9 Unusual Things To Do In Valencia

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Valencia is still a somewhat underrated tourist destination in Spain but it keeps getting more popular, so the main tourist attractions can get crowded. But don’t worry, this beautiful city is full of unique and offbeat experiences.

I spent a whole month in the city and uncovered some amazing hidden gems. From biking through a transformed riverbed to hunting for the legendary Holy Grail, this guide will show you the most unusual things to do in Valencia!

Table of Contents

1. Play Some Games In Front Of The Cathedral

Skill game with a ball in a labyrinth and in the background a memory board, in the background is Valencia Cathedral — Skill game and in the background a memory board

Every traditional Valencia travel guide will tell you to go inside the cathedral (which is absolutely worth it). But one of the unusual and fun things to do in Valencia is to play some games outside the cathedral.

By chance, I found oversized versions of classic games like Memory and Connect Four, as well as unique challenges like navigating a ball through a tricky labyrinth. And all of this is set against the stunning backdrop of the Valencia Cathedral.

🤩 Walk past the cathedral on this private walking tour

2. Look For The Holy Grail

Chapel of the holy chalice in Valencia — Chapel of the Holy Chalice in Valencia

Holy Grail in Valencia — Chapel of the Holy Chalice in Valencia

Did you know Valencia might be home to the legendary Holy Grail? This iconic artifact, which has inspired movies like Indiana Jones and books like The Da Vinci Code, is rumored to be hidden in plain sight at Valencia’s cathedral.

Inside the Chapel of the Holy Chalice, you’ll find a cup many believe to be the very one Jesus used at the Last Supper. Whether or not you believe in the legend, searching for the Grail is one of the most unique experiences you can have in Valencia, or anywhere, for that matter.

3. Ride a Bike In a Former River Bed

Bike in front of pond and bridge in Turia park Valencia — Rest from my bike ride in Túria park

Though I’m usually hesitant to rent a bike in a new city, Valencia is so bike-friendly that I had to give it a try. With flat terrain and well-marked bike paths, it’s easy to explore the city by bike.

The best ride? Túria Park. This massive 9 km park was once a riverbed, redirected in the 1950s to prevent flooding, and transformed into green space in the 1980s.

Now, it’s one of Spain’s largest city parks and a perfect spot to bike, relax, and take in the 18 historic bridges you’ll pass under along the way.

🤩 Ride through Turia Park and learn about the city on an E-Bike Tour

4. Cook Your Own Paella

Ingredients for a vegan paella on a table — Ingredients for a vegan paella

A pan full of homemade Spanish vegan paella with lemons on top — Ingredients for a vegan paella

Valencia is the birthplace of the traditional Spanish paella. While traditional recipes use chicken and rabbit, it’s easy to change it up a bit and make a vegetarian or vegan version.

Everyone goes out to eat paella in Valencia. If you’re looking for a more authentic experience try making it yourself. Start by picking up fresh ingredients at Valencia’s central market, and don’t forget to buy a traditional paella pan, it makes a perfect souvenir from Spain afterwards!

If you’re short on kitchen space or you don’t want to buy all the ingredients, you can also join a vegan paella cooking class.

For an even deeper dive into paella’s history, check out my day trip to the village where paella was born. It’s a fun way to explore beyond Valencia and discover the roots of this iconic dish.

🤩 Take a vegetarian/vegan paella cooking class

5. Feel Like a Lilliputian At Gulliver Park

statue of Gulliver as a climbing frame — Gulliver as a climbing frame

Remember the story of Gulliver and the tiny Lilliputians? At Gulliver Park, you can feel just like them by climbing on top of a giant, lying Gulliver at Gulliver park. This unique playground, shaped as Gulliver himself, is complete with slides and climbing areas.

Okay, I have to admit, when I was there it was mostly kids climbing up Gulliver, but it’s still worth a quick stop. For the best view of the entire attraction, head to the bridge overlooking the park. And if you want a full shot of Gulliver’s impressive size, you would need a drone!

6. Count How Many Graffiti Men You Can Find

Valencia’s street art scene is incredible, especially in the El Carmen neighborhood, where you’ll find stunning graffiti around nearly every corner.

While exploring the art is one of the best free things to do in Valencia, here’s a fun twist: look for the works of David de Limón, the artist behind the big-eyed, ninja-like characters.

I first spotted one of these figures on my first day in Valencia, and soon realized they were everywhere. I turned it into a game, snapping photos to avoid counting duplicates. By the end of my trip, I’d found 43 of them! How many can you spot?

🤩 Want to see more street art? Take this street art tour by bike!

7. Visit The Cat House And Hope Someone Is Home

Little house painted on a wall with a tiny garden, on top of the wall sits a statue of a cat — Valencia Cat house

If you like graffiti you’ll end up in the El Carmen neighbourhood. In this neighbourhood, you can find more unusual attractions in Valencia. Look for the tiny cat house and don’t miss the ugly statue of a cat on top of the wall.

Apparently, it’s supposed to be a safe haven for stray cats. I don’t know if the cats know that though. At least I didn’t see any cats in the proximity of the cat house Valencia.

8. Look For The Smallest House

Very thin house in-between two other houses — The smallest house in Valencia

Head to Plaza Lope de Vega to see La Estrecha, the narrowest house in Europe, at least according to locals! Its façade is just 107 cm wide, though the interior is now merged with the neighboring bar.

Legend has it that a girl once had to dress on the street for her communion because her gown was too large for the house. While other cities also claim to have Europe’s smallest house, this quirky spot is still a fun and unusual thing to see in Valencia.

9. Explore The Botanical Garden

Visiting the botanical garden might seem like a typical activity, but in Valencia, it feels like a hidden gem. It’s so quiet and peaceful with hardly any people there.

For just €3, you can stroll through a massive park with over 4,500 labeled plants, all neatly organised by type. The garden’s cacti collection was my personal favourite. I also loved wandering through the glasshouses, each offering its own unique atmosphere.

There are plenty of benches to relax on, and you might even be greeted by one of the friendly resident cats!

Final Thoughts: Unique Things to Do in Valencia Spain

I absolutely loved my time in Valencia. Having enough time to explore beyond the top attractions, like the City of Arts and Sciences, allowed me to discover so many unique and alternative experiences. It’s these offbeat activities that made my trip truly special.

Of all the unusual things to do in Valencia, my favorite was spotting and counting the graffiti men by David de Limón. It turned exploring the city into a fun game. If you love street art as much as I do, check out my blog post all about Valencia’s incredible street art scene!

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A Pinterest-style collage promoting "Unusual Things to Do in Valencia" with images of unique city spots. It includes a historic stone archway, a colorful graffiti wall with directional signs, a narrow European street with artistic decor, and a blue reflective installation featuring a building’s reflection. The bold red and pink text overlays add a playful touch, highlighting the theme of offbeat attractions in Valencia. — What to Do in Valencia Spain Besides the Main Tourist Attractions