Valencia by Bike Old Town Turia Park and City of Arts Highlights

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Mercat Central de Valencia

  Here we stop at Valencia’s Central Market, one of the largest and oldest fresh food markets in Europe. Travelers will see a beautiful modernist building filled with colorful stalls selling fruits, vegetables, seafood, ham, spices, and local delicacies. Your guide will explain the history of the market, the importance of food culture in Valencia, and how locals shop here every day. It’s a great place to experience the authentic atmosphere of the city and learn about traditional Valencian ingredients.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2
  La Lonja de la Seda

  At La Lonja de la Seda, travelers will discover one of the most important Gothic monuments in Valencia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This magnificent building was constructed in the 15th century during the city’s golden age, when Valencia was one of the most powerful trading ports in the Mediterranean. Your guide will explain how silk trade made the city incredibly wealthy and how merchants negotiated deals inside the famous Hall of Columns, surrounded by spectacular twisted pillars. Travelers will also learn about medieval commerce, the power of Valencian merchants, and the history hidden behind the impressive stone architecture.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 3
  Plaza de la Reina

  At Plaza de la Reina, travelers arrive at one of the most lively and central squares in Valencia. From here you can admire the impressive Valencia Cathedral and the famous Miguelete Tower, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Your guide will explain the historical importance of this square, which has been a meeting point for locals for centuries. Visitors will learn about the cathedral, its legends, and why many believe it houses the Holy Grail. Today the square is also a vibrant place full of cafés, terraces, and street life.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4
  Valencia Cathedral

  At Valencia Cathedral, travelers discover one of the most important historical and religious landmarks in the city. Built between the 13th and 15th centuries, the cathedral combines several architectural styles including Gothic, Romanesque, and Baroque. Your guide will explain the fascinating history of the building and the many cultures that shaped Valencia over the centuries. Travelers will also hear the story of the Holy Grail, which many historians believe is preserved inside the cathedral. The famous Miguelete Tower next to the cathedral is another iconic symbol of Valencia.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5
  Centre Arqueologic de L'Almoina

  At L’Almoina Archaeological Center, travelers can see the oldest layers of Valencia’s history. Beneath the modern city lie the remains of Roman Valencia, founded in 138 BC, including ancient streets, baths, and buildings. Your guide will explain how the city evolved from a Roman settlement into a Visigothic and later Islamic city before becoming the Christian Valencia we know today. Through the glass floor, visitors can literally look down into more than 2,000 years of history, making this one of the most fascinating archaeological spots in the city.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6

  At the Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken (Virgen de los Desamparados), travelers discover one of the most beloved religious sites in Valencia. This beautiful Baroque basilica is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, who has been deeply important to Valencian culture for centuries. Your guide will explain the story behind the Virgin, who was originally associated with helping the sick, the poor, and people without protection. Every year in May, Valencia celebrates a huge festival in her honor, filling the entire square with flowers, music, and thousands of locals. The basilica’s distinctive blue dome is one of the recognizable symbols of Valencia’s historic center.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7
  Plaça de la Mare de Déu

  At Plaza de la Virgen, travelers arrive at one of the most historic and beautiful squares in Valencia. This square was once the center of Roman Valencia, located exactly where the ancient city forum stood more than 2,000 years ago. In the middle of the square you can see the famous Turia Fountain, representing the Turia River surrounded by eight female figures symbolizing the irrigation canals that made Valencia’s agriculture possible. Your guide will explain how water shaped the development of the region and why Valencia became one of the most fertile areas in Spain. Surrounded by the Cathedral, the Basilica of the Virgin, and historic buildings, this square perfectly reflects the long history and culture of the city.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 8

  At Torres de Serranos, travelers see one of the most impressive medieval gates in Spain and one of the main entrances to the historic city of Valencia. Built in the late 14th century, these massive Gothic towers were part of the ancient defensive wall that once surrounded the entire city. Your guide will explain how the gates protected Valencia and also served as a ceremonial entrance for kings and important visitors. Over the centuries the towers even functioned as a prison for nobles. Today, the towers stand at the edge of the Turia Garden, marking the transition between the historic old town and the long green park that runs through Valencia.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 9
  Jardi del Turia

  At Turia Garden, travelers ride through one of the most unique urban parks in Europe. This massive green space was created in the former bed of the Turia River, which was diverted after a devastating flood in 1957. Your guide will explain how the city transformed the old riverbed into a 9-kilometer park filled with gardens, bike paths, sports areas, and cultural spaces. Today it’s one of the most beloved places for locals to walk, cycle, relax, and enjoy outdoor life. Cycling through the park is one of the highlights of the tour, offering beautiful views of historic bridges and a completely different perspective of Valencia.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 10
  Palacio de la Música

