6 Tips for Families Visiting Valencia

Planning a family holiday to Valencia? With its sunny climate, sandy beaches, historic sights, and mouthwatering cuisine, Spain’s third-largest city has so much to offer visitors of all ages. Follow these top tips to make sure your Valencia family vacation ticks all the boxes.

Photo source: Image by Andrea Castello from Pixabay

1. Explore the City of Arts and Sciences

No visit to Valencia is complete without spending a day at the awe-inspiring City of Arts and Sciences complex. Designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, this futuristic cultural centre provides plenty of family fun with its mix of museums, performance venues, and Europe’s largest aquarium. Don’t miss the hemispheric planetarium for its out-of-this-world light shows. Afterwards, rent a family bike and pedal through the surrounding gardens and funky architecture.

2. Wander the Old Town

Lose yourself amid the atmospheric streets and charming plazas of Valencia’s historical Barrio del Carmen neighbourhood. Climb the iconic Miguelete bell tower for sweeping city views before descending to barter for souvenirs at the bustling central market. Stop for a traditional horchata drink made from tigernuts, or sample authentic tapas and watch local life unfold from a sunny cafe terrace.

3. Travel to Valencia by Bus

Another huge tip for families is to travel to Valencia by bus. Forget trying to navigate the metro system with small children in tow. Instead, make use of Valencia’s inexpensive and reliable local buses to scoot around the city. Most buses have space for folding pushchairs, too.

4. Indulge in Family Dining

While Valencia excels at sophisticated fine dining, eating out with kids can be stressful. Instead, try a family-friendly rice dish at one of the city’s traditional paella restaurants scattered around the Cabanyal fishermen’s quarter near the port. For lunch, join the locals at family-run tapas bars where children can graze on bite-sized pork sliders, sauteed prawns, meatballs, and fried calamari alongside their own dedicated menus. Sweet treats like chocolate con churros make the perfect pick-me-up.

5. Play on Malvarrosa Beach

Valencia’s most family-friendly beach lies just to the east of the city centre, with the promenade lined with parks, playgrounds and casual restaurants catering to tourists. Build epic sandcastles, go paddling in the waves or wander along the Paseo Marítimo waterfront trail. Beach bars rent out kayaks and stand-up paddleboards by the hour for older kids, while little ones will love the animal-themed climbing frames.

6. Learn History at Valencia Cathedral

Valencia has a lot to offer visitors, including the stunning Valencia Cathedral. Dating from the 13th century, the magnificent Valencia Cathedral is a great atmospheric rainy-day activity. Gaze up at the ornate dome, mosaic ceiling and gilded altarpiece before hunting for treasures like the Holy Grail, which inspired author Dan Brown. Free guided tours run daily, tailored for children of different ages and concentration spans. Finish up by climbing the tower’s 207 steps to enjoy splendid views over the city’s red rooftops.

With superb weather almost year-round, Valencia offers an exciting Mediterranean city break filled with culture, beaches, parks, and entertainment options catering for visitors of all generations. Follow these insider family travel tips to make the most of your Spanish escape.