25 Amazing Free Things to Do in Valencia, Spain

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Traveling to this wonderful Spanish city on a tight budget? Save money by checking out these incredible free things to do in Valencia. There is plenty to cover for several days in the city, so you never run out of things to do.

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I lost count of all the times I traveled to Valencia, but I visited the city at least 7 or 8 times over the past 15 years. The reason for my many visits is that I have family nearby, so I often fly to Valencia to visit them. While I’m around, I take the chance to check out some new areas of the city.

I recently spent several days in Valencia and got to see even more cool places and museums. So I thought it was about time I wrote this guide on the best free things to do in Valencia. Since I’m always on a tight budget, I’ve gotten pretty good at finding cool things to do for free everywhere I go.

You can find more details on how to get to Valencia, where to stay, and more travel tips at the end of this article. For now, let’s get into these 25 cool free things to do in the city.

1. Wander Around the Old Town

One of the best free things to do in Valencia is to get lost through the charming alleys of Valencia’s Old Town. Check out beautiful squares like Plaça de la Mare de Déu and Plaza de la Reina, admire stunning architecture, and check out old city gates.

Valencia’s historical center is fairly big, so take time exploring it. Don’t forget to walk down Carrer dels Cavallers, check out the shops in Plaça Redona, and admire the imposing bullring, Plaça de Bous de València.

2. Enjoy the View from Serranos Tower

The Serranos Tower is one of the twelve gates once part of Valencia’s city walls. The 14th-century Gothic gate features two towers and an archway leading to the old town.

Usually, access to the gate is 2€, but you can enter for free every Sunday until 2 PM. The two towers offer sweeping views of the old town, the Túria Park, and the more modern area of Valencia. It’s worth going earlier in the morning for fewer crowds.

3. Check out Ceremonial Carts at Museu del Corpus

Museu del Corpus – Casa de los Roques is a cool place to learn about the Corpus Cristi, one of Valencia’s most important festivities. The festival takes place 60 days after Easter and includes several activities, including a parade with ceremonial carts.

In the Museu del Corpus, you can see some of the carts and giants that parade around the city during the celebration. This is one of several free museums in Valencia. Just show up and check it out.

4. Admire Contemporary Art at CCC

If you enjoy contemporary art, the Centre del Carme Cultura Contemporània is a must-see in Valencia. Located in a beautiful 13th-century former convent with charming cloisters, the cultural center always features interesting exhibitions.

Even if contemporary art is not your cup of tea, it’s worth checking out the incredible building. Seeing contemporary art in a Gothic cloister provides an intriguing contrast.

5. Stroll Through the Túria Park

Another ideal free activity in Valencia is to stroll through the lush Túria Park. The park occupies the former riverbed of the Túria River, which used to cross the city center. After the 1957 devastating flood, the city of Valencia diverted the river course.

The Túria Park, inaugurated in 1986, is a peaceful oasis for locals and visitors to stroll, relax, have a picnic, or exercise. You’ll find everything from curated pathways and various plants to sports facilities and benches to soak in the sun.

6. Visit the Museu Nacional de Ceràmica i de les Arts Sumptuàries

This is one of the most beautiful museums in Valencia, housed in the stunning baroque palace of Marqués de Dos Aguas. The museum houses impressive collections of carriages, ceramics, paintings, textiles, and more, all displayed in sumptuous buildings.

The museum normally has a €3 entry fee, but it’s free every Saturday after 4 PM and every Sunday. However, it only stays open until 2 PM on Sundays.

7. Discover the Lively Central Market of Valencia

The Central Market of Valencia is a feast for the senses! Think colorful fruits and vegetables, delicious pastries from different countries, the ever-present Jamón, souvenir shops, and much more.

You can wander around the market and check out the various stands or grab a quick lunch and a refreshing fresh fruit juice. This is also the perfect spot to buy souvenirs, whether it’s a fridge magnet or a pack of Jamón.

8. Visit the Valencia Cathedral

Okay, so a proper visit to the Valencia Cathedral costs 9€, including the cathedral museum. However, the church is open to anyone with free entry during certain times of the day. You can admire the beautiful architecture and even check out the Holy Grail Chapel. Yes, the Valencia Cathedral houses what is believed to be the Holy Grail.

You can access the cathedral for free from Monday to Saturday from 7.30 AM to 10 AM and 6.30 PM to 8.30 PM. On Sundays, the free access is from 7.30 AM to 1.30 PM and 6.30 PM to 8.30 PM. But be sure to check the official website for updated information.

9. Go for a Leisurely Walk in Jardins del Real

The Jardins del Real or Vivers is another big public park where you can enjoy a leisurely walk or a picnic. The park takes its name from the Royal Palace that used to be on its grounds. The park used to be the palace garden, with all kinds of plants and vegetables.

There is plenty to discover in the gorgeous, landscaped park, from the Natural Science Museum to the beautiful ponds, sculptures, and curated pathways.

