Valencia in April (2026)

City of Arts and Sciences

Santiago Calatrava's futuristic complex of white, bone-like structures holding an opera house, science museum, aquarium (Europe's largest), and IMAX cinema, built in the drained bed of the old Turia river.

Central Market

A vast Art Nouveau covered market from 1928, still fully functioning — Valencia's produce, jamón, and seafood stalls under stained-glass and ceramic detail.

Valencia Cathedral

A cathedral claimed by local tradition to hold the actual Holy Grail — climb the Micalet bell tower for rooftop views over the old town.

Turia Gardens

A 9km park running through the old riverbed that once flooded the city, now Europe's largest urban park — connects most of Valencia's major sights end to end, popular for cycling.

Malvarrosa Beach

Valencia's main city beach, a wide sandy stretch backed by a promenade of paella restaurants — a rare case of a major Spanish city having a genuinely good beach within a tram ride of the centre.

Albufera Paella Trip

A freshwater lagoon south of the city, and the birthplace of paella — half-day trips combine a boat ride on the lagoon with a paella lunch at a rice-farming village restaurant.