Valencia shore excursion: City tour with tapas in monument

Gothic streets, futuristic architecture, and local wine in a medieval cave.

This shore excursion combines a guided tour of Valencia's Old Town and City of Arts & Sciences with a tapas tasting in an 11th century Moorish cave and patio, ending with transport back to the port. The guide speaks English and leads a small group through winding streets, the largest food market in Europe (Monday to Saturday), and Calatrava's landmark complex, with a five-hour window that fits a port day. Dietary requirements can be noted at booking. The City of Arts & Sciences entrance ticket is not included, though you view the exterior and learn its architecture.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Valencia Old Town1h
2. City of Arts and Sciences1h

Valencia city tour and tapas lunch

• Explore Valencia Old Town architecture
• Visit Mercado Central food market
• Enjoy tapas and paella lunch
• Tour City of Arts & Sciences
• Return to port by transport

The experience

You arrive at the port with a few hours to spare, and this tour gets you back in time to board. A live English-speaking guide meets your group and walks you through Valencia's Old Town first: Gothic, Baroque, Arabic and Romanesque buildings line the winding streets, each with its own story. If you're there Monday through Saturday, you'll pass through Mercado Central, Europe's largest food market, where the gastronomic heart of the city still beats.

Midway through, the tour moves into an exclusive venue: Valencia's 11th century original city wall, a Moorish cave with a secluded patio where a tasting menu waits. Local tapas and paella arrive with prizewinning regional wines: the operator curates these to showcase what the region produces. You'll need to be 18 to drink. Let them know any dietary needs when you book.

The final stop is the City of Arts & Sciences, Calatrava's futuristic complex that looks like nothing else in the city. You won't go inside the buildings, entrance tickets aren't included, but the guide walks you through the architecture and design story, and the exterior is built for photographs. A driver then takes you back to the port with time to spare before departure. Vehicles have heating, air conditioning and WiFi. Groups under seven travel in a sedan, larger groups in a minibus.

What’s included

• Live English-speaking guide.
• transport back to the port.
• a tasting menu of local tapas and paella.
• prizewinning regional wines.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Child (under 6): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearby

Operated by Sea Saffron

Is this one for you?Book this if you're arriving by cruise ship. It includes guaranteed transport back to port within your five-hour window, plus a private lunch in a Moorish cave between Old Town and City of Arts & Sciences sightseeing.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Mercado Central and when can I see it on this tour?

Mercado Central is Europe's largest food market and the centerpiece of Valencia's gastronomic scene. You'll pass through it on the Old Town portion of the tour, but only Monday through Saturday. It's closed on Sundays.

Where exactly do we eat the tapas and paella on this tour?

The tasting menu happens in an 11th century Moorish cave and secluded patio: Valencia's most historic venue. This exclusive space is where the operator serves the local tapas, paella and regional wines.

Do I need to buy a ticket to enter the City of Arts & Sciences?

No ticket is required for this tour. The guide shows you the exterior of the buildings, teaches you about Calatrava's architecture and design, and gives you time to photograph the complex, but entrance to the interior is not included.

How long is the whole experience and will I make it back to the ship?

The tour runs five hours total, and the driver returns you to the port with plenty of time to board. The schedule is built around port-day timing.

Can I request a vegetarian or other special meal for the tapas tasting?

Yes. Let the operator know any dietary requirements when you book, and they'll prepare the tasting menu accordingly.

What's the difference between a sedan and a minibus on this tour?

Groups of fewer than seven people travel in a sedan. Groups of seven or more travel in a minibus. Both vehicles have heating, air conditioning and WiFi.