Visiting Valencia on a Cruise: DIY Itineraries, Tips, and Tours

Valencia, one of the most beautiful and visited cities in Spain, is also a stop on numerous Mediterranean cruises. Rich in wonderful attractions and things to do, this Spanish city is a mix of traditions, modernity, culture, and fun! To make the most of your visit during a port stop, it's essential to organize your itinerary well! Here are all our tips! See also: Things to see in Valencia

Itinerary for DIY Cruisers: 10 Things to See

Valencia is rich in wonderful attractions, from beaches, monuments, to splendid museums! Unfortunately, with limited time, it is impossible to visit them all, so you will need to make a selection based on your interests. Below are 10 must-see things in Valencia. Of course, with limited time, you won't be able to see them all, but you'll have to make some choices.

La Seu de València the Cathedral of the city dedicated to the Assumption of Mary Distance from the port: 5 km, 35 min by bus line 4 - Get directions. Cost: full €3.00, reduced €2.00
Barrio del Carmen one of the most characteristic neighborhoods of Valencia, lively at all hours of the day Distance from the port: 5 km, 35 min by bus line 4 - Get directions. Cost: free
Lonja de la Seda a historic building that reflects the commercial wealth of the city in the past Distance from the port: 5 km, 35 min by bus line 4 - Get directions. Cost: full €2.00, reduced €1.00
Mercado Central the central market of Valencia, colorful, chaotic, and unmissable Distance from the port: 5.3 km, 35 min by bus line 4 - Get directions. Cost: free
Valencian Institute of Modern Art one of the most important modern art museums in all of Spain Distance from the port: 5 km, 35 min by bus line 4 - Get directions. Cost: full €6.00, reduced €3.00. Learn more
Ruzafa the "Soho" of Valencia, a shopping paradise Distance from the port: 4.5 km, 20 min by bus 19 - Get directions. Cost: free
Oceanogràfic and Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències one of the main attractions in Valencia, where you can discover the world of art, nature, and science Distance from the port: 2.8 km, 30 min walking - Get directions. Cost: full €38.20, reduced €28.80. It is recommended to purchase the online ticket
Turia Gardens a large park in the heart of Valencia, especially loved by families Distance from the port: 5 km, 35 min by bus line 4 - Get directions. Cost: free
La Malvarrosa the most famous beach in the city, where you can relax and enjoy the sun Distance from the port: 3.2 km, 20 min by bus line 19 - Get directions. Cost: free
Bioparc Valencia a zoo that works for the protection and preservation of animal species Distance from the port: 8.6 km, 1 h by bus line 95 - Get directions. Cost: full €23.80, reduced 4-12 years €18.00

Recommended Itinerary: What to See in Half a Day

First Stop: Ciutat Vella, La Seu de València

Start your itinerary in the Ciutat Vella, the historic center of Valencia. From the port, you can easily reach the neighborhood by bus, using line 4 (35 min). Once you arrive, enjoy a stroll through its characteristic streets, stopping at Plaza de la Virgen, the heart of the center, and Plaza de la Almoina, the cultural center of the past!Between walks, be sure not to miss a visit to La Seu de València, the grand Cathedral of the city (Mon-Sat 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM or 6:30 PM depending on the season; admission full €3.00, reduced €2.00). Dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, it is said to house the legendary Holy Grail, the cup from which Jesus drank during the Last Supper! Don't miss the view from its tall bell tower, it's a sight to behold!

Second Stop: Barrio del Carmen, Mercado Central

After visiting the Cathedral, head to the nearby Barrio del Carmen, one of the most characteristic neighborhoods of Valencia! This is the center of the city's social life, rich in shops, bars, and many activities to do. Be sure to stop by the Torres de Quart, part of the ancient walls of Valencia.Finally, we recommend heading to the Mercado Central, the large central market of the Spanish city, located across from the Lonja de la Seda, which you can admire from the outside. The market features a multitude of local products, over 900 stalls, and a truly unique style, a mix of Art Nouveau, Gothic architecture, and Baroque (Mon-Thu 8:00 AM-2:30 PM, Fri 8:00 AM-8:30 PM, Sat 8:00 AM-3:00 PM).

