Valencia 2 Day Itinerary: Best Things to Do, See, & Eat

Looking for the perfect Valencia 2 day itinerary for your upcoming trip? You’re in the right place!

I’m a travel blogger that lives in Spain, and after multiple trips to Valencia, I’ve narrowed down the top things to do, see, and eat in just two days. 

This 2-day Valencia itinerary covers major attractions, local spots, food recommendations, and tips to help you make the most of your time. 

Whether it’s your first visit or a short getaway, this itinerary will help you see the highlights without feeling rushed. Let’s get into what to do with 2 days in Valencia!

Day 1 in Valencia is all about exploring the historic Ciutat Vella (Old Town) and checking off many of the top spots when it comes to what to see in Valencia.

It might look like a long list, but most of the attractions are very close to each other, so you can easily walk from one to the next!

Valencia Day 1 Itinerary at a Glance:

• Breakfast
• Plaza del Ayuntamiento
• National Ceramics Museum
• Plaza de la Reina
• Plaza de la Virgen
• Valencia Cathedral
• Horchata at Horchateria Santa Catalina
• Quick Stop at La Estrecha
• Silk Exchange (La Lonja de la Seda)
• Mercat Central (Central Market)
• Agua de Valencia at Café de las Horas
• Torres de Serranos
• Paella Cooking Class

Start your day with breakfast at your hotel or a nearby café to fuel up before exploring.  

Some hotels in Valencia offer free breakfast or there are cafes on nearly every corner where you can grab coffee, pastries, and breakfast treats.  

First, head to Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Plaza), the city’s main square and a great spot for photos. 

You’ll find a large fountain surrounded by flowers and colorful flower stalls scattered around the square. 

It’s a beautiful open space to stroll through before heading deeper into the historic center.

Next, stop by the National Ceramics Museum, set inside the very eye-catching Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas. 

The building’s detailed Baroque façade is worth seeing even if you don’t go inside. 

And if you’re curious, you can pop in for a look at the ceramics and decorative art collections–it costs around 3€ to go inside.

Next, walk over to Plaza de la Reina (Queen’s Plaza), one of the most central and well-known squares in Valencia. 

It’s surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and shops, and you’ll also find one of the entrances to the Valencia Cathedral here. 

It’s a great place to stop for a few photos with the palm trees and city views.

Just a short walk away is Plaza de la Virgen, one of the most beautiful squares in the old town. 

This is one of the most popular things to see in Valencia and where you’ll find the large Turia Fountain depicting the Roman god Neptune surrounded by eight female statues. 

You’ll also see the other side of the Valencia Cathedral, a small orange garden, and historic buildings all around. 

Make your way to Valencia Cathedral, a mix of architectural styles with a bell tower (known as Miguelete Tower or El Micalet) you can spot from all over the city.

Part of the exterior sort of looks like a mini version of the Colosseum, and inside you’ll find what they claim to be the actual Holy Grail. 

If you do want to go inside, entry is around €9 and includes an audio guide, and you can pay a small fee to climb the bell tower for some of the best views in the city.

Next, take a quick break at Horchatería Santa Catalina to try horchata–one of the most famous drinks you have to try in Valencia. 

Valencian horchata is made from tiger nuts (chufas) and has a light, nutty flavor.  It’s totally different from the rice-based Mexican version.

Make a quick stop at La Estrecha, one of the narrowest buildings in Europe–you might walk right past it if you’re not paying attention! 

It’s just over 1 meter (about 4 feet) wide, and a family used to live there with each person on a separate floor. 

You can’t go inside, but it’s a fun and quirky photo stop right in the middle of the old town.

Touring the Silk Exchange (La Lonja de la Seda) is a great way to get a feel for Valencia’s past as a center of the silk trade. 

This 15th-century Gothic building looks a bit like a fortress, with tall stone columns and intricate details throughout. 

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for just €2, it’s an easy and worthwhile cultural stop while exploring the Old Town.

Next, head into the Mercat Central, one of the largest and most beautiful markets in Europe–it’s even bigger than La Boqueria in Barcelona. 

The building itself is really beautiful, with stained glass windows and a massive domed roof. 

Inside, you’ll find rows of stalls selling everything from fresh seafood and produce to jamón ibérico, local cheeses, and sweets. 

It’s also a great place to grab lunch.  There are bars and restaurants around the market, including Central Bar by Michelin-starred chef Ricard Camarena.

The other traditional drink you have to try in Valencia is Agua de Valencia, and Café de las Horas is one of the best places to try it. 

