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
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
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 Turia Gardens
The L’Oceanografic Oceanarium and the Prince Philip Science Museum
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.
Themed tours for Children
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 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.
Football Fever at the Mestalla Stadium: Valencia CF
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 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
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!