20 places, 7 of them free and 8 tours and activities. Futuristic architecture, paella’s birthplace and a sunny city beach.
Ruzafa
A creative, walkable district of indie cafés, galleries and small bars, popular with locals for brunch and late nights.
Open-air; venues busiest at weekends
Ciutat Vella
A 14th-century Gothic city gate whose upper level gives a wide view of the old town.
Tuesday–Sunday; closed Mondays
Ciutat Vella
A twin-towered medieval gate still pocked with cannonball marks from the Napoleonic wars.
Tuesday–Sunday; closed Mondays
Ciutat Vella
A stunning baroque palace with an alabaster façade, filled with centuries of Valencian tiles and ceramics.
Tuesday–Saturday, plus Sunday mornings
Turia
A calm, historic university garden with glasshouses, a ficus avenue and a Mediterranean collection.
Daily; hours vary by season
Alboraya (5 km)
The birthplace of horchata de chufa, made from tiger nuts: try it with fartons in a traditional horchatería among the fields.
Horchaterías open daily; busiest at weekends
El Cabanyal
A once-neglected fishermen’s quarter of colourful tiled façades, small bars and the neighbouring city beach.
Open-air; beach bars open daily
Marxalenes
A converted 1930s pump factory now a contemporary art centre with an Art Deco air-raid shelter.
Wednesday–Sunday; hours vary
Planning Valencia? 9 places to eat are one tap away.