The Animal Lover’s Guide to Valencia City
Animal lovers live peaceably among us. We look like normal people walking down the street until one thing gives us away. Walking past a dog. After that, it’s fawning at the cute pup until it’s completely out of sight into the horizon. Anyone else? No? Well, in either case, these are some Valencia City activities for those who are obsessed with fur babies, those forced to accompany the animal-obsessed person, and those who just want to see or do something new.
Horseriding at Centro Hípico Rueda
Live the cowboy dream by saddling a beautiful Spanish horse and trek through the lush Parque Natural de la Sierra Calderona — a national park just half an hour’s drive north of Valencia city. The horseriding school Centro Hípico Rueda (shown on Google Maps as Hípico Roda in Valenciano) means Wheel Equestrian Centre in English and sits outside the rural village of Náquera. When asking local Valencian friends for a horseriding school recommendation, they raved about this one. Unsurprisingly, it boasts over 300 excellent reviews on Google.
Animal activities
Guided horseriding tours for individuals, couples, and groups.
Choose from 1, 1.5, or 2 hours.
Individual or group horseriding classes.
What’s there?
Over 70 horses that live in spacious outdoor pens spread over the Rueda Ranch. There are stables, an outdoor horse training ring, a wooden cabin with a drinks machine, toilets, and on-site parking. Choose from multiple horseriding helmets to wear in the cabin before your ride.
Tips
The Centro Hípico Rueda doesn’t have a website, so book via WhatsApp.
Wear comfortable clothes for riding – they recommend long jeans or long gym leggings.
Boots and jeans are ideal to protect your ankles. I guess there’s a reason why cowboys wear them. Otherwise, the metal stirrup will whack you quite hard. Trainers are OK, but the flat sole will slip through the stirrup like butter, especially when the horse trots.
Wear a bum bag to keep your phone and keys secure and easily accessible for snapping photos.
Wear sunscreen because the route is very exposed with little shade.
Take refreshments or visit the local villages for delicious food and drink at the bars.
How to get there
Bus: Take the L135A bus to San Antonio de Benagéber and change for the L230 in Bétera, which will stop in Nàquera. Walk 30 minutes from Restaurante El Pi to the riding school.
Metro, Train, and Tram: There is no access.
Cycling: It’s a 1.5-hour ride from the city centre, renting a bicycle from a city cycle shop.
Walking: It’s very far!
Car and Moped: It’s a 30-40 minute drive from the city centre.
The Bioparc
Encounter the wild beauty of Africa right in Valencia. Here, you can meet animals native to the savannah, wetlands, Madagascar, and the Equatorial jungle—like elephants, lions, meerkats, hippos, and gorillas. Located in Campanar near Parc de la Canaleta, this expansive zoo covers over 10 hectares and is designed to immerse visitors in a safari-like experience. The zoo’s shop, restaurant, outdoor auditorium, and other facilities are crafted in stunning wooden-framed, thatched-roof huts, bringing the spirit of African landscapes to life.
Animal activities
Explore the Bioparc to see the animals.
Watch the animal exhibition to see all types of animals run, fly, and stroll across the auditorium, showcasing their skills and cuteness to music.
Listen to educational talks with the zoo rangers.
See the animals at feeding time.
What’s there?
There are over 4,000 animals from 250 species. The Bioparc includes the Kitum Cave – a replica of the real Kitum Cave formed by volcanic activity within Mount Elgon in Kenya. Inside, is a large glass tank so visitors can enjoy an underwater viewing experience of hippos as they swim gracefully in their pool. The Bioparc is one of few zoos that offers this unique feature, especially in Spain.
Enjoy a meal at Restaurant Samburu, where you’ll have unparalleled views of the African savannah, where the giraffes, rhinos, and gazelles graze. Take your pick between two air-conditioned lounges, a shaded terrace, or an outdoor terrace to fully embrace the scenery.
Sip on a coffee and tuck into pastries, sandwiches, and lunch options, at the Café Kidepo beside the Restaurant Samburu which also boasts front-row seats overlooking the savannah.
And if that’s not enough, there’s also the Kiosk Ndoki for salads, freshly made sandwiches, sandwiches, nuggets, hot drinks, pastries, horchata, and juices.
Tips
Take a photo with the giant elephant sculpture outside the Bioparc.
Head to the zoo early to attend the “Good Morning” sessions to watch animals begin their day with breakfast. During these early feedings, keepers provide meals to species like gorillas, lemurs, and meerkats, encouraging natural foraging and playful interactions.
