Self guided audio tour in Valencia

Besides our audio guide, there are many other ways to experience Valencia. Here are some suggestions that can complement your self-guided tours in Valencia:

• Oceanogràfic Valencia - Explore Europe's largest aquarium with over 500 marine species. The unique architecture alone makes this a must-see place in Valencia, especially for families.
• Albufera Natural Park - Discover the birthplace of paella and enjoy a boat ride through the stunning wetlands just outside the city. Perfect for nature lovers seeking to explore beyond the urban center.
• Flamenco Show at Café del Duende - Experience authentic Spanish passion with a traditional flamenco performance in an intimate venue. A cultural highlight that pairs perfectly with your day of exploration.
• Silk Exchange & Cathedral - Visit two of Valencia's most impressive historical buildings with expert commentary on their significance.
• Mercado Central - Wander through one of Europe's oldest running food markets, where you can sample fresh local produce and regional specialties. The modernist architecture is as impressive as the culinary offerings inside.
• Turia Gardens - Stroll, bike, or jog through this unique urban park built in the former riverbed. The 9km green lung of Valencia offers sports facilities, picnic areas, and stunning bridges.
• Bioparc Valencia - Experience an innovative zoo concept where animals roam in recreated natural habitats with invisible barriers. Great for seeing African wildlife in surprisingly naturalistic settings.
• Malvarrosa Beach - Take a break from sightseeing tours Valencia offers and relax on this urban beach. Just a short tram ride from the center, it's perfect for swimming and enjoying paella at beachfront restaurants.
• Barrio del Carmen - Explore the narrow medieval streets of Valencia's old town, filled with street art, trendy bars, and hidden gems in Valencia that most tourists miss.

Best Time to Visit
Valencia enjoys over 300 days of sunshine annually, making it a year-round destination. Spring (April-June) offers ideal temperatures and fewer crowds for walking tours Valencia visitors recommend. If you visit in March, don't miss Las Fallas festival with its spectacular fireworks and giant satirical sculptures, though be prepared for crowds during this world-famous celebration.

Getting There
Valencia Airport connects to major European cities, with the metro line 3 or 5 taking you directly to the city center in about 20 minutes. The high-speed AVE train from Madrid (1h40m) or Barcelona (3h) arrives at Joaquín Sorolla station. Within the city, the efficient metro, buses, and Valenbisi bike-sharing system make exploring Valencia without a guide easy and affordable.

Opening Hours and Holidays
Most shops open 10:00-20:00 Monday to Saturday, with many observing a siesta break between 14:00-17:00, especially in summer. Museums typically close on Mondays, while Sunday trading is limited to tourist areas. Major holidays include January 22 (San Vicente Mártir), March 19 (San José/Las Fallas finale), and October 9 (Valencian Community Day) when many attractions operate on reduced hours.

Comfort on the Go
Valencia's Mediterranean climate means sun protection is essential year-round for self-guided tours Valencia offers. Comfortable walking shoes are a must for navigating both cobblestone streets and the expansive Turia Gardens. Carry a water bottle that you can refill at numerous public fountains, and consider a light backpack for layers as evening temperatures can drop significantly, especially near the coast.

Local Customs and Etiquette
Valencians typically eat lunch around 14:00 and dinner after 21:00, with many restaurants not opening for dinner until 20:30. When ordering paella, remember it's traditionally a lunch dish shared among several people. A small tip (5-10%) in restaurants is appreciated but not mandatory. When greeting locals, a kiss on each cheek is common among friends, while a handshake is appropriate in formal situations.

How much time should I plan for a visit to Valencia?
You need at least one full day to experience Valencia's highlights. Our self-guided tours Valencia offers can be completed in 2-3 hours of continuous walking, but the beauty lies in setting your own pace. Many visitors pause to enjoy horchata at the historic Horchatería Santa Catalina, explore the Central Market, or relax in the Turia Gardens, turning the experience into a full-day adventure.

What makes Valencia different from other Spanish cities?
Valencia uniquely blends ultramodern architecture with well-preserved medieval and baroque buildings. Unlike Barcelona or Madrid, Valencia offers a less crowded experience while featuring Spain's third-largest historic center. The city is also distinctive for its Albufera lagoon (birthplace of paella), its innovative conversion of the former Turia riverbed into a 9km urban park, and its status as the home of Holy Grail in the Cathedral.

