What to do in Valencia when it rains: 15 indoor plans

What to do in Valencia when it rains comes down to a short list: the Oceanogràfic and the Science Museum at the Ciutat de les Arts, the city centre museums (Bellas Artes, IVAM, the Fallero museum) and covered markets like the Central and Colón. The city keeps running on a grey day, and a downpour here usually lasts a couple of hours. Here are the plans, grouped by area.

Ciutat de les Arts: a full day under cover

This is where a rainy day goes fast. The Oceanogràfic is Europe's largest aquarium: sharks, belugas, penguins and an underwater tunnel. Next door, the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum is hands on, a good fit if you're travelling with kids. The Hemisfèric screens films on a giant dome. Book online and set aside half a day: the aquarium alone takes about four hours on its own.

• Oceanogràfic: aquarium, marine life, underwater restaurant.
• Science Museum: interactive exhibits, works well with kids.
• Hemisfèric: large format screenings.

City centre museums (several free)

The old centre packs museums you can walk between under the arcades. The Museo de Bellas Artes (San Pío V) is Spain's second largest art collection, and general entry is free: El Greco, Velázquez, Sorolla and the Valencian primitives. The IVAM covers modern art and runs free entry windows. The Fallero museum keeps the pardoned ninots from each Fallas. Free days and hours change, so check our list of free museums and confirm them on each museum's official site.

Covered markets and the Lonja

Eat and browse without getting wet. The modernist Mercado Central is huge and built for a counter breakfast: a clóchina, a small skewer, fresh juice. Ten minutes away, the Mercado de Colón leans more towards cafés, vermouth and horchata. Right across from the Central stands the Lonja de la Seda, a Gothic UNESCO site that works well for ducking in for half an hour. If real hunger hits, see where to eat the best paella.

Cathedral, horchata and old town cafés

The old town is good for hours without stepping outside. The Cathedral holds the Holy Chalice, and you can climb the Miguelete tower once it clears. Finish in a longstanding horchatería with fartons, or a café in El Carmen watching the rain come down. It's the most Valencian way to spend a wet afternoon.

Shopping under cover

Calle Colón and the Ruzafa district are dense with shops, and the Mercado de Colón mixes shopping with a covered terrace. On days when it just won't stop, malls with cinemas can fill the whole afternoon.

Want to know what's on today?

Rain doesn't stop the city: there are concerts, theatre and exhibitions every day. Check the live agenda to see what's happening indoors this week, and if it clears up, browse the free plans.

Frequently asked questions

What to do in Valencia on a rainy day with kids?

The Science Museum and the Oceanogràfic are the safe bet: interactive, large and fully covered. The Fallero museum and the Hemisfèric work well too.

Are there free museums in Valencia?

Yes. The Museo de Bellas Artes has free general entry, and several museums run free slots or days. Free hours and days change, so confirm them on the museum's site before you go.

Does it rain a lot in Valencia?

No. The climate is dry and sunny most of the year, and showers tend to be short and heavy, mainly in autumn. There's detail in our guide to the weather in Valencia.

How do I get between plans if it rains?

The metro and bus link the centre with the Ciutat de les Arts. See options in how to get around Valencia.