El Carmen are full of beautiful old buildings, cafes, tapas bars, and restaurants.
But what interested us the most was all the street art scattered throughout the area which you can see for free. Visiting El Carmen was one of our highlights in Valencia and we found the contrast between the old historic buildings and the street art very unique.
If you followed this itinerary so far you should end up like us in the early afternoon in El Carmen which is a great time to see most of its street art. That’s because lots of the shops are closed for siesta and have paintings on their roller doors you can only see when they are pulled down.
Tip: If you have more time than one day in Valencia a great thing to do is to join a free street art tour in El Carmen. Some of the art pieces are done by well-known artists so a guide can explain more about what you see.
7. Go inside the Museum Of Fine Arts
After El Carmen head to the Museum of Fine Arts which is the second-largest art gallery in Spain. Founded in Valencia in 1913 it houses over 2000 pieces of mainly classical European art.
The museum is located inside a beautiful old building constructed in 1683. In addition to its fantastic art collection, the museum also has an impressive courtyard, which is decorated with beautiful murals and frescoes.
The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the best free museums in Valencia and entry is always free!
8. Walk through Jardin del Turia (An unusual free thing to do in Valencia)
After the museum head down South by walking through Jardin del Turia which is a huge 9-kilometer-long park in the middle of Valencia. It is a great place to go for a walk, a run, or cycle through it as we did. That way you also get some exercise which is totally free.
The park starts in the city center and goes almost all the way to the beach. It is located in the dried-out riverbed of the river Turia that used to run through the city until 1957.
Since a devastating flood caused a lot of damage to the city that year a decision was made to divert the river to the south of the city. This left the city with a huge area of empty land so they decided to turn the river bed into a park.
That’s also the reason why there are 18 bridges over the park – it used to be a river! Some of them date back to medieval times so it makes for an exciting journey passing underneath them. Pretty cool and unique!
9. Stroll through Russafa
Russafa was once a very rundown shabby part of the city. Some parts were actually quite dangerous. But today it is a trendy area full of nice cafes and restaurants and is the hipster center of Valencia.
Russafa is just south of the center of the old town and you can enter it from Jardin del Turia. It is a great place to head for something to eat or to go cafe hopping.
As with most areas of Valencia, the streets are full of colorful buildings with beautiful architecture. So it is also a great area to just walk around and take in local life for free.
10. Explore the City of Arts and Sciences
After checking out Russafa head back to Jardin del Turia and continue it following South until you reach the City of Arts and Sciences which has to be the biggest and most unusual free thing to do in Valencia.
The City of Arts and Sciences is a cultural and architectural complex that is full of futuristic-looking buildings surrounded by pools of water and interesting statues. It was originally budgeted at 300 million euros but ended up costing 1 billion!
The buildings contain an opera house, museum, aquarium, and more. However, it is not necessary to go inside any of the buildings to enjoy the area. Just walking around and taking photos is one of the best free things to do in Valencia – also at night!
El Cabanyal is an old fisherman’s neighborhood located right across the road from Las Arenas Beach which is the next and final destination on this list of free things to do in Valencia in one day.
El Cabanyal is full of old houses with unique tiled exteriors and character. Some of them are not in good shape as with the collapse of the fishing industry this part of Valencia became a poor neighborhood.
But in recent years the city has put some effort into revitalizing the area. As a result, many of the beautiful old houses have started to be restored and many new bars and restaurants have opened.
The colorful street art will remind you of El Carmen and it is said that El Cabanyal might turn into a hipster area such as Russafa. So you might be able to be one of the first ones to explore this upcoming hidden gem before the tourist crowds.
12. Relax and Finish Off at the Beach
Finishline! If you are visiting Valencia in the summertime then spending some time at the beach is a must. Valencia has a huge wide sandy beach with a big promenade that is great for walking. There are also many volleyball courts if you feel like getting active.
While we were in Valencia we stayed in the beachside community of Cabanyal. From there we walked along the promenade every morning and evening enjoying Valencia’s relaxed beach vibes. It is also a great spot to watch the sunrise if you are an early bird.
While we were in Valencia the Noche de San Juan celebrations happened. People gather firewood and light bonfires all over the beach. It was a really cool atmosphere and happens on the 23rd of June every year if you would like to see it.
How to Stay For Free in Valencia
Yes, that’s possible! If you love pets have a look at Trusted House Sitters. Especially in summer many people go on holiday and need someone they can trust to take good care of their pets and home.
We have used Trusted House Sitters around the world and also multiple times in Spain staying in amazing places with fun pets in. It’s a great unusual and free way of experiencing Valencia.
Read here: How Trusted House Sitters works & our experience
How to get from Valencia Airport to the City Cheap
The cheapest way to get from Valencia Airport into the city center is by metro or bus. The metro costs 3.90 euros to get to the city center while the bus costs 1.90 euros.
They both take around 25-30 minutes to get into the city center. So if you really want to save you can take the bus as it takes around the same time.
Getting around Valencia for Free or Cheap
The cheapest way to get around the city is to walk. The historic center of Valencia is very walkable so walking around is definitely the best way to see it.
If you want to go to the beach or explore Jardin del Turia then a bike will be your best option. Valencia is full of bike paths so it is a great and safe city to explore by bike. Valenbisi has bike terminals located throughout the city and you can get a week’s membership for just 13.90 euros.
Valencia also has an extensive and very affordable public transport system. Tickets for the underground and trams only cost 1.50 euros if you are traveling within the central zone.
Is One Day in Valencia enough?
Honestly no. Valencia has so much to offer and if you want to soak up the vibrant city life and also spend some time at the beach I recommend at least coming for a weekend. We stayed a week and can easily imagine staying a month.
But can the highlights be seen in one day? Absolutely yes. All are covered in this one-day itinerary 🙂
Now you know all the Best Free Things to do in Valencia in One Day!
That brings us to the end of my top free things to do in Valencia in one day. Valencia is one of my favorite cities that I have visited in Spain, it is full of beautiful buildings, street art, a great beach, and a relaxed atmosphere. If you visit I am sure you will love it.
Did you find this blog post helpful? What is your favorite free or cheap thing to do in Valencia? Let me know in the comments below!
Read also
- 18 Free Things to Do in Barcelona
- 16 Free Things to Do in Madrid
- 10 Cool Things to Do in Toledo in One Day
- Hiking in Andorra on a weekend trip from Barcelona
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Hi, I am Allan, a travel, health and fitness fanatic from New Zealand. I'm a former lawyer who turned into a full-time nomad in 2020. For the last 4+ years I've been traveling the world. I'm always on a hunt for good food, activities on a budget and workouts on the go. I hope you find my tips helpful and get inspired to travel more!
