Exploring Valencia on a Budget
Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, is ideal for budget-conscious travelers. Eating out, accommodation, and transportation costs are significantly cheaper than they are in Barcelona and Madrid, and there’s a wealth of free things to do.
From the more obvious parks and beaches to amazing UNESCO World Heritage sites and fascinating museums, you will find some of Spain’s best activities in the city. Here’s how to enjoy Valencia on the cheap.
Relax on the Beach
Valencia is a coastal city, making the beach one of the best free things to do in summer. The two closest beaches to the city center are the expansive Playa de las Arenas and Playa de la Malvarossa. Both are spacious enough to guarantee a spot to lay your towel, featuring free facilities such as toilets and outdoor showers. With shady palms and golden sand, the calm, shallow waters are especially ideal for families. Alternatively, Playa de Gandia is a stunning stretch of soft pink sand easily reachable by train.
Climb the Torres Serranos and Torres de Quart
Valencia was once encircled by high city walls, of which only two main gateways remain today: the Torres Serranos and Torres de Quart. Built in the 14th century, the impressive Torres Serranos offers spectacular views over the historic quarter of the Barrio del Carmen, while the imposing Torres de Quart, constructed in the 15th century, looks towards Madrid and the newer parts of the city. Both are free to climb on Sundays and cost €2 on other days.
Explore the Jardines del Turia
The Jardines del Turia are situated along Valencia’s dried-up riverbed, stretching for 5.6 miles (9km) and encircling the heart of the city. This multi-use area features grassy meadows, parks, ponds, and pathways perfect for exploring, exercising, or enjoying a picnic. Starting from Valencia’s Bioparc to the west, the gardens wind their way to the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias in the east. Families should definitely stop at the Gulliver playground, an unusual attraction inspired by the book Gulliver’s Travels, where children can play on a giant model of Gulliver.
Wander Around the Mercado Central
Valencia’s grand covered market offers a feast for both the eyes and palate. Built in 1928, this Modernista structure features a central dome adorned with oranges and a stunning stained-glass facade. Inside, over 250 stalls provide fresh produce, including seafood, cured meats, olives, and cheeses, along with several tapas bars and takeaway paella stands.
Visit the Museo de Bellas Artes
The Museo de Bellas Artes, or Fine Arts Museum, is one of Valencia’s few free-entry museums open any day of the week. Housed in an elegant baroque building, it showcases works by several Spanish masters, including Goya, Velázquez, El Greco, Murillo, and the Valencian artist Joaquín Sorolla.
Discover La Lonja on a Sunday
La Lonja, situated opposite Mercado Central, is a unique building and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the late 15th century during Valencia’s flourishing trade era, it houses the city’s silk exchange. Visiting on a Sunday allows you to explore its stunning gothic interiors, twisty columns, and charming courtyard filled with orange trees.
Admire the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
Valencia’s premier attraction, the City of Arts and Sciences, captivates visitors with its futuristic design. Although entry prices for the museums can be steep, exploring the complex from the outside is entirely free. You can admire Santiago Calatrava’s majestic creations, including the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia opera house, the science museum, the Hemisférico 3D cinema, and the Oceanogràfic aquarium.
Spend Time at the Contemporary Bombas Gens
Bombas Gens, a modern art gallery, resides within a former hydraulic-pump factory from the 1930s, which even manufactured bombs during the Spanish Civil War. The venue includes an air-raid shelter, a medieval cellar, as well as a variety of exhibits spanning photography, painting, and sculpture.
Visit the Plaza de Toros on a Sunday
If you’re wondering what to do in Valencia on a Sunday, the city’s bullring and museum is free to enter. With a history spanning around 170 years, the building resembles a modern rendition of Rome’s Colosseum, though it now hosts more concerts and sporting events than bullfights. The museum, located within the bullring, explores the property’s history and uses.
Learn About One of Spain’s Best Festivals
In March, Valencia comes alive with the festival of Las Fallas, one of Spain’s most anticipated celebrations. This event features papier-mâché sculptures that are displayed throughout the city before being ceremoniously burned. The Museo Fallero offers free entry on Sundays and provides insight into this fascinating festival, including the ninots indultats – characters saved from the flames each year.
Explore the Museo de Prehistoria on a Weekend
The city’s archeology museum is free to visit on weekends and features exhibits on everything from cave art to Pre-Roman Iberian culture.
Get Granular at the Museo del Arroz
One of Valencia’s hidden gems is the Museo del Arroz, or Rice Museum. It offers insight into the history of rice production in the region and is free to visit on Sundays. Located inside an old rice factory, it features a fascinating antique rice-sorting machine. On other days, entrance costs only €2, making it an economical stop for visitors.
