This is our guide running in Valencia, Spain’s third largest city and beautifully situated on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and the Turia River. It is considered one of the most up and coming cities in Europe due to its increased success in tourism. And with a mild Mediterranean climate and flat, scenic public spaces, it’s no wonder that Valencia has come to self-identify as the “City of Running.”
Great Runs partnered with Valencia Ciudad del Running and Urban Running Valencia to find the top running destinations in the region. Locals seem to agree that the heart of running routes in the city is Turia Gardens, a long riverside park with a specialized 5K route. It has great connections to several other of the best places to run in Valencia: Cabecera Park, Jardines del Real, and Blasco Ibanez. The gorgeous Marina Real Juan Carlos I, Maritime Boulevard along the seaport, the scenic pastures of El Saler, and the centrally located Ronda Norte are also popular with both local and visiting runners. Or, you can take a nice long sand run along the north beaches.
Valencia is easy to get around, with a reliable bus and metro system. All sites in town are relatively close together, so navigating without a car is fairly cheap and easy. You can even buy combined tickets to hop on and off the bus and metro as necessary. But let’s be honest, with all the runnable beaches, parks, and green spaces in this city, you’ll want to run everywhere.
