For those planning to visit Valencia with kids, let me share the top places in the city that your little ones shouldn’t miss, along with some important tips and a 4-day Valencia itinerary for families!

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A Local’s Guide to Valencia With Kids

Constantly visiting Valencia with my kids

My loyal blog readers might already know that Valencia is just a quick 50-minute drive from our home, making it the closest major Spanish city where we regularly explore new and exciting family activities. Spending a day in Valencia with kids has become one of our favorite weekend adventures, especially after being inspired by some travel-themed fun at home. Based on my experiences and my children’s feedback, I’ve put together a list of amazing family-friendly activities in Valencia.

In my opinion, Valencia is one of Spain’s best destinations for families, offering a range of experiences that both children and adults might enjoy. We particularly love visiting interactive museums that spark creativity and curiosity in kids, while also making sure to include fun stops like theme parks and zoos in our plans.

My Approach to Traveling with kids in Spain

I believe it’s important to find a balance between kid-centered attractions and those that adults find interesting. This helps children learn the value of shared experiences and respect everyone’s preferences during family trips. Occasionally, I take them to museums that may not immediately capture their interest, but I prepare them in advance by introducing the names and works of artists at home. If I find any interesting details, I share them through books or stickers. We keep the visits short, around 30-40 minutes, and engage them by discussing the sculptures or paintings, gradually fostering their appreciation for different experiences. Recently, when my children were just 3 and 4, we visited the Dalí Museum in Costa Brava, and they had a blast exploring the whimsical artwork. You can check out all my trips with kids under #FamilyTravel.

If you’re planning your first visit to the Valencia region, it might be helpful to check out some local landmarks using virtual tours of Spain, children’s books, or coffee table books, and learn about Spanish legends to ignite your little ones’ curiosity about the country.

Important tips for visiting Valencia with kids

  • I recommend pre-booking your transfer from the airport to the city to ensure you have car seats for the kids (Welcome Pickups is a great option). Valencia Airport is located outside the city, and while car seats are not mandatory in taxis within city limits, drivers are usually stricter about them for trips from the airport. Additionally, the official taxi queue can be very long during the summer (we often fly to/from Valencia, and every time I see the line, I’m so happy we usually leave our own car in the nearest parking lot).
  • Pre-booking your entry tickets for the Aquarium, Science Museum, and Bioparc can be very helpful, as every time I visited, the lines to get tickets on-site were long. If you purchase them through Tiqets, you can use my 5% discount code ‘ATC5‘ (excluding combos and bundles).
  • While there are lots of Valencia day trips available by train, if you plan to explore the whole region beyond the city, it’s better to rent a car (I use DiscoverCars during my European travels).
  • Valencia is such a walkable city, so bring a stroller if you’re traveling with small kids (the BabyZen Yoyo used to be one of our top kids essentials for traveling). The area where the famous City of Arts and Sciences is located is actually an old riverbed that has been transformed into a series of parks. It’s around 12 km long, perfect for long family strolls.
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Best Spain books for the kids
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Best time to visit Valencia with kids

Valencia is a fantastic destination for families to explore year-round. It is renowned as one of Spain’s top winter sun locations, while the summer months tend to be the hottest and busiest.

In my opinion, the best times to visit Valencia with kids are during spring (March to May) and fall (September to November), when temperatures are more moderate. Spring temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), while fall sees temperatures from 17°C to 28°C (63°F to 82°F). However, many families are limited by school holidays, so if a summer week in Valencia is your only option, that works too. Summer temperatures can soar to 30°C to 35°C (86°F to 95°F), with occasional peaks higher.

In March, Valencia celebrates Las Fallas, one of the most iconic Spanish festivals, offering a unique experience for families. You can read more about our visit with the kids in this post.

Fun Valencia Tours for Kids

Here are a few tours you might consider prebooking if visiting Valencia with kids:

Where to stay in Valencia with kids

To visit Valencia with kids, you can opt for one of these family-friendly hotels that offer quadruple rooms or apartments: Valenciaflats Ciudad de las Ciencias, Petit Palace Plaza de la Reina, Voghe Premium Flats, Rooms Ciencias, Sercotel Valencia Alameda 41, and Ramirez Flats Valencia.

