Valencia is a city bustling with activity, and the weekend is no exception. If you’re looking for things to do this coming weekend, we’ve put together a selection of the best options for you. In this article, we’ll tell you what to do in Valencia—great ideas to make the most of your free time. Take note of our calendar of events and make the most of the city.
Valencia Half Marathon
Valencia has become one of the world’s leading cities for running, and this weekend it will prove it once again with the Trinidad Alfonso Zurich Half Marathon, considered the best in the world in this category. Registration is closed, but coming to enjoy the race and cheer on the runners is completely free.
The official race will begin at 8:25 a.m. on Sunday, but this year’s schedule includes many more activities, such as an exhibition with workshops and conferences at Feria Valencia, which will be open to the public on Friday the 23rd and Saturday the 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Plus, for those who still have energy left after the race, the 21K Valencia Medal Party will be held starting at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday on the terrace of L’Umbracle.
Valencia is full of architectural gems, but many of these structures aren’t open to the public, so we can only admire their facades. To remedy this, Open House Valencia was launched eight years ago—an architecture festival that opens the doors to some of the most striking buildings in the entire province.
76 buildings and architectural sites in Valencia that are normally closed to the public will open for free, including must-see spots like the Espai Verd and the Finca Roja. To visit them, all you have to do is reserve your tickets on their website.
This weekend, the Candlelight concert series offers a variety of options for music lovers of all kinds: movie and TV soundtracks, tributes to legendary bands, nostalgic music… Check out all the concerts scheduled for these days here and choose your favorite Candlelight event.
RETROMarket Torrent
On Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, RETROmarket will take place—an antiques fair focused on furniture and decorative items, though vintage clothing will also be for sale.
The event will take place at the Las Américas Shopping Center in Torrent, and admission is free. The venue is located at Avenida al Vedat, 180, and can be reached by public transportation from Valencia via Metrovalencia Line 2.
Mercat dels Comerciants
Shops in downtown Valencia will gather from Friday, the 23rd, through Sunday, the 25th, at the Mercado de Colón to celebrate the traditional Mercat dels Comerciants, an event open to the public where you can discover downtown shops and products at discounted prices.
MarisGalicia – Grand Seafood Festival
MarisGalicia, the big seafood festival, returns to Valencia from October 2 to 25.
A huge tent with capacity for more than a thousand people will be set up at the Old Grao Station so you can enjoy the best of Galician cuisine, with a special focus on seafood.
In addition to great food, this fair will feature live music and traditional Galician dances.
The CaixaForum in Valencia is hosting this exhibition dedicated to one of the most important artists in history, showcasing his collection of prints.
75 highlights from the British Museum’s collection in London will be on display through February 7 in Valencia to show all visitors how this technique works and the extraordinary skill of one of history’s greatest masters of this art.
This weekend, the Museu de les Ciències is premiering a new exhibition on the mysteries of the universe. But this isn’t just any exhibition—it’s one featuring the European Space Agency (ESA) and Pokémon.
Throughout the exhibition, you’ll learn about some of the most surprising facts about the universe alongside various Pokémon, including the star of the show: a Pikachu plush toy that traveled to the International Space Station, spent 67 days in orbit, and circled our planet more than 1,000 times.
We’ll show you the best destinations near Valencia so you can make the most of your weekend any time of year.
Rome in Miniature
L’Iber, the Toy Soldier Museum, is presenting the most ambitious exhibition of its history. The exhibition features more than 2,000 hand-painted figures and eighty dioramas distributed across eight thematic modules that trace twelve centuries of Roman civilization, from its mythical founding to the Empire’s final collapse.
The exhibition stands out for its meticulous level of historical and artistic detail, which transforms the models into visual chronicles of antiquity. The collection’s main attraction is the diorama of the Siege of Sarmizegetusa, a highly precise reconstruction that depicts Emperor Trajan’s victory over the Dacian capital in 106 AD.
Tour: €20 general admission, €17 for children (ages 4–12), and €8 for season ticket holders. Museum only: €12 general admission and €10 for children. Game-day experience: €90 general admission and €60 for season ticket holders.
This weekend, you can step into the shoes of a professional player at the new Valencia Basket Museum and Tour. The venue offers visitors an interactive area to measure their vertical jump, hone their shooting skills, and test their reflexes using a wristband that serves as a record and souvenir of the day. All while you explore the club’s history and its latest titles.
On days when there are no events at the Roig Arena, the club organizes tours of exclusive areas such as the locker rooms and offers a panoramic view from inside the arena.
On game days, you can combine a museum visit with a game, watch the warm-up, see the players emerge from the locker room tunnel, and enjoy catering services during the match.
An inland thermal paradise with constant water temperatures and a Blue Flag. If you’re in the mood to swap the city for nature this weekend, the Fuente de los Baños in Montanejos (Alto Mijares) is a natural thermal pool with crystal-clear waters that maintain a constant temperature below 25 °C. The spring flows at a rate of more than 6,000 liters per minute; access is regulated with capacity limits, and admission is 4.5 €.
Alicante has the highest number of sightings, with groups of up to 50–80 individuals off the coast of Torrevieja. If you’re looking for a different kind of weekend getaway near Valencia, the Valencian Regional Government confirms the recurring presence of six species of cetaceans in the waters of the Valencian Community, with a concentration of sightings in the province of Alicante; companies such as Blue Odyssey and WeWhale offer excursions from Guardamar and Dénia to observe dolphins and fin whales.
Cycling Routes Route 99
The Generalitat has launched six circular cycling routes to boost the economy of municipalities with fewer than 100 residents.
The Route 99 cycling routes are loop routes that start and end in the same town, passing through various municipalities along Route 99
- The Torrechiva route (25.3 km) runs through Torrechiva, Vallat, and Espadilla. The Fuentes de Ayódar route (73.2 km) starts in this town and takes you through Torralba del Pinar, Higueras, Pavías, Higueras, Matet, and Villamafur.
- The Herbers route (133.7 km) begins in this village and also passes through Vallibona and Castell de Cabres. The Palanques route (56.9 km) runs through Palanques and Villores.
- The Benillup route (79.2 km) connects the towns of Benillup, Famorca, Benimasot, and Tollos, while the Puebla de San Miguel route (77.1 km) runs entirely through this municipality.
Short Getaways Near Valencia
What better plan than a day trip through the province of Valencia or its immediate surroundings? We’ll introduce you to charming and romantic towns like Chelva, Chulilla, Anna, and Sagunto.
The best of Valencia’s history and culture can be enjoyed for free. We’ll tell you which days Valencia’s museums are open for free (you can visit some of them over the weekend).
Don’t miss the challenging “Caminito del Rey Valenciano” and other incredible hiking trails in the Valencian Community—perfect for any weekend.
We’ve put together an article that will be your guide to the perfect “esmorzaret,” one of Valencia’s classic weekend traditions.
Weekends are the perfect time to enjoy a delicious brunch in Valencia. Waking up late and enjoying a meal that combines the best of breakfast and lunch is a true Mediterranean pleasure.
The flea market is located on Avenida Tarongers and Lluís Peixó in Valencia. The Valencia Flea Market is open every Sunday and on holidays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
