Valencia

1. The Bullring

2. Mainstation

3. Market Hall

4. San Tomasso

5. Jardin del Turia

6. Ciutat des les Arts i les Ciènces

7. The top sights

8. Cruiseport Guide

8. Book shore excursions

    8.1 Meine Landausflüge

    8.2 Get Your Guide

    8.3 Viator

Valencia is a vibrant city that easily holds its own against Barcelona. Located right on the Mediterranean coast, it is Spain's third-largest city with 800,000 inhabitants. The blend of a beautiful old town, ultra-modern museums, and lovely beaches makes Valencia truly charming. The city is lively and cosmopolitan—as you can see, Barcelona’s 'little sister' has no reason to hide.

In Valencia, we took the cruise ship's shuttle service, which dropped us off at a very central location by the city gate. Unfortunately, not much remains of the original city walls. The Romans were the first to establish a small colony on an island in the Turia River. From the year 711 onwards, the Moors took over and expanded the city. During this period, Valencia grew into one of the most significant cities on the Iberian Peninsula, and construction on a defensive wall began.

Following the reconquest of the city by King James I of Aragon, a new city wall was built, tripling the protected area of the city. The two surviving identical city gates of Valencia are open to the public; admission costs €2 during the high season. On Sundays, entry is free—as is the case for all public museums in Spain. This is where we began our walking tour of the city."

The Valencia Bullring (Plaza de Toros) is well worth a visit. Built between 1850 and 1859 in the Neoclassical style, it is a truly imposing structure. The arena can accommodate over 10,000 people for bullfights and various other events. It stands 17.65 meters high and has a diameter of 52 meters. Attached to the arena is a museum where visitors can learn about the history and traditions of bullfighting.

Directly opposite the bullring lies Valencia North Station (Estació del Nord). It was opened in 1917 after eleven years of construction. This magnificent Art Nouveau building is beautiful both inside and out. The structure is decorated with countless colorful tiles made of traditional Valencian ceramics, making it look almost like a work of art. In 1987, the station was designated a listed building and declared a 'Site of National Cultural Interest.

The absolute highlight of our trip to Valencia was the Central Market (Mercado Central). You can find everything here, from fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish to local souvenirs. We spent a full hour exploring the 8,000 square meters to make sure we didn't miss a thing. With 1,200 market stalls, it is an incredible experience for anyone who loves fresh produce.

Beyond the fresh goods, the building itself is a spectacular sight. Be sure to look up: the ceilings are adorned with traditional Spanish tiles and stunning stained glass windows

By lunchtime, we were craving some tapas. After passing San Tomasso several times, we finally decided to stop in. However, one look at the menu made it clear that we had actually ended up in an Italian restaurant! We decided to stay anyway and weren't disappointed—the service was great and the pizza was delicious.

The Turia Gardens are a unique 9-kilometer green ribbon winding through Valencia. Created in a diverted riverbed, this lush park features palm trees, fountains, and footpaths. It connects the city’s historic center with the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, offering a peaceful escape for walkers, runners, and cyclists.

The 'City of Arts and Sciences' (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias) is situated in the diverted Turia riverbed and was officially inaugurated in 1998. The complex houses several iconic buildings, including:

• L’Hemisfèric: A 13,000-square-meter facility featuring an IMAX 3D cinema, a planetarium, and a laserium.

• Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe: An interactive science museum.

• L’Oceanogràfic: Europe’s largest aquarium.

• Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía: A magnificent opera house and performing arts center.

You could easily spend an entire day exploring the City of Arts and Sciences; we’ve saved a full visit for our next trip. You can find skip-the-line tickets here.

Valencia is a very popular destination. Not only do cruise ships dock here, but there are also many day visitors. As a result, long queues can form at the top attractions, or tickets may only be available for specific time slots. For the following sights, it is highly recommended to book a fast-track ticket or a fixed time slot in advance.

Ohne Anstehen                           Preise                           Tickets

Oceanogràfic                                ab 31€                     zum Ticket

Oceanogràfic & Hemisféric        ab 40€                     zum Ticket

Oceanogràfic, Hemisféric 

und Wissenschaftsmuseum      ab 46€                      zum Ticket

Status 2025

Here you will find information about the location of the port, public transportation, rental cars, and options for independent excursions.

Meine Landausflüge offer you fantastic cruise trips at the most popular ports worldwide. Typically, they are available in much smaller groups and at more affordable prices than the cruise line’s own excursions. All our options are carefully selected to guarantee you an unforgettable outing experience.

• Small group sizes  
• Punctual return guarantee  
• Convenient pick-up and drop-off service from/to the port  
• Money-back guarantee for itinerary changes and port cancellations  
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour (Flex option up to 60 minutes before the tour start)

With GetYourGuide, you can book land excursions in small groups, often at better prices than those offered by cruise lines. All experiences are carefully selected and reviewed by experts. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start of the excursion.

Viator, a Tripadvisor company, is one of the world's leading online marketplaces for travel experiences. The platform provides travelers with access to more than 300,000 activities, including guided tours, day trips, attraction tickets, and exclusive experiences in thousands of destinations worldwide. A key advantage for users is the millions of authentic traveler reviews that help in making informed choices. 

Viator is known for its high flexibility:

• offering free cancellation on many bookings up to 24 hours in advance.
• Additionally, the "reserve now, pay later" option provides financial freedom during trip planning. 

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