Top 10 Valencia Shore Excursions
Thankfully there are plenty of great options available to do just that but that can actually sometimes confuse things as with so many options, just which are worth doing?
As is always the case with these sorts of things, it really does depend on what you prefer to do and how you prefer to do it, but the chances are that if you are visiting a city such as Valencia, it will be the main attractions of the city that you are interested in.
There are plenty of options in how to explore those but there is a lot more to your visit to the city including taking in some of the local history and Catalan culture.
But just what are the top 10 Valencia shore excursions? That is just what we answer in this list, which is based on our experience of visiting the port on a cruise holiday and the research we did before visiting there.
Shore Excursions In Valencia
Valencia On Your Own
This one had to be my number 1 pick as it is just what me and my wife did when in Valencia. Avoid the long walk from the port gate or faffing around trying to sort taxis by booking a shuttle from the ship to the town centre.
Well, I say town centre but ours drop us off near to the Oceanografic aquarium which is still quite a walk from the historic centre of the Old Quarter, but it is a pleasant walk and you can take in the huge park that wraps around the city along a dried riverbed.
By doing it on your own, you can see what you want to see, visit attractions you want to visit and not be too worried about the time (as long as you make it back to pick up point on time of course).
We got to take in all of the highlights of the city including a visit to the Mestalla, the home stadium of Valencia FC, the north railway station, the Central Market and also all of the new museums and art centre near to where we were dropped off.
City Tour
The trip from the cruise port to the city centre is quite a long one and even with the shuttle to the port gate, it is still quite some walk to the city centre and to the historic old town.
If you don’t fancy the walk, which can be testing even for the fittest cruisers, especially with the heat of the summer sun, the easiest option is to head out on a city tour.
These will take you around the newer parts of the city and many will also take you to within walking distance of the old town to allow you some time to explore before taking you around some of the other highlights of Valencia before heading back to your ship.
Old Quarter Walking Tour
The centre of Valencia is split into the old part and the new part and whilst there are some interesting things to take a look at in the newer parts, it is arguably the Old Quarter of Valencia that offers the most interest to visitors.
It is relatively easy to explore on your own but if you want a more informative experience where you can gain an in-depth understanding of what you are looking at, a guided walking tour of the district is a great option.
Along the way you can visit the Central Market, the Old Silk Exchange and walk through the historic narrow streets of old Valencia.
San Jose Cave Boat Ride
Exploring a cave is always an incredible experience, especially if it is your first time visiting one, but they can be a bit tricky for those with mobility issues or for those who are not great in confined spaces.
If that is you or if you just want a memorable way to explore one of the caves around the Valencia region, a shore excursion to visit the beautiful San Jose cave is an option to check out.
After a short drive to the village of La Vall d’Uixo you will board a small boat to take a journey through the flooded cave system and past spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations with names such as ‘El Diablo’, the ‘Bat Room’ and ‘La Medusa’.
Xativa
If you are interested in the history of the region, or if you have watched the popular tv programme called the Borgias, you will likely know all about the House of Borgia and all that they got up to.
Whilst a lot of what has been said about them is based on rumour and lies spread by rival households, there is still plenty of the stories about the Borgias that were true.
To help gain a greater understanding of the former noble family of Spain, take a visit to town of Xativa which once belonged to the family and is the birthplace of two popes.
After around an hours drive from the port, you can take a road train up to the historic Xativa Castle where there is a museum dedicated to the Borgias.
Albufera Natural Park
If you are a wildlife lover and want a relaxing day onshore whilst in Valencia, a short trip to the Albufera Natural Park is a must do as you head to a large oasis just 10 kilometres from the centre of Valencia.
Albufera welcomes a wide range of animal species including many migrating birds and whilst it is always a great experience to grab your binoculars and see what you can see from the many nature trails on offer, the highlight of a visit to the Natural Park is the chance to jump on a boat and visit El Palmar village, which sits on a small island.
When there, you an take a walk past the traditional wooden houses found there, compete with straw roofs and enjoy a traditional meal.
Requena Caves
The historic Requena take you back in time as you walk through its narrow-cobbled streets and idyllic squares dating back to the 13 hundreds, but the real beauty of the town can be found underground.
The Requena Caves offer the chance to explore a maze of tunnels that were used by the town to store grain and wine from the 13th century onwards but now they offer visitors an incredible experience along well lit paths.
Saguntum Visit
If you are visiting Spain to see its history, a short trip along the coast to the small town of Sagunto is likely to be your best option when visiting Valencia.
Whilst it is a fascinating, traditional Catalan town that is great for exploring on its own, it is best known for the remains of the ancient Iberian and Roman city of Saguntum.
Whilst a thriving Roman town in times gone by, it is perhaps most famous for coming under attack from Hannibal’s army which with the siege of Saguntum triggered the Second Punic War, one of the most famous and important wars of antiquity.
There is still plenty of the town preserved to this very day including the Sagunto Castle, a Roman theatre, a historic church and the narrow cobbled streets of the Old Jewish Quarter, that can all be seen and explored on a visit there from the port of Valencia.
Oceanografic Visit
If you are visiting the city with kids, have already been around the main sights or if you are expecting bad weather upon your arrival there, why not book a shuttle to the impressive Oceanografic aquarium.
There is lots to see around the aquarium itself including many impressive modern buildings, a huge park and a small shopping centre but the highlight of this part of Valencia is the Oceanografic.
It houses around 45,000 examples of over 500 different marine species including sharks, Beluga whales, walruses, sea lions, penguins, manta rays, dolphins and more.
Winery Visit
The area in and around Valencia is perfect for growing the grapes needing to produce some of the world best wine and with the industry dating back to Roman days, it is no surprise that the locals have gotten so good at producing red, white and rose tipples.
There are a few options of where you can visit, with many been in the nearby wine country known as Utiel-Requena, but no matter where you go, you will likely get a tour of the vineyards before getting the chance to try some local produce.
Valencia Shorex
If you are heading to the Spanish cruise port of Valencia and want to know what you can do whilst you are in port, this is the list for you are I take you through what I believe are the top 10 Valencia shorex opportunities.
