The 8 top free things to do in Valencia

11.12.2024 - 16:39 / lonelyplanet.com / Joan Miró

Dec 11, 2024 • 5 min read

Spain's rising star, Valencia has a remarkably humble, down-to-earth character. Dining out is affordable, nights out are unpretentious and drinks are inexpensive, with wine from €2.50 and a caña (small beer) around €1.50. 

Many A-list sights are free or ticketed with modest entry fees (La Lonja only costs €2). Away from the well-trodden path, there are countless free things to do, from open-air festivals to tiny art galleries hidden in old bus stations to off-the-radar beaches. It's ideal for culture-rich experiences without breaking the bank. Read on for our list of the best free things to do in Valencia. 

Hundreds of people walk past this gallery each day without knowing it. It might seem plain, but this old bus station has had a dramatic makeover. Look closely: the plain white façade has a barely-there watermark that reads Gabinete de Dibujos. Boxed off inside is a roughly double-decker-sized gallery, a small space filled with exhibitions that push the envelope. Find the doorbell and ring; an anonymous gatekeeper (there's often no-one inside the room) will buzz you in. Work is loosely tied to the theme of drawing: one month it's delicate botanical sketches in pencil, the next some abstract installations made with PVC pipes.

Perched on the fringes of Barrio del Carmen, Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno (IVAM) opened in 1989. Inside, the sleek gallery showcases 20th-century Spanish work and contemporary artists from around the world. There are eight spaces to explore, spread over 18,200 sq meters. Bookworms should find the library, a collection of 54,000 documents including what seems like every book ever published on Joan Miró and fanzines by art legends, all free to pore over. 

Planning tip: To get in to the gallery for free (usual entry is €5), visit between 4pm and 7pm on Wednesdays or any time on Sundays. 

The otherworldly buildings of Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias are one of Valencia’s prized highlights. Occupying a 1.5km-long swath of the old Turia riverbed, the buildings are mostly the work of locally-born architect Santiago Calatrava. He's a controversial figure for some, due to overspending and design issues. But fear not: overspending will not be an issue for budget-conscious visitors, who can swan through the complex without paying a penny. Make time to saunter through the Umbracle garden, scented with rosemary and honeysuckle and shaded by over 100 orange and palm trees.

The best way to enjoy the beach isn't always by lying on a sun lounger. Give back to the community and help out with a local beach clean-up. Jolly volunteering days are regularly organized by Bioagradables, a not-for-profit collective that aims to protect Valencia's natural environment through