On Sunday 25 October, thousands of runners will take to the streets of Valencia to take part in the Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Zurich Half Marathon, one of the fastest 21K races in the world.
But hardly any of them come alone.
Couples, friends, fathers, mothers and whole groups also travel to Valencia to support, cheer on and wait at the finish line. And whilst one person knows exactly what they’re going to be doing on Sunday morning, the rest may find themselves wondering: Right, so what are we going to do all weekend?
If that’s the case for you, this guide is for you.
The race finishes before lunch
The Half Marathon starts at 8.25 am and both the start and the finish are located at the Avinguda dels Tarongers, in the university area.
For many runners, completing 21 kilometres takes between an hour and a half and two and a half hours. If you add in the time it takes beforehand to get to the start line, drop off your bag, find the right starting pen and then make your way through the crowds at the finish line, your Sunday morning is practically taken up.
But not the whole weekend.
Many participants arrive in Valencia between Friday and Saturday and return on Sunday afternoon or Monday. That leaves plenty of time to explore the city, especially for those who They’re not going to go for a run and they don’t need to spend Saturday resting with their legs up.
Short tours to explore Valencia
Explore the Turia Gardens by bike
A good way to see quite a bit of the city in a short space of time is to explore the The Turia Gardens by bike.
The guided tour lasts around two hours and follows the old riverbed to the City of Arts and Sciences. Along the way, you’ll pass under some of the city’s most iconic bridges and discover why this park has become one of the favourite meeting places for the people of Valencia.
It’s a particularly convenient option for those accompanying others, as it allows you to cover much greater distances than you could on foot without having to spend half a day doing so.
What if you’re the one racing the next day? In that case, it’s best to make a decision based on your fitness level and prioritise rest if you’re not used to cycling before a race. It’s not the time to rack up extra kilometres just for the sake of it.
Art and architecture in the historic centre
If you’d prefer something cultural, another option is to spend about three hours exploring some of the most important monuments in the historic centre.
The art and architecture tour These include the Silk Exchange, Valencia Cathedral and the Church of San Nicolás, known for its spectacular frescoes and often referred to as the “Valencian Sistine Chapel”.
Admission is included and much of the tour takes place inside the monuments, so it’s also a good option if the weather isn’t great.
What’s more, once you’ve finished, you’ll be right in the heart of Valencia, so you can easily carry on through El Carmen, pop into the Central Market or find somewhere to eat.
If you’re travelling with someone who needs to rest before the race, you could even split up for a few hours: the runner goes to the hotel, whilst the others go off to explore the city. It’s a win-win for everyone.
FREE plans that coincide with that same weekend
Valencia Open House
From the 23–25 October 2026 is held Valencia Open House, the city’s architecture and urban planning festival.
Over the course of that weekend, buildings and spaces that are not normally open to the public are opened up, and urban walking tours, guided tours and other architecture-related activities are organised.
Most of the activities are free, although some tours have limited places and require prior registration.
If you have even the slightest interest in architecture, it’s worth having a look at the programme because it coincides exactly with the weekend of the race.
And it also has one obvious advantage: it’s not the sort of thing you’d normally do on any other weekend in Valencia.
Come along and cheer on the half-marathon runners
You don’t have to run to be part of the atmosphere.
View the Valencia Half Marathon The race is free to watch from the street, and the route takes in various parts of the city, from the area around l’Horta Nord and the old Turia riverbed to the historic centre and the Cabanyal, before returning to the finish line.
If you’ve come along to support someone, pick out one or two points along the route in advance where you can watch them go past.
Much better than trying to chase him for 21 kilometres all over Valencia.
Central Market
Another easy stop — and a free one, if you can resist buying anything — is the Valencia Central Market.
It is one of the city’s largest fresh produce markets and is well worth a visit, both for the building itself and for the atmosphere at the stalls.
That said, there is one important detail to bear in mind this weekend: It is open from Monday to Saturday from 7.30 am to 3.00 pm and is closed on Sundays.
So if you want to visit during the Half Marathon weekend, do so on Friday or Saturday morning.
Turia Garden
And for one of the simplest plans, you don’t need to book anything at all.
The Turia Garden It stretches for more than nine kilometres across Valencia, following the old riverbed.
You can go for a walk, sit on the grass, bring something to eat, cycle around, or simply use it to get from one part of the city to another.
If you’re coming with children, it’s also one of the easiest places to let them burn off some energy whilst the runner tries to do exactly the opposite.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Valencia Half Marathon?
The Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Zurich Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 25 October 2026. The race starts at 8.25 am, and the start and finish lines are located on Avinguda dels Tarongers.
What can I do in Valencia if I’m accompanying someone who’s running?
Plenty. The weekend coincides with Open House València, and you can also take the opportunity to explore the historic centre, stroll through the Turia Gardens, visit the Central Market on Friday or Saturday, or go on a short guided tour whilst the runner is resting.
Are there any plans that don’t involve walking for hours?
Yes. One cycle route through the Turia Gardens allows you to explore much of the city in about two hours, and the art and architecture tour It combines short walks with visits inside the Lonja, the Cathedral and San Nicolás.
Where can I watch the runners go past?
The 2026 route passes through various areas of Valencia, including the area around the old Turia riverbed, the historic centre and the Cabanyal. It’s best to check the official map before the race and choose one or two specific spots to wait at.
Is the Central Market open on the Sunday of the Half Marathon?
No. The Central Market is open from Monday to Saturday, from 7.30 am to 3.00 pm, so over that weekend it’s best to visit on Friday or Saturday morning.
The Half Marathon may be the reason for your trip, but it doesn’t have to take up the whole weekend. If you’re coming along to support someone who’s running, make the most of those hours to explore Valencia at your own pace. And if you’re looking for a short activity that you can fit in between race numbers, meals and the finish line, you can check out the tours available that weekend on Valencia&Go.
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