2 Days in Valencia: Complete Valencia Itinerary

Planning to spend 2 days in Valencia and wondering what to do? I have prepared a complete Valencia itinerary to help you plan your trip.

Valencia is a popular tourist destination located on the southeastern coast of Spain. It is the place where tradition meets modernity and you don’t want to miss out. Valencia is not as busy as Madrid or Barcelona, so it can be a great place to visit in Spain during the peak season and a perfect weekend getaway.

In this article, we will discover the best things to do in Valencia, how to tick off your Valencia bucket list in 2 days, and other useful tips that you should know before visiting Valencia.

*Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Is Valencia worth visiting?

You are about to discover that this city has something to offer for any kind of traveler. It welcomes art addicts, history geeks, hungry foodies, beach lovers, and even digital nomads to settle down permanently.

Valencia is known as the birthplace of Paella, the home of futuristic architecture and persistent sun all year around. Besides that, Valencia is a perfect destination for nightlife, fun festivals, and quirky events. And it might be known for its modern designs, but you can surely find a lot of culture and history in the Old Town of Valencia. Also, Valencia has some great beaches nearby to enjoy the warm weather and freshen up on those hot summer days.

For example, here you can find the narrowest building in Europe and one of the largest aquariums in the world. Keep on reading to discover more about these top attractions in Valencia.

Are 2 days in Valencia enough?

Valencia is a popular weekend getaway and I suggest you plan at least 2 nights in Valencia. 2 full days will give you enough time to see the main attractions of Valencia, visit some cool museums, eat local food, and even discover hidden gems. You can also tick off most of the top things to do in Valencia in 2 days.

If you want to do some day trips and relax on the beach, I suggest you stay in Valencia for anywhere between 5-7 days. Trust me, you won’t get bored as there is always something fun to do in Valencia.

Where to stay in Valencia?

Choosing the right accommodation for your trip is essential. I suggest you stick to the central areas within walking distance away from the top attractions. Here is the list of the best hotels in Valencia for any budget. The choice is yours.

LUXURY: Palacio Vallier 5*

BOUTIQUE: Hotel Puerta Serranos 4 sup

MID-RANGE: YOURS boutique stay

AFFORDABLE: Hotel 19-30 Valencia

2 days in Valencia itinerary

Overview of day 1 of your 2 days in Valencia

• Morning: Plaça de la Verge, Basílica de la Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, Valencia Cathedral, Hortchateria Santa Catalina, Plaza de Lope de Vega, Plaza Redonda.
• Lunch: Mercado Central.
• Afternoon: La Lonja de la Seda, Sant Nicolau de Bari i Sant Pere Màrtir, Bairro del Carmen.
• Dinner: La Riuá or Bienvenido a Bali.

RELATED: Valencia Bucket List: 20 Top Things to Do in Valencia

Plaça de la Verge 

Plaza de la Virgen is the oldest square in Valencia and it holds three very important attractions of the city – Valencia Cathedral, Basílica de la Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, and Passatge d’Emili Aparicio Olmos. In the center of the square, you will find an astonishing fountain that represents the irrigation of the Turia River.

Considering how busy this square gets, it feels absolutely magical to see it almost empty early in the morning! So this is the perfect place to start your 2 days in Valencia and it is totally worth waking up early to start a day of exploration.

Basílica de la Mare de Déu dels Desemparats

After having the square all for yourself, it’s time to continue your Valencia itinerary discovering the beauty of the Basílica de la Mare de Déu dels Desemparats.

The real beauty is hidden inside the Basilica, so head inside and take a look at the ceiling. It took almost 200 years to build the Basilica, therefore, it has a unique blend of architectural styles including Baroque, Renaissance, Rococo, and Neoclassicism.

Don’t miss the basilica as it is one of the best things to do in Valencia for free. It is open every day from 7 am to 2 pm and from 4.30 pm to 9 pm.

Valencia Cathedral

After paying a visit to the basilica, walk to one of the top attractions in Valencia. The cathedral of Valencia is built in the Gothic style after the Reconquista and it was built over the ruins of a Visigoth cathedral converted to a mosque after the Arab invasion of Spain.

The locals will proudly tell you that there is Holy Chalice in the Cathedral of Valencia and that is something that you should see. Documentation and archaeological studies lead us to think that the Holy Grail of Valencia is the one used by Jesus in the last supper, so the mystery still surrounds the building.

Attached to the cathedral you will find the Micalet, a bell tower with a spiral case. It’s still open to visitors. I recommend you visit it, as it is one of the top things to see in Valencia and you will have a fantastic panoramic view of the city.

Hortchateria Santa Catalina

After diving into architecture and art, it’s time to take a break and find some fun things to do in Valencia. And that means eating delicious churros in a beautiful place!

For those of you who don’t know, the churro is fried-dough pastry and you will find it everywhere in Spain. It is usually accompanied by hot chocolate, but calories don’t count when traveling, right?

I already have told you about churros in my Madrid, Seville, and Cadiz articles, so I was on a mission to find the best churros in Valencia. Horchatería Santa Catalina is the most famous place and you don’t want to miss it during your trip to Valencia. It has been in business for more than 200 years, so the recipe is traditional and authentic.

The lovely design and ceramics inside make it one of the best cafes in Valencia and it is a perfect breakfast spot to fuel up for the rest of the day.

