If you are planning to spend 2 days in Valencia – look no further. Here´s an Ultimate Guide to Valencia, full of local tips and ideas!

  • This post contains affiliate links from which I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you). For more info, please read my disclosure. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

How to Spend 2 days in Valencia

Living near the city of Valencia

After my 15+ expat years in the Valencia region, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve visited the city. Whenever my family doesn’t feel like hiking, we plan a new weekend getaway to Valencia with the kids.

My first weekend in Valencia took place almost 20 years ago: back then it was totally one of the most underrated cities in Spain. Nowadays, Valencia is one of the most visited Spanish capitals, after Barcelona and Madrid, and even a popular stop for the Mediterranean Cruises.

Rat Penat Valencia
Lo Rat Penat – a mysterious bat on Valencia’s Coat of Arms (one of the popular Spanish legends explains its origins)

What is Valencia known for

First of all, Valencia is internationally famous as the birthplace of Spanish paella, which is still a favorite meal for the locals on Sundays.

Secondly, Valencia was once the birthplace of a few famous Spaniards in history: painters Joaquin Sorolla and Vicente Benllure, the writer Vicente Blasco Ibañez, the movie director Luis Garcia Berlanga, and the composer Vicente Martin y Soler. Also, don’t forget the architect Santiago Calatrava (who created The City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia) and the scandalous Borgia family (check the full list of Valencia sites related to them).

Another unique thing you should know about Valencia is the fact that the city is home to the Holy Grail (the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper), one of Christianity´s most elusive relics.

Beach lovers would be happy to discover that Valencia has the biggest number of high-rated beaches in Spain (marked with a blue flag – a top local award). Some of the beaches are located within the city, like Playa Malvarrosa and Playa Cabanyal, others could be an easy Valencia Day Trip (like my favorite Benicasim).

Another unique feature of Valencia city is its globally famous Las Fallas Festival – one of the top Festivities in Spain (taking place every March).

las fallas museum spain
Traditional female outfits for the Las Fallas Festival in Valencia
paella cooking experience valencia spain
A delicious paella we made with Jose during the cooking class with Eatwith

How much time to spend in Valencia

2 or 3 days is enough to visit all of the top Valencia landmarks. You can even manage to see a lot of Valencia in one single day. However, to check out all of the Valencia sights and explore Valencia day trips – you´d easily need a full week in Valencia.

But let’s say that for the first visit – 2 days in Valencia is a perfect match to make a first impression.

Where to stay in Valencia

It really depends on your sightseeing plan. If your travel goal is to enjoy a Valencia city break – pick central locations for your accommodation, like MYR Puerta Serranos, Cosmo Hotel Boutique, or Helen Berger Boutique Hotel.

In case you plan to do at least one Valencia day trip by train – hotels near the train station might be for you (since these are also quite central), like the stylish Vincci Lys, Zenit Valencia, or the budget-friendly Hotel 19-30 Valencia.

If you plan to rent a car and do some hiking near Valencia or Valencia Day trips, booking a hotel in the old city center might not be the best idea: you will lose time in traffic and pay for the overpriced parking. I really like the modern neighborhoods near the city of Arts and Sciences: Sercotel Valencia Alameda 41 or AC Hotel Valencia by Marriott.

spanish eating habits almuerzo in valencia
Trying traditional Valencian almuerzo

Unique Tours in Valencia

Popular tours to enjoy Valencia include Essentials and World Heritages Sites Walking TourCity Highlights Guided Bike Tour, and Segway Tour of Old Town.

If you love Spanish shows – check out Palosanto Flamenco Show and Flamenco Show with Dinner at La Bulería. For more ideas check my full article The Best Day Tours From Valencia.

What to eat in Valencia

You should definitely not miss paella and horchata. For more ideas, check out my posts Cute Cafes in Valencia and Traditional almuerzo in Valencia.

If you dream of experiencing the foodie arena of Valencia, you might love one of these unique tours: Daytime Tapas-Tasting Tour w/ Central Market VisitOld Town Tour, Wine & TapasTraditional Paella Cooking Class & DinnerValencia Street Food TourWine Tasting with Professional Sommelier, or City of Arts & Sciences Tour with Rooftop Wine & Tapas.