Top Places to visit in Valencia with kids in 2024

1. The City of Arts and Sciences

The City of Arts and Sciences is one of the top places to visit even if you only have one day in Valencia. But if you are traveling to Valencia with kids, your top stops here should be L´Oceanographic and Principe Felipe Science Museum.

L´Oceanographic is one of the biggest aquariums in Europe. My kids have enjoyed it more than the ones we saw in Mallorca or Barcelona.

This giant aquarium displays different ecosystems of the ocean. Inside you’ll be able to see dolphins, penguins, crocodiles, sharks, jellyfish, and many other unique species of fish from all over the world. If you are looking for adventurous things to do in Spain, you can book the experience of swimming with sharks. Also, L´Oceanographic has an underwater restaurant, where you can have a meal while viewing numerous species swimming around you. Principe Felipe Science Museum is a place for all ages, but kids will love it for its numerous interactive panels and scientific games and experiences.

art sciences valencia
The City of Arts and Sciences
turia 3 days in valencia itinerary spain
Barcelona or Valencia: My Honest (and Slightly Controversial) Opinion on Which City Is Better to Visit

2. Parque Gulliver

Parque Gulliver is a huge play park is constructed to resemble a giant Gulliver ( the main character of Gulliver`s Travels by Jonathan Swift) which kids and adults can both climb all over and slide. It´s one of the most popular things to do in Valencia with kids (especially since the entrance is currently free).

However, I honestly have mixed feelings about this place, as I felt like it was not entirely safe (it was easy to slip and fall). Additionally, it is usually very crowded. So, personally, I was a bit stressed while chasing my kids around. Nevertheless, if you ask the little ones – they´d say they had a blast.

gulliver park valencia
Parque Gulliver

3. Bioparc Valencia

Bioparc is another popular place to visit in Valencia for families. It´s a bit different from traditional zoos, since animals live in natural, open spaces, similar to their own habitats. In Bioparc Valencia you will see lots of different species – giraffes, elephants, gorillas, lemurs, lions, and many others. Also, there´s a nice seating area with a playground to rest and enjoy a meal or a coffee.

bioparc valencia spain
Valencia with kids Bioparc

4. Museum of Prehistory of Valencia

I did not expect that my kids would enjoy the Valencia Museum of Prehistory so much. This place showcases the 8000-year-old history of human presence in the Valencia region. But at the same time, inside the Valencia Museum of Prehistory, you´ll find interactive panels, drawers with stones to pull and touch, coloring images from the Iberian times, and other exciting child-friendly activities.

prehistory museum valencia
Museum of Prehistory

5. L’ETNO

L’ETNO (or Valencian Museum of Ethnology) was one of my biggest discoveries while exploring Valencia with kids. This museum is dedicated to Valencian popular culture and aims to ensure that traditions are exposed and transmitted within modern society. While combining modern and traditional, L’ETNO definitely sparks the imagination of little minds. Inside the museum, you will find lots of cool and surreal rooms that fit the bill for both adults and children.

etno museum valencia
valencia with kids museum
etno museum valencia spain
Our visit to L’ETNO while exploring Valencia with kids

6. Natural Science Museum of Valencia

Another great museum for kids in Valencia is the Natural Science Museum. It houses Europe’s most important paleontological collection of American mammals of the Pleistocene, a mollusk shell collection, and an exhibition dedicated to different Valencian ecosystems. The museum has lots of interactive panels, crystal floors, and giant animal skeletons.

natural sciences museum valencia spain
natural sciences museum valencia
Visiting Natural Science Museum with my children in Valencia

7. L’Iber

L’Iber is one of the lesser-known museums in Spain, but its collection is absolutely unique. Inside this museum, you´ll find 15 rooms and around 95,000 figures of toy soldiers on display. It is currently the biggest collection of Toy Soldiers in the world (since they have more than a million figures shown during the temporary exhibitions).

iber museum valencia spain
Exploring L’Iber in Valencia

8. Lego Fun Factory

This cute Lego place can be found in the Aqua Shopping Center and has a 250-square-meter exhibition of Lego. Last time we visited, you could leave your child for one hour for free (kids up to 5 could get in with one parent). Lego Fun Factory is divided into two different areas Lego Duplo aimed at the little ones, and Lego Classic for older children.

lego fun factory valencia
Lego Fun Factory

9. Fun Jump

Fun Jump is the biggest 2500sq. meter- indoor trampoline park in Spain. It will be great for the active kids. This park is meant for children aged 3 and up (as well as teenagers and adults). Children under 5 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Also, for this experience, you should have non-slip socks (which you can buy there as well).

