Things to do in Valencia with kids by season

MARCH TO MAY

Valencia with kids in spring

I’d set aside one morning for gardens and another for the old town. In March I’d start with the Fallas figures. If you’re visiting at Easter, swap one morning for a walk around El Cabanyal.

Find the funniest Fallas figure

During Fallas, pick a couple of displays to see by daylight and vote for your favourite figure. If noise is a problem, leave the area before the fireworks. Outside the festival, look for figures saved from the flames at the Fallas Museum.

Visit València · What to see during Fallas Turisme Comunitat Valenciana · Ninot exhibition Cultural València · Fallas Museum
Go on a leaf hunt in the Botanical Garden

Hand out three jobs: find a huge leaf, one shaped like a hand and a prickly plant. If you’d rather have an outdoor play break, take the hunt to Viveros Gardens.

Universitat de València · Visiting the Botanical Garden Jardins de València · Viveros Gardens route
Head down to the Turia and climb Gulliver

Start with the giant while everyone has energy and save the walk for later. If the playground is closed, keep going in the garden: find two different bridges and draw your favourite.

Turisme Comunitat Valenciana · Gulliver Park Visit València · Turia Garden
Explore El Cabanyal during Holy Week

If you’d like to see a maritime Holy Week procession, choose a stretch of the route and leave time to explore the neighbourhood. On another day, try the Maritime Holy Week Museum.

Semana Santa Marinera · Official programme Semana Santa Marinera · Museum Visit València · El Cabanyal neighbourhood
Look up at the Silk Exchange and down at L’Almoina

Try the gargoyle challenge at the Silk Exchange in the morning. At L’Almoina, look for traces of the Roman city. If your trip coincides with Corpus Christi, check the programme for an event that suits your family.

UNESCO · Silk Exchange Cultural València · L’Almoina Archaeological Centre Turisme Comunitat Valenciana · Corpus Christi

Take the gargoyle challenge into the old town

Sources consulted (20)

JUNE TO AUGUST

Valencia with kids in summer

I’d plan outdoor trips early or in the late afternoon. Around midday, pick a museum or a long lunch. When the heat kicks in, one main outing can be enough for the day.

Get sand between your toes at Malvarrosa or El Cabanyal

Pick one beach. Before swimming, check the flag and follow the lifeguards’ instructions. Bring a little bucket for playing in the sand and leave shells where you find them.

Ayuntamiento de València · Malvarrosa Beach Ayuntamiento de València · El Cabanyal Beach Ayuntamiento de València · Beach conditions
Escape the heat at the City of Arts and Sciences

The Science Museum is a good fit for kids who like trying things out. For a seated break, choose a Hemisfèric screening. If you’d rather see Oceanogràfic, give it a long morning and remember that part of the visit is outdoors.

Ayuntamiento de València · Science Museum Turisme Comunitat Valenciana · Hemisfèric Oceanogràfic · Tickets and opening hours
Go to Valencia’s July Fair

If you’re there in July, check the programme and pick one event. The Battle of Flowers can be your big outing if it falls during your stay. Check times and access before leaving.

Turisme Comunitat Valenciana · Valencia July Fair Turisme Comunitat Valenciana · Battle of Flowers
Take a boat trip on the Albufera

Start in El Palmar and ask about departures. I’d pick a time when the sun is gentler and leave the rest of the afternoon free. If wind keeps the boats in, stop for a snack in the village instead.

Visit València · Albufera guide Generalitat Valenciana · Racó de l’Olla Visitor Centre
Try horchata after a short walk

Walk through El Cabanyal looking for tiled façades and finish with horchata and fartons, the local sweet pastries. If you’re curious about where the drink comes from, save Alboraya for another day.

Visit València · El Cabanyal neighbourhood Turismo Alboraya · Horchata and tiger nuts

Sources consulted (20)

SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER

Valencia with kids in autumn

I’d alternate parks with an indoor visit. If the weekend stays dry, I’d head to the Albufera. If it rains, L’ETNO’s monsters are a good fit for the season.

Look for birds at Racó de l’Olla

Bring binoculars if you have them. From the hide, each child can pick a bird and look at its beak and how it moves. Check access before setting out. If you’d like to add a boat trip, ask in El Palmar.

