Valencia is open to most things and that definitely includes children, so travelling with your family, especially with small children, is easy here. Spain's third city has a rich and varied cultural programme, perfect for enjoying together as a family.
Another great advantage is Valencia's large number of parks and green areas, ideal for a family stroll, a picnic, doing some sport together or whatever you fancy. Check out our recommendations and learn about 10 family-friendly plans in Valencia for your holiday.
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Take a boat trip on La Albufera
Enjoy a family day out on the lake
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Just 6.2 miles from Valencia is the La Albufera Natural Park, a protected space with great diversity in terms of flora and fauna, especially water birds. In the centre of the park is La Mata de l’Antina, a great lake on which you can take trips on the traditional albuferenc boats. These boat trips tend to last 45 minutes and can be combined with other activities such as a 4WD excursion or enjoying a lovely paella in a typical restaurant. It should come as no surprise that La Albufera is the birthplace of this quintessential Valencian dish.
A family excursion to La Albufera is the perfect plan if you want to spend the day in the countryside without straying too far from the city. From the centre of Valencia, take a 25 bus and in under an hour and for just 1.50 euros each way, you will be at your destination.
Posizione: Calle de Vicent Baldoví, 46012 Valencia (La Albufera Natural Park Interpretation Centre), Spain
Orario di apertura: Every day from 9 am to 2 pm. The park never closes.
Telefono: +34 963 86 80 50
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Visit a museum dedicated to tin soldiers
A really entertaining historical journey
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A family visit to the tin soldier museum (Museo de los Soldaditos de Plomo L’Iber) is a must during your holiday in Valencia. It has a spectacular collection of over 95,000 pieces that include not only tin soldiers but also dinosaurs, film personalities, comic book characters, famous painters and much more.
This curious museum, with both permanent and temporary collections, is part of the Gothic Palace of Malferit, very near Valencia Cathedral. There's nothing better than spending the morning with the whole family admiring these incredible miniatures and maybe learning a little history.
Posizione: Calle de los Cavallers, 20-22, 46001 Valencia, Spain
Orario di apertura: Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm (closed on weekdays)
Telefono: +34 963 91 86 75
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Bioparc València
Travel the world accompanied by numerous animal and plant species
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Bioparc València is a space covering 100,000 square metres that recreates a diverse range of natural habitats from all over the world, combining native species of flora and fauna from further afield. Children have a fantastic time here seeing animals in a near-natural setting that has been designed with their well-being as a priority, ensuring that they can live as close to possible as they would in the wild.
The park also has a restaurant that offers visitors a varied choice, including options for coeliacs. Don't miss the chance to take the family to Bioparc València for a unique holiday experience.
Posizione: Avenida de Pío Baroja, 3, 46015 Valencia, Spain
Orario di apertura: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm
Telefono: +34 960 66 05 26
MappaFoto di radwoc (CC BY-SA 3.0) modificata
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El Miguelete tower
Enjoy the best views of Valencia
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El Miguelete tower is the popular name for Valencia Cathedral's bell tower, which dates back to 1381. At first, it stood apart from the cathedral, although the 2 came together when the latter was extended. With its octagonal base, this tower, in the Valencian Gothic style, stands 51 metres high. If you climb to the top up its spiral staircase, you will be rewarded with stunning views out over the city.
If you are wondering where its curious name comes from, the top of the tower houses a bell dedicated to Saint Michael, who is believed to protect Valencia from storms and other ills. An interesting detail, don't you think?
Posizione: Plaza de la Reina, s/n, 46001 Valencia, Spain
Orario di apertura: From April to October: every day from 10 am to 7.30 pm without interruption. From November to March: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6.30 pm. Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm. Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm and from 5.30 pm to 7 pm.
Telefono: +34 963 91 81 27
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Parque Gulliver
Meet Lemuel Gulliver
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Parque Gulliver, situated in the old course of the River Turia, is perhaps one of Valencia's oddest attractions. This is a huge children's park covering 6.1 hectares, in the centre of which is an amazing, monumental sculpture of Gulliver, the hero of 'Gulliver's Travels' by the Irish author Jonathan Swift.
