Turia Gardens (Jardí del Túria)★★
Where the Turia River once flowed through Valencia, today stretches Europe's largest city park: 9 km long, 110 hectares of greenery, from the Bioparc in the west to the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias in the east. After the devastating flood of 1957 that ravaged Valencia, the river was diverted and the riverbed transformed into a park — visionary urban planning that shapes Valencia to this day.
The park is the living room of the Valencianos: joggers, cyclists, families, picnic groups, football players, inline skaters — all on paths under orange trees, palms, and over historic bridges that now span a park instead of a river.
Highlights in Turia Park
★★ Gulliver Playground
A giant reclining Gulliver (70 m long), where children (and adults) can climb on slides, ramps, and stairs — as if they were the Lilliputians from Jonathan Swift's novel. Unique, free, and incredibly popular with children. Very crowded on weekend afternoons.
Free. Daily 10 AM–8 PM (summer until 9:30 PM). In the park section between Puente del Ángel Custodio and Puente del Reino.
★★ Bioparc Valencia
At the western end of Turia Park lies one of Europe's best zoos. The "zoo immersion" concept avoids visible barriers — the animals live in naturalistic African landscapes (savannah, equatorial forest, Madagascar, wetlands), and visitors feel as if they are in the midst of it. Gorillas, elephants, leopards, lemurs, and hippos in impressive enclosures.
26.60€ (adults), 20€ (children 4–12). Daily 10 AM–6 PM (winter) / 10 AM–9 PM (summer). Plan at least 3 hours.
Cycling & Walking
Crossing the entire park by bike takes about 45 minutes. Valenbisi (Valencia's bike rental system) has stations along the route: Weekly pass 13.30€, first 30 minutes free. Alternatively: E-scooters available everywhere (Lime, Bolt), about 0.25€/min.
💡 Tipp
The Turia Park is perfect for a sunset walk or a jogging round. On weekends, Valencians picnic under the orange trees — join them! Bring a blanket and baguette from Mercado Central.