With a population of just shy of 800,000, Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city behind Madrid and Barcelona.

It’s also the capital of the Valencia region and is located on the central portion of the country’s eastern Mediterranean coast.

While it’s not as well-known as some of Spain’s larger cities, those who’ve been, consider it one of the country’s underrated gems.

Valencia has a rich history that dates back more than 2,000 years. It features a unique mix of cultural influences that give it a distinct feel.

Below are 15 of the best tours of Valencia.

1. Valencia Essentials and World Heritages Sites Walking Tour

Source: V_E / shutterstock

Featuring an abundance of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Valencia is a wonderland for lovers of history and culture.

This two-hour walking tour gets underway in the late morning and focuses on the city’s must-see attractions.

After meeting their guide at a convenient central location, eager walkers will delve into the city’s past, learn about its residents, and get up close and personal with dozens of historical sites.

Highlights include the Silk Exchange and City Hall, and entrance fees to both sites are included in the cost of the tour.

Tours include the services of a local guide and are available in English and Spanish.

2. Flamenco Show with Dinner at La Bulería

Source: Anna55555 / shutterstock

Flamenco is one of Valencia’s cultural and artistic icons, and most visitors make it a point to take in at least one show while in town.

Billed as the best flamenco venue in Valencia, La Buleria is the perfect place to spend an evening experiencing immersion in a unique and exotic culture.

Characterized by dramatic music, impressive dance, and flashy old-world costumes, it’s an experience that tends to rank among the most memorable of many guest’s time in Valencia.

Tours last about 3 ½ hours and include a fantastic multi-course Mediterranean-style dinner. Those who aren’t used to eating late should eat a snack before the show.

3. 3–Hour Culinary Tour

Source: PixHound / shutterstock

For foodies, amateur chefs, and all-around epicureans, Valencia is a dizzying array of exotic tastes and smells that are best experienced under the tutelage of a knowledgeable local guide.

This 3-hour tour begins in the city’s Old Town area and includes stops at a number of markets, shops, and traditional restaurants—most of which are family-owned and operated and have been in business for generations.

Tours include historical and cultural insights and feature tastings of local favorites, like cheese, ham, olive oil, baked goods, and tapas.

Wear comfortable shoes because tours require significant amounts of moderately paced walking between stops.

4. San Nicolas, Silk Museum, and Santos Juanes Church

Source: chrisdorney / shutterstock

For more than a millennia, Valencia’s central square has been a cultural, religious, and commercial center.

On this guided tour, guests will explore three of the city’s most historically significant attractions, all of which are located just a stone’s throw from one another.

The Silk Museum details the region’s silk-producing traditions, including how raw silk was produced from silkworms and eventually turned into beautiful cloth by guilds of skillful craftsmen and women.

Other tour attractions include the Church of San Nicolas and the Church of Santos Juanes.

They’re characterized by impressive gothic and baroque architecture and are two of Valencia’s most photographed sites.

5. Albufera Jeep and Boat Tour

Source: lunamarina / shutterstock

For lovers of wide-open spaces and the great outdoors, this Jeep and boat tour from Valencia to Albufera National Park would be a great way to spend four hours.

After meeting their guide at their hotel, guests will be whisked by Jeep to one of the country’s most spectacular natural areas, where they’ll enjoy amazing views of cliffs, gorges, dunes, and lagoons that are home to a large variety of wildlife.

Tours also include a 45-minute boat tour, after which guests will have time to swim, sunbathe, and relax on a secluded beach before enjoying traditional tapas and drinks and heading back into town.

6. Paella Cooking Class

Source: Matthew Jaroszewicz / shutterstock

Paella has always held a special place in the stomachs of Valencia’s residents.

Paella is a rice-based dish that can include a long list of ingredients, like fresh vegetables and meat, seafood, and a variety of spices.

It’s not an easy dish to perfect, but while participating in this four-hour cooking class, guests will follow their chef-guide’s lead while learning the basics from beginning to end.

Morning tours start with a visit to the Central Market to select ingredients. Those who’ve chosen the afternoon option will begin cooking immediately after a brief meet and greet with their guide.

Tours end with a fantastic paella meal accompanied by wine and soft drinks.

7. City of Arts and Sciences and Oceanografic 2-Hour Guided Tour

Source: Tatiana Popova / shutterstock

Though Valencia is primarily known for its historical and cultural attractions, it’s also got a lot going for it in terms of science and the arts as well.

This two-hour guided tour focuses on engaging and educating inquisitive minds and is an especially big hit with those traveling with little ones.

The City of Arts and Sciences is divided into five unique zones and includes lots of interactive exhibits that touch on a variety of topics, like geography, biology, and astronomy.

Next, guests and their guide will explore the Oceanografic Aquarium, which is the largest facility of its kind in Europe.