DK Top 10 Valencia Pocket Travel Guide
  • Top 10 lists of Valencia's must-sees, including La Catedral, Jardín del Turia, Barrio del Carmen, and La Lonja de la Seda
  • Valencia's most exciting areas, with the best places for sightseeing, food and drink, and shopping
  • Themed lists, including the best beaches, tapas bars, architectural highlights, parks, and much more
  • Easy-to-follow itineraries, perfect for a day trip, a weekend, or a week
  • A laminated pull-out map of Valencia, plus five full-color area maps

An Ultimate 2 Days in Valencia Itinerary

Weekend in Valencia – Day 1

valencia spain itinerary
2 days in Valencia: Valencia City Center
ceramic museum valencia
Museo Nacional de Ceramica – one of the top Ceramics Museums in Spain

You should dedicate the first day of this Valencia weekend to the city´s Old Town area. Your must-stops for the day:

  • Plaza de Ayuntamiento – Valencia City Hall (the visit is free)
  • Palau de Comunicacionses – the Central Post Office ( the visit is free unless there´s a temporary exhibition inside)
  • Museo Nacional de Ceramica – one of the top Ceramics Museums in Spain
  • La Seu – Valencia´s Cathedral, where you can see the Holy Grail and get panoramic views from the tower
  • San Nicolas de Bari & San Pedro Martir or San Nicolas Church
  • Mercado de Valencia – Valencia´s Central Market
  • La Estrecha –  the narrowest building in Europe
  • Lonja de Seda – The Silk Exchange of Valencia
  • Portal de Quart – the Quart Towers, one of the old city getaways

You can visit all of the places mentioned above quite fast, except for Valencia´s Cathedral, where you might face a waiting line. Also, inside the San Nicolas Church and the Ceramics Museums of Valencia, many of you might enjoy taking time to listen to the Audio guide and marveling at all the artsy decorations.

Check out my express 1-day Valencia itinerary on Google Maps here. However, since this post focuses on spending 2 days in Valencia, there’s no need to rush. Save the final steps of that route, particularly the City of Arts and Sciences, for the second day of your Valencia weekend. Nevertheless, just keep in mind that in case you want to see the city of Valencia in a day, you can always dedicate your second day to one of the Valencia Day Trips.

Weekend in Valencia – Day 2

art sciences valencia
Museo de las Ciencias Principe Felipe – a must-stop during your 2 days in Valencia

It is a great idea to spend the second day of your Valencia weekend around the City of Arts and Sciences. Your must-stops for the day:

To see both places fully, you’d need at least one day in Valencia. If you are visiting Valencia with kids, you might potentially need even more time. Nevertheless, if you are extremely efficient on the road and need more ideas for this second day – you can have a walk along the old riverbed of Turia to enjoy Jardi del Turia gardens, towards Museu Faller ( a museum dedicated to Las Fallas festival of Valencia).

Unique Valencia Day Tours:

Here are the most popular day tours in Valencia, in case you decide to follow my one-day express itinerary and dedicate your second day to a new Valencia day trip.

Read more on Valencia

To explore the Valencia region like a local – check all of my Valencia articles: 

  • How to Spend an Epic Week in Valencia (read it)
  • The Best Day Trips From Valencia (read it)
  • Valencia With Kids (read it)
  • Breakfast in Valencia – Cute Cafes You´ll Love (read it)
  • Spanish Eating Habits – Almuerzo in Valencia (read it)
  • Valencia Day Trip to Manises (read it)
  • Valencia Hidden Gems Blog Series (read it)
  • The Coolest Hikes near Valencia (read it)
  • Beautiful villages of Valencia – Bocairente (read it)
  • Top Valencia Day Trips by train (read it)
  • Madrid To Valencia Road Trip (read it)
  • Fun & Adventurous Things to do in Valencia (read it)
  • An Ultimate 7-day Valencia Road Trip Itinerary (read it)
  • Unique Valencia Gifts to Get Right Now (read it)
  • Hiking to Penyagolosa: one of the Highest Peaks of Valencia (read it)
  • The Borgia Sights in Valencia (read it)

If you want to get some visual inspiration of the top Valencia landmarks – check out my IG Highlight Valencia City.

weekend in valencia spain travel

For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.

at lifestyle crossroads travel blog resources