Third Stop: Malvarrosa, Marina de València

Next, head to Valencia's most beautiful and famous beach, La Malvarrosa. You can get there by bus (line 31, 30 min) or by taxi (10-15 min depending on traffic, average cost €10.00). Here you can enjoy an hour at the beach and relax, even more if you have the time!From the beach, you can reach La Marina de València, the tourist marina preceding the large port of Valencia, in just 20 minutes on foot. Here you can enjoy a walk or grab a last drink, then you'll be very close to the cruise terminal!

In Summary:

Distance traveled 15.3 km / 3 h 13 min
Places visited Ciutat Vella (free), La Seu de València (€3.00), Barrio del Carmen (free), Mercado Central (free), Malvarrosa (free), Marina de València (free)
Card, ticket, and suggested tours Valencia: ticket for the Hop-on Hop-off bus for 24/48 hours
Where to eat for a quick meal/snack Boatella Tapas. Average cost €15.00 - Get directions / for a full meal Vaqueta Gastro Mercat. Average cost €20.00 - Get directions

Tours and Excursions for Cruisers:

Valencia Tourist Bus: Cost, Itinerary, and Stops

One of the best ways to visit a city, especially if you have very little time like during a cruise stop, is the tourist bus. This means will allow you to enjoy a panoramic tour of the city and easily reach all the attractions: the stops are located in the immediate vicinity.The Valencia tourist bus has a single route with 17 stops, making it very easy to use and ideal for getting acquainted with and enjoying the most beautiful attractions of the city. The complete tour, without getting off the bus, lasts about 2 hours. An audio guide and free WiFi are available on board.Arriving in Valencia by cruise ship, outside the port is stop 7 of the tourist bus, called "Veles i Ventes." You can get on and off here once your city visit is complete.

Stops Poeta Querol, Plaza Toros, Museo Fallero, Ciudad de las Artes, Oceanogràfic, CC Aqua, Veles i Ventes, Las Arenas, El Puerto, Baleares, Maestalla, San Pio, Nuevo Centro, Dama Iberica, Bioparc, Museo Historia, IVAM). You can download the map here
Cost 24h full €19.00, reduced €11.00
Buy online ticket for the Hop-on Hop-off bus

Useful Tips

Plan your itinerary in advance and identify the attractions you consider essential. This will save you precious time.
Move around on foot in the historic center, the area where it's advisable to organize your itinerary. Wear comfortable shoes to move around easily. You need to use public transport to reach the center.
Visit the city using the hop on hop off bus because it will allow you to enjoy a general overview of the attractions, and all its stops are located near the main sights.
Avoid museums as they require too much time for a visit. Instead, choose just one and allocate at least 2 to 3 hours for it.
In case of visits to the main and most famous attractions, we recommend purchasing a skip-the-line ticket to avoid wasting precious time in line at ticket offices.
If you decide to visit Oceanogràfic and Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, you should dedicate all your available time to it. To save time, we recommend buying the entrance ticket in advance. Info and costs here
Opt for fast foods and street food to optimize time. The city's markets are great places to find various stalls with street food at competitive prices and excellent quality.

Where Cruises Dock in Valencia

How to Get from the Port of Valencia to the Center

Distance from the center 5 km
How to get there on foot 1 h 6 min - Directions
How to get there by bus 30 min, bus line 4 from the Manuel Soto Enginyer stop to Marqués de Dosaigües, in Ciutat Vella - Directions

How to Get Around

If your itinerary focuses primarily on the historic center, or Ciutat Vella, then the best solution is to move on foot. The center is rich in attractions, very compact, and a riot of colors, traditions, and markets! To get to know the city better, considering the limited time, you might decide to participate in a guided historical tour of about 2 hours.The Port of Valencia is 5 km from the Chiutat Vella, so you will necessarily need to use public transport. If you plan an itinerary that touches various points in the city, the best solution is to move with the tourist bus or purchase a daily ticket for public transport (from €4.00). See also: How to get around Valencia