Valenciaportada

What to Do in Valencia: Must-Do Plans and Activities

19/05/2026 Valencia 9 mins
Are you looking for different plans to enjoy Valencia? Would you like to combine beaches, gastronomy, culture and neighbourhoods full of personality during your trip?

Valencia has that hard-to-find balance between a relaxed Mediterranean city and a destination full of life. Here, you can start the day having breakfast near the sea, spend the afternoon exploring markets, gardens or museums, and finish by watching the sunset in La Albufera or having dinner in one of the city’s liveliest neighbourhoods.

Beyond its monuments and most famous landmarks, Valencia is also discovered through its everyday local experiences: enjoying a horchata in Alboraya, walking through El Cabanyal, cycling along the Turia Gardens or spending an afternoon hopping between tapas bars in Ciutat Vella.

In this guide, you’ll find a selection of must-do plans to enjoy Valencia at different paces and discover some of the city’s most special corners.

10 Things to Do in Valencia

Valencia is a very easy city to explore and perfect for combining completely different plans in a single day. In just a few minutes, you can go from the historic centre to the beach, walk through large urban gardens or discover some of the Mediterranean’s most characterful neighbourhoods.

At Kora Lluna, we’ve selected some of the best plans to experience Valencia in a much more local, relaxed and authentic way.

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Sunset at La Albufera in Valencia

La Albufera is one of Valencia’s most iconic natural landscapes and one of the city’s must-do plans at the end of the day. Located just a few minutes from the city centre, this natural park offers the perfect opportunity to completely disconnect thanks to its combination of lagoon views, rice fields and wooden walking paths.

Sunset is one of the area’s biggest highlights. The reflections on the water, the warm light and the peaceful atmosphere create a truly special setting that makes this one of the most beautiful spots in Valencia.

Beyond the scenery, the area is also perfect for a gastronomic stop, where you can try an authentic Valencian paella in one of the nearby local restaurants.

How to get there from Kora Lluna: approximately 25 minutes by car. There are also bus connections from different parts of the city.

Enjoy a Drink at Mercado de Colón

Mercado de Colón is one of the most iconic and elegant spaces in Valencia. This modernist building combines historic architecture, gastronomy and local atmosphere in the perfect setting for taking a break during the day.

More than a traditional market, it has become a lively meeting point where locals and visitors gather for breakfast, an aperitif, a horchata or dinner at one of its many gastronomic spaces.

Beyond its culinary offering, it’s also worth taking a moment to admire its beautiful modernist architecture and the way it blends Valencian tradition with much more contemporary concepts.

How to get there from Kora Lluna: approximately 15 minutes by public transport or bicycle from El Cabanyal.

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Tapas in the Sun at Mercado de Tapinería

Mercado de Tapinería is one of the most creative and dynamic spaces in Valencia’s historic centre. More than a conventional market, it works as a lively meeting point where there’s always something different happening.

Here, you’ll find changing gastronomic concepts, small stalls, pop-ups and cultural events in an urban and alternative atmosphere that’s perfect for casual tapas and drinks.

Its creative character and strong connection to the cultural life of Ciutat Vella make it one of the most interesting places to enjoy Valencia’s atmosphere at a relaxed pace.

How to get there from Kora Lluna: approximately 20 minutes by public transport or bicycle.

Explore the El Cabanyal Neighbourhood

El Cabanyal is one of Valencia’s most characterful neighbourhoods. Its fishing heritage is still present in its streets, in its modernist tiled façades and in its relaxed way of life by the sea.

Walking around the neighbourhood allows visitors to discover small cafés, galleries, local restaurants and streets full of history. In addition, its close proximity to the beach makes this area one of the best places to combine city life and the Mediterranean in the same day.

Some recommended plans in El Cabanyal include:

  • Walking along Calle de la Reina and its surrounding streets
  • Discovering traditional modernist façades
  • Eating at restaurants serving Valencian cuisine or contemporary proposals
  • Walking to El Cabanyal Beach or Las Arenas Beach
  • Enjoying the atmosphere of local terraces and markets

Staying in this area also allows visitors to experience a much more authentic and relaxed side of Valencia.

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Discover Valencia’s Botanical Garden

The Valencia Botanical Garden is one of the most peaceful green spaces in the city centre. Surrounded by vegetation and away from the fast pace of urban life, it’s perfect for those looking to disconnect for a few hours during their trip.

Inside, visitors can discover hundreds of plant species from different parts of the world, along with greenhouses, historic gardens and pleasant resting areas. It’s an ideal plan to combine with a visit to the historic centre or simply enjoy a quiet morning at any time of the year.

Opening hours:
Open from Monday to Sunday. Opening times may vary depending on the season.

How to get there from Kora Lluna:
Approximately 20 minutes by public transport.

Enjoy a Horchata in Alboraya

Alboraya is the undisputed home of Valencian horchata. Visiting this small town is almost a must for anyone travelling to Valencia and wanting to discover one of the city’s most iconic local products. Located next to Valencia, Alboraya is known for its agricultural tradition and for growing tigernuts, the main ingredient used to make horchata.

The experience goes far beyond simply tasting a traditional drink. The area’s historic horchata cafés are part of everyday local life and maintain a very familiar and authentic atmosphere. Horchata is usually enjoyed together with fartons, the traditional soft pastry specially made for dipping.

How to get there from Kora Lluna: approximately 15 minutes by car or public transport.

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Discover the Street Art of El Carmen

The El Carmen neighbourhood has become one of Valencia’s biggest references for urban art. Walking through its streets means constantly coming across murals, graffiti and small artistic interventions that coexist with historic buildings and lively squares.

More than just a single street, the entire neighbourhood feels like an open-air gallery where every corner has its own personality. Among the most famous works are the giant cat mural by Escif and the well-known spy graffiti, two of the most photographed urban artworks in Ciutat Vella.

