Valencia on Spain’s gorgeous Mediterranean coast is one of Europe’s best family destinations. The city is vibrant and alive, and with exciting museums, zoos, beaches, and great family restaurants there is something for everybody.
As you emerge from lock down you are no doubt feeling you could use a vacation. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at Valencia and why it makes for such a great family destination.
Where to Stay
Valencia is packed with hotels and many offer very good family facilities. You have a choice of accommodation options from hotels to apartments with the latter having a home from home appeal. The Old Quarter in the center of the city is premier choice, but other districts such as El Cabanyal, an old fishing district and L’Eixample the shopping district are considered some of the best place to stay in Valencia and offer a range of good budget-friendly options.
Take a Private Bike Tour
An increasingly popular way to see the city is cycling through it. If your children are old enough this could be a great way to show them the wonders of Valencia. There are a number of guided private bike tours as featured on the VisitValencia website. The Valencia private bike tour is particularly popular and guides you to child friendly parts of the city.
Bioparc – Valencia’s Zoo
There are amazing and exotic animals for your children to see here, including lemurs, gorillas, elephants, giraffes, lions, and many others. What makes Bioparc a little bit different is the fact that the animals are not caged away in enclosures, but live in natural open spaces similar to their natural habitats.
To make the trip more complete, there is a good playground here for children and a seating area where you can enjoy a much needed coffee.
Science Museum (Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe)
Situated in the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias), the museum has a dedicated kids section that encourages critical thought, arouses interest, introduces the scientific universe, and presents science in a fun and meaningful way.
It is perfect for a quieter day or if the weather has taken an uncharacteristically bad turn.
Gulliver Park
The Lilliputian part of the Gulliver Park story is recreated in this quite wonderful park. Your children can climb over Gulliver, which is actually a large playground, climbing and negotiate the challenges ‘Gulliver’ offers.
It is located in the Turia Gardens (Jardines del Turia) and it may be a good idea to read this story to your children to give them context. Free entry and picnic facilities make this place a must-visit if you travel with kids that have extra energy!
Take a Four Wheel Bike Ride Through Turia Park
If you are a cycling family, you will find Turia Park irresistible, and if you came to see Gulliver, you may as well combine it with some four-wheel bike activity. The park has a great network of cycle lanes that allow you to travel it a little faster than strolling around.
This can also add a new element to the private bike tour if you opted for it or are going to opt for it.
Torres de Serranos
Torres de Serranos is a 14th century fortified gate. At once time, it would have been the entry point into the city which would have been surrounded by a wall. This offers you a great opportunity to bring history alive for your children and the view from the top of it is breathtaking.
A Day at Patacona Beach Playground
As a coastal city, it makes sense that you spend time on the beach. Patacona Beach adds a bonus in that it also has a playground for younger children to enjoy. As well as sun, sea, and slides, you can enjoy a great meal and a cool drink in the nearby restaurants and cafes.
Oceanographic – One of the Biggest Aquariums in Europe
Shaped like a fin the Oceanographic is a great and fun educational place to take your children. The most important ecosystems of the world are brought to life and your children and they can appreciate crocodiles, sharks, jellyfish, dolphins, and many other wonderful freshwater and ocean creatures.
Try and eat something here and appreciate the creatures swimming around you while you enjoy a delicious lunch.
The Hemisfèric
Located in the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias and close to the Science Museum and Oceanographic, the Hemisfèric is an amazing building that resembles the human eye. Inside, you will find IMAX and 3D technology giving your children the chance to watch exciting documentaries about dinosaurs and the like.
It is worth visiting the park to see the impressive buildings, and you can easily spend a day or two here taking it all in.
Valencia is a wonderful European city to visit for you and your family. It is well connected by rail and so seeing other parts of Spain is possible too. Try and get their as soon as lockdown restrictions are lifted.
