Guide to the Parks and Outdoor Areas in Valencia City
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This page will provide you with details of the parks in and around Valencia. There is information on what each park is like, what facilities it offers and how to get there.
Transfers to / from Valencia Airport
Valencia's Jardin del Turia - the riverbed
On a trip to Valencia you are guaranteed to encounter the Jardin del Turia. This is the dried out river bed that cuts across the whole city. It covers a total of 1.1 million square metres. It offers you the opportunity to get to different areas of the city whilst wandering through gardens and greenery. It is possible to walk or cycle right from one end of the riverbed to the other - this is a 9 km stretch so you will need to dedicate a large chunk of your day to it.
All along the riverbed you will find fountains, football pitches, athletic tracks and flower beds.
Attractions in the Jardin del Turia:
El Gran Gulliver: a large children's amusement park based on Gullivers Travels. You will find an enormous statue of a sleeping Gulliver that doubles as a climbing frame with slides and ropes for children to play on. City of Art and Sciences this futuristic cultural centre includes a science museum, aquarium, centre for arts and outdoor art space. It is located at the end of the riverbed that is closest to the beach.
How to get to Jardin del Turia:
The dry riverbed runs through the whole of Valencia city. For that reason, it is easy to locate.
Car parking
Car Parking Near Jardin del Turia
If you are in the old town (El Carmen), head to Plaza del Virgen, from here take a walk down Calle Muro de Santa Ana and at the end of the street you will find the riverbed. All along the riverbed you will find flights of steps running from the roadside, down to the floor of the dried out riverbed.
Cabecera Park
This park sits at the highest point of the Jardin del Turia - furthest from the sea. This is the point at which the dried out riverbed meets the natural arm of the river. It recreates the original setting of the Turia River and so there is a lot of water to be found in this park.
How to get to Cabecera Park:
If you are heading to the Cabecera Park from the old town (El Carmen) and don't want to walk up the riverbed (see above), then you can take a bus or metro to drop you close to the park.
Car parking
Car Parking Near Cabecera Park
By bus: Take the number 95 bus from Calle San Pio (from Plaza del Virgen head towards the riverbed - you will need to cross the riverbed along Puente de la Trinidad or Puente de Serranos - at the other side of the bridge you will find the bus stop for bus number 95). The bus will drop you right outside the park on Avenida de Pio Baroja.
By metro: Take the metro from Xativa metro stop (directly outside Estacio del Norte train station) to 9 de Octubre metro station. You will then need to walk for approximately 15 minutes along Calle 9 de Octubre until you arrive at Puente 9 de Octubre and the park
Valencia botanical gardens
The Valencia botanical gardens are part of the University of Valencia. It was founded in 1567 and cultivated as a plot used to grow medicinal plants. During the 20th century the gardens were not looked after, until 1987 when the University of Valencia began restoring it. Restorations ended in 2000. The gardens are now used for research into plants. They offer a serene place to walk around and take in some interesting and rare species of flora.
Opening times for the botanical gardens:
| Month | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|
| January - February | Monday - Sunday | 10:00 - 18:00 |
| March | Monday - Sunday | 10:00 - 19:00 |
| April | Monday - Sunday | 10:00 - 20:00 |
| May - August | Monday - Sunday | 10:00 - 21:00 |
| September | Monday - Sunday | 10:00 - 20:00 |
| October | Monday - Sunday | 10:00 - 19:00 |
| November - December | Monday - Sunday | 10:00 - 18:00 |
Price for entering the botanical gardens:
Adults: €3.00
Children (under age of 7), pensioners and students: free
How to get to the botanical gardens:
If you are heading to the gardens from the old town (El Carmen), you could take a stroll up the riverbed and arrive at the botanical gardens in about twenty minutes (see above for details on walking along the riverbed). However it is also possible to take a bus to the botanical gardens.
Car parking
Car Parking Near Valencia Botanical Gardens
By bus: catch the 5B bus from Plaza Alfonso el Magnanim. It will bring you to Calle Guillen de Castro. From here the gardens are just a couple of minutes walk.
Albufera natural park
Albufera nature reserve is outside of the city centre of Valencia. However, many visitors to the city of Valencia make a trip to the nature reserve. The Albufera natural park is home to the largest lake in Spain. It is possible to take boat trips on the Albufera lake.
How to get to the Albufera park:
If you do not have a car then you may find it difficult to reach the Albufera Park. One of the best options is to get a ticket for the Valencia Tourist Bus.
Valencia Tourist Bus: one of the Valencia tourist bus routes will take you to the nature reserve and will take you around the main points of interest of the Albufera nature reserve.
During your trip to Valencia, you may wish to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city in somewhere more relaxed and calming. Both within the city centre and on the outskirts you will find ways to get in touch with nature during your trip.