3 days in Valencia

Spain

This is the free preview of the Wayfinder guide to Valencia: a realistic three-day plan with a morning sight, a specific lunch spot, an afternoon walk or museum, dinner before drinks, plus hotels for every budget, how local tickets work and the best day trips nearby.

Build my Valencia itinerary

Day-by-day plan

Day 1 — City Essentials

☀️ Morning · 09:00 – 12:00
Ciutat de les Arts
Calatrava's architecture.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Calatrava's architecture.
Getting there: Metrovalencia Local network · Ciutat de les Arts from Xàtiva · 10 min · €1.50
🍕 Lunch · 12:30 – 14:00
Casa Carmela
Wood-fired paella, by the beach.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Wood-fired paella, by the beach.
Other great options nearby
Central Bar (Ricard Camarena) · €€ · Gourmet sandwiches in the market.Map
La Pepica · €€ · A classic on Malvarrosa.Map
Getting there: Metrovalencia Local network · Casa Carmela from Xàtiva · 10 min · €1.50
🏛️ Afternoon · 14:30 – 18:30
Bluebell Coffee
Local roastery.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Local roastery.
Getting there: Metrovalencia Local network · Bluebell Coffee from Xàtiva · 10 min · €1.50
🍷 Dinner · 19:30 – 21:30
Dinner at Canalla Bistro
Playful cuisine.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Playful cuisine.
Other great options nearby
Casa Carmela · €€ · Wood-fired paella, by the beach.Map
Central Bar (Ricard Camarena) · €€ · Gourmet sandwiches in the market.Map
Getting there: Metrovalencia Local network · Dinner at Canalla Bistro from Xàtiva · 10 min · €1.50
🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+
Agua de Valencia at Café de las Horas
Local cocktail.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Local cocktail.
Other great options nearby
Ruzafa · €€ · The bar district.Map
Bluebell Coffee · €€ · Local roastery.Map
Getting there: Metrovalencia Local network · Agua de Valencia at Café de las Horas from Xàtiva · 10 min · €1.50

Day 2 — Neighborhoods & Local Flavor

☀️ Morning · 09:00 – 12:00
Mercado Central
Modernist hall with 1000 stalls.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Modernist hall with 1000 stalls.
Getting there: Metrovalencia Local network · Mercado Central from Xàtiva · 10 min · €1.50
🍕 Lunch · 12:30 – 14:00
Central Bar (Ricard Camarena)
Gourmet sandwiches in the market.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Gourmet sandwiches in the market.
Other great options nearby
La Pepica · €€ · A classic on Malvarrosa.Map
Casa Carmela · €€ · Wood-fired paella, by the beach.Map
Getting there: Metrovalencia Local network · Central Bar (Ricard Camarena) from Xàtiva · 10 min · €1.50
🏛️ Afternoon · 14:30 – 18:30
El Carmen
Street art and medieval towers.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Street art and medieval towers.
Getting there: Metrovalencia Local network · El Carmen from Xàtiva · 10 min · €1.50
🍷 Dinner · 19:30 – 21:30
Dinner at Canalla Bistro
Playful cuisine.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Playful cuisine.
Other great options nearby
Central Bar (Ricard Camarena) · €€ · Gourmet sandwiches in the market.Map
La Pepica · €€ · A classic on Malvarrosa.Map
Getting there: Metrovalencia Local network · Dinner at Canalla Bistro from Xàtiva · 10 min · €1.50
🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+
Ruzafa
The bar district.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · The bar district.
Other great options nearby
Bluebell Coffee · €€ · Local roastery.Map
El Carmen · €€ · Street art and medieval towers.Map
Getting there: Metrovalencia Local network · Ruzafa from Xàtiva · 10 min · €1.50

