Valencia travel guide: top 10 sights and a 3-day itinerary from Budapest

Valencia is Spain’s third largest city, on the Mediterranean coast between Barcelona and Alicante, famous for the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, the Turia Gardens park, a Gothic old town, long sandy beaches and as the birthplace of paella. It is relaxed, walkable and green, with a lively food scene and plenty of sunshine. From Budapest it is a comfortable flight away, but to see it properly, plan three or four days.

How to get to Valencia from Budapest

Wizz Air and Ryanair both fly direct between Budapest and Valencia Airport (VLC). The flight takes roughly three hours. Frequency changes from season to season, so check the current schedule before you fix your dates. Valencia and Budapest are in the same time zone.

Valencia Airport is about 8 km from the centre and is connected to the city by metro: lines 3 and 5 run straight to the centre in around 20 to 25 minutes. Taxis are also available outside the terminal.

Best time to visit Valencia

Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons, with warm days that are ideal for walking and cycling. Summer is hot and humid, but perfect for the beach. Winters are mild and sunny compared with Budapest. The most famous event is Las Fallas in March, when giant satirical sculptures fill the streets and are burned on the night of 19 March: it is spectacular, loud and crowded, and accommodation books up early.

Top 10 things to do in Valencia

• City of Arts and Sciences: Santiago Calatrava’s futuristic complex of museums, an opera house and reflecting pools.
• Oceanogràfic: Europe’s largest aquarium, part of the City of Arts and Sciences.
• Turia Gardens: a 9 km park in the old riverbed of the Turia, perfect for walking and cycling.
• Valencia Cathedral and the Miguelete tower: climb the bell tower for views over the old town.
• La Lonja de la Seda: the Gothic silk exchange, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Mercado Central: one of Europe’s oldest and most beautiful covered food markets.
• El Carmen: the old town’s artsy quarter with street art, tapas bars and the Torres de Serranos gate.
• Plaza de la Virgen: the old town’s most beautiful square, next to the cathedral.
• Malvarrosa beach and El Cabanyal: a wide city beach and the colourful old fishermen’s quarter.
• Albufera Natural Park: a freshwater lagoon among rice fields, the home of paella, best at sunset.

A 3-day Valencia itinerary

Day 1: the old town

Start at the Mercado Central for breakfast, then visit La Lonja de la Seda across the street. Walk to the cathedral and climb the Miguelete tower, then rest on the Plaza de la Virgen. In the afternoon, explore El Carmen and the Torres de Serranos, and end with tapas in the old town.

Day 2: Turia Gardens and the City of Arts and Sciences

Rent a bike and ride through the Turia Gardens to the City of Arts and Sciences. Visit the Oceanogràfic or the science museum, and stay until the evening, when the buildings are lit up and reflected in the pools.

Day 3: beach and Albufera

Spend the morning on Malvarrosa beach and wander through El Cabanyal. In the afternoon, head to the Albufera Natural Park, eat paella in the village of El Palmar and take a boat out on the lagoon at sunset.

With a fourth day, take a train to the castle town of Sagunto or the beach town of Gandía, or simply slow down and enjoy more of the city.

Getting around Valencia

The centre of Valencia is compact and flat, so most sights are within walking distance. Metrovalencia runs metro and tram lines, including the airport link and trams to the beach. The city is also very bike-friendly, with many cycle lanes and the Valenbisi bike sharing system. To reach the Albufera, take a local bus or join a tour.

How much does a trip to Valencia cost?

Valencia is generally more affordable than Barcelona or Madrid. Direct low-cost flights keep the journey cheap if you book early and travel light. Eating out is good value, especially the set lunch menus (menú del día) on weekdays. Accommodation prices rise sharply during Las Fallas and in summer, so book ahead for those periods.

Where to stay in Valencia

For a first visit, stay in or near the old town (Ciutat Vella), where you can walk to the cathedral, the market and the best tapas bars. El Carmen is lively and atmospheric but can be noisy at night. Ruzafa, just south of the centre, is a trendy neighbourhood full of cafés, brunch spots and independent shops, and it is a good choice for food lovers. If you want to combine the city with the beach, look at hotels near Malvarrosa or El Cabanyal, which are well connected to the centre by tram and bus.

What to eat in Valencia

Valencia is the home of paella, but there is much more to discover. Besides paella valenciana, try arroz a banda, rice cooked in fish stock, and arroz negro, coloured with squid ink. Fideuà is similar to paella but made with short noodles instead of rice. Horchata, a cold drink made from tiger nuts, is the city’s signature refreshment, best with fartons, long soft pastries for dipping. At the Mercado Central you can taste local oranges, cured meats and cheeses. In the evening, join the locals for tapas and a glass of agua de Valencia, the city’s famous cocktail with orange juice and cava, if you drink alcohol.

Valencia suits almost every kind of traveller: families love the Oceanogràfic and the beach, couples enjoy the old town and sunset at the Albufera, and active travellers can cycle across the whole city on dedicated lanes.

Tips for your Valencia trip

• Try paella valenciana, traditionally made with chicken and rabbit, and eaten at lunchtime, not dinner.
• Drink horchata with fartons, the city’s classic sweet snack.
• Book Las Fallas accommodation months in advance, or avoid mid-March if you dislike crowds.
• Visit the City of Arts and Sciences at dusk for the best photos.
• Cycle the Turia Gardens: it is the best way to cross the city.

Short on time?

Valencia is best over a few days, but if you only have one day and want a taste of Spain, a same-day trip to Barcelona works well from Budapest. Read one day in Barcelona and browse our other one-day trips.