Valencia with kids fun parks
Visiting Fun Jump with kids

10. Fun Park

Fun Park is located in the small town of Paterna, near Valencia. It’s one of the biggest inflatable parks in Spain, making it a great destination for families with kids. For one hour of playtime, the admission fee is €8.50 from Monday to Thursday and €10 on weekends and holidays. An additional requirement is to purchase Fun Park socks for €1.50 per pair.

While the park has received average reviews on Google (with some visitors noting the heat inside), my kids had an absolute blast. It has quickly become one of their current favorites. We visited on a Saturday in early September, and the experience was perfect – not too hot and not too crowded.

spain with kids valencia
Fun Park, one of my kids favorites near Valencia

11. Centro Ferroviario Camp de Turia

Only 30 minutes away from Valencia city, you’ll find a charming spot to enjoy a day with kids on Sundays. Located in the Maldonado Municipal Park, the Centro Ferroviario Vaporista de Riba-roja de Túria features a miniature railway where children and parents can ride on tiny locomotives and enjoy the experience.

It’s reminiscent of a similar experience we had in Benicassim. The Centro Ferroviario is open on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and is closed for holidays from mid-July to mid-August. Admission is €2 for adults and €1 for children.

Centro Ferroviario Camp de Turia valencia
playground valencia spain
Valencia with kids – Centro Ferroviario Camp de Turia

Las Fallas Festival with kids in March

Las Fallas is one of the most iconic Spanish festivals. If you’ve never visited Valencia with kids and plan to explore the main museums along with the festival, that might not be the best idea. It’s the most crowded time of the year in the city, and many areas will be closed off to private vehicles as the famous ninots (puppets or effigies) are constructed.

Visiting Valencia during Las Fallas makes sense only if you are coming specifically for the festival experience. For more details, check out this post, and read more about other family-friendly Spanish festivals here.

best las fallas in valencia with kids
Visiting Las Fallas Festival in Valencia with kids

More trendy family-friendly activities and locations in Valencia:

Best Day Trips from Valencia to enjoy with kids

There are a few popular day trips from Valencia that you can enjoy with kids. However, based on the fact that my kids have seen everything in and around Valencia, if you have more than three days in the city, I would recommend renting a car and exploring a few places on your own.

Additionally, popular day-trip options include Aquarama Park in Benicàssim (read more about our experience here) and Terra Mítica in Benidorm (my kids had a blast at both, though I should admit that I liked PortAventura more: the only problem is that it’s just too far from Valencia for a day trip). The Caves of San José Guided Excursion is also an interesting option, as you get to navigate a subterranean river inside the cave, which is usually fun for the kids.

10-day Spain itinerary for families
Visiting Jardin del Papagayo with the kids
rototom festival with kids
Rototom Sunsplash Festival

4 days in Valencia with Kids Itinerary

Day 1 – The City of Arts and Sciences

One of the best places to start any family-friendly itinerary in Valencia is by visiting one of its most famous landmarks – the City of Arts and Sciences. Two of the coolest places to explore with kids are Oceanogràfic, Valencia’s aquarium, and the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum. Both can get quite crowded, especially during the summer holiday season.

It’s probably best to start with the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum, as it is an interactive space where the highlight for kids is experimenting and hands-on activities. Visiting earlier in the day allows for fewer visitors (although it’s honestly a very busy museum). We visited both Oceanogràfic and the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum in the same morning, but my kids tend to explore quickly. If you prefer to take things at a slower pace, you could visit the science museum in the morning and the aquarium in the afternoon.

For lunch, you can eat at the restaurant inside Oceanogràfic or head to the nearest shopping center, Aqua, where you can also stop by the LEGO Fun Factory. Be aware that the Aqua restaurants get really busy on weekends, and it’s hard to find a table after 2 p.m. (when most Spaniards usually eat). If possible, aim to get there around 1 p.m. or after 3:30 p.m. for a better chance at finding a table. Also, just a 15-minute walk from the City of Arts and Sciences will also bring you to Gulliver Park.

