Things to do in Valencia with kids

Last updated on April 16, 2026

I think Valencia often gets overshadowed by Barcelona, its neighbour up the coast. And while Barcelona forever has my heart, being a place I once called home, I’m also a big fan of Valencia. I’ve been a few times and most recently as a family, discovering the city from a different perspective and finding it to be a brilliantly kid-friendly city.

Here’s my family guide to Valencia, including places to stay, where to eat and the best, most fun things to do in Valencia with kids. From climbing over a giant Gulliver to marvelling at jellyfish in a space-age science park, it’s an easy place to spend a weekend or even longer. And don’t tell Barcelona, but the city beaches are better here!

Is Valencia good for kids?

Valencia is a fantastic city to visit with kids. The vibe is relaxed and outdoorsy, and there’s a huge amount of green space that gives kids plenty of room to run wild. Plus, the Spanish are famously family-focused and welcoming to children, so you’ll be greeted with warm smiles rather than side-eyes at restaurants and cafés.

There’s a great mix of family attractions in Valencia too, from science museums and aquariums to sandy beaches and giant playgrounds. And if you’re travelling with young children, you’ll appreciate all the play areas – it’s so easy to stop for a quick play between sightseeing. All in all, it’s one of the easiest and most enjoyable cities we’ve explored as a family in Spain (our other favourites are Barcelona and San Sebastian).

Bridges and Balloons’ favourites

• The City of Arts and Sciences – an unmissable part of the city, with kids or without
• The Gulliver Park playground – probably one of the world’s best playgrounds.
• Beach and city combo – we love a city where you can balance days of sightseeing with time by the sea.
• Restaurants with playgrounds and outdoor space – what better combo on a family holiday than a restaurant with a playground right beside it? Le Favole was our favourite.
• Easy, relaxed vibe – Valencia doesn’t feel overwhelming like some big cities can. It’s compact, calm and filled with locals living their lives – a place where families can slow down and enjoy the moment.

Things to do in Valencia with kids

1. Explore the City of Arts and Sciences

Valencia’s star attraction is a futuristic complex of museums, gardens and cultural venues set around a shallow, mirror-like pool. It’s home to the interactive Science Museum, the impressive Oceanogràfic aquarium, and the Hemisfèric IMAX cinema.

You could easily spend a day or two here, exploring it all. And it’s a lovely place to wander/cycle around even if you aren’t going into any of the attractions. I’ve included the individual museums in their own separate points.

2. Climb over Gulliver at Parc Gulliver

This will be the highlight for most kids in Valencia. The giant playground is shaped like the character Gulliver from Gulliver’s Travels, sprawled out on the ground with hair, arms and legs transformed into slides, tunnels and ramps.

It’s one of the most original playgrounds we’ve ever seen and totally free to enter. Be warned that some of the slides are pretty steep and the drops sheer, so be vigilant with little kids.

3. Explore Turia Gardens

This lush green park winds through the city along a former riverbed, starting at the Cabecera Park and the Bioparc and ending at the City of Arts and Sciences. It’s one of Spain’s biggest parks and completely car free.

You can rent bikes (including family bikes and child seats) and ride all the way from the old town to the City of Arts and Sciences and beyond. There are multiple playgrounds along the way, including the iconic Parc Gulliver, so you can easily turn it into a park crawl too, perhaps with stops for skateboarding and pétanque along the way.

We rented a surrey bike from beside the fountains at the City of Arts and Sciences, and spent a lush couple of hours cycling the gardens. It’s a really fun way to get around.

4. Visit the Oceanogràfic

Europe’s largest aquarium is housed in a spectacular white building designed by Santiago Calatrava. There are both indoor and outdoor exhibits, including sharks, penguins, jellyfish and more. They also do dolphin shows and house beluga whales, which is ethically questionable, so important to be aware of (I didn’t realise until we got inside and was quite shocked by the sight of a beluga).

