Valencia is the third-largest city in Spain and, as we have seen throughout the rest of the guide to organising your end-of-year trip, it offers a wealth of tourism options to suit every taste. This destination is one of the most popular choices thanks to its proximity, accessibility, and excellent value for money. Discover Valencia in just 2 days on your end-of-year trip!
In this article we show you the essential places you simply cannot miss on your 2-day trip to Valencia: history, modernity, nature, entertainment, and more. When it comes to traditional gastronomy, Valencia offers the finest dishes of the Mediterranean diet: rice dishes, paella, seafood, Spanish tapas, and much more. The city’s nightlife is also very lively: in the streets surrounding the cathedral you can find a wealth of bars, pubs, restaurants, and shops to complement your strolls through the lanes of the historic centre.
Day 1: Ciutat Vella, Traditional Gastronomy, and the Russafa Neighbourhood
On arrival in Valencia, the first thing to do is take a leisurely stroll through the city’s main squares and its Old Quarter: the Plaza del Ayuntamiento and the Plaza de la Virgen form the most prominent part of the monumental area. Don’t forget to visit the Cathedral, the Generalitat building, the Museum of Modern Art (IVAM), the Central Market or the Silk Exchange, and the North Railway Station. And once you have seen the most notable monuments, walk. As with every travel destination, the best way to get to know a city is on foot — wandering through corners that don’t appear on the map, squares with unfamiliar names, streets you never expected to discover.
To try a genuine Valencian paella, our recommendation is to visit the restaurants at La Playa de las Arenas so you can enjoy your paella with views of the Mediterranean.
Later, you can explore the Russafa neighbourhood. This fashionable district will win you over with its blend of old and new, its beautiful bars, its small and original shops, and above all its people and atmosphere. Pop into its Market for a drink — you won’t be disappointed!
Oh, and at some point during your busy day of sightseeing, don’t forget to try the famous and traditional Valencian horchata. We recommend the Horchatería de Santa Catalina, located in the square of the same name, with more than two centuries of tradition. Include it in your itinerary for your end-of-year trip to Valencia — your students will love it!
Day 2: City of Arts and Sciences, and the Beaches
After a good night’s rest, the second day of your visit begins with a trip to the City of Arts and Sciences and the Oceanogràfic. As you will no doubt have heard from everyone, this is Valencia’s greatest attraction.
This leisure and cultural-scientific complex comprises a science museum (the Museu Príncep Felip) and the Oceanogràfic, the largest aquarium in Europe. It is conceived as a city within a city: a vast open space full of cultural, scientific, and leisure interest.
We suggest an alternative plan to complement your visit to the City of Arts and Sciences: a bike ride through the city. The former bed of the River Turia is today a 9 km landscaped promenade linking the City of Arts and Sciences with the Parc de Capçalera. A plan your students are sure to enjoy on their end-of-year trip.
Finally, one of Valencia’s greatest assets is its mild climate, which is pleasant throughout the year. A visit to its beaches is an absolute must. La Playa de El Cabanyal (Las Arenas) is just a few minutes from the city centre and boasts an impressive long Passeig Marítim that has become one of the city’s premier leisure areas — perfect for strolling, skating, running, sunbathing, and stopping for a drink at one of the establishments along the way. To the north of this beach lies La Playa de La Malvarrosa, wide and sandy with fine golden sand.
Guide to Your End-of-Year Trip to Valencia
Discover much more about Valencia and how to plan your end-of-year trip in the rest of our guide: activities, accommodation, highlights, and more:
- Organise your end-of-year trip to Valencia
- Where to stay on your end-of-year trip to Valencia?
- 10 essential places to visit in Valencia
- Discover Valencia in 2 days
- What to do on your trip to Valencia so you don’t miss a thing?
- Valencia’s main cultural festivals: Las Fallas
For more information about the options available for your end-of-year trip to Valencia, you can contact us at info@natuaventura.com or call us on 91 714 06 36.
