The Most Spectacular Places To Cycle In Valencia

Valencia is a flat and bicycle-friendly city with a decent, growing network of cycle paths that connect the central neighborhoods of the city. There are also ciclocalles, bicycle-priority streets with an 18 mile per hour (30kph) speed limit for cars. Plus, you can easily hire a bicycle using the city’s Valenbici scheme, or from one of many rental shops in the historic center. With the tools so easily accessible, here are the best places to cycle around Valencia.

The City of Arts and Sciences

Building, Cinema, Museum, Opera House, Aquarium, Concert Hall, Architectural Landmark

If you’re hoping to visit this famous symbol of the city of Valencia, by far the best way to get there is by bicycle. From any cycle lane in the city you can connect to the peaceful cycle lanes in the Turia Gardens at various points and cycle easily towards the City of Arts and Sciences, meaning you can ride as far as you like before reaching the complex, which has ample bicycle parking.

The Turia Gardens

Park

This lush green city park is actually a dry riverbed, snaking through the center of Valencia. You can enjoy a relaxed bicycle ride along the five-mile (8km) stretch of cycle lanes, under pretty bridges and through gardens and parkland, all the way from the Bioparc at the northern end to the famous City of Arts and Sciences in the south of the city. If you wish, you can then continue riding all the way to the city port.

The Beach

Valencia’s city beach stretches for three miles (5km) and is a very pleasant place to ride, with the wind in your hair and palm trees all around. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can cycle further out of the city to one of the many quiet, unspoilt beaches further up or down the Valencian coastline.

The Port

Building

When visiting the beach you mustn’t forget to check out the harbor area. Valencia’s port is the busiest in Spain, and makes another pleasant spot to explore by bicycle, with its yachts, occasional cruise liners, and the Veles e Vents building, the former base for the Americas Cup that is now becoming known for food fairs and other fun events.

L’Albufera

Park

Take the easy six-mile (10km) cycle route south of the city to visit the Albufera natural park and its famous lake. Going by bicycle makes it so much easier to explore the natural surroundings, visit the nearby beaches and the village of El Saler, where you can visit one of the many excellent paella restaurants.

Alboraya

This small town is so close to Valencia city center that you can reach it by metro, and of course via the network of cycle lanes. Here you can ride through the fields where tiger nuts are grown, before stopping at one of its pretty countryside horchaterias to enjoy the refreshing local drink made from tiger nut, horchata.

About the author

Clare Speak

Writer

Clare Speak is a travel journalist from Manchester, England who has been living out of a suitcase for the past decade. She currently writes about all things Spanish from her base in Valencia.