5. Chill out at the beach

Valencia’s wide, sandy beaches are perfect for families with gentle waves, lots of space, and plenty of beachfront cafes. Playa de la Malvarrosa is the most popular option, with a long promenade and a retro vibe. Patacona is a slightly quieter option just north of Malvarossa. Both have beachside restaurants.

And, of course the whole coast is lined with lovely beach towns. We also spent a lovely day at Platja de l’Arenal, around 1.5 hours south of Valencia.

6. Discover the Science Museum (Museu de les Ciències)

Inside the City of Arts and Sciences, this hands-on science museum has interactive exhibits on everything from the human body to space travel. There are shows and demonstrations, but be aware they’re in Spanish.

7. Watch a film at the Hemisfèric

This striking building, shaped like a blinking eye, is home to an IMAX cinema, a planetarium and laser shows. They have all sorts of shows, including educational films about space, nature or dinosaurs. The primary language is Spanish, but you can get headsets that play other languages.  

8. Wander the old town (El Carmen)

Valencia’s old town is a maze of cobbled streets, colourful murals, and hidden plazas. It’s easy to explore on foot and full of character – we found playgrounds tucked into quiet corners and plenty of cafés with outdoor tables where we could relax while the kids played nearby.

9. Visit the Central Market

Mercado Central is one of Europe’s largest and most beautiful food markets with colourful produce, hanging hams, olives, spices and treats of every kind. I always make markets like this a priority when exploring a city, and the kids are normally happy for a wander so long as they get to choose some snacks and juice along the way.

10. Ride the tourist train

It’s easy to turn your nose up at such obviously touristy things like the Valencia Tourist Train. Pre-kids, this was never on the agenda, but sometimes a tour like this is an easy way to see some of the city while the kids enjoy the novelty of being on a tiny train.  It’s a good option if you’re short on time, the kids are tired, and you want to get a feel for the old town.

11. Visit the Fallas Museum

Valencia’s biggest annual event is Las Fallas – a wild and wonderful festival involving giant papier-mâché sculptures that are eventually set on fire. At the Fallas Museum, you can see a collection of figures that were spared the flames over the years – full of colour, humour and imagination.

12. Take a boat ride in Albufera

Just outside Valencia is Albufera Natural Park, a peaceful freshwater lagoon surrounded by rice paddies. You can take a traditional boat ride, spot birds, and eat paella in one of the nearby villages (this is where the dish originated). It’s a great mini escape from the city.

13. Splash around at Parque de Cabecera

At the north end of the Turia Gardens is Parque de Cabecera, a spacious park with lakes, boats, playgrounds and picnic spots. It’s a lovely place to unwind and let the kids roam free. It has a much more local feel than Parc Gulliver.

14. Get arty at IVAM

The modern art museum IVAM (Institut Valencià d’Art Modern) is a calm, creative space with exhibitions that often include family-friendly elements. Check the schedule to see if any workshops or interactive shows are on during your visit. While some kids might get bored, we tend to find our boys enjoy a modern art museum for about an hour before they run out of steam.

15. Go to the Bioparc

Bioparc is an immersive, open-concept zoo that’s been beautifully designed to resemble natural habitats. Think elephants wandering a savannah-style landscape, lemurs leaping through Madagascar-style trees, and crocodiles lazing by the riverbank. We didn’t manage to visit, but it gets great reviews.

16. Do a family-friendly tour

There are some fun family-friendly tours to do in Valencia. Here’s a selection from Get Your Guide…

Where to eat in Valencia with kids

Valencia is a brilliant city for eating out with kids. People dine late, but kids are welcome everywhere – and it’s normal to see children playing in plazas and parks well into the evening. Some of our favourite moments were spent at cafés or casual tapas bars where the kids could run off to a nearby playground while we lingered over drinks. Here are five great places to eat in Valencia with kids.

