Valencia is my favorite city in Spain. If you read me regularly, you already know I lived there for 5 years and that it will always have a special place in my heart. It’s also the city that checks every box. Sea, sun, bikes, paella, futuristic architecture, and a historic center you happily get lost in: it has everything for a great city break. And the good news is that Valencia is also a city where you can do a lot without opening your wallet.
In this article, I’m sharing the places and activities to enjoy for free in Valencia, along with the free-entry time slots for monuments and museums.
If you’re planning a trip to Valencia, I also invite you to read these articles:
Join a free tour
A bit of a joker card for this first activity 🙈: it’s not 100% free, but it’s budget-friendly. The concept of the free tour: exploring the city with a local guide who shares stories and tips, and you decide what to give at the end. Whatever city I’m visiting, I like doing this at the start of the trip — it gives a great overview of the city and gets you excited for what’s next.
The Turia Garden
This is THE green lung of Valencia and one of my favorite walks. After the great flood of 1957, the Turia river was diverted and its old riverbed was turned into a massive, nearly 9-kilometer-long garden running through the entire city. You’ll pass joggers, cyclists, families, playgrounds, sports facilities, fountains, and bridges from every era. You can follow it all the way to the City of Arts and Sciences, which makes it a beautiful way to reach the modern district on foot.
The Mercado (Mercat) Central
One of the most beautiful covered markets in Spain, and admission is free! The modernist structure, its stained-glass windows, and its dome are worth the visit on their own, not to mention the fruit, fish, ham, and spice stalls. It’s also a chance to try a horchata or grab a bite (hard to resist). It’s right across from the Lonja, so you can easily combine both visits.
Tip: go in the morning, that’s when the atmosphere is most authentic. Also look up at the ceiling, the decorations are really lovely. Note that it’s closed on Sundays.
The squares of the historic center
Strolling through the center is also a free plan in itself. A few squares not to miss:
- Plaza de la Virgen: the most photogenic, with the Turia fountain, the Cathedral, and the Basilica of the Virgin of the Forsaken.
- Plaza del Ayuntamiento: a big, lively square lined with imposing buildings (special mention for the Post Office).
- Plaza Redonda: a small, round, typical square surrounded by craft shops.
- Plaza de la Reina: with a view of the Miguelete bell tower.
The El Carmen neighborhood and its street art
El Carmen is the oldest and most bohemian neighborhood in the center. Narrow alleys, colorful facades, hidden little squares, and above all, street art on every corner. Take the time to look up and get lost: I absolutely love wandering around here. The neighborhood is also home to the Torres de Serranos and the Torres de Quart (see below for free entry times).
The Centre del Carme (CCCC)
This is a former convent, with gorgeous Gothic and Renaissance cloisters, turned into a contemporary art center. The exhibitions change regularly and admission is free. Even if you’re not a fan of contemporary art, it’s a beautiful, peaceful spot, ideal for a break in El Carmen.
The Valencia Museum of Fine Arts
One of the country’s most important painting museums, with works by Velázquez, El Greco, Goya, and Sorolla, as well as a fine collection of Valencian Gothic painting. And above all: admission is free all year round (closed on Mondays). I’ll admit though, while it’s lovely and the building is gorgeous, I still prefer visiting the CCCC. But since it’s free, it’s worth keeping in your back pocket if you’re after a cultural activity. Another good tip is to grab a drink at the museum’s café, which is really pleasant.
The City of Arts and Sciences (from the outside)
If you don’t feel like paying admission to the various buildings, know that walking around the outside is completely free. Santiago Calatrava’s futuristic architecture, turquoise water pools, reflections… it’s a photographer’s paradise, especially at the end of the day. Don’t miss the stroll under the big pergola (L’Umbracle), which is freely accessible.
The Monforte and Viveros gardens
Two gardens to add to your list if you love green spaces:
- The Monforte Garden: a 19th-century neoclassical garden with statues, pools, and trimmed hedges. Calm and very romantic.
- The Viveros Gardens (Jardines del Real): my favorite, a large public park with shade and spots to sit down.
The Ruzafa neighborhood and its market
Another neighborhood that’s worth it too. Ruzafa is Valencia’s trendy district: cafés, vintage shops, murals, a cosmopolitan vibe. Walking through its streets is free, and you can also take a tour of the Mercado de Ruzafa, more local than the Mercado Central.
Malvarrosa beach and the Cabanyal neighborhood
This is one of Valencia’s biggest perks: a big urban beach reachable by tram or bus from the center, free year-round. Malvarrosa is wide, with fine sand, lined by a long promenade with restaurants. Right next door, the Cabanyal neighborhood (a former fishermen’s quarter) is known for its houses decorated with colorful azulejo tiles. Best visited at sunset!
Note: transport (tram or bus) obviously isn’t free, but everything else is!
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Visiting the Lonja de la Seda and the Torres de Serranos and Quart for free
Valencia’s iconic monuments can be visited for free, but only at certain times:
- La Lonja de la Seda (UNESCO World Heritage Site, a gem of civil Gothic architecture): admission is €2, but free on Sundays and public holidays.
- The Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart: former gates of the medieval city wall, with a €2 entrance fee, also free on Sundays and public holidays.
There’s also the IVAM (Valencian Institute of Modern Art), which is free during certain time slots: Wednesdays from 4pm to 7pm and all day Sunday. It’s a really interesting modern art center!
On top of that, on May 18th (International Museum Day), all municipal buildings are free, as is the Gran Nit de Juliol (mid-July), when museums open for free in the evening with concerts and tours.
And that wraps up this article on free places and activities in Valencia.
If you’re planning a trip to Valencia, I also invite you to read these articles:
