What To Do On A Rainy Day In Valencia

Valencia, on Spain’s east coast, is famous for having 300 days of sunshine a year. But rainy days can happen, especially if you visit in the winter months, or during March for the city’s huge Las Fallas festival. And when it rains in Valencia, it pours. Luckily the city has plenty of great indoor activities to keep everyone entertained, whatever the weather. Here are some of our favourites.

Explore the City of Arts and Sciences

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

This collection of futuristic buildings is one of Valencia’s most famous landmarks, and the buildings themselves, the work of architect Santiago Calatrava, are worth seeing. But inside the buildings that make up the City of Arts and Sciences you’ll find a seemingly endless array of things to keep the whole family amused on a rainy day, from interactive science exhibits to a vast aquarium.

Try Horchata

One thing you really must try while in Valencia is the local drink horchata, or orxata in the Valencian language. It’s a cold, refreshing drink made from the tiger nuts that are grown locally and not found elsewhere in Spain. Horchata is usually served with long, sugar-dusted fingers of semi-sweet pastry called fartons. One of the best places to try it is at the unassuming Horchateria Fabian, also known for its great churros and bunuelos (two types of sinfully delicious fried pastry dipped in sugar).

Visit the Museums

Museum

Valencia has some fantastic museums that are perfect for a rainy afternoon. Modern-art fans will be absorbed for hours by the collections at the IVAM (Institut Valencia d’Art Modern) or, just down the road, you can step back in time at The Museum of Prehistory.

Relax at the Spa

The vast stretch of sandy beach isn’t the only place you can go to relax in Valencia. The city also has plenty of spas, from thermal pools to pampering retreats. If you feel like splashing out, the seafront Hotel Las Arenas houses the most luxurious of them all.

Fine Dining

Bistro

This is a city that takes food seriously, and Valencian cuisine is not to be missed. Plus, lingering over a long, lazy lunch is a great (and truly Spanish) way to spend a rainy afternoon. One of the city’s best-loved restaurants is Canalla Bistro, where you can try some creative, international cuisine by Michelin-starred local chef Ricard Camerena at a reasonable price. Or for something more traditional, go for one of the city’s fantastic (and non-touristy) paella restaurants.

Catch a Concert

You might be surprised to find that a relatively small city like Valencia has not one but two world-class concert halls. Check the programmes of the Palau de la Musica and the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia (Part of the City of Arts and Sciences) to see what’s on. If you prefer jazz, rock or something else there are plenty of great bars with live music around the city.

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.