10 Things to Do in Valencia at Holy Week

The best things to do in Valencia change throughout the year, because at certain times of the year there are plans that have to do with the cultural traditions of this community. One of these times is Easter, which is an event that is experienced in a different way within the Valencian Community.

My recommendation is that you continue reading this publication, as it contains those plans that can be entertaining for all types of tourists. Thanks to this information you will have a wide variety of activities to choose from and you will be able to put together an itinerary that suits your interests, the time you have available and the budget you have prepared for your trip to the city of Valencia.

The way in which the representative acts and the different processions of the Semana Santa take place in Valencia is quite different from the rest of the country. These events are known as Semana Santa Marinera and basically all the maritime districts of the city of Valencia and its surroundings come together to celebrate three main events from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

The blessing of the Palms is the first of these and is quite similar to what happens in other Spanish cities. The differences begin to appear in the Good Friday processions, as the event is full of silence and moderation. On Easter Sunday there is also a parade worthy of admiration.

Another of the big differences of the Semana Santa Marinera is that many of these events take place on the beaches of Valencia's coastal neighbourhoods. These include the Grau, Cabanyal and Canyamelar.

Depending on when you arrive in the city, you may have to move quickly if you don't want to miss these cultural events. Therefore, a private transfer from Valencia airport to your accommodation in the Poblados Marítimos district is a good way to get to the epicentre of Valencia's Easter Week in a comfortable and safe way.

The largest aquarium in Europe is located in Valencia and its name is Oceanogràfic. This site is part of the most iconic complex in Valencia known as the City of Arts and Sciences. Among the distinctions of this aquarium is the fact that it has one of the ponds with the largest number of sharks on the planet, with 20 species and more than 100 specimens.

The structure of this place is just as impressive as that of the other buildings that make up the City of Arts and Sciences because throughout the Oceanogràfic it seeks to represent the main marine ecosystems of the planet. Therefore, on a tour through this place you will be able to differentiate between pavilions that are dedicated to the Mediterranean Sea, another created specifically for wetlands and one that features animals from temperate and tropical seas. As well as pavilions that focus on the life of the oceans which is complemented by the famous dolphinarium.

This activity is often a favourite among locals because it is one of the best things to do in Valencia with children, which means it is a recommended plan if you need Easter ideas to help balance your tourist exploration of the city and the festive events with places that are suitable for people of all ages.

The tradition followed in Valencia's Semana Santa Marinera on Easter Sunday is so peculiar that it is worth enjoying, even if you are not interested in religious customs. The act basically consists of all the people gathering at the old Turia riverbed with the intention of eating typical products of the local gastronomy that were part of the Lenten menu.

The next part of this celebration has to do with some songs and praises that seek to celebrate the resurrection of Christ as Jesus' meeting with his mother takes place. What makes this symbolic act so special is the moment when doves are released and the field in which the participants stand is filled with flower petals.

Now, it all depends on exactly where you are in the city of Valencia, as it is also possible that you will only have the opportunity to see the procession carrying the Virgen de la Soledad with her face uncovered. This takes place after the parishioners remove the black veil that has been covering her face since the moment when she went into mourning for the death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday.

Valencia Cathedral is one of the main architectural attractions of the city and at the same time it is a site that has a direct connection with the history of the Valencian Holy Week and with the origin of the traditions that its inhabitants celebrate today. For this reason, you should take advantage of your visit during this time of year to enjoy a guided tour of this important historical monument.

The structure of the cathedral is characterised by its Gothic style as well as by a tower that offers privileged views of the oldest part of the city. The name of this tower is El Micalet and if you look at it from the base you will notice that its octagonal shape makes it stand out in the landscape of this part of Valencia.

There is no doubt that visiting the Valencian cathedral is one of the best things to do on a three-day visit to Valencia. If you have less than 24 hours here and are interested in seeing the most important buildings in the city then this is one place you should include in your logistical itinerary.

On the other hand, you should bear in mind that the city of Valencia is one of the most important tourist destinations in all of Spain and within it you will find architectural wonders of the West such as the Lonja de la Seda, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Plaza de Toros, the Estación del Norte, the City of Arts and Sciences itself, the Turia Gardens and the palaces and buildings of the Ciutat Vella are just some of the most representative corners of this community. In addition, there are other urban areas such as the El Carmen neighbourhood or the luxurious area of El Ensanche.