Avoid the queue and book a ticket online. Sometimes they offer a discount!
Don’t miss the educational exhibition of birds and mammals in the main arena, it’s truly magical to watch.
Purchase a gift from the shop where all proceeds fund animal care and conservation projects.
How to get there
Bus: Valencia city buses, such as lines 98 and 99, stop near the Bioparc.
Metro, Train, and Tram: The nearest metro station is Nou d’Octubre on Line 3 or Line 5. From there, it’s a 15-minute walk to the park.
Cycling: You can use the Turia Gardens bicycle paths, leading directly to a Valenbisi station at the Bioparc. It’s 15-20 minutes from the city centre.
Walking: It is a one-hour walk from the city centre.
Car and Moped: It is a 10-15 minute drive from the city centre. Parking fees apply.
Recommended to book
The Oceanogràfic
Europe’s largest aquarium, the Oceanogràfic, is a must-visit for animal lovers. Located in Valencia’s stunning City of Arts and Sciences complex, there are animals to see above and below the water. Explore habitats from diverse marine ecosystems, including the Arctic, Mediterranean, Red Sea, and tropical oceans. Walk through underwater tunnels, see dolphin shows in the outdoor lagoon, and observe belugas, sharks, penguins, seals, sea lions, sea turtles, rays, jellyfish, and thousands of other aquatic species. Outside the deep water tanks are giant tortoises, a huge bird aviary, flamingos, crocodiles, swans, and ducks.
Animal activities
Make your way around the Oceanogràfic to see the animals.
Watch the dolphin shows as they show off their tricks and skills in the pool auditorium.
Experience the 4D cinema with short animal films.
Attend the talks by marine biologists and educators about various species and their habitats.
What’s there?
The Oceanogràfic is home to over 45,000 animals representing approximately 500 different species. Covering an expansive area of 110,000 square meters (about 27 acres), the aquarium definitely requires a full day to tour all the habitats and see everything.
To recharge during your visit, choose five restaurants, cafés, and kiosks serving lunch menus, pastries, hot drinks, ice cream, waffles, burgers, pizzas, hot dogs, soft drinks, and crepes. For something special, book the underwater Submarino Restaurant, where schools of 10,000 fish and turtles swim by as you dine avant-garde.
Don’t miss the gift and sweet shops for a souvenir.
Tips
Prebook your tickets online to avoid the massive queues.
The aquarium is more like a zoo or animal park so take your time to take it all in!
Check the weather and consider taking an umbrella if it’s expected to rain as half the park is outdoors and you will get wet. Wear sunscreen on bright days too as it is exposed.
The Arctic indoor habitat is icy cold for the beluga whales and penguins. Take a jumper or cardigan if you get cold easily.
Check the dolphin show times displayed outside the pool auditorium, so you don’t miss the performances. Arrive 5-10 minutes early so you can get a seat.
It can get very busy with big coach groups, so when you enter the Oceanogràfic, try starting your exploration of the park outside the big white front building. Everyone assumes you must go down the escalators first and through the fish exhibits, but you can head outside and see the other habitats first and beat the crowds.
How to get there
Bus: Take one of the city buses such as the 95 or 99, which stop close to the entrance of the City of Arts and Sciences complex.
Metro, Train, and Tram: The nearest metro stations are Alameda (lines 3 and 5) and Ayora (lines 5 and 7). From these stations, you can walk for about 20–30 minutes or take a short taxi ride to the Oceanogràfic.
Cycling: Cycle 20 minutes along Valencia’s bicycle lanes to reach the aquarium safely. You can rent the affordable city bicycle, Valenbisi, or use a bike rental company.
Walking: From the city centre, it’s about 45 minutes walking through the lush Turía park.
Car and Moped: It’s a 5-10 minute taxi or car ride from the city centre. There is limited free road-side parking and a paid car park.
Recommended to book
Granja Cubells
Touring a real-working farm is usually on the bucket list of most animal enthusiasts. Half an hour's drive from Valencia city centre is the rural and traditional Valencian family farm, Granja Cubells, in Catarroja. Sitting beside the Parc Natural de l'Albufera and surrounded by flat vegetable fields, the farm specialises in breeding Spanish horses and beef cattle for meat. Only recently, they opened their farm gates to visitors with a mother-and-daughter team leading the tours.
Animal activities
Join the morning or afternoon 2-hour farm tour.
