Skip to content
LarkTours

Routes · Europe

Mumbai to Valencia: the City of Arts, Albufera and Xàtiva

Mumbai → Valencia → Albufera → Xàtiva

Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
"Museo Príncipe Felipe, Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia, España, 2014-06-29, DD 59.JPG" by Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Parque Urb Prebo Valencia Edo. Carabobo (Valencia)
Photo: Ricardo Juliao, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Futuristic architecture, rice fields & paella Best season (general guide): Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

Valencia, on Spain's east coast, mixes a medieval old town with striking modern architecture, and it is the birthplace of paella. This route spends six nights in and around the city. From Mumbai you'll connect through the Gulf, Istanbul or Madrid.

How to pace it: Spend days one to four in Valencia: day one, the old town; day two, La Lonja and the Central Market; day three, city of Arts and Sciences; day four, Turia gardens and the beach. Then spend day five in Albufera: boat on the Albufera lagoon. Then spend day six in Xàtiva: train to Xàtiva, then the castle.

The silk exchange, La Lonja de