Day 3 — Art, Coffee & Hidden Gems

☀️ Morning · 09:00 – 12:00
Turia Gardens
A former riverbed turned into a park.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · A former riverbed turned into a park.
Getting there: Metrovalencia Local network · Turia Gardens from Xàtiva · 10 min · €1.50
🍕 Lunch · 12:30 – 14:00
La Pepica
A classic on Malvarrosa.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · A classic on Malvarrosa.
Other great options nearby
Casa Carmela · €€ · Wood-fired paella, by the beach.Map
Central Bar (Ricard Camarena) · €€ · Gourmet sandwiches in the market.Map
Getting there: Metrovalencia Local network · La Pepica from Xàtiva · 10 min · €1.50
🏛️ Afternoon · 14:30 – 18:30
La Lonja de la Seda
The silk exchange, UNESCO.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · The silk exchange, UNESCO.
Getting there: Metrovalencia Local network · La Lonja de la Seda from Xàtiva · 10 min · €1.50
🍷 Dinner · 19:30 – 21:30
Dinner at Canalla Bistro
Playful cuisine.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Playful cuisine.
Other great options nearby
La Pepica · €€ · A classic on Malvarrosa.Map
Casa Carmela · €€ · Wood-fired paella, by the beach.Map
Getting there: Metrovalencia Local network · Dinner at Canalla Bistro from Xàtiva · 10 min · €1.50
🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+
Agua de Valencia at Café de las Horas
Local cocktail.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Local cocktail.
Other great options nearby
El Carmen · €€ · Street art and medieval towers.Map
Ruzafa · €€ · The bar district.Map
Getting there: Metrovalencia Local network · Agua de Valencia at Café de las Horas from Xàtiva · 10 min · €1.50

Day trip idea: Albufera · 30 min by bus from Valencia → El Palmar · ≈ €3

Where to stay in Valencia

Budget / boutique

Top-rated boutique stay

Valencia · central district · ⭐ 8.6 · €€ · ≈ €80–120 / night

Check availability

Mid-range

Top-rated 4★ hotel

Valencia · walking distance to the centre · ⭐ 8.9 · €€€ · ≈ €150–220 / night

Check availability

Luxury

Top-rated 5★ hotel

Valencia · best location in town · ⭐ 9.2 · €€€€ · €300+ / night

Check availability

Flying in from overseas

What travelers from the US, Canada, Australia and Asia need to sort out before a long-haul trip to Valencia.

Flight time & jet lag: Most long-haul flights land in Europe early morning. Plan a light first day — a walk and an outdoor lunch beat a museum. This 3-day plan keeps day 1 gentle so you can push through to a local bedtime.
Entry requirements: US, Canadian, Australian, Japanese, Korean and Singaporean passport holders enter the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180, but must register for ETIAS online before departure. Passport should be valid 3+ months past your return date.
Phone & data (eSIM): Skip roaming charges: install a Europe-wide eSIM (Airalo, Holafly or your carrier's international day pass) before you leave home. One eSIM covers the whole trip, including day trips across borders.
Power adapters: Type C/F outlets at 230V. US and Canadian travelers need a plug adapter; check that hair tools are dual-voltage.
Money & cards: Tap-to-pay works nearly everywhere in Valencia. Use a card with no foreign transaction fee, always choose to be charged in the local currency, and carry about 20 in small bills for markets and restrooms.
Airport to city: Book nothing in advance for the airport run — Valencia has a train or express bus that beats a taxi on both price and time. The transport section below has the official operator and ticket app.

Full long-haul planning guide

Practical tips for Spain

Transport & tickets: Renfe for trains · TMB app (Barcelona) and Metro de Madrid app · multi-ride cards (T-Casual) beat singles
Tipping & payments: Rarely expected · leave small change at restaurants · Tap & Go with a contactless card or Apple Pay directly at the validators in Valencia.
Emergency numbers: 112 · Police 091
Power sockets: Type C / F · 230V

When to go: events in Valencia

Las Fallas
March · Festival
Giant sculptures burned in the street, a UNESCO heritage.
Plaza del Ayuntamiento Christmas Market
Dec · Christmas market
An ice rink and stalls.
Mercado Central
daily · Market & fair
A modernist hall with 1,000 stalls.

Day trips from Valencia

Albufera
30 min by bus · from Valencia → El Palmar · ≈ €3
Boat ride · Sunset over the lagoon · Authentic paella
Xàtiva
40 min by train · from Valencia Nord → Xàtiva · ≈ €5
Twin castle · Medieval town · Panorama

Share this guide

Ready-to-post caption for travelers planning from the US, Canada, Australia and Asia.

3 days in Valencia, Spain — an hour-by-hour plan with real restaurants, hotels at every budget and local transit tickets. Built for travelers flying in from the US, Canada, Australia and Asia.

Open the photo to save for your post

More guides

Amsterdam Athens Barcelona Belgrade Berlin Bern Brasov Bratislava

Browse all destinations