The Turia Gardens is Valencia's great green lung: nine kilometers of park built on the old riverbed, diverted after the flood of 1957. Today it is the favorite spot for those looking for walking routes in Valencia, going for a run or simply taking walks in Valencia without leaving the city, from the Bioparc to the City of Arts and Sciences.
Where can one enter the riverbed?
The garden has dozens of street-level entrances, as it runs several meters below the city level and connects to it via ramps, stairs, and the bridges that once spanned the river. The most common access points are near the Puente de las Flores (Bridge of Flowers), the Serranos-Torres de Serranos area, the Torres de Quart (Quart Towers), the area around the Palau de la Música (Music Palace), and, at the eastern end, the direct access from the City of Arts and Sciences. Almost any bridge in the city center also serves as an entrance.
Section by section: what to find in each area
From the headboard to the Serranos Towers
The route begins next to the Bioparc and the still-natural old riverbed, with more informal and less crowded garden areas. It's the preferred section for those seeking a quieter route, with fewer cyclists and skaters than in the city center.
The historic heart: Serranos, Cuart and the Palau
Here the park narrows between the medieval walls and gains a more monumental character: the Serranos Towers and the Quart Towers stand directly above the riverbed, and the historic bridges—the Trinity Bridge and the Royal Bridge—offer the most photographed views of the garden. It is also where the football and basketball fields are located, frequently used by residents of El Carmen and Extramurs.
Gulliver and the final stretch towards the Arts and Sciences
Beyond the Palau de la Música, the garden opens up into wider areas, with the Gulliver playground a must-see for those with children. The final stretch, already in the Poblats Marítims district, leads to the City of Arts and Sciences, with the Hemisfèric and the Palau de les Arts as a backdrop.
How long does it take to travel the entire length?
On foot, traversing the entire nine kilometers takes between two and a half and three hours at a leisurely pace, not including stops. By bicycle, the journey takes just over forty minutes. Most people looking for walks in Valencia opt to do only a section, as the park connects with metro stations and bus stops at various points, allowing them to start at one end and exit at the other without retracing their steps.
What to pack and when to go
The riverbed is mostly open, so during the hottest months it's best to reserve it for early morning or late afternoon. Water, comfortable shoes, and, if you're cycling or skating, a helmet are the minimum recommended. On weekend mornings, the central section fills up with athletes and families, while the upper and lower sections are usually less crowded.
For those who want to plan their own route
Those looking for a first glimpse can start with the section from the Serranos Towers to Gulliver, the most comprehensive in terms of urban and historical scenery. Those who prefer nature and tranquility will be better off at the head of the line, near the Bioparc, and those traveling with children will find the area around Gulliver and the City of Arts and Sciences the perfect combination of park and leisure activities.
