Things to do with kids in Valencia

Things to do with kids in Valencia

1. See

   Bioparc Valencia

   As far as zoos go, this is more animal-friendly than most. Focused exclusively on African fauna, the modern zoo has been thoughtfully designed to provide maximum space in natural settings for its residents. A special highlight is the walk-in lemur exhibit (no touching or feeding).

   Daily, hours vary by month and season: 10:00-18:00 in winter, 10:00-19:00/20:00 in spring/fall, 10:00-21:00 in summer; detailed hours available here·€28.90-€31.90 adults, reduced prices for 4-12 & 65+, free children under 4. Book through website

2. See

   Casa-Museu Benlliure

   Casa-Museo Benlliure

   This was once home to two generations of the Benlliure family, headed by prominent Valencian artist José Benlliure. The early 20th-century residence has been maintained in three distinct sections, including the primary house with original furnishings and artworks, a lovely courtyard and garden, and a second building with a private study and more artworks.

   Tue-Sat 09:30-14:00 15:00-19:00, Sun and holidays 09:30-15:00·€2 adults, €1 concessions, free on Su and holidays

3. See

   Cementerio General de Valencia

   Valencia General Cemetery

   In use since 1807, the cemetery has some interesting mausoleums and funerary sculpture and is the final resting place for a number of notable Valencians, including members of the artistic Benlliure family, painter Joaquín Sorolla, and writer Vicente Blasco Ibáñez. For visitors with a smartphone there is a helpful app (iOS and Android; Spanish and Valencian only) which describes walking routes and gives grave locations.

   Mon-Sat 09:00-18:00, Sun and holidays 09:00-14:00; 23 Oct - 01 Nov: daily 09:00-18:00·Free

4. Buy

   Centro Comercial Nuevo Centro

   Has more than 80 shops and restaurants as well as a branch of Corte Inglés. Also has a children's playground, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building. There is a taxi stand outside.

   Shops: Mon-Sat 10:00-22:00, Sun and holidays 11:00-21:00; restaurants: daily 09:00-24:00

5. See

   Colegio del Arte Mayor de la Seda

   Museo de la Seda / Silk Museum

   The Moors introduced silk to Valencia, and it became a major hub of the silk trading route during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The Valencian silk weavers' guild was established in the late 15th century, and in 1494 acquired this building, which remained the guild's headquarters throughout its history. The building was remodelled extensively during subsequent centuries, and was fully restored in 2016. Now a museum, it showcases various aspects of Valencia's silk trade and production.

   Sun Mon 10:00-15:00, Tue-Sat 10:00-19:00·€6 adults, €4.50 seniors/students, free children under 5; free multilingual audioguide

6. See

   Església de Sant Nicolau

   Iglesia de San Nicolás / Church of San Nicolás

   Established in the 13th century, the church was expanded in several phases, culminating in the current 15th-century Gothic structure. During the late 17th century extensive Baroque renovations were carried out to the interior, the most significant of them being ceiling frescoes. This remarkable set of frescoes completely covers the vault of the nave and the presbytery, and illustrates the lives of St. Nicolás and St. Peter. They were designed by the Italian master Antonio Palomino and painted by his student, Dionis Vidal, and have been completely restored. Tourists are not permitted to visit during mass or other liturgical celebrations.

   Oct-Jun: Tue-Fri 10:30-19:00, Sat 10:30-18:30, Sun 13:00-20:00; Jul-Sep: Tue-Fri 10:30-21:00, Sat 10:30-19:30, Sun 11:30-21:00·€11 (adults), €4 (seniors/students/disabled), free (children under 12)

7. Do

   Exposición del Ninot

   Ninot exhibit

   The current year's ninots are placed on display, with visitors voting for their favourite ninot. The winning ninot is spared the flames of the Cremà and added to the permanent collection of the Museu Faller de València (listed below).

   1-14 March·€3 adults, €1.50 children and seniors

8. See

   Galería del Tossal

   This unique underground gallery has been designed around the remains of a city wall from the Moorish period, complete with arches. The gallery is a venue for temporary exhibits of Spanish and international contemporary art.

   Tue-Sat 16:00-19:00, Sun and holidays 10:00-14:00·€2 adults, €1 concessions, free children under 12; free on Su and holidays

9. See

   Jardí Botànic

   Jardín Botánico de Valencia / Botanic Garden of Valencia

   Established in 1802 by the University of Valencia, this lovely garden maintains extensive collections of plants from a number of different habitats. Most of the greenhouses date from the latter half of the 19th century, while the modern research centre was completed in 2000.

   Nov-Feb: 10:00-18:00, Mar Oct: 10:00-19:00, Apr Sep: 10:00-20:00, May-Aug: 10:00-21:00; open daily except 25 Dec, 1 Jan, and during inclement weather·€4 adults, €1.70 concessions, free children under 7 €14.50 10-visit ticket

10. Eat

    La Pepica

    Known for paella, this family-run restaurant has been open since 1898, and has served the likes of Ernest Hemingway as well as contemporary and modern celebrities. Reservations are recommended especially on weekends, and can be made online.

    Mon-Sat 13:00-16:00 20:30-21:00, Sun 13:00-16:00

11. See

    Micalet

    El Miguelete

    The unusual octagonal bell tower, with a height of 51 m, was built in the 14th and 15th centuries. It provides a pleasing view of the city.

    Daily 10:00-13:00, 16:30-19:00·€3 (adults), €1.50 (children under 14)

12. See

    Mirador Valencia

    El Mirador del Ateneo Mercantil / Ateneo Viewpoint

    The viewpoint is on the rooftop of a private social club, and offers excellent 360° panoramic views of the city.

    Daily 10:00-20:30; last lift to the top at 20:00·€3 adults; €2.5 seniors, disabled, children 11-16; free children under 10

13. See

    Museu de l'Arròs

    Museo del Arroz / Museum of Rice

    The Museum of Rice of the City of Valencia is in the refurbished and restored old Serra’s Mill. It tells the story of the industrial process of rice processing, a cereal whose growth goes deep into the wetlands of the City.

    Tue-Sat 10:00-14:00 15:00-19:00, Sun and holidays 10:00-14:00·€2 adults; €1 seniors, children under 16, large groups

14. See

    Parc Gulliver

    Parque Gulliver / Gulliver Park

    The centrepiece of this unusual playground is a 70-m-long sculpture of Gulliver (from the classic book Gulliver's Travels), who has been tied to the ground. Visitors can climb on and slide down the giant figure, much as Lilliputians might have. The sculpture was designed by Valencian artist and illustrator Sento Llobell.

    Sep-Jun: daily 10:00-20:00; Jul-Aug: daily 10:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00·Free

15. Eat

    Yuk Mi

    One of only two Korean restaurants in Valencia, this family-operated restaurant is highly-regarded in the Asian community for its authentic home-style Korean cooking. Dishes can be modified to accommodate vegetarians, and diners can request how spicy (or not) they prefer their meal.

    Mon-Sat 13:30-15:30 20:30-22:30·Mains €8-12 (June 2017)

16. See

    Museu de l'Artista Faller de València

    Museo del Gremio de Artistas Falleros / Museum of the Guild of Falles Artists

    Avda San José Artesano, 17

    Mon-Fri 10:00-14:00 16:00-19:00, Sat 10:00-14:00; closed in Aug·€3 adults; €2.50 students; €2 seniors, disabled, children under 12

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Valencia (CC BY-SA 4.0).