Plaza de Lope de Vega

Next, your Valencia itinerary takes you to Plaça de Lope de Vega where you will see two important attractions in the city.

The first is the Estrecha house which is the narrowest building in Europe and the second narrowest in the world. The legend says that the girl who used to live in this building often had to dress on the street because her Fandango dress simply was bigger than the door. It is 107cm wide, so you can imagine.

The other one is the Church of Santa Caterina with its famous bell tower, where you can have an astonishing view of the Plaza Redonda and the old city of Valencia.  It is open from 11 am until 1 pm, so make sure you plan accordingly. Unfortunately, I missed it, but from what I have seen – the view is worth the climb.

Plaza Redonda

Plaza Redonda is a must-visit during your 2 days in Valencia as it is the most famous spot in the city. It was built in 1840 in a circular square and in the middle of it, you will find a fountain with drinkable water. This is the perfect place to bring a piece of Valencia with you back home, so come here for some souvenir shopping.

This nice round square should be added to your Valencia itinerary for some cool photo opportunities., However, I have to say that this square looks the best from the top, and Torre de Santa Catalina as I mentioned in the previous paragraph.

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Mercado Central

Mercado Central is one of the most loved places in Valencia by locals and tourists. Here you can find all the best that Spanish gastronomy has to offer. From the typical tapas and sangria, to slow food paired with the best wines. There is something for every taste in the central market of Valencia.

La Lonja de la Seda

Just outside the market, find the Lonja de la Seda – another must-add to your Valencia bucket list. It has been called a World Heritage site, the land of silk and money, and the best example of late Gothic architecture in Europe.

It is a place where you should get a guide (or audio tour) because it is so full of history. Most of the silk coming into Europe was actually being transported through North Africa, so Valencia was in the perfect location to become the distributor to the rest of the continent. And this is the place where the trading was performed.

San Nicolás de Bari y San Pedro Mártir

Located a few meters away from the Lonja de la Seda, find one of the hidden gems in Valencia Spain.  Recently renovated, San Nicolás de Bari y San Pedro Mártir, known as the Spanish Sixtine chapel, is a gothic-style church decorated with baroque interiors. Some tourists miss it as it looks pretty ordinary from the outside, but once you step in, you will discover magnificent frescos and breathtaking decorations.

Bairro del Carmen

After discovering the paintings of, Sant Nicolau de Bari i Sant Pere Màrti, take a break and enjoy your weekend in Valencia walking the Bairro del Carmen. This is one of the most lively districts in the historical district of Valencia and there are some important attractions you shouldn’t miss here.

The most relevant is the Portal de Valldigna, which is an archway with a unique architecture built in 1440 as an entrance to the old Arab quarter. Another remarkable place you shouldn’t miss is the entrance to the Carmen district, the Torres de Serranos.

La Riuá or Bienvenido a Bali

La Riuá serves the best paella in Valencia. Typical Spanish restaurant that serves late dinner and requires a reservation at least one day in advance. And, they have a lot of options – original Paella, vegetarian dishes, and fish. Just don’t forget to book your table!

If you feel more in an exotic mood, try Voltereta, Bienvenido a Bali which is a unique restaurant in Valencia.

Overview of day 2 of your 2 days in Valencia

• Morning: City of Arts and Sciences.
• Lunch options: Restaurante Vertical or Alqueria del Pou.
• Afternoon: El Cabanyal, Jardins de Neptú.
• Dinner: Casa Montana.

City of Arts and Sciences

On your second day, your Valencia 2 days itinerary starts with the modern part of the city. Originally budgeted at €300 million, it has cost nearly three times the initial expected cost and it is one of the 12 Treasures of Spain.

You can easily spend an entire day at the City of Arts and Sciences. You can start your day visiting the Oceanogràfic, the biggest building of its kind in Europe, discover the Science Museum, and finally take your iconic photo of the city at the  Hemisfèric.  Makes sure you read these useful tips before visiting the City of Arts and Sciences.

Restaurante Vertical or Alqueria del Pou

If you feel in the mood for a fancy dinner while visiting the City of Arts and Sciences, check out Restaurante Vertical. If you are looking for a simple and affordable lunch, Alqueria del Pou is your place.

El Cabanyal

Located away from central Valencia, El Cabanyal is a residential area where you will not meet many tourists. Admire tiled facades, get to know old fisherman’s quarter, or grab a bike to get an authentic experience. A true hidden gem in Valencia and it has to be added to your Valencia 2-day itinerary.

Casa Montana

Within El Cabanyal you will find a famous local restaurant – Casa Montana. It is a charming tavern founded in 1836 offering refined tapas, tasting menus & a vast wine selection. This historical restaurant should be your number one choice if you are a seafood lover like I am.

Jardins de Neptú

After a long walk around El Cabanyal and an unforgettable meal, connect with your inner spirit at the best sunset spot ever – the Mediterranean beach. You get a bunch of palm trees, live music, and a lot of other great minds who came to enjoy the moment.

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In conclusion…

This is the end of your 48 hours in Valencia and I hope this Valencia itinerary will help you plan your trip. Everything from where to stay and how to plan your time in this cool destination in Spain.

If you still have some doubts, make sure you check the Valencia travel guide.

I would love to hear your thoughts, so if you have any feedback or additional tips, leave a comment below. Also, check out my Instagram for regular travel videos and travel inspiration. Or explore other destinations on this travel blog.

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