8. Jeep Safari Mountain Adventure

Source: lunamarina / shutterstock

Once outside Valencia city limits, it doesn’t take long to find yourself immersed in vast stretches of beautiful and undeveloped wilderness.

Guests of this Jeep safari tour will be picked up from their hotel before heading into the Calderona Mountains just 30 minutes away.

When they’ve arrived at the mountain trailhead, participants can opt to drive the Jeep themselves. If they’d rather just relax and enjoy the experience, the guide will be happy to take the wheel.

Tours also include a short walk to an archaeological site, as well as tapas and light refreshments before heading back to town in the early afternoon.

9. 3-Hour Bike Tour

Source: Lipskiy / shutterstock

Valencia is a particularly pedestrian and bike-friendly city, and tours abound for those who prefer to incorporate exercise into their daily vacation routines.

This tour focuses on leading guests to parts of the city that are slightly off the well-worn path. Along the way, riders will benefit from their guide’s insights as they see things from a unique street-level perspective.

Highlights include stops at premier attractions like Malvarrosa Beach, the Turia Gardens, and the City of Arts and Sciences.

Tours generally proceed at a relaxed pace and allow ample time for breaks, photos, and refreshments if necessary.

10. 24 or 48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket

Source: RossHelen / shutterstock

For do-it-yourselfers and free spirits, hop-on hop-off bus tours are great ways to experience Valencia’s amazing attractions without spending a fortune or committing to a long, traditional tour.

Depending on how much time they have, guests can opt for either a 24 or 48-hour ticket.

Each ticket provides dozens of attractions to choose from. The beauty of tours of this nature is that guests can get off the bus and experience the things that interest them, and skip those that don’t.

Tours offer two distinct routes, and buses run regularly, which means getting left behind won’t be an issue.

11. Old Town Walking Tour with Tickets and Tasting

Source: V_E / shutterstock

Old Town Valencia is one of the region’s most quaint and historic urban districts.

Featuring numerous public squares, stately basilicas, opulent palaces, and remnants of castles and medieval walls, it’s really an enchanting place that’s best explored with a knowledgeable local guide.

After donning their walking shoes and rendezvousing with their host, guests will head to attractions like the Silk and Central markets and the Torres de Serranos, where they’ll rub elbows with locals, learn about the city’s history and cultures, and enjoy a traditional paella meal.

The tour’s meeting location can be customized depending on where the majority of guests are staying.

12. Hemisferic, Science Museum, and Oceanografic Pass

Source: ElenaZet / shutterstock

Though guided tours can be great experiences, after a few days, many travelers prefer to spend time on their own without someone constantly jabbering away in the background.

This value-packed combo tour includes entrance tickets to three of Valencia’s premium science attractions.

The Oceanografic Center features hundreds of species of marine animals from all over the world. It offers abundant interactive exhibits, popular dolphin shows, and a cool underwater restaurant.

At the Science Museum and Hemisferic, visitors will have the option of enjoying movies, live demonstrations, and hands-on activities.

Food and optional activities aren’t included, so bring a few extra bucks.

13. Complete Valencia Tour by Tuk-Tuk

Source: V_E / shutterstock

Though they’re more commonly associated with Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia and Thailand, Valencia has its fair share of tuk-tuks as well.

For those not familiar with the term, tuk-tuks are motorized three-wheeled machines that generally hold a driver and between two and four riders.

They’re a unique way to zip around the city while enjoying sites like St. John’s Church, Calle La Paz, the Museum of Ceramics, Plaza de la Reina, and Malvarrosa Beach.

Tuk-tuk tours include the services of a local guide and driver. Since seating is limited, small groups can dictate the pace and decide which attractions they’d like to focus on.

14. Central Market Tour

Source: Madrugada Verde / shutterstock

Central markets the world over are worthwhile attractions for those who prefer to immerse themselves in exotic sights, sounds, and smells.

On this Central Market discovery tour, guests and their guide will delve into Valencia’s passionate food culture by visiting various stalls, interacting with their proprietors, and sampling a variety of local delicacies.

Plan on enjoying homemade tortillas, local cheese and ham, and a sip or two of sparkling cava wine made in the mountains outside of town.

Tours begin mid-morning, last about 90 minutes, and are great intro activities for those who’ve just arrived in town.

15. Gastrobars Private Tasting Tour

Source: LightField Studios / shutterstock

Tapas and paella tend to take center stage in Valencia’s traditional food scene, but contemporary gastrobars are increasing in popularity with those looking for something different.

Tours include the services of a local guide and diehard foodie, who will lead hungry guests to a number of chic eateries, where they’ll sample a variety of dishes prepared by renowned local chefs.

Gastrobars tend to draw eclectic crowds of city residents and international travelers. They include trendy décor, local artwork, and alternative music, all of which make the experience more memorable.

Guided gastrobar tours are an excellent way for revelers to meet likeminded people and kick off a fun night on the town.