The mix of history, alternative culture and creativity makes this walk one of the most interesting plans for travellers wanting to discover a more authentic and contemporary side of Valencia.

How to get there from Kora Lluna: Approximately 20 minutes by public transport or bicycle.

Cycle Through the Turia Gardens

The Turia Gardens are one of Valencia’s most iconic spaces and one of the best ways to discover the city at a relaxed pace. This huge urban park, built on the former course of the Turia River, stretches across Valencia from west to east and connects many of the city’s main landmarks.

Exploring it by bicycle is one of the favourite activities for both locals and visitors. Along the route, you’ll find gardens, sports areas, terraces, historic bridges and cultural spaces such as the City of Arts and Sciences.

In addition, Valencia is an especially bike-friendly city thanks to its extensive cycle lanes and the short distances between neighbourhoods. From El Cabanyal, it’s easy to connect with the Turia Gardens and explore different parts of the city at a slower pace while enjoying the Mediterranean climate and plenty of green spaces along the way.

It’s the perfect plan both for a peaceful morning ride or for ending the day watching the sunset near the City of Arts and Sciences.

How to get there from Kora Lluna: by bicycle, approximately 10–15 minutes to some of the main entrances of the Turia Gardens.

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Battle of the Flowers

The Battle of the Flowers is one of the most representative events of the Valencian summer and one of the city’s most iconic traditions.

It takes place every year at the end of July on the Paseo de la Alameda as the closing event of the Great Fair of Valencia. During the parade, colourful floats decorated with natural flowers travel along the avenue while participants and spectators take part in the famous flower battle by throwing carnations at each other.

This tradition has been celebrated since the late 19th century and remains one of the most beloved events among Valencians.

How to get there from Kora Lluna: Easy access by bicycle or public transport from El Cabanyal.

A Route Through Valencian Flavours

Gastronomy is a fundamental part of Valencia’s identity. Although paella is its most internationally famous dish, the local cuisine goes far beyond that. Much of Valencia’s culinary personality comes from the connection between its fertile farmland, the Mediterranean Sea and fresh local produce.

Some must-try dishes include:

  • Valencian paella: the traditional recipe made with chicken, rabbit and vegetables.
  • All i pebre: a traditional eel stew closely linked to the Albufera area.
  • Esgarraet: a typical Valencian tapa made with roasted red pepper and salted cod.
  • Valencian clóchinas: a local variety of mussels especially popular during spring and summer.
  • Horchata with fartons: one of Valencia’s most iconic gastronomic symbols.
  • Agua de Valencia: a famous Valencian cocktail strongly associated with the city’s social and late-afternoon atmosphere.
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Where to Stay in Valencia

Choosing the right accommodation in Valencia makes it much easier to enjoy the city from the very beginning. Having a comfortable and well-connected base allows visitors to explore both the historic centre and other neighbourhoods and nearby areas without complications.

In this context, Kora Lluna stands out as an ideal option for travellers looking to combine comfort, design and a strategic location. Located in El Cabanyal, one of Valencia’s most authentic neighbourhoods, it offers easy access to both the beach and the historic centre by public transport, bicycle or even on foot.

Its spacious and fully equipped apartments combine the comfort of a modern hotel with the feeling of being at home, creating a much more flexible and relaxed stay experience.

In addition, staying at Kora Lluna allows guests to start the day at their own pace, organise excursions around the city and return after a day of sightseeing with all the comforts needed to relax and unwind.

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What to Do in Valencia on a Sunday

Sundays in Valencia have a different rhythm — slower, more social and strongly focused on enjoying the outdoors thanks to the Mediterranean climate.

Go for Vermouth or Tapas in Lively Neighbourhoods

Neighbourhoods such as Ruzafa, El Carmen and El Cabanyal are perfect for enjoying the classic Sunday vermouth or sharing tapas on lively terraces. These plans usually last for hours, moving between small bars, gastronomic markets and local restaurants where the main idea is simply to relax, share and enjoy the atmosphere without rushing.

Spend the Morning Between the Beach and the Seafront Promenade

Valencia’s urban beaches are one of the city’s greatest privileges. Areas such as Las Arenas, Malvarrosa and Cabanyal allow visitors to combine seaside walks, beach time and gastronomy without leaving the city. From El Cabanyal, many of these areas are also easily accessible on foot, making Sunday one of the most comfortable and relaxing days to enjoy Valencia by the sea.

Visit Markets and Cultural Spaces Open on Sundays

Many markets and cultural spaces remain active on Sundays, allowing visitors to continue discovering Valencia throughout the weekend. It’s the perfect time to explore Ciutat Vella, step into small cultural venues or simply enjoy the city’s atmosphere at a much calmer pace.

Enjoy an Outdoor Plan in La Albufera

La Albufera is one of the best Sunday plans for anyone looking to completely disconnect from the urban rhythm. Walking by the lagoon, taking a traditional boat ride or ending the day watching the sunset are some of the most recommended experiences for closing the weekend in Valencia.

FAQS

  • Some of the most beautiful towns near Valencia include Xàtiva, Bocairent, Chulilla, Chelva and El Palmar. Each of them combines history, nature and local charm, making them perfect for a day trip from the city.

  • Ideally, you should spend between 3 and 5 days in Valencia to enjoy the city at a relaxed pace. This allows enough time to combine cultural visits, beaches, gastronomy, lively neighbourhoods and nearby escapes such as La Albufera or Alboraya.
  • A walk through El Cabanyal, having vermouth in Ruzafa, cycling through the Turia Gardens or watching the sunset in La Albufera are some of the best plans to enjoy Valencia as a couple in a relaxed and special way.

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