City trip Valencia: Cyclists get their money's worth in the Spanish metropolis
Alex Hüfner
· 18.01.2026
The end of September, summer is here again," I say to Alex as we leave the plane and the warm Valencian air embraces us. At home in Germany, the leaves are already turning colour, but we can expect 30 degrees and more in the coming days. We have planned an active break and want to take our Folding bikes explore the city on the Costa Blanca. Our hotel is located right next to the Turia Park, a green oasis that runs through Valencia like a lifeline for nine kilometres. The drained riverbed offers space for relaxation and sporting activity at the same time. As soon as we have stowed our bags in our room, we are already on the saddle and are amazed to see well-staffed chess tables, kids training on the baseball field and skaters whirling past us on their boards over the ramps at the side. People are jogging, playing table tennis, sitting in cafés or simply relaxing in the sun. Everything here seems lively and full of energy. When we turn into the old town after our first lap through the park, we are surrounded by a completely different picture: magnificent palaces, the cathedral, the market hall. It takes no more than a turn and nature becomes history. "I can't believe I've rarely cycled through an unknown city with such ease," I say. There are cycle paths everywhere, whether in the park or in the centre. Valencia has a network of over 200 kilometres. It is spacious, safe and clearly marked. The only thing that takes a little getting used to is the fact that the paths can be travelled on one side of the road and in both directions. But this goes quickly, as we are already familiar with the traffic routing from other Spanish metropolises.
Discover Europe's cities by bike? Here are some more tips:
Paella and palaces
In the evening, we stop off at the Barecito Ajuntamiento wine and tapas bar. We toast between glasses filled with Tempranillo and plates of delicious snacks. "To Valencia!" The next day starts with a visit to the old harbour district. The colourful houses, the decorated wall tiles, the narrow alleyways. Everything looks authentic. We cycle along the cycle path that runs alongside the seafront promenade to one of the terminals at the marina, where World Paella Day is being celebrated. Twelve national teams are competing for the world championship title. "Since we're here, let's try it too," I grin. Knowing full well that we are invited to the tasting. One forkful of delicious paella and we're sold. Steaming and aromatic, we immediately crave more. Well-fed, we drive back through Turia Park to the city centre. The Hortensia Herrero art centre welcomes us behind imposing palace walls and with works by artists such as Joan Miró, Amseln Kiefer and Roy Lichtenstein. The exhibition surprises and impresses at the same time. The evening ends in the university quarter, young, lively, full of music and good food. The third day is all about the sea. After a short visit to the marina, we cycle to the Oceanogràfic, the largest aquarium in Europe. It is part of the overall complex of the City of Arts and Sciences. We dive into the oceans without getting wet and lose ourselves for a few hours among sharks, corals and penguins. The afternoon brings us back to the here and now, or rather to the entrance gate of the Albufera National Park. "Only six kilometres," I say, and we glide relaxed along a well-maintained cycle path towards the sea as far as Pinedo. On the way there and back, we notice how many people use the cycle path, tourists and locals alike. Mobility by bike is not an option here, but a part of everyday life.
Back on Valencia's city beach, we round off the day with a culinary treat at La Mar restaurant. Authentic regional cuisine, reinterpreted. A tip we got from the locals. "What a perfect end to the day," I say, looking at the sparkling evening light in the sea. Alex nods at me. In the morning before our departure, we head for one last destination: the central market. In the past 48 hours, we have already visited it several times on our tours, but we have not yet been inside. It opens early, so we use the remaining time to visit at least some of the 959 stalls, full to bursting with fruit, ham, cheese and seafood. Everything is fragrant, everything is tempting. For a brief moment, we wish we had a few more days in the city to eat our way through everything. On the way to the airport, we take stock. Valencia is more like the little sister of Barcelona or Madrid. It is at eye level, it can keep up and enchants. Its modern architecture, splendid history, museums, parks and seaside are all on display in a relaxed manner - and all of this is connected by an excellent network of cycle paths. There are also free drinking water stations throughout the city, bike hire and bike sharing systems on every corner. "How many points do you give Valencia?" I ask Alex. "Ten out of ten," he answers without hesitation. I agree.
3 tour tips for Valencia
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Tour 1: City tour through Valencia
Relaxed cycling in the green Turia Park with its modern architecture of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias as well as through the narrow streets and along the historical highlights of the old town with the cathedral and the Plaza de la Virgen. Ideal for getting a first impression of the city.
Length: 18 km Terrain: flat
Tour 2: Heading north on the Via Verde
Leisurely cycle tour from Valencia train station along the Via Verde de Xurra, a green cycle path on a former railway line, past gardens and small villages to El Puig. The way back leads close to the coast, but not directly by the sea, via the beach promenade and the harbour of Valencia.
Length: 43 km, terrain: flat
Tour 3: Cycle tour through L'Albufera Nature Park
You cycle mainly on a flat route along rice fields, lagoons and small villages. The route runs mostly through nature and offers observation points for wild birds as well as a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea
Length: 58 km, terrain: flat
Info about the Valencia city trip
Arrival
e.g. from Berlin: direct flights Berlin - Valencia (approx. 2:45 hours), e.g. Ryanair, EasJet or Lufthansa
Best time to travel
Spring (March - May): pleasant temperatures, parks in bloom
Autumn (September - October): warm but not too hot, ideal for cycling
Winter: mild, good conditions for sightseeing and city biking
Worth seeing
- Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias: Futuristic architectural ensemble with museum, aquarium and opera in the former riverbed of the Turia
- Old Town & Cathedral: Historic heart of Valencia with narrow streets and Gothic cathedral
- Turia Park: 9 kilometres of green oasis, ideal for cycling, jogging or walking
- Malvarrosa beach: Wide city beach with promenade, restaurants and sea views
- Mercado Central: one of the largest covered markets in Europe with fresh fruit, fish and regional specialities
Overnight stay
Hotel ILUNION Aqua 4: Modern 4-star hotel in Valencia, just a few steps from the famous Ciudad de las Artes, Carrer de Luis García-Berlanga Martí, 21, Camins al Grau, 46023 València The Little Corner B&B: small privately run Bed and Breakfast, Av. de Suècia, 27, El Pla del Real, 46010 València, Valencia
Food / Drink
La Terraza de Santa Cataline Café Pça. de la Reina 11, Ciutat Vella, 46001 València
Barecito Ayuntamiento: Cosy tapas restaurant in the heart of the city; Calle Cotanda, 4 (bajos del Hotel Meliá Plaza) 46002 València
La Cigrona: Tapas restaurant in the heart of Valencia with a modern, cosy atmosphere, offers tapas as well as Mediterranean dishes; Calle Serranos, 22, 46004 València
La Mar by Portolito: Stylish restaurant right by the sea, specialising in fresh seafood and Mediterranean cuisine, Paseo de Neptuno, 36, 46011 València
Info / Travel guide
Official tourism page: www.visitvalencia.com
Bike hire
Valenbisiurban bike sharing system with over 270 stations. There are short-term/tourist tariffs. www.valenbisi.es
Package deals
Viking Travelling offers a cycle tour on disused railway lines from Barcelona to Valencia: through the Ebro Delta, spectacular gorges and Moorish towns to the sunny Mediterranean. Duration: 8 days, www.wikinger-reisen.de
Cycle path journeys Cycle tour around Valencia: from the city via nature parks and the hinterland to the beaches of the Costa del Azahar. Duration: 8 days, www.radweg-reisen.com