Favole

This Italian restaurant in the Old Town is right next to a kids’ playground. So if you get a seat outside on the terrace, you can watch the kids play while enjoying your drinks.

Ubik Cafe

Ubik Café is a relaxed, creative space that mixes casual dining with shelves of secondhand books. It has a laid-back, bohemian vibe and a small play area that makes it easy to enjoy a meal while the kids stay entertained. The kitchen serves up tasty, home-style dishes at lunchtime and reopens again in the evening from 7pm.

Dulce de Leche Boutique Ruzafa

A sweet lover’s dream, this stylish and TikTok famous café in the Ruzafa neighbourhood is a favourite for pastries, cakes and brunch.

La Más Bonita

Just steps from the sand at Patacona Beach, La Más Bonita is a good lunch stop on beach days. It has a breezy seaside vibe and a huge garden terrace. The menu has something for everyone – think sandwiches, smoothies, salads, burgers and cakes – and the beachside location means kids can have a run around before or after you eat.

Mercado de Colón

This beautifully restored modernist market is home to several cafés and restaurants, including casual options like beer bars, cafés, and tapas counters. It’s a good place for a mix-and-match lunch if everyone wants something different.

Horchatería Daniel

No trip to Valencia is complete without trying horchata – a sweet, nutty drink made from tiger nuts. And Horchatería Daniel is one of the most iconic places to do it. Located in Alboraya, just a short metro ride from the city centre, it’s a local institution that’s been serving up horchata and fartons (light, sugar-dusted pastries for dipping) for generations. It’s a must, but it’s also a kind if love-it-ot-hate-it drink. Afraid I’m not a fan!

Another more central option is La Terraza de Santa Catalina – the prices get a hike on the terrace, but it is a lovely spot for people watching and enjoying the city vibes.

Where to stay in Valencia with kids

Valencia has plenty of great places to stay for families – from chic hotels and serviced apartments to beachside guesthouses and quirky boutique spots. The city is compact, so you can choose to base yourself in the old town, by the park, or near the beach, depending on your priorities. Here are five favourite options.

Helen Berger Boutique Hotel

This beautifully designed boutique hotel is just a short walk from the old town and Turia Gardens. They have triple rooms or doubles, so only good for smaller families.

Check availability and book now.

Ramirez Flats Valencia

A fantastic aparthotel option right by the Turia Gardens, perfect for families wanting a bit more space and the ability to self-cater.

Check availability and book now.

Hotel Malcolm and Barret

A good-value, playful boutique hotel with family rooms for up to 2 adults and 2 kids. A day of free bike hire is included with your stay.

Check availability and book now.

Petit Palace Ruzafa

In the trendy Ruzafa neighbourhood, this budget boutique hotel has family rooms with bunk beds. The area is full of cool cafés, restaurants and little boutiques, and there’s a lively plaza nearby with a playground.

Check availability and book now.

Las Arenas Balneario Resort

If you want more of a seaside than city break, then Las Arenas Balneario Resort is ideal. The upscale hotel lies right on Malvarrosa Beach and features a huge seasonal swimming pool, family rooms, and direct access to the promenade.

Check availability and book now.

Caserio del Mirador

This isn’t in Valencia, but about 1.5 hours away. It’s one of my favourite family stays in the whole world and is a great place to pair with a city break to Valencia. Read my full review.

Getting around Valencia with kids

Valencia is a wonderfully walkable city, but if you’ve got tired little legs in tow, it’s helpful to have a few transport options up your sleeve.

• Metro and buses: Clean, reliable and budget-friendly. Children under 10 can travel for free with a child travel card, making public transport an easy choice for families.
• Taxis and rideshares: Easy to find and reasonably priced – handy when you want to skip the stroll at the end of a long day.
• Bike hire: Perfect for cruising through Turia Gardens or along the beachside paths. You’ll find options for kids’ bikes, seats and trailers too. Or hire a Surrey like we did!

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