The Compass Crew
STOP 01
The Silk Exchange
From the square, look up for a face carved in stone. If you go inside, follow a column with your eyes all the way to the ceiling. Can you see the branches of a palm tree?
Try the gargoyle challengeTRAVEL GUIDE FOR AGES 6 TO 10
Valencia
with kids
Look for stone monsters, find an orange at the market and discover a giant lying in the Turia Garden.
IDEAS FOR YOUR TRIP
Three stops to explore Valencia as a family
STOP 02
The Central Market
Pick a colour before you go in and find three foods of that colour. Then look up and find the market dome.
STOP 03
Gulliver Park
Imagine how tiny you’d be next to the giant. Find his head, his boots and a piece of clothing that looks as big as a house.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Choose when to go and how long to stay
Things to do by season
Fallas figures in spring, beaches in summer, birdwatching in autumn and museums in winter. Pick the ideas that fit your travel dates.
Explore all four seasons3-, 5- and 7-day itineraries
Group visits by neighbourhood and leave time for each child to choose a stop.
Choose an itineraryTHE CREW’S BOOK
Off to Valencia!
Explore ten places around the city with Nora, Teo, Nina and Pepper. Every stop has a story, local facts, details to spot and an activity. There are maps, mazes and even a diary for your favourite moments.
Start with “Monsters on the Roof”, the adventure at the Silk Exchange.
- Ages 6 to 10
- 10 stops around Valencia
- Puzzles and a travel diary
Monsters on the roof
Read the text excerpt
Spanish edition on Amazon.es"There are monsters on the roof!" shouts Nina.
High up on the building, stone figures poke out their heads and pull very strange faces.
"They're gargoyles," says Nora. "They're not scary: look at that one, it looks like it's laughing."
Teo pulls the same face as one of them: mouth wide open and eyes popping. Nina laughs so hard she nearly drops her pencil.
BEFORE YOU PACK
Frequently asked questions about Valencia with kids
What should we do on a first family trip to Valencia?
Spend one day in the old town, one in the Turia Garden and City of Arts and Sciences, and one in El Cabanyal by the beach. With just one day, I’d do the Silk Exchange and Central Market in the morning and save Gulliver or the Turia Garden for the afternoon.
See the 3-day itineraryWhat can we do for free in Valencia with kids?
Start with a walk in the Turia Garden, El Cabanyal or along the seafront. In the square by the Silk Exchange, you can look for gargoyles with the printable challenge. If you fancy a park, check whether Gulliver is open.
Get the challenge sheetWhat can we do in Valencia with kids when it rains?
Choose the Science Museum for hands-on experiments, L’Almoina for Roman history or L’ETNO for a family workshop that suits your children. For a break sitting down, look for a screening at the Hemisfèric.
When is the best time to go with kids?
For walks and parks, I’d choose spring or autumn. In summer I’d head to the beach early. In winter I’d combine museums with short walks and fit in a Christmas outing if the dates line up.
See ideas for all four seasonsWhich beach is best with kids?
For a beach day with a city stroll, I’d choose Malvarrosa or El Cabanyal. Check the sea conditions, flags and lifeguard service for your dates before deciding whether to swim.
Can we visit Valencia with kids without a car?
Yes. Walk around the centre and take a bus, metro or tram for places farther out. For El Palmar, check your outward and return journeys before booking a boat trip. For Sagunto, check the Cercanías commuter trains.
See the outings in the 7-day itineraryWhich tickets should we check before the trip?
Start with Oceanogràfic, BIOPARC and Hemisfèric screenings if they’re priorities. For workshops, check the age range and whether you need to register. For boat trips, confirm times and conditions with the operator.
What can we do during Fallas if noise bothers the kids?
Pick a couple of Fallas displays to see in daylight and check the programme to avoid the times and areas with fireworks. You can see the figures saved from the flames at the Fallas Museum year-round. Check its opening times first.
Where can we watch birds with kids near Valencia?
I’d start at Racó de l’Olla in the Albufera. Check opening times and access. Bring binoculars if you have them and ask each child to pick a bird and describe its beak.
What if we’re travelling with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Group visits by area and check accessible entrances with each venue. Ask about boarding before booking a boat trip and about surfaces and slopes before planning a castle visit.
Sources consulted (30)
- Visit València · Family outings
- Turisme Comunitat Valenciana · Valencia guide (PDF)
- UNESCO · Silk Exchange
- Mercat Central · Opening hours and FAQs
- Turisme Comunitat Valenciana · Gulliver Park
- Visit València · Turia Garden
- Visit València · El Cabanyal neighbourhood
- Ayuntamiento de València · Science Museum
- Cultural València · L’Almoina Archaeological Centre
- L’ETNO · Family activities
- Turisme Comunitat Valenciana · Hemisfèric
- Visit València · Rainy-day outings
- Jardins de València · Viveros Gardens route
- Visit València · Autumn break
- Visit València · Summer outings
- Visit València · Christmas outings
- Ayuntamiento de València · Malvarrosa Beach
- Ayuntamiento de València · El Cabanyal Beach
- Ayuntamiento de València · Beach conditions
- Visit València · Albufera guide
- Visit València · Getting to and visiting the Albufera
- Renfe · Valencia commuter rail map
- Oceanogràfic · Tickets and opening hours
- BIOPARC València · Frequently asked questions
- Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències · Official tickets
- Visit València · What to see during Fallas
- Turisme Comunitat Valenciana · Ninot exhibition
- Cultural València · Fallas Museum
- Generalitat Valenciana · Racó de l’Olla Visitor Centre
- Turisme Comunitat Valenciana · Sagunto Castle