We loved cycling through the city park 'Jardínes del Turia'. Once a river, now a park that runs straight through the city like a 7 km long green vein. Every 10 meters there is a playground, ball field, flower bed, fitness pot, picnic area or hangout. One of the most impressive is definitely Gulliver playground where the gigantic giant from the book of the same name lies on his back and where children can climb on and in, and slide down. At the end of the park awaits the impressive architectural masterpiece Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències – or City of Art and Science – built in 2009 because Valencia was tired of standing in the shadow of Barcelona. The 6 futuristic white buildings are surrounded by bright blue water in which you can go stand-up paddleboarding or float around in enormous water balls.

Cool for the smart kids: they are here too The Oceanogràfic (a gigantic sea aquarium), it Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe (a kind of Nemo 2.0) and Hemisfèric, where you can see the most impressive 3D movies.

L'Albufera is the ideal place to spend the day with the family in the middle of nature, just 10 kilometers from the city. What exactly is L'Albufera? A nature park with a large freshwater lake: the largest in Europe at 2.800 hectares, very close to the sea. Thanks to this unique location, there is enormous biodiversity. Take one of the traditional boats, called albuferencs, and look among the 350 species of birds, grey herons, red ducks, or flamingos. Those cheerful flamingos will make you happy, let alone the kids. And pay attention, because at sunset the light is fantastic. If you can take the boat trip at that time, we say go for it. Oh, and then you can see the rice fields of Valencia right away! Rice fields in Spain? Certainly. After all, paella comes from here too.

With this tour are you going to take the boat trip and taste the paella.

Attention all (little) football fans: You can visit the oldest stadium in LaLiga, Stadium Visit Mestalla (of Valencia CF) with an awesome tour. During the Mestalla Forever Tour, you have access to the press room, the changing rooms, the tunnel to the pitch, and you can view the trophies up close. You also take a seat on the bench and step onto the pitch. For an hour, you are a real professional footballer. If you go, don't forget to greet the bat at the front of the stadium with the classic chant. Amunt València! 

Get here your tickets.

The nicest, most stylish hotel in a quiet street in the historic city center that is also very suitable for children. They also rent out apartments, where you can still enjoy breakfast in the morning in the restaurant that belongs to the hotel (and that restaurant is very handy if you still want to have a nice romantic dinner in the evening, while the kids are in bed with a baby monitor) You can rent bicycles (with a child's seat if desired) opposite the hotel.