Why choose an audio guide instead of a guided tour in Valencia?
An audio guide gives you complete freedom to explore Valencia at your own pace without being tied to a group schedule. You can start whenever you want, pause for that perfect Instagram moment at the City of Arts and Sciences, or linger over a glass of horchata without rushing to keep up with a tour group. This flexibility is particularly valuable in Valencia's historic center, where narrow streets and hidden plazas invite spontaneous exploration.

Do I need internet while walking?
No, our Valencia walking tours work completely offline after initial download. This is particularly useful in Valencia's old town where thick stone walls can sometimes interfere with mobile signals. The city does offer free WiFi in many public spaces and tourist areas, but you won't need it for our audio guide to function perfectly.

Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, children can enjoy our tour, though it's primarily written for adults. Kids from about 12 years old will appreciate Valencia's colorful stories, like the legend of the Holy Grail or tales of the silk merchants. Valencia is a particularly family-friendly city with wide pedestrian areas and numerous ice cream shops perfect for breaks during your exploration.

Can I share the tour with my travel companions?
Absolutely! Our Valencia sightseeing tours can be enjoyed as a group experience. While each person can use their own device for the best audio experience, we offer attractive discounts for multiple purchases. Check our Valencia product page for current multi-user pricing options that make sharing the experience both easy and economical.

What else is there to do in Valencia?
Beyond our audio guide, Valencia offers numerous complementary experiences. Consider visiting the Bioparc (an innovative zoo concept), taking a paella cooking class, or enjoying a concert at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía. The Albufera Natural Park just outside the city provides a perfect nature escape to see where rice for authentic paella is grown.

Is there a free tour in Valencia?
While "free" walking tours exist in Valencia, they typically expect tips of €10-15 per person, often making them more expensive than our fixed-price audio guide. Unlike these large group experiences where guides rush to cover ground, our self-guided tours Valencia visitors praise allow you to explore at your own pace with consistently high-quality narration and no pressure for tips.

Who is CityAppTour?
We're a team of travelers passionate about sharing local stories. Our Valencia content is crafted by writers who have lived in the city and know its secrets—from which horchaterías serve the most authentic tiger nut drink to where locals actually go for the best paella. We combine historical research with insider knowledge to create experiences that go beyond typical tourist information.

When is Las Fallas festival and how does it affect visiting Valencia?
Las Fallas takes place March 15-19 annually, culminating in "La Cremà" when hundreds of giant sculptures are burned. While it's a spectacular time to visit, be aware that accommodation prices triple, streets become crowded, and daily fireworks (including the ear-splitting "mascletà" at 2 PM) can be overwhelming. Book accommodations months in advance if visiting during this period, or consider early March to see the preparations with fewer crowds.

Is Valencia's City of Arts and Sciences worth visiting?
Absolutely. This futuristic complex designed by Santiago Calatrava represents one of the best areas to explore in Valencia and has become the city's modern icon. While exterior views are free and spectacular (especially for photography), the interior attractions like the Oceanogràfic aquarium and Hemisfèric IMAX theater require separate tickets. The complex is particularly magical around sunset when the white structures reflect changing light.

How can I see Valencia in one day if I'm short on time?
For time-efficient exploration, start with our self-guided tour in the morning to cover the historic center. After lunch, take bus 95 to the City of Arts and Sciences for photos, then catch the tram to Malvarrosa Beach for sunset and paella. This route hits Valencia's three distinct faces—historic, futuristic, and Mediterranean—in one day. Our audio format allows you to select specific sections if you can't complete the entire route.

"De vrijheid om te pauzeren wanneer we wilden voor koffie of winkelen maakte dit zoveel beter dan het volgen van een gids met een vlag. De verhalen over de zijdehandel van Valencia en de rivier die werd omgetoverd tot een park waren fascinerend!" — Menno, Nederland

"Ich habe Valencia drei Mal besucht, aber ich wusste nie die Geschichten hinter den Gebäuden, bis ich diese Audiotour gemacht habe. Die App funktionierte einwandfrei offline, und ich entdeckte versteckte Juwelen in Valencia, an denen ich vorher vorbeigegangen war, ohne sie zu bemerken. Der Abschnitt über den Heiligen Gral war besonders interessant." — Ilona, Deutschland

"As someone who hates being rushed around in tour groups, this self-guided Valencia walking tour was perfect. I could take my time photographing the amazing architecture and stop for horchata whenever I wanted. The narrator's passion for the city really comes through!" — Carry, UK