4-Day Valencia Paella, Arts & Beach City Break

Futuristic white curves, the birthplace of paella and a city beach on the metro.

Day-by-day plan

Day 1: Arrive and the Old Town

Stay in Ciutat Vella or Ruzafa for walkability.

Morning: Metro from the airport to Xativa or Colon.

Afternoon: Plaza de la Virgen, the cathedral and El Carmen's lanes.

Evening: Tapas crawl around Mercado de Tapineria.

Day 2: City of Arts and Sciences

The Turia park links the old town to the complex.

Morning: Turia Gardens by bike through the old riverbed.

Afternoon: City of Arts and Sciences and the Oceanografic aquarium.

Evening: Dinner in Ruzafa's bar district.

Day 3: Malvarrosa and the Cabanyal

Book a beachfront paella lunch ahead at weekends.

Morning: Mercado Central for picnic supplies.

Afternoon: Metro and tram to Malvarrosa beach and the Cabanyal quarter.

Evening: Paella lunch stretches late; light dinner.

Day 4: Silk Exchange and departure

The airport metro takes about 25 minutes from Xativa.

Morning: La Lonja de la Seda, the UNESCO-listed silk exchange.

Afternoon: Last horchata, then the metro to the airport.

Evening: Flight home.

Budget

  • Flights — Return fare anchor: lastminute.com's London-Valencia route page lists return flights from £59 per person (one-way from £35 with Ryanair) (lastminute.com/flights/r_london--valencia, checked 31 Oct 2026); 'from' fares are lead-in prices including taxes and do not guarantee availability on specific dates. — 59 GBP
  • Accommodation — 3 nights sole occupancy at about £100 a night. Anchor: budgetyourtrip.com's Valencia page puts the average hotel at about USD133 (~£100) a night (budgetyourtrip.com/hotels/spain/valencia-2509954, checked 31 Oct 2026). — 300 GBP
  • Food & drink — Paella lunches, horchata and tapas in El Carmen. — 105 GBP
  • Activities — City of Arts and Sciences entry and the cathedral tower. — 35 GBP
  • Local transport — Airport metro plus a 72-hour Valencia tourist card. — 18 GBP

Tips

  • City of Arts and Sciences: Calatrava's white futuristic complex, with Europe's largest aquarium.
  • Valencia Cathedral: Claims to hold the Holy Grail; climb the Miguelete tower.
  • Mercado Central: One of Europe's largest fresh-food markets under a modernista dome.
  • Malvarrosa Beach: Wide city beach lined with paella restaurants.