10. Check out the Stunning Mercat de Colón

The Mercat de Colón is another lovely market in the center of Valencia, featuring an even more imposing architecture than the Central Market. Unlike the former, this one stays open until late at night, so it’s a great place to have dinner or a drink, as well as visit.

Mercat de Colón develops on two floors, with the ground floor consisting of several bars and restaurants and the lower floor divided between more restaurants and the actual market area selling fruits, vegetables, fish, and much more.

11. Pay a Visit to the Valencia City Hall

Another notable addition to this list of free things to do in Valencia, the City Hall (Ayuntamiento de Valencia) offers free entry every morning from Monday to Friday.

You can enjoy the view from the balcony overlooking Plaza del Ayuntamiento and learn more about the history of Valencia in the small museum area. Just note that it only stays open for visits from 8.30 AM to 2 PM.

12. Explore the Neighborhood of Ruzafa

Ruzafa is Valencia’s hip neighborhood, boasting trendy bars, brunch places, and terraces to enjoy all kinds of cuisines. The area is also home to colorful buildings and the lively Mercado de Ruzafa.

Ruzafa is a nice neighborhood to explore if you want to get away from the crowded Old Town and experience a more local vibe. You can sit on a terrace for a coffee, enjoy a delicious brunch, and wander around to check out the lovely and colorful architecture.

13. Stop by the Delightful Jardí de Montfort

Jardí de Montfort is one of my favorite places to explore in Valencia for free. This small, landscaped garden with beautiful sculptures and colorful flowers is just a short walk from the Jardins de Real.

Access to the garden is always free, but the place stays open only from 10 AM to 6 PM in the winter and until 8 PM in the summer.

14. Explore the Outdoors of Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias

Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias is the most expensive attraction in Valencia, so you may wonder what it’s doing on this list of free things to do. Well, you can always wander around and admire the outdoors of the impressive complex free of charge.

This is among my favorite places in Valencia to walk around. I love the futuristic buildings and turquoise fountains all around. You can also enjoy a walk in the shade of the palm trees in the lovely Umbracle.

15. Relax at the Beach

Nearly any time is good to relax at the beach in Valencia. The sunny weather almost year-round means you can always enjoy a walk on the beach or soak in the shy winter sun. In the summer months, the beaches are buzzing with people. However, you may find many people even on a warm February Sunday, like we did.

Playa de las Arenas and Playa de Malvarrosa are the two easiest beaches to reach with public transportation, both connected to the city center by metro.

16. Wander Through Colorful Cabanyal

If you go to the beach, you should also explore the colorful neighborhood of Cabanyal. This area is a mix of charming streets and rundown, sketchy-looking areas, so don’t give up and look for the nice side of town.

Just behind Playa de las Arenas, you’ll find a little area with colorful, old houses that give the place the atmosphere of a small seaside village. You’ll also find a few cute restaurants and the Museu de l’Arròs in an old rice mill. This museum is also free on Sundays.

17. Check out Street Art in Barrio del Carmen

If you like discovering cool street art, you must explore Barrio del Carmen. This alternative area of Valencia’s historical center is filled with stunning murals; you have to wander around and discover them.

Carrer de Moret, Plaça del Carme, and other surrounding streets are popular spots for some famous murals, like the Kiss and the Astronaut. This is among my favorite free things to do in Valencia!

18. Discover Beautiful Art at the Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia

Art lovers can admire beautiful works of art, mainly Spanish and Flemish artists, at the Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia. Furthermore, the museum is inside an imposing 17th-century building overlooking Túria Park. The building itself is a work of art.

The museum is always free to visit and includes stunning collections of paintings, sculptures, drawings, archaeology, and more. Additionally, you can often find temporary exhibitions.

19. Witness the Tribunal de las Aguas de Valencia

The Tribunal de las Aguas de Valencia is a customary court that takes place every Thursday in Plaça de la Mare de Déu to discuss issues concerning water distribution. Since it happens in the open, you can witness this historical institution dating to the 10th century.

Initially, the institution focused on resolving disputes related to water distribution from the Túria River used for agricultural purposes. Given the historical importance of Valencia’s Water Tribunal, it became a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009.

20. Learn About Las Fallas at Museu Faller de València

If you want to learn about Las Fallas, Valencia’s spectacular festivity taking place in March, head to the Museu Faller. Here, you can see old posters and the few sculptures saved from burning during old editions of the festival.

The museum has a small entry fee of 2€. However, entry is free every Sunday during opening hours, from 10 AM to 1 PM.

21. Cross Valencia’s Many Beautiful Bridges

Even though the Túria River no longer crosses the center of Valencia, the city still has many bridges. 17, to be exact, some older than others. The most important historical bridges are the Puente de Serranos, which leads to the Serranos Gate, the 16th-century Puente del Mar, and the Puente de la Trinidad, a 14th-century bridge rebuilt in 1517 after flooding.

Of the modern bridges, the Puente de las Flores is my favorite. As the name suggests, countless colorful flowers adorn this bridge at any time of the year. Other bridges worth checking out are Calatrava’s Exhibition Bridge and Puente del Real.

22. Visit the Gorgeous Lonja de la Seda

Right next to the Central Market, Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange) is a beautiful Gothic Building and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most impressive room in the building is the Trading Hall, also known as the Hall of Columns. The imposing hall features imposing twisted columns holding a stunning vaulted ceiling.

Like many attractions in Valencia, the Lonja de la Seda also has a small entry fee of 2€. However, you can visit free of charge every Sunday during opening hours, from 10 AM to 1.30 PM.

23. Walk Down the Lovely Avinguda del Regne de València

If you need more beautiful places to enjoy a pleasant walk, head to Avinguda del Regne de València. This large street separates Ruzafa from Gran Via and features a delightful pedestrian way lined with palm trees.

The street stretches from Túria Park nearly all the way to the North Station. You can walk along this street to reach Ruzafa or Gran Via. If you enjoy long walks and exploring areas outside the tourist hotspots, add this charming walk to your list of free things to do in Valencia.

24. Explore the Upscale La Gran Via Neighborhood

After exploring Ruzafa with its hip cafés, it’s worth checking out the neighborhood on the other side of Avinguda del Regne de València. Gran Via is an elegant neighborhood with tree-lined streets and beautiful early 20th-century buildings.

Stroll down Gran Via del Marques del Turia, check out Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo, and explore the perfectly curated grid of elegant streets that compose this neighborhood. Here, you can find plenty of bars and restaurants if you want to stop for lunch.

25. Attend Las Fallas de Valencia

Las Fallas is Valencia’s most important festivity, taking place over five days from the 15th to the 19th of March, on Saint Joseph’s Day. However, celebrations begin a few weeks before. In 2024, the Fallas begin on the 1st of March.

A lot goes on during the Fallas, from historical and religious processions to fireworks displays. However, the most important event is the Cavalcada del Foc (Fire Parade), consisting of the burning of the Falles (cremà), the artistic monuments built specifically for the event.

Valencia: Travel Tips

Now that I’ve got you covered with these free things to do in Valencia, it’s time to start planning your trip. So here is a bit more useful information about Valencia.

The city is the capital of the Comunidad Valenciana, one of Spain’s autonomous communities. Valencia is on the Mediterranean coast, facing the island of Palma de Mallorca. The city has a pleasant climate, with mostly sunny weather and mild winters.

Any time is good to visit Valencia, although I would avoid the peak summer months when the city can get very crowded and hot. Shoulder seasons are ideal, but winter is great too when temperatures rarely go below 17°C (62°F). A great time to visit Valencia is the first half of March if you want to witness Las Fallas. However, expect big crowds and chaos everywhere.

Valencia has an international airport close to the city center, conveniently connected by two metro lines (L3 and L5). A one-way ticket between the airport and the city center is €4.80 (plus a one-time €1 fee for the rechargeable ticket). The metro also connects many city areas, so it’s fairly easy to get around. Tickets within the city are €2.5 each, but you can also buy 24H, 48H, and 72H tickets. Find more about metro fares on the Metro Valencia website.

The city is fairly big (by European standards) but you can get around the city center on foot. I find that Valencia is pretty walkable in general, so even if it’s a long walk, it can be enjoyable. If you can find accommodation close to the city center, you’ll hardly ever need to catch public transportation.

Where to Stay in Valencia

I stayed in a few different places in Valencia, but two that I can recommend are Quart Youth Hostel if you’re looking for cheap hostel beds and Palacios Rooms if you’re looking for nice private rooms that are still quite affordable. The hostel is super central, while Palacios Room is a bit farther away but still well connected to the center.

You can also search for more accommodation directly on the map below:

For more useful resources for your future trips, check out the table below with my favorite recommendations.

Travel Resources

Purpose	Website/App	Description	Book Here
Accommodation	Booking.com	My favorite website for great accommodation for different budgets.	Find a Place
Flights	Skyscanner	The platform I typically use for finding the most affordable flights.	Find Flights
Cheap Buses	Flixbus	My favorite app for cheap bus fares around most of Europe and the US.	Bus Rides
Transportation	Omio	You can book everything from buses and trains to ferry rides.	Transportation
Train Travel	Trainline	If you travel by train, this app is great for booking rides in Europe.	Train Rides
Travel Insurance	SafetyWing	One of the best travel medical insurances for frequent travelers.	Get Insured
Activities	Manawa	A great platform to book activities and adventures with local hosts.	Find Activities
Experiences	GetYourGuide	Another great platform for tours and experiences with lots of options.	Experiences
Car Rental	DiscoverCars	My go-to platform for car rental anywhere in the world.	Rent a Car
eSIM	Airalo	My favorite app for buying digital SIM cards when traveling abroad.	Get an eSIM