With over 200km of cycle paths and 300 days of balmy sunshine, Valencia is an ideal biking city that’s entirely flat, spanning a grid system with access to coastal boardwalks, expansive boulevards and cinematic nature parks.
Not only that, Valencia’s well-thought-out urban regeneration turned an oft-flooding river into a lush winding park, making for one of Europe’s more unique cycle routes and a fabulous way to wind towards the Mediterranean. In fact, such is Valencia’s progress in continuously adding cycle lanes, green spaces and sustainable transit initiatives that it was awarded the European Green Capital 2024.
So on that note, here are some of the best places to ride in Spain’s third-largest city.
Best for families
Torres de Serranos to the City of Arts and Sciences; 3.1 miles (5km)
After a devastating flood in 1957 when nearly three-quarters of Valencia was inundated by floodwater, the city diverted the Turia River around its western outskirts to the Mediterranean Sea. The drained riverbed was then converted into a serpentine parkland running for 5.5 miles (9kms) through the city to the space-age City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias) complex.
The 14th-century Torres de Serranos towers are a good place to begin a cycle through the Turia Gardens (Jardines del Turia) as they’re near many of the city center bike hire shops, and are an interesting historical sight in their own right. Rolling down the stone ramps, access to the park’s cycle lanes is easy and soon you’ll be gliding past tall palms, bright flowerbeds, angular sculptures, sports fields and languid parks with locals picnicking under the sun.
Look out for the Puente de las Flores on the way south; it’s one of many bridges, but this one is lined by hot pink hanging flowers and makes for a gaudy photo stop. Eventually the bizarre shapes of the City of Arts and Sciences will appear on the horizon, and the pools and promenades flanking the buildings mean there’s ample space to marvel at the architecture. They’re host to some fascinating exhibitions, and there’s the world-class Oceanogràfic zoo just behind which is perfect for families (you can actually see some of the zoo’s multicolored birds from the path behind the enormous curved L’Agora building).
Best for leisurely coastal rides
Marina to La Patacona; 2.5 miles (4km)
Starting from the extended arm of its marina, Valencia’s beaches sweep north for several kilometres and are 200 yards wide in places. They’re also entirely separate from the city center, so the atmosphere here feels like an escape to an unhurried seaside town.
Look out for the huge crisscrossing flags fluttering outside the marina (one Spanish flag and the other denoting the region of Valencia), as
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