  At Palau de la Música, travelers see one of Valencia’s main cultural venues and an important concert hall located inside the Turia Garden. Opened in 1987, the building is known for its elegant glass façade, surrounded by palm trees and gardens. Your guide will explain how the park around it used to be the riverbed of the Turia River and how this area was transformed into a cultural and recreational space for the city. The Palau hosts concerts, classical music performances, and international events throughout the year. This stop also offers a great opportunity to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the park and see how locals use this green space every day.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 11
  Gulliver Park

  At Gulliver Park, travelers see one of the most unusual playgrounds in the world. The park features a giant sculpture of Gulliver, the famous character from Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift. The enormous figure represents the moment when Gulliver wakes up tied to the ground by the tiny people of Lilliput. Today the sculpture works as a playground, where slides, stairs, and ramps are built directly into the giant body of Gulliver. Your guide will explain the story behind the park and why it has become one of the most beloved places for families in Valencia. From the bike path you can enjoy a great view of this unique attraction inside the Turia Garden.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 12

  At the City of Arts and Sciences, travelers discover Valencia’s most futuristic and iconic landmark. This spectacular cultural and scientific complex was designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava together with architect Félix Candela. Opened between 1998 and 2009, the complex was built in the former bed of the Turia River and quickly became one of the most recognizable architectural sites in Europe. Its white, organic structures surrounded by large reflecting pools make the area look almost like a futuristic city. The complex includes six major buildings, each dedicated to science, culture, or entertainment. During the bike tour, travelers will stop to admire the architecture and learn about the ideas behind this ambitious project that transformed Valencia into a modern cultural destination.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 13

  The Hemisfèric was the first building of the complex to open, in 1998. Its design resembles a giant human eye, symbolizing the idea of observation and discovery. Inside the building there is an IMAX cinema, digital planetarium, and laser show theater. The “eyelid” structure actually opens and closes, creating one of the most recognizable images of Valencia’s modern architecture.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 14
  Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe

  The Science Museum is one of the largest buildings in the complex. Its structure was designed to resemble the skeleton of a whale, giving the building its distinctive futuristic appearance. Inside, the museum focuses on interactive science exhibitions, encouraging visitors to touch, experiment, and learn through experience. It’s especially popular with families and children.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 15

  The Umbracle is an open-air garden and viewpoint that stretches above the parking area of the complex. The elegant white arches create a long shaded walkway filled with Mediterranean plants and palm trees. From here visitors can enjoy one of the best panoramic views of the entire City of Arts and Sciences. At night the space sometimes transforms into a lounge or event area.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 16
  Oceanografic Valencia

  The Oceanogràfic is the largest aquarium in Europe and one of the main attractions of Valencia. Designed by architect Félix Candela, its buildings resemble floating water lilies. The aquarium represents different marine ecosystems from around the world, including the Mediterranean Sea, the Arctic, tropical oceans, and the Red Sea. Visitors can walk through underwater tunnels surrounded by sharks and other marine life.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 17
  Queen Sofia Palace of Arts

  The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía is Valencia’s main opera house and performing arts center. Its dramatic curved structure gives the building the appearance of a giant helmet or spacecraft. Inside there are several performance halls where visitors can enjoy opera, classical music, ballet, and international productions. The building is also considered one of the architectural masterpieces of Santiago Calatrava.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 18
  L'Àgora

  The Ágora is a large multifunctional event space located at the end of the complex. Its tall, dramatic structure was designed to host concerts, sporting events, exhibitions, and cultural activities. In recent years the building has also become home to the CaixaForum cultural center, which hosts exhibitions, educational programs, and events throughout the year.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 19
  Plaza de Toros de Valencia

  At the Plaza de Toros, travelers see one of the largest and most impressive bullrings in Spain. The arena was built in the mid-19th century and its architecture was inspired by the Roman Colosseum, with a large circular structure and multiple rows of arches. Your guide will explain the history of bullfighting in Spanish culture, a tradition that has been both celebrated and debated throughout the country. The arena can hold around 10,000 spectators and is still used today during major festivals such as Las Fallas. Located next to the North Train Station, this area also marks one of the main entrances to Valencia’s historic center.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 20
  Plaça de l'Ajuntament

  At Plaza del Ayuntamiento, travelers arrive at the political and administrative heart of Valencia. This large and elegant square is surrounded by impressive historic buildings, including the City Hall and the beautiful Central Post Office. Your guide will explain how this area became the main civic center of the city in the 20th century. The square is also famous for hosting major celebrations, especially during Las Fallas, when thousands of people gather here every day for the loud and spectacular Mascletà fireworks show. Today it’s one of the busiest places in Valencia, connecting the historic center with the modern shopping streets of the city.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Tags

Rating