The best activities for holidays with children in Valencia

by Sarah Farrell

6. Aug 2016 (27. Aug 2019)

Thanks to its dynamism and geographical location, the charming city of Valencia is the ideal destination for a family holiday - there’s something for all ages and tastes! In addition to enjoying Valencia’s lovely urban beaches, families will be able to explore its magnificent Bioparc Animal Park, its City of Arts and Sciences complex which houses the spectacular L’Oceanografic oceanarium and the fairytale towers of the medieval city centre.

As well as having plenty of exciting things to do in Valencia, children will love some of the tours that are available in this enchanting city.

The BioParc

Bioparc Valencia

Animal lovers will enjoy spending a day at Valencia’s Bioparc, a magnificent zoo set in the ancient, dried up bed of the Turia River. The zoo’s objective is to educate visitors about environmental conservation and animal welfare. It covers an area of more than 100,000 square metres and has various areas which imitate the natural habitats of the animals as closely as possible. The zoo is large and peaceful and houses all sorts of species of animals including lions, lemurs, hyenas, leopards, gorillas, ostriches, giraffes, rhinos, hippos, otters and many more making it an exciting and educational experience for children.

Torres de Quart and Torres de Serrano

Torres de Serrano, Valencia

If your children like fairytales and stories of princes and princesses, take them to the ancients towers of “Torres de Quart” and “Torres de Serrano”. These towers are actually remains from the ancient wall which surrounded Valencia’s Old Town. The towers are important Valencian monuments as they are some of the best preserved parts of the city wall which was pulled down in 1865.

The Torres de Serrano were built in 1392 and from the top, you can enjoy breathtaking, panoramic views of the Turia Gardens and the city centre. The towers were the main entrance to the city for many years and the beginning of the royal road to Barcelona. They were completely restored between 1893 and 1914 after being used as a prison for nobility.

The Torres de Quart were built between 1441 and 1460 and are a national monument of Spanish heritage. Climbing to the top of these towers will give you a privileged view of the historic centre. The towers have survived many wars including the War of Independence, the Spanish Succession and the Spanish Civil War. Their most fascinating feature is that you can still clearly see the damage from the impact of projectiles which were shot at their external walls during the wars.

If you’d like to see these marvellous towers close up, rent an apartment in Valencia city centre and get to know the secrets and history of this wonderful city.

The Turia Gardens

The Turia Gardens, Valencia

Valencia's city centre is home to one of Europe's largest urban parks, which stretches for nearly nine kilometres across the city to the City of Arts and Sciences down by the coast. This huge green space was created on top of the old Turia river bed after it was diverted following a serious flood in October 1957. The city was submerged under the water and afterwards, works was undertaken to avoid the disaster happening again. The urban park was built in 1986 and has a wide variety of plants and trees that create a landscape of natural beauty and harmony. Walking through the park, you will pass underneath the eighteen bridges that once connected one bank of the old river Turia to the other.

The park was thoughtfully laid out by urban planners and landscapers, who divided it into several parts and included features such as fountains, hiking trails, bike paths, sports areas and the Parque Gulliver children’s park, which has a life-size statue of Gulliver the Giant. This giant-themed playground faces the City of Arts and Sciences and has a mini-golf course, a skatepark, two giant chess boards, climbing facilities and a bar.

Throughout the park, there are numerous kiosks selling cold drinks, coffees, ice cream, snacks and local dishes. If you choose to bring your own lunch, why not set up a picnic in the shade of the trees?

Throughout the whole year, a number of popular events take place in Valencia’s Turia Park, usually by the Puente de las Flores (Flower Bridge) and the Alameda including fairs, firework displays, concerts and opening air screenings. For more information on the events taking place during the year, consult the official events calendar on Valencia’s tourism website.

The L’Oceanografic Oceanarium and the Prince Philip Science Museum

The L’Oceanografic Oceanarium, Valencia

The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia is one of the city's main tourist attractions. It’s more than just a museum, it is a complex made up of several buildings with futuristic architecture dedicated to culture and entertainment. The L’Oceanografic oceanarium is the largest in Europe and its tanks are filled with more than 26 million litres of water. You will see a variety of marine mammals including walruses and beluga whales, as well as over 500 other species of fish and reptiles.

Valencia - Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias

The Prince Philip Science Museum is part of the City of Arts and Sciences Complex and exhibits the evolution of technology and science from its historical origins to the present day. The exhibition is enjoyed by taking part in a fun, interactive visit over more than 26,000 square metres of exhibition space, making this complex this the largest science museum in Spain. In the second part of our guide to the City of Arts and Sciences, you can explore the museum and other parts of the site.

Themed tours for Children

Kids activities Valencia

One way to discover the fascinating history of the city of Valencia is to take the kids on a themed tour and depending on the theme and activity, children can take part in a range of activities. On the Jaime I El Puig tour they have the option to dress up as a knight or princess as they explore the Santa Maria Monastery and discover the legends of El Puig.

The agency which organises these tours is Turiart and you’ll have to book your places either by phone or email. Turiart also has a fantastic pirate themed adventure on Malvarrosa beach and many other themed tours for children in Valencia.

The Joys of the Beach

Valencia - Malvarrosa Las Arenas

Valencia enjoys a privileged location on the coast, offering visitors the option of combining a morning visit to the city centre with a family afternoon on the beach. The nearest beaches are La Malvarrosa and Las Arenas and are both easily accessible by foot, bike, metro or bus from the city centre. Both these beaches are long, with fine golden sand and are popular with both locals and tourists who stay in Valencia.

Malvarrosa Beach, Valencia

There is a wide choice of restaurants available along the large, palm-lined promenade. Both beaches have play areas for children, volleyball courts, showers, toilets and water sports rental.

Discover our selection of holiday homes close to the beach in Valencia and choose your favourite for your next holiday.

Football Fever at the Mestalla Stadium: Valencia CF

Mestalla Stadium, Valencia

Football fans will be eager to get inside the Mestalla Stadium of Valencia CF, which plays in La Liga and is one of the best teams in the country. The stadium promises an entertaining and exciting tour for football lovers and has a little bit of culture thrown in as well. The Mestalla Stadium is one of the oldest in Spain and been home to renowned coaches as Unai Emery, Quique Sanchez Flores, Rafa Benitez and Gary Neville, as well as players such as David Villa, David Silva and Juan Mata.

The itinerary of the tour includes visits to the press room, the player’s locker rooms and the tunnel to the ground.

Aquopolis Water Park in Cullera

Aquopolis Water Park

Aquopolis Cullera is the closest water park to Valencia and promises a fun and refreshing family day out, perfect for the the hot summer months. It is located in Cullera which is about 45 minutes drive from Valencia and is a great entertainment option for spending a day outside the city.

Cullera has its own collection of beautiful beaches and is a wonderful coastal area perfect for relaxing and exploring.

A boat trip in the Albufera Nature Reserve

Albufera Nature Reserve, Valencia

The Albufera Nature Reserve is located just ten kilometres from Valencia and is one of the largest wetlands on the Iberian Peninsula. Wildlife flourishes here and there are over 350 species of birds, some are native to this area and some stop here on their migration to the south. There are a fantastic selection of hiking routes in the nature reserve, plus the beautiful beach of El Saler and a great family activity is going for a boat ride on the lake to watch the sunset - a magical moment that the family won’t forget.

As you can see, Valencia is full of surprises for the whole family. It’s already a great choice for a family holiday destination in Spain and every year grows in popularity thanks to its diversity and authenticity. Valencia city is located between Alicante and Barcelona and is part of the larger region known as the Valencian Community, don’t hesitate to go and discover its secrets!