Day 2 – Valencia’s Old Town

You can’t visit Valencia without exploring its historic old town. If you have older kids, you can easily follow my one-day Valencia itinerary, which includes top landmarks like the local market, the Silk Exchange, Valencia’s cathedral, St Nicholas Church, and the Quart Towers.

With toddlers, you might simply enjoy a nice walk through the Barrio del Carmen neighborhood at your own pace, heading toward the Torres de Quart. Along the way, you can stop at Horchatería Santa Catalina and try Valencia’s most traditional drink, horchata.

Just five minutes from the Quart Towers, you can visit the L’Etno and Prehistory Museum, as well as the IVAM modern art museum. However, I would say these museums are more interesting for kids aged 4 and up. Mine were 5 and 6 when we visited, and they really enjoyed L’Etno and the Prehistory Museum.

Fifteen minutes away from both museums, you’ll find a large shopping center, El Corte Inglés Nuevo Centro, with plenty of cafes and restaurants. There are also a few playgrounds in the area.

The streets of Valencia
Valencia’s Old Town

Day 3 – Bioparc and Valencia’s Beach

Another popular spot to enjoy in Valencia with kids is Bioparc. It is open from 10 am to 7 pm daily, and many travelers visit and spend time there until after lunch. In our case, we spent around 3 hours inside, which felt sufficient, but this will depend on your kids’ pace. You can either visit Bioparc in the morning and spend most of the day there, or visit in the afternoon for a few hours.

Another must-stop for the day is the Valencia’s beach, which you can either visit in the morning before Bioparc or in the afternoon after the zoo. If you are visiting Spain anytime from late spring to early autumn, Valencia is a great destination to enjoy the seaside and catch some sun. While the most famous local beach, Malvarrosa, is not my absolute favorite (as I prefer beaches in smaller towns like Benicassim or Canet d’en Berenguer), it’s the easiest option to visit during a family city break in Valencia. There are lots of seaside restaurants where you can enjoy lunch by the Mediterranean coast with great paellas, such as Casa Isabel or Casa Carmela.

Day 4 – Valencia Day Trips

There are many unique places you can visit on a day trip from Valencia. If you’re considering traveling by train, check the options in this post. If you’re going by car, head to this one. Two of the most popular day trips for families (and the easiest options) are to Albufera and the Sant Josep Caves. In Albufera, you can experience what life was like in the Valencian countryside. The area still preserves its traditional rural charm and is considered one of the most authentic places to try paella. It’s also popular for boat trips across the lagoon. You can learn more about the restaurants in Albufera in my foodie post. Sant Josep Caves offer another fascinating experience, where you can navigate Europe’s longest underground river. My kids really enjoyed it.

However, as I’ve previously mentioned, these are the easiest options and are great for first-timers in Valencia with kids. My personal favorite, though, is renting a car and driving to Peñíscola and Jardín del Papagayo Bird Garden. Nevertheless, in this post, I’ve provided countless options to personalize your last day in Valencia to make it enjoyable for your own kids.

weekend in Valencia Albufera
Albufera

Map of Family-Friendly Places in Valencia (and its surroundings)

Read more about exploring Spain with kids:

  • 10-day Spain Itinerary for Families from Barcelona (read it)
  • Our Favorite Travel Essentials for Kids +Toys On The Go (read it)
  • Where to Enjoy Snow in Spain with Kids (read it)
  • Cute Spain Books for Kids You´ll Love (read it)
  • Barcelona Weekend with Kids: Top things to see and do (read it)
  • 5 Epic Reasons to Visit the Spanish Pyrenees with Kids (read it)
  • A Weekend in Mallorca with Kids (read it)
  • My Favorite Cool Places to Visit in Spain with Kids (read it)
  • Travel-themed Activities With Kids: Our Creative Playroom Tour (read it)
  • Kids Bookish Inspiration: Favorite International Illustrators Around the World (read it)
  • Visiting PortAventura with kids (read it)
  • Gran Canaria with Kids: Best Places to Stay & Fun Things to Do (read it)

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Valencia with kids things to do

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

at lifestyle crossroads travel blog resources
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