Generalitat Valenciana · Racó de l’Olla Visitor Centre Visit València · Albufera guide Confederación Hidrográfica del Júcar · El Tancat de la Pipa
Pack a picnic for Cabecera Park

Take a short walk by the lake and find two spots with a view of the water. If you’re visiting BIOPARC, save the park for afterwards and shorten the walk if everyone’s tired.

Turisme Comunitat Valenciana · Cabecera Park BIOPARC València · Frequently asked questions
Celebrate 9 October with a mocadorà

If you’re there for the festival, pick an event from the city’s programme. At a bakery, try a Sant Donís marzipan figure and guess which fruit it represents.

Ayuntamiento de València · 9 October festivities Visit València · Sant Donís mocadorà
Invent a monster at L’ETNO

Around All Saints’ Day, check whether Espanta la por has an activity for your children’s age group. Afterwards, invent a Valencian monster with a funny habit in a notebook. If there’s no session, look at the museum’s family workshops.

L’ETNO · Espanta la por L’ETNO · Family activities L’ETNO · Opening hours and tickets
Swap the walk for an indoor visit

At the History Museum, pick an era and find an object we might use differently today. If you’re in the centre, head to the Palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas and spot the figures on its façade before going in.

Cultural València · History Museum Cultural València · Palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas Visit València · Rainy-day outings

Sources consulted (20)

DECEMBER TO FEBRUARY

Valencia with kids in winter

I’d pair an indoor visit with a short walk before dark. At Christmas I’d choose one scheduled event each day. In January or February I’d keep two museums in mind in case the weather turns.

Look for nativity scenes and Christmas lights

If you’re visiting at Christmas, pick a nativity scene from the programme and find three little details you might miss at first. Add a walk to see the lights in the centre. If you’re there for the Three Kings parade, check the route and pick a spot.

Visit València · Christmas outings Visit València · Early December long weekend Turisme Comunitat Valenciana · Three Kings parade
Spend a morning at Expojove

Check opening dates and pick two activities before you go. If the queues are long, keep one as a backup and leave time for whatever catches your eye when you arrive.

Expojove · Children’s and youth fair Visit València · Christmas outings
Go from experiments to the big screen

Choose the Science Museum or book a Hemisfèric screening. Check the time, language and recommended age before buying. If your children prefer animals, book a visit to Oceanogràfic.

Ayuntamiento de València · Science Museum Turisme Comunitat Valenciana · Hemisfèric Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències · Official tickets Oceanogràfic · Tickets and opening hours
Find miniature scenes at L’Iber

Let each child choose a display case and tell you what they think is happening. For a guided activity, check L’ETNO’s family programme.

Museo L’Iber · Frequently asked questions L’ETNO · Family activities
Draw a Fallas figure and have a snack in the centre

At the Fallas Museum, choose a figure you’d save from the flames and draw another in your notebook. For an afternoon in the centre, swap the museum for the Palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas and finish with a snack at Mercado de Colón.

Cultural València · Fallas Museum Cultural València · Palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas Cultural València · Colón Market

Sources consulted (20)

Valencia in four seasons

Valencia with kids in spring

Find the funniest Fallas figure

Go on a leaf hunt in the Botanical Garden

Head down to the Turia and climb Gulliver

Explore El Cabanyal during Holy Week

Look up at the Silk Exchange and down at L’Almoina

Valencia with kids in summer

Get sand between your toes at Malvarrosa or El Cabanyal

Escape the heat at the City of Arts and Sciences

Go to Valencia’s July Fair

Take a boat trip on the Albufera

Try horchata after a short walk

Valencia with kids in autumn

Look for birds at Racó de l’Olla

Pack a picnic for Cabecera Park

Celebrate 9 October with a mocadorà

Invent a monster at L’ETNO

Swap the walk for an indoor visit

Valencia with kids in winter

Look for nativity scenes and Christmas lights

Spend a morning at Expojove

Go from experiments to the big screen

Find miniature scenes at L’Iber

Draw a Fallas figure and have a snack in the centre