The sculpture features numerous slides for the youngest (and not so young) in the family. It is designed in such a way that as you go up, those below look like the Lilliputians when they clambered over Gulliver's prone body. As well as the great Gulliver, the park also features lush vegetation, more children's games, mini-golf courses and skateboard ramps. In short, morning or afternoon, family fun is guaranteed.
Posizione: Jardín del Turia (section 12), s/n, 46009 Valencia, Spain
Orario di apertura: April–May and June–September: daily from 10 am to 8 pm. July–August: daily from 10 am to 1.30 pm and 5.30 pm to 9 pm. October–March: daily from 10 am to 5.30 pm
Telefono: +34 963 37 02 04
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City of Arts and Sciences
Introduce your children to the arts and sciences in Valencia
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The City of Arts and Sciences often comes to mind when thinking about Valencia. This huge architectural, cultural and entertainment complex, the work of the Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava (among others), holds such a wide range of permanent and temporary interactive exhibitions that it is virtually impossible not to find something that both adults and children will like.
A seemingly endless programme of activities aimed at kids ensures that they can have fun and learn at the same time. If that were not enough, the City of Arts and Sciences also has an IMAX cinema, L’Hemisfèric, and the biggest aquarium in Europe, l’Oceanogràfic.
Posizione: Avenida del Profesor López Piñero, 7, 46013 Valencia, Spain
Orario di apertura: Hours vary
Telefono: +34 961 97 44 00
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L'Oceanogràfic
Sharks and dolphins as you've never seen them before
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Valencia's L'Oceanogràfic, opposite the City of Arts and Sciences, faithfully reproduces the planet's most important marine ecosystems within its incredible pools, tanks and aquaria. Take the whole family to this unique interactive space and experience something completely new as you watch countless marine species up close and visit its exhibitions, such as the permanent one on jellyfish.
You will be glad to know that l'Oceanogràfic also has a restaurant – in this case underwater – meaning you can all enjoy lunch or dinner surrounded by schools of fish swimming this way and that. You'll think it's all part of some dream.
Posizione: Calle de Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 1B, 46013 Valencia, Spain
Orario di apertura: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm
Telefono: +34 960 47 06 47
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The Fallas museum
See the figures saved from the flames and discover the tradition's origins
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The Fallas museum opened in the old San Vicente de Paúl convent in 1971, and you can still see parts of the original religious building. Fallas is Valencia's traditional fiesta, which has been declared part of the world's Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. At the museum, you can find out about the history and evolution of this most Valencian of traditions.
For example, did you know that every year, one of the Fallas figures is saved from the flames? These are known as the ninots indultats, or 'pardoned figures', and they can be seen in the museum, as well as posters from the fiestas, portraits of the falleras mayores (carnival queens), insignias of the Fallas commissions responsible for these incredible figures and many other curious objects. Your children are bound to have a great time choosing their favourite ninot!
Posizione: Plaza de Monteolivete, 4, 46006 Valencia, Spain
Orario di apertura: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm
Telefono: +34 962 08 46 25
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Take a horchata tour
Let all the family become master horchata makers
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Horchata tours can be found with a number of tourism companies that organise guided tours of the local town of Alboraya, considered to be the birthplace of horchata de chufa. Valencia's most typical drink is horchata, made from tiger nuts, and these tours take you to tiger nut (actually a tuber known here as 'chufa') plantations and drying facilities and various local producers of the milky drink.
Many of these visits culminate with a workshop where you can learn how to make this delicious drink, followed by a tasting session accompanied by fartons, a typical local cake that you dunk in the horchata. Can you think of anything more original and fun to do together?
Posizione: 46120 Alboraya, Valencia, Spain
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All aboard the Camp de Túria miniature train
All aboard!
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The Camp de Túria miniature train at the Centro Ferroviario Vaporista steam railway centre in Ribarroja de Túria is sure to delight your kids. This tiny steam train can be found in Ribarroja de Túria's Maldonado Park, with the line passing through woods, greenery and children's play areas.
Worthy of special mention among the latter is the one inspired by Peter Pan in Neverland. Take the whole family to learn about the world of trains and enjoy this unique experience just 12 miles from Valencia.
Posizione: Calle de Ausiàs March, s/n, 46190 Riba-roja de Túria, Valencia, Spain
Orario di apertura: Sundays from 10 am to 1.30 pm (closed Monday–Saturday)
Telefono: +34 603 40 25 40 (WhatsApp)
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