Feed the horses, sheep, goats, rabbits, and cows with bread and lettuce at the farm.
Pet and brush a donkey.
Meet the adorable farm dogs and cats accompanying the tour group.
Visit the little pigs in their pens, chickens, ducks, geese, peacocks, and newborn lambs.
Get up close and pet a herd of massive beef cattle.
Collect a freshly laid egg from the hens and take home a peacock feather.
What’s there?
There are animal pens to see Spanish pure-bred horses, pigs, baby piglets, rabbits, goats, sheep, lambs, bulls, several cow pens, and horse stables. Basic toilet facilities are inside the farm house although there is no restaurant, cafe, or farm shop.
Tips
Bookings need to be made in advance. They don’t have a website, so contact via WhatsApp.
Payment is in cash on arrival.
If you have stale bread or vegetables you will throw away, take them to the farm to feed the animals. However, the farm will have large buckets of bread, lettuce, and other vegetables to hand-feed all the animals during the tour.
Wear trainers, wellies, or boots as there might be some mud and muck.
Take water if you get thirsty as there are no refreshments onsite.
How to get there
Bus: There is no access.
Metro, Train, and Tram: There is no access.
Cycling: It is 45 minutes cycling from the city centre. As it’s outside the city limits, you won’t be able to take the Valenbisi. However, you can rent from a cycle shop.
Car and Moped: Exit the busy V-31 road at Junction 9 to reach Granja Cubells. It is a 25-minute drive from the city centre.
Chez Amandine
A small farm in the Southern Valencian countryside near the village of Turís, Chez Amandine, is run by a lovely French lady, Amandine. It is a farm sanctuary, meaning that all the animals were rescued from working farms, donated from other sanctuaries, or found abandoned. Amandine started the farm in 2023, and in one year she has taken care of over 50 animals. The farm sanctuary is non-profit, relying on donations to give a second life to donkeys, horses, chickens, ducks, geese, a dog, cats, and goats.
Animal activities
Take a 45-minute tour of the farm sanctuary including the animal pens and the farm fields.
Pet the donkeys and Pedro the dog, who all love some TLC.
Watch the geese and ducks swim in their pond.
Spend the day volunteering on the farm by helping muck out the pens, feed the animals, and brush the horses and donkeys.
What’s there?
The farm sanctuary has a farm shop to purchase herbal tea, fresh eggs, local wine, local honey, and local olive oil. There is a toilet in the farmhouse however, there isn’t a cafe or restaurant.
Tips
Prebook and pay for your visit on the Chez Amandine website.
Make sure to wear wellies or hiking boots if it has recently rained, as there will likely be a lot of mud and muck!
If volunteering, take gardening gloves, extra shoes, and extra clothes.
Take refreshments with you or visit the nearby villages for food and drinks at the bars.
Bring along stale bread and vegetables if you’d like to feed the animals.
How to get there
Bus: There is no access.
Metro, Train, and Tram: There is no access.
Cycling: It is a 2.5-hour cycling route from Valencia City for the super fit. As it’s outside the city limits, you won’t be able to use a Valenbisi. However, you can rent from a cycle shop.
Car: It is a 45-minute drive from Valencia City.
La Fábrica de Huellas
Translated as “The Paw Print Factory” in English, La Fábrica de Huellas was originally a ceramic factory in Valencia. During the Industrial Revolution in the 20th century, Valencia’s ceramics declined, and many of the traditional ceramic factories were given new uses. La Fábrica de Huellas is Valencia’s only cat cafe, and its name refers to the paw prints of the pets that live there. If you love cats, you need to visit!
Animal activities
Enjoy a cafe latte, hot chocolate, or orange juice while surrounded by nonchalant cats.
Watch sleeping kitties, play with kitties, and admire their cute fluffy faces.
Admire the kitties some more.
What’s there?
La Fábrica de Huellas houses a colony of cats available for adoption. There are usually around 20 cats when I’ve visited, although this number changes. These sweet fur babies are a mix of shy, unsure, sassy, and confident, so don’t be offended if not all of them want to play. I went to greet some little kitties, but they were so afraid they ran to the opposite side of the cafe. Meanwhile, some are quite happy to come and sniff your coffee and sit on your lap.
You will need to book the inner cat colony area for the privilege of hanging out with feline fur balls. This area has the usual tables and chairs, along with numerous cat dens, houses, and climbing platforms on the walls. You will see them wander in and out of the area through their own secret doorways, where they have kitty toilets and a chill area separate from the human zone.
