By The third largest city in Spain, it offers many attractions for children and can easily be included in the itinerary of a family trip around the Iberian Peninsula. What to do in Valencia with kids?
Valencia is said to the rest of Spain to have the best paella in the country and that its townspeople have a special love for pyrotechnics.
The passion for fireworks is manifested mainly during the Las Fallas festival, which is celebrated between March 15 and 19. For this period, Spanish artists prepare giant plaster and cardboard sculptures 5-30 meters high, i.e. Fallas. They mostly comment on current events at home and in the world with a satirical overtone. Crowds of residents and tourists then watch them for several days and vote for the best. Finally, on the last day, i.e. the night of March 19, all figurines, except the winning one, are publicly burned.
What to do in Valencia with kids?
Children will certainly not be bored here, but they will definitely need to prepare for an intensive and exhausting program. Here are some of our tips:
Faller Museum
The Las Fallas festival is a unique event. As soon as one festival ends, planning for the next begins. Each year, one of the figures that won the poll and were not burned is transferred to the Faller Museum. So if you don’t manage to visit Valencia during this spectacular holiday, it’s worth at least visiting the Faller Museum.
The old town and the streets of El Carmen
A noisy place with pleasant squares full of cafes – a walk through the streets of El Carmen (part of the old town) is a must. After the walk, traditionally go for horchata in one of the traditional horchaterias. Horchata is a local drink, made from tiger nuts. Attention, but tiger nuts have nothing to do with nuts, they are the tubers of saffron and belong to the so-called superfoods. Horchata made from them look like milk, are quite sweet, and smell like cinnamon.
Torres de Quart, Torres de Serranos
The defensive towers Torres de Quart and Torres de Serranos are one of the most beautiful ornaments of Valencia. They are the remains of the defensive walls of the castle. Bullet marks can be found on their walls. From the Torres de Serranos terrace, you can admire the Turia Gardens and the city skyline, while the Torres de Quart offers a breathtaking view of the old town.
Biopark
If you still have enough energy and time, you can visit this modern zoo built according to the principles of sustainable development. On 100,000 m2, natural habitats of animals have been recreated, such as baobab forest, savanna, etc. A visit to the zoo will never disappoint any child of any age.
Jardines del Turia
That’s 9 kilometers of uninterrupted green in the old bed of the Turia River. The park starts from the so-called Parque de Cabecera in the north of the city and surrounds the center of Valencia up to the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències. It is a popular place for residents to walk, jog, and cycle. Bicycles can be rented at several places and family go-karts are also available, ideal for rides with children.
Gulliver Park
A big attraction for children is the Parque Gulliver playground. The facility, full of trampolines and slides, resembles a reclining giant, the main character of Gulliver’s Travels. A playground is a great place for children who want non-stop fun, let off their energy, and take advantage of the range of available and dedicated attractions.
Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències
This work of the architect Santiago Calatrava is surrounded by many irregularities related to the cost of building the impressive complex. These include, among others, concert halls, a 3D cinema, the Oceanarium, or the Science Museum – Museu de les Ciencies.
The only building with free entry is the so-called Umbracle – an indoor garden of over 17,000 m2 with Mediterranean vegetation. Entrance to other buildings is paid.
Oceanarium
You must reserve at least half a day at the Valencia Oceanarium. It is the largest facility of its kind in Europe, divided into several thematic zones. a total of 45,000 specimens of more than 500 species of marine fauna can be seen here in various marine environments.
Prince Philip Science Museum
Valencia is home to the largest science museum in Spain, full of interesting exhibitions and interactive presentations about the city’s origins and progressive scientific and technological development. The 2,600 square meter building is shaped like a dinosaur skeleton and offers many interesting exhibits.
Museum of Prehistory
In Valencia, you should also visit the Museum of Prehistory, which has archaeological finds from all over the city. Notable artifacts include coins, cave drawings, skulls, valuables, and exhibits dedicated to Iberian culture and the earliest times.
Walk along Malvarrosa beach
The beaches of Les Arenes and Malvarrosa can be reached by metro (line 6). The promenade, several kilometers long, is an ideal place for a family walk. Along the boulevard, you will find a children’s playground, restaurants, and bars at every turn.
Cruising on Lake Albufera
Albufera is one of the largest lakes in the Iberian Peninsula. It is also sometimes called the “Little Sea”. It not only shelters numerous fauna but has always been used to irrigate the surrounding rice fields, which can be seen on a boat trip on the Albufeira.
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