It’s a cocktail made with vodka, gin, cava, and fresh orange juice–and it’s a lot stronger than it tastes. 

Go easy on your first glass, because it definitely sneaks up on you!

The Torres de Serranos are two giant stone towers that were once part of the old city wall and used as one of the main entrances to Valencia. 

You can climb to the top for just a couple of euros–the stairs are steep, but the views over the city and the nearby Turia Gardens are totally worth it. 

It’s a fun way to take in the city from above and snap some great photos.

End your day with a paella cooking class, which is one of the top things to do in Valencia and a fun and hands-on way to experience one of Spain’s most iconic dishes. 

Paella is a rice dish that was born in Valencia, and traditional Valencian paella is made with chicken, rabbit, and sometimes snails–not seafood. 

This paella cooking class starts around 7PM and walks you through every step, from prepping the ingredients to enjoying your creation with a glass (or several) of wine!

Day 2 in Valencia is all about getting outside of Ciutat Vella and enjoying the outdoors. 

Valencia Day 2 Itinerary at a Glance:

• Breakfast
• Turia Park
• City of Arts & Sciences
• Lunch at La Pepica
• Beach
• Flamenco Show 

Grab breakfast before heading out for day 2 in Valencia! 

On my last visit, I had breakfast at Alice Coffee, a cute Alice in Wonderland-themed brunch spot with whimsical pastel blue decor and over-the-top dishes. 

It was very cute and original!

Kick off day 2 with a walk or bike ride through Turia Park, a massive green space that stretches through the city where the old river used to flow. 

It’s a peaceful way to start the day, with palm trees, fountains, bridges, gardens, and lots of shaded paths. 

Locals use it for everything from morning runs to picnics, and it connects several major sights, including the City of Arts and Sciences.

Tip: If you have extra time, head to Monforte Gardens right near Turia Park.  Entry is free and it is a beautiful, secluded secret garden away from the crowds.

Next, head to the City of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic complex full of ultra modern buildings that look like they’re straight out of a sci-fi movie. 

It’s located a bit outside the city center–I walked there through Turia Park, which took about 40 minutes, but you can also take a bus or taxi. 

The complex includes an opera house, a science museum, the Hemisfèric (an IMAX theater), and Oceanogràfic, the largest aquarium in Europe. 

You can buy tickets for each attraction individually or save a bit with a combo ticket. 

I recommend picking one or two to explore–I visited Oceanogràfic and loved it, especially the shark tunnel and the sleek, modern design. 

Just keep in mind that the entire area is massive, so it can easily take up a good part of your day.

After exploring the City of Arts and Sciences, head to the beach for a change of scenery. 

It’s not really walkable from the complex, but there’s a bus stop right outside Oceanogràfic or you can grab a taxi. 

For lunch, check out La Pepica, a longtime local favorite right on the beachfront promenade known for its rice dishes, seafood, and paella.

Tip: Most paella restaurants on the beach close around 4PM so make sure to go before then! 

After lunch, spend some time relaxing at the beach–Playa de las Arenas is right outside La Pepica, or you can walk down the promenade to Platja del Cabanyal or Platja de la Malvarrosa. 

The beaches in Valencia are super wide and open, with space for beach volleyball and all kinds of activities. 

It’s more of a bring-your-own-blanket kind of vibe, so pack a towel and soak up the sun like the locals do.

End your trip with a flamenco show, a great way to experience a classic piece of Spanish culture. 

While Valencia isn’t as famous for flamenco as cities like Seville, it’s still worth seeing–especially if this is your only stop in Spain. 

Palosanto has a show at 8:30PM, or you can check out La Bulería, which offers an 8:00PM performance that includes dinner. 

Here are a few Valencia travel tips to make the most of your visit:

• Consider purchasing the Valencia Tourist Card: The Valencia Tourist Card is a 48-hour travel discount card that costs around 24€ and includes unlimited public transport, as well discounts to many major museums and attractions, including the City of Arts & Sciences.

I hope this Valencia 2 day itinerary helps you plan an amazing visit to Spain’s third largest city!

From exploring the charming old town to trying traditional dishes and soaking up the sun at the beach, two days is just enough to get a feel for what makes Valencia so special. 

Whether you’re here for the paella, the sights, or the relaxed vibe, I think you’ll love it as much as I do.

Enjoy your trip to Valencia!

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• Is Valencia Worth Visiting? Travel Guide + Tips