Outside of the cat colony, there is a table you don’t need to book if you don’t want to see the cats. Here, it is dog-friendly.
Tips
Book online to avoid disappointment!
Approach the cats carefully as they have all been rescued and may be shy.
Many cats will be sleeping during your visit so you may not be able to play with many.
If a cat chooses you and sits on your lap, you’re stuck there!
How to get there
Bus: Take the C1 or the 28 from the centre, it’s only 12 minutes from the Nord Station.
Metro, Train, and Tram: Hop on the metro and stop at Túria station. It’s a 7-minute walk to the cafe from there.
Cycling: It’s easy to cycle to the cafe using the Valenbisi or private cycle hire.
Walking: From the centre, it’s a 23-minute walk.
Car and Moped: It’s a 9-minute drive from the Nord Station. You can find a car park or roadside parking nearby.
Dolphin and whale spotting
The Oceanogràfic isn’t the only place to see dolphins. In fact, the Mediterranean Sea is home to wild whales and dolphins, which can be seen in spring and early summer. There are ten species to be seen, such as the sperm whale, fin whale, striped dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, long-finned pilot whales, and Cuvier’s beaked whales. Just off the coast of Alicante, Dénia, Ibiza, Mallorca, and Menorca are the best places near Valencia Community to catch a glimpse of these sea beauties. However, I have also seen them from on a boat, not far from Valencia Marina.
How to see whales and dolphins
Sea kayaking and snorkelling are two ways to get out into the Mediterranean Sea and spot whales and dolphins.
You can also hire a sailing or motorboat around the Valencian coast. Of course, this is best for people with some sea experience. Most people have spotted whales and dolphins in the early morning, sunrise, and sunset. Search for boat hire at a marina, which won’t include a captain or crew.
For those less confident with their boating skills, you can book a boat excursion. Choose from a few hours, a half day, or a full day at sea.
There are specialist marine boat tours with knowledgeable guides around Valencia.
Dolphins spotted on the way to Ibiza from Valencia (they disappeared before the photo!)
Recommended to book
Jardines del Real
Tucked away beside the Túria Park are the Jardines del Real. A 45-acre gated garden with peacocks, a swan and duck pond, lots of cats, a pigeon and dove hotel, and an aviary, Jardines de Real have much to see. Also known as Jardines de Viveros, the parkland was once part of the Muslim royal gardens and later the Valencian monarchs. A Royal Palace once stood on the site, but it was destroyed in 1810 during the Spanish War of Independence. You can see the ruins to this day.
The City Council acquired the gardens in 1903, and after a short life as a tree nursery, Jardines del Real was transformed into the parkland you see now. A sizeable rose garden, sculpted hedgerows, grass lawns, water fountains, and plant beds are carefully looked after by a team of gardeners, making this one of the most beloved gardens in the city centre.
Animal activities
Visit the peacock enclosure to the west of the gardens, where the males often display their shimmery blue and indigo feathers for all to see.
Watch the ducks and swans at the pond known as “llac dels ànecs de Vivers.”
Spot some of the many feline residents who live in the park. The cats are usually seen napping, strolling, and judging passersby near the duck pond.
See tiny sweet birds such as lovebirds, Eastern Rosellas, parakeets, canaries, and cockatiels in the bird aviary known as the “gàbia per a aus.”
What’s there?
Besides the wildlife, the Jardines del Real is home to the Museum of Natural Science, which has a small entrance fee. There are also two cafes with outdoor seating, a children’s playground, a fountain in the rose garden that displays a water show, and wooden sculptures near the palace ruins.
Tips
The gardens are gated, which means they aren’t open all hours. Usually, the Jardines del Real are open daily 7.30am until 9.30pm.
Try not to feed the birds as they are given seeds, grains, fruit, and insects by the gardeners.
If you look carefully, the cats have cat shelters, food, and water beside the park fences.
How to get there
Bus: Cavanilles - Vivers is the closest bus stop to Jardines Real. It is about half an hour from Nord Station.
Metro, Train, and Tram: Facultats or Alameda are the closest metro stops, which is a 10-minute ride from the centre.
Cycling: It’s easy to cycle to the cafe using the Valenbisi or private cycle hire.
Walking: From the centre, it’s a 30-minute walk.
Car and Moped: It’s a 17-minute drive from the Nord Station. You can find free roadside parking nearby.
