Valencia: The Arts City and the Albufera

Valencia is a city of contrasts that are easy to enjoy in a single day: a medieval centre of narrow streets and Gothic monuments, a cluster of futuristic white buildings set in shallow pools, and, just beyond the city, a freshwater lagoon framed by rice fields. Distances are short by car but awkward by public transport, so a private driver turns this into a relaxed day, particularly for families.

The morning begins in the old town. The Central Market, a modernist hall of iron, glass and tiles, is at its busiest before midday, with stalls of fruit, seafood and saffron. Opposite stands the Silk Exchange, La Lonja, a fifteenth-century merchants' hall whose spiralling columns rise like palm trees; it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A short walk leads to the Plaza de la Virgen and the cathedral, where the Water Tribunal, rooted in the irrigation traditions of the Andalusi period, still meets on Thursdays at noon.

From there, the car follows the old riverbed, now the Turia gardens, to the City of Arts and Sciences. Santiago Calatrava's buildings look different from every angle. You can simply walk around them, or step inside the science museum or the Oceanogràfic aquarium, a favourite with children.

In the afternoon, head south to the Albufera natural park. In the village of El Palmar, restaurants serve paella and other rice dishes beside the fields where the rice is grown, traditionally eaten at lunchtime. As the sun sets, a flat-bottomed boat ride on the lagoon, arranged locally if you wish, is the quietest way to end the day.

See more in our Valencia destination guide and our family travel guide. This is one of our private tours, arranged on request; availability and price are confirmed by the team after reviewing your dates.