Valencia tours

Things to do in Valencia

Valencia is where modern innovation meets timeless tradition. The city hums with life, from its futuristic City of Arts and Sciences to the vibrant heart of its old town. Imagine the sun warming your face as you explore wide avenues and hidden squares. With your local guide, Valencia tours become a blend of discovery and delight. Private tours in Valencia let you experience the city’s essence, from walking tours that uncover its Gothic and Baroque architecture to food and wine tours that introduce you to the world-famous paella. Skip the line at popular attractions and find the best horchata in town. Your guide will lead you to the pulse of Valencia, ensuring you don’t just visit, but truly connect with this lively city. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Valencia. Explore Valencia your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Valencia tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Valencia for every interest, including: History tours: Stand under the carved ceilings of La Lonja de la Seda, climb the Torres de Serranos or Torres de Quart, and explore Roman foundations at the Almoina Archaeological Centre. Food and Drink tours: Taste jamón, oranges, and artisan cheeses inside the Mercado Central, learn to cook a wood‑fired paella with a local cook, and sip fresh horchata at a traditional horchatería in nearby Alboraya. Nature and Wildlife tours: Glide by boat through Albufera’s rice paddies for birdwatching and a sunset view, then bike the Turia Garden to the Oceanogràfic to see marine habitats and learn about conservation. The centre is flat and bike‑friendly, with metro, tram, and buses connecting key areas; for Albufera or countryside tastings, you can book tours with private transportation or ask your guide to arrange a chauffeured car. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Valencia inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Take a private walking tour through Valencia, where a local guide can introduce you to its vibrant neighborhoods. - El Carmen: This historic district is perfect for cultural tourists, offering a mix of medieval architecture and lively street art. It's a hub for those interested in history and modern culture. - Ruzafa: Known for its bohemian vibe, Ruzafa is ideal for art lovers and foodies. The eclectic mix of cafes, galleries, and colorful streets caters to a younger crowd looking for a vibrant atmosphere. - City of Arts and Sciences: Families and groups will enjoy this futuristic area with its impressive architecture and cultural venues. It's a great place to explore modern attractions and enjoy educational experiences. Day trip ideas from Valencia From Valencia, it’s easy to branch out to nearby cities and natural spaces for day trips that match your pace and interests, and your tour can be planned around food, history, or nature. Albufera Natural Park sits just south of the city, a short ride that swaps streets for rice paddies, quiet dunes, and a calm lagoon; if you like food stories, this is the birthplace of paella, and your tour can pair a simple boat ride with a stop in El Palmar for a straightforward, traditional lunch. Sagunto brings Roman and medieval layers without long travel time, so you get a hilltop castle with wide views, a Roman theatre, and narrow lanes that make history feel close, and fans of ancient sites can spend more time among the stones while market lovers dip into the lower town for local sweets. Xàtiva spreads over a limestone ridge with a twin castle above an old quarter of fountains and tiled facades; if you’re into photography or light hiking, the climb rewards you with big views, and your tour can add local stories like the infamous portrait of a pope hung upside down. Requena and Utiel sit in vine country to the west, where cellars, stone lanes, and Bobal wines shape daily life, and if you care more about culture than tasting, your tour can focus on the historic barrio and the old caves beneath the streets while wine fans sample a couple of small producers. Peñíscola is a coastal town crowned by white houses and a fortress on a rocky headland, easy to explore on foot, and beach time fits well here while history buffs follow the old walls and lanes for broad sea views before a simple seafood stop in the harbour. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Valencia most travellers miss.