Nine kilometres of gardens in the drained bed of the River Turia, running through the heart of Valencia. One of the most successful urban park projects in Europe — where a river once flooded, now cyclists, runners, and locals reclaim a green corridor from the old city to the sea.
Location
Ciutat Vella, Valencia
Map
Insider Intel
Walk or rent a bike and ride the length. Start at Bioparc (west end) or the City of Arts and Sciences (east end). The section through the old city passes under 18 historic bridges and is the most atmospheric. Stop at the Gulliver playground — a giant Gulliver sculpture that children climb on.
Morning or late afternoon for walking or cycling. Weekends are busy with families. The gardens are excellent year-round — Valencia's climate means the park is usable even in winter. Evening is pleasant for a pre-dinner walk.
The Turia River was diverted after catastrophic flooding in 1957. The city debated what to do with the empty riverbed — a highway was proposed, but citizens campaigned for a park. The gardens opened in stages from the 1980s onward. It is one of the best examples of urban planning turning disaster into opportunity. Rent a bike from Valenbisi (city bike share) or bring your own. The gardens connect most of Valencia's major sights.