Valencia makes a lovely port call, with one catch: the port isn't next to the old town. There are about 5 km between the terminal and the Cathedral, so the key is sorting the journey in. Once you're there, everything that matters (the Central Market, La Lonja, the Cathedral and El Carmen) fits into a few hours on foot.
Where do cruise ships dock in Valencia?
Cruise ships use the Trasmed passenger terminal, run by the Grimaldi group, at the north entrance of the port, the part closest to the city and open to the public. The cruise berths for 2026 are the Transversal and Poniente quays, next to the terminal, for ships under 300 metres.
If your ship berths at a quay further into the commercial port, the cruise line runs a bus to the terminal. All onward transport leaves from there.
Getting into town
| Option | Time | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi or ride-hailing | 15-20 min | About €12-15 | Signed rank outside the terminal; Uber, Cabify and Bolt also work |
| EMT bus, line 4 | About 45 min to the Torres de Serranos | €2 single | Stop 1306, about 10 min on foot |
| Cruise line shuttle | Varies | Set by your cruise line | Ask where it stops and whether it's free |
| Walking | Over an hour | Free | Not worth it; fine for the beach |
- A taxi is the best option as soon as there are two of you. The 2026 tariff has a €2 flag fall and €1.36 per km by day (€2.60 and €1.48 at night and on holidays). Ask to be dropped at Plaza de la Reina, by the Cathedral.
- The bus leaves from stop 1306, Pont de les Drassanes – Terminal marítima. Line 4 heads towards Plaza del Ayuntamiento and line 95 towards the beach and La Marina. A single costs €2.
- On foot you can reach Las Arenas and El Cabanyal beaches (20-25 minutes) and the Bus Turístic stop in La Marina (about 20 minutes).
What to see in 4, 6 or 8 hours
| Time ashore | Plan | What to book |
|---|---|---|
| 4 hours | Taxi to Plaza de la Reina. The Cathedral and Miguelete tower, Plaza de la Virgen, La Lonja and the Central Market (not on Sundays) | 2-hour private old-town tour, from €48 per person |
| 6 hours | All that plus El Carmen, the Torres de Serranos and a paella lunch | 4-hour private tour with La Lonja and horchata, from €88 per person |
| 8 hours | Old town in the morning and the City of Arts and Sciences in the afternoon; or the old town and paella on the beach, a short walk from the port | Oceanogràfic ticket, from €37 |
Guide prices for the sights: the Cathedral and Miguelete, €9 with audio guide (Monday to Saturday, 10.30am to 6.30pm); La Lonja, €2; the Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart, €2 each and free on Sundays.
The private tours start at the Torres de Serranos, about 15 minutes by taxi from the port. The 4-hour tour with La Lonja and horchata costs from about €88 per person for two and €59 each for four.
If time is tight, the 2-hour version costs from about €48 per person for two (about €27 each for four). And if you'd rather not walk, the 1-hour private tuk-tuk (from €30 per person, up to 8 people) takes you round the centre with no effort.
With 8 hours, the City of Arts and Sciences sits between the port and the centre, closer to the port. The Oceanogràfic needs at least 2-3 hours: book online in high season.
For two days in the city, see Valencia in 2 days; to choose a rice restaurant, where to eat paella in Valencia.
Ship's tour or on your own?
In Valencia you don't need to leave the city, so the trade-off is different from Málaga or Cádiz:
| Option | Price | If something runs late |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line excursion | Whatever your cruise line charges | The ship waits for its own tours |
| Private tour in the centre | From €48 per person (2 hours) | You control the return time; the ship won't wait |
| Independent | Taxi and tickets | All the risk is yours, but the journey is short |
The ship only waits for tours sold by the cruise line. With a 2-4 hour private tour in the centre, the real risk is the trip back, so leave time for the taxi.
What time should you be back on board?
- All aboard is usually 30-60 minutes before sailing, in ship's time, and it's printed in the daily programme.
- Rule of thumb: be at the terminal an hour before all aboard and leave the centre 1 h 30 before. If you're relying on the bus, add another 30 minutes.
- If your ship berths away from the terminal, also allow for the cruise line's internal bus.
- Take your cruise card and photo ID.
Sundays and public holidays
- Central Market: closed on Sundays; open Monday to Saturday, 7.30am to 3pm.
- La Lonja: free on Sundays and holidays, but closed in the afternoon.
- Cathedral and Miguelete: Sunday visits in the afternoon only.
- Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart: free on Sundays.
- If your call falls on a Sunday, flip the order: City of Arts and Sciences or the beach in the morning, the Cathedral in the afternoon.
Common mistakes
- Trying to walk into the centre. It's about 5 km through the port area.
- Planning the Central Market for a Sunday. It's closed.
- Ordering paella for an early dinner. In Valencia it's a lunchtime dish: have it at midday and head back with time to spare.
- Trying the Oceanogràfic and the old town in 4 hours. There isn't time for both.
- Waiting for the last bus back. With two or more people, a taxi costs about the same and is quicker.
