Valencia is an ideal destination for families with children of all ages thanks to its extensive selection of stimulating indoor and outdoor activities not to mention the delicious local cuisine and mild climate. Whether your kids prefer the beach, museums, theme parks or wildlife – Valencia will keep them (and you) happy. Read on for some of my personal favourites….
The Bioparc is a place where you can observe animals in their “natural” habitat. It is located in the dried up bed of the Turia River and covers over 100,000 m2. Animals from the Savanna, Madagascar and Equatorial Africa roam around and this alternative zoo gives you a chance to see them up close. The rest of the Turia Gardens are also nice to wander around, play sports or have a picnic.
Malvarosa Beach and Playa de las Arenas are just 15 minutes away from the city centre by tram and offer a beautiful, clean place for you to soak up that glorious Mediterranean sun and for your children to play with the sand and splash around in the clean, shallow waters. There are also some playgrounds dotted along the sea front if they get bored with the sand.
If you have a little money to spend and want to treat the kids to something really special (or its raining), you can always head to the L’oceanografic, Europe’s largest aquarium, or to the City of Arts and Sciences where you can easily spend the whole day and enjoy entertainment for all members of the family.
In the old centre of town you can hop on a sightseeing bus and treat the kids to a delicious Horchata (a sweet milky drink, often served with sweet buns called fartons) or chocolate and churros (hot chocolate and doughnuts) on one of the pleasant café terraces.
If the children are not frightened of a lot of noise and commotion, bring them to Valencia during Las Fallas, the local firework night; it is out of this world and will turn your trip into one they will always remember.
