Is the Turia Gardens walk free?

Yes, access to the Turia Gardens park is completely free and open to the public 24 hours a day. You only need to pay if you choose to enter specific museums or attractions like the Hemisfèric or the Science Museum.

What is the best time to visit the Turia Gardens?

The best time is during the late afternoon (Golden Hour) when the sun sets over the futuristic buildings of the City of Arts and Sciences. This provides the best lighting for photography and cooler temperatures for walking.

Can I do this walking tour Valencia offers with a stroller?

Absolutely. The Turia Gardens are one of the most accessible areas in Valencia, featuring wide, paved paths and ramps at every entrance and exit point.

Is Gulliver Park free for adults?

Yes, Gulliver Park is free for everyone, though it may have specific closing hours (usually around sunset). It is a popular spot for both children and adults to admire the massive scale of the sculpture.

Where is the best place to start exploring the Turia?

Starting at the Puente de las Flores or the Alameda Metro station is ideal as it places you in a central, beautiful section of the park with easy access to public transit.

Is it worth walking the whole riverbed?

It is definitely worth it if you enjoy nature and architecture. The park changes character several times, moving from traditional gardens to sports fields and eventually into the world-famous modern architecture of Calatrava.

Are there places to eat along the walking route?

Yes, there are several small cafes and kiosks within the park, particularly near the Palau de la Música and the City of Arts and Sciences. For a full meal, you can step out of the riverbed into the surrounding neighborhoods like Gran Via or Penya-Roja.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

3 hr

Duration

6

Stops

Easy

Difficulty

About This Tour

Imagine a city that decided to turn a devastating natural disaster into its greatest cultural asset. This self-guided walk through the Turia Gardens invites you to explore nine kilometers of lush greenery that once flowed with water. After the Great Flood of 1957, Valencia diverted the Turia River and transformed the old riverbed into a sprawling urban park. Today, it serves as the city's 'green lung,' connecting historic neighborhoods with the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences. This walking route offers a unique perspective on Valencia's urban planning and its commitment to public space. Begin your self-guided adventure at the vibrant Puente de las Flores, a bridge that stays in bloom year-round. From there, you will wander through sunken gardens, past majestic fountains, and under historic stone bridges that now span grass instead of currents. Along the way, you will encounter the Palacio de la Música, a glass-shrouded temple of sound, and the whimsical Gulliver Park, where interactive art meets local folklore. The journey concludes at the awe-inspiring City of Arts and Sciences, specifically at the Hemisfèric, a building designed to resemble a giant human eye peering into the future. Whether you are interested in modern architecture, Mediterranean flora, or local history, this neighborhood stroll provides a peaceful escape from the city noise. You can discover at your own pace, stopping to admire the gargoyles on the Pont del Regne or the sweeping curves of the Queen Sofia Palace of Arts. This walking tour Valencia offers is more than just a path; it is a journey through the heart and soul of the city's transformation. Explore independently and see how Valencia bridged its past with a vision for a sustainable, green future.

Highlights

The year-round blooming Puente de las Flores
The glass-domed Palacio de la Música and its fountains
The giant interactive sculpture at Gulliver Park
The Art Deco gargoyles of the Pont del Regne
The avant-garde architecture of the Queen Sofia Palace of Arts
The iconic 'Eye of Wisdom' at the Hemisfèric

Route Map

Numbers indicate the order of stops on the tour

Tour Stops (6)

1

Puente de las Flores

Start exploring with Zigway at one of the most colorful landmarks in Valencia. The Puente de las Flores, or Bridge of Flowers, is a living tribute to the city's floral heritage. Thousands of flowers are planted here and changed several times throughout the year to ensure a vibrant display regardless of the season. As you cross, notice how this bridge serves as a gateway between the historic center and the more modern expansions of the city. It was inaugurated in 2002 and has since become one of the most photographed spots in the Turia Gardens. Take a moment to breathe in the scents and admire the meticulous care that goes into maintaining this permanent botanical exhibit.

2

Palacio de la Música

As you continue your walking route, you will encounter the Palacio de la Música, an architectural gem designed by José María de Paredes. This concert hall is famous for its massive glass vault that faces the gardens, reflecting the surrounding palm trees and fountains. Opened in 1987, it is considered one of the best concert halls in Europe for its acoustics. The area surrounding the building is often filled with local musicians practicing and families enjoying the large pond and synchronized fountains. It represents the cultural heart of the Turia, where the tranquility of the park meets the sophistication of classical music.

3

Gulliver Park

Discover at your own pace one of the most imaginative playgrounds in Europe. Inspired by Jonathan Swift’s 'Gulliver’s Travels,' this massive sculpture depicts the giant Gulliver pinned to the ground by the Lilliputians. In this version, the visitors are the Lilliputians, climbing over his clothes and sliding down his hair. It’s a masterpiece of interactive art that captures the whimsical spirit of the Turia Gardens. Even if you aren't traveling with children, the scale of the structure is impressive. It highlights the park's role as a space for play and creativity, literally turning a literary classic into a physical landscape.

4

Pont del Regne

Look up as you approach the Pont del Regne, also known as the Bridge of the Kingdom. This structure is unique for the four guardian figures that stand at its entrances. These bronze sculptures resemble gargoyles or demons and were designed by Salvador Octavio Vicent Cortina. The bridge itself features an elegant Art Deco style, which provides a stark contrast to the historic stone bridges further upstream. It is the longest bridge in the city and marks a transition in the park's atmosphere as you move closer to the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences. The statues are meant to protect the city, adding a touch of myth and mystery to your stroll.

5

Queen Sofia Palace of Arts

Now you are entering the realm of Santiago Calatrava. The Queen Sofia Palace of Arts, or Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, is an opera house that looks like a futuristic helmet or a ship emerging from the water. Completed in 2005, it is over 70 meters high and houses four distinct venues for opera, theater, and dance. The building is covered in 'trencadís,' a traditional Mediterranean technique using shattered ceramic tiles, which makes the white surface shimmer in the Spanish sun. It is a symbol of Valencia’s modern identity and its global presence in the world of high art and avant-garde design.

6

Hemisfèric

Your self-guided walk concludes at the Hemisfèric, the centerpiece of the City of Arts and Sciences. Designed to look like a giant human eye, it is known as the 'Eye of Wisdom.' The 'eyelid' can actually open and close, revealing the glass sphere of the IMAX theater inside. Surrounded by a shallow turquoise pool, the building creates a perfect reflection, completing the image of a full eye. This structure was the first in the complex to be opened to the public in 1998. It stands as a testament to the city's transformation from the site of a river disaster into a world-class destination for science and culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

A full stroll from the Puente de las Flores to the City of Arts and Sciences typically takes about 2 to 3 hours at a leisurely pace. The total distance for this specific route is approximately 2.5 kilometers.