Valencia event weekends: what to do between sessions
The home of paella: a long city beach, the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences and a 9 km riverbed park, with Las Fallas every March.
Events we cover in Valencia
4 Dec 2026*Valencia Marathon
Valencia, SpainMarathon15 Mar 2027*Las Fallas
Valencia, SpainCulture26 Nov 2027Valencia MotoGP (season finale)
Valencia, SpainMotoGP
Valencia, SpainMarathon15 Mar 2027*Las Fallas
Valencia, SpainCulture26 Nov 2027Valencia MotoGP (season finale)
Valencia, SpainMotoGP
Arriving
Valencia airport (VLC) is 8 km west; metro lines 3 and 5 reach the centre in 20 minutes. Taxis cost about 20 to 25 euros.
Where to stay
| Budget | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Ruzafa | Hip neighbourhood south of the centre. |
| Mid-range | Ciutat Vella | Old town with the cathedral and Central Market. |
| Splurge | Malvarrosa and the port | Beach hotels. |
Three hotels we would book
- Budget: Hotel Ilunion Valencia 3
- Mid-range: Hotel Caro
- Splurge: Hotel Las Arenas Balneario Resort
Tours
Half day · Food · Indoor
Paella cooking class with market visit
Shop at the Central Market and cook real Valencian paella.
Half day · Low walking · Family
Albufera boat ride and paella
Rice fields and lagoon boats, then lunch in El Palmar.
Where to eat
With kids
- Oceanogràfic.
- Bioparc Valencia.
- Gulliver park playground in the Turia.
Rainy-day backups
- Museum of Science Príncipe Felipe.
- IVAM modern art museum.
- Lonja de la Seda.
Free things to do
- Turia gardens, 9 km of park in the old riverbed.
- Malvarrosa beach promenade.
Getting around
- Metro, tram and buses cover the city; Valenbisi bikes are cheap.
- Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Cheste is 30 km west: shuttle buses run on race weekends.
- Uber, Cabify and Free Now work in Spanish cities. Taxis are metered and reasonable.
- Renfe high-speed AVE and Ouigo/Iryo trains link Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Málaga, Valencia and Zaragoza. Book early for event weekends.