What to do in Valencia on half-marathon weekend?

Friday, Saturday: what to do in Valencia before the start? 🎒

The Valencia Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 25 October 2026. Nearly 22,000 runners descend on Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city.

First stop: the runner expo at the Feria de Valencia. The organizers hand out bibs in person only, on Friday and Saturday. Plan for half a day, shuttle included.

To loosen up your legs, head to the Turia Gardens 🌳 . This public park stretches 9 km along the former bed of the Turia, diverted after the deadly flood of 1957. You’ll find a flat, shaded, car-free path: half the field jogs there on Saturday morning.

At the end of the park, the City of Arts and Sciences by Santiago Calatrava lines up its white spaceship-like shells. Disney even filmed Tomorrowland there. Save the full visit for Monday: your calves don’t like shuffling around for three hours the day before a time trial.

Sunday: 21 km of guided sightseeing at race pace ⏱️

Waves set off from the foot of the Torre Miramar from 8:25 a.m.. With only 16 m of elevation gain on the clock, the Medio Maratón Valencia course is like a billiard table: fast from start to finish 🚀 .

You’ll fly past the Museum of Fine Arts, run alongside the Turia and pass the Quart Towers halfway through. The Serranos Towers then signal a foray into the historic center. The final turn brings you back toward the Hemisfèric and the Assut de l’Or Bridge, before one last straightaway facing the Mediterranean.

This asphalt collects fast times: in 2021, Letesenbet Gidey set the women’s world record here in 1:02:52 🏆 . For France, Alessia Zarbo broke the French record in 1:08:20. A member of the SuperHalfs and holder of the World Athletics Gold Label, the Valencia half checks every box for a record-breaking race.

Legends take it on, too. Rosa Mota, the 1988 Olympic marathon champion, completed the half marathon here in 1:25:52, an unofficial world record for over-65s.

After the finish line: paella, beach and Albufera 🥘

Your stomach demands its reward, and you’re running in the homeland of paella. The real Valencian version pairs chicken, rabbit and green beans. Seafood and chorizo? Diplomatic incident guaranteed. Valencians eat it at lunchtime, never in the evening: you’ll cross the finish line right on time.

Next, head for Malvarrosa Beach 🌊 . In late October, the water sits around 20°C: perfect for a gentle cryo-style recovery. On the way, the El Cabanyal neighborhood rolls out its façades covered in azulejos.

On Monday, tackle the center on foot, legs stiff but curiosity intact. The Central Market overflows with stalls, the Lonja de la Seda shows off its UNESCO listing, and the cathedral lays claim to the Holy Grail. Stock up on horchata or a fresh-pressed juice—we’re in orange country 🍊 .

Finish due south at the Albufera Natural Park. Lagoon, rice fields, flat-bottom boats: the sunset over the water 🌅 brings the weekend to a gentle close.

It’s going to be fast! 🚀

Your plan fits into four beats: bib on Friday, shakeout run on Saturday, a time on Sunday, paella right after. The Valencia Half Marathon often sells out: book your bib before spots fly away. Still got the bug? The Valencia Marathon does it again on 6 December 2026. See you on the start line? 🏁