So if you have the time, you should know that it is an excellent idea to take part in one of the best tours of Valencia that focus on offering you the accompaniment of a guide through these urban spaces in the city centre. Especially because this area of the city has the most to do with the history of Catholicism in Valencia, which is why many of the activities of the cultural framework of Holy Week take place in this area.

Moreover, it is an excellent way to occupy your time and to be able to explore this city in a proper way so that when you return home you can say that you have seen it at its most splendid.

The Albufera natural park is a beloved destination among Valencians because it is an estuary located a couple of kilometres south of the city that offers the ideal opportunity for those who want to take a boat ride and enjoy the afternoon. The area is also well known for the quality of the paellas that are cooked in the different restaurants that are located in the vicinity of the natural park.

So opting for an excursion to the Albufera natural park is one of the best things to do during Easter. Especially because it is an opportunity to try an excellent Valencian paella during the time of year when seafood and fish tend to replace chicken and veal to follow the traditions of Lent.

Similarly, you don't have to be forced to eat a Valencian seafood paella, as meat and chicken options are still available for those who have no intention of complying with the dietary limitations of Catholic Lent.

You should also know that during Easter week the weather starts to be favourable for enjoying this type of outing once again. This makes it even more recommendable to go to this site, which is one of the best day trips from Valencia. Although the truth is that it is so close to the metropolitan area of the city that with a couple of hours you could visit the entire lagoon, enjoy a paella and return to the city without any inconvenience.

The mona de Pascua is a specific Easter recipe that consists of a dessert that is eaten on Easter Sunday. In the case of Valencia this recipe is interesting, as it is a bun made of flour, eggs and sugar and is given different shapes and finished with a hard-boiled egg or chocolate.

You should know that if you spend Easter in this city then you will have the opportunity to get this typical sweet in most pastry shops and bakeries without any inconvenience.

If you take part in some of the best gastronomic tours of Valencia during this time of year, it is likely that this dessert will be included in the menu of the experience. At least if it happens to be a tour that focuses on the most traditional restaurants that are committed to the basic and elementary values of the Valencian culinary world.

Easter Week in Valencia is also about night-time fun for both adults and young people. This is because it is a very important tourist destination in Spain and not all people follow the values of Catholicism or are interested in its traditions. For this reason you should not miss the opportunity to go out for dinner and continue with a night out in some of the most lively nightlife areas in the centre of Valencia.

The Ciutat Vella is full of historic bars as well as restaurants that work late into the night and can be the ideal place to start your evening. The El Carmen neighbourhood right next to this area is the place to go if you're interested in an alternative night out with innovative music styles in establishments that are just as quirky.

Also, Benimeclacet is the safest bet if you're interested in a low-budget night out because it's the area of choice when it comes to university partying in Valencia.

Either way, no matter what style of party you are interested in, you should know that the last days of Easter are one of the best times of the year to enjoy the nightlife that this city has to offer. Especially because for many people it's the prelude to what is usually the summer season.

The city of Valencia is one of the Spanish towns with the largest amount of uninterrupted coastline within the official territory of the city. For this reason, it is an extremely recommendable idea to take advantage of your visit during Easter Week to spend a couple of hours on the sandy beaches of the Valencian capital.

Pinedo Beach to the south of the Grao area and the kilometre-long Malvarrosa Beach are two of the alternatives available to you without having to stray too far from the city centre. In fact, Playa de la Malvarrosa can be reached directly by the Valencia metro, as it has its own station.

Another good way to enjoy the city's beaches at this busy time of year is to take part in a bike ride from the city centre to the beaches I've mentioned. Above all because you avoid having to deal with public transport, which is often interrupted by the various religious processions.

So an afternoon at the beach on any of the days of Easter Week is something I highly recommend. Even more so knowing that you could enjoy one of the best things to do in Valencia during the summer, but with the tourist prices of spring.

As the city council is well aware that Easter is a very busy time for tourists, several of Valencia's museums have special opening hours so that a larger number of people can visit their facilities. For this reason, you should take the opportunity to visit some of these sites. Especially if you bear in mind that during this specific week there are usually cultural exhibitions related to the religious history of the city or simply to other aspects of importance.

The Fine Arts Museum of Valencia, the Valencian Institute of Modern Art and the Museum of History of Valencia are three sites that you could perfectly visit in a single day trip to Valencia. In addition, you could complement these visits with the exploration of some churches that will allow you to enjoy very important facets of the Valencian Holy Week.

Similarly, if you have the whole week at your disposal, then it becomes more advisable that you explore at least two or three of these museums at your leisure, as the truth is that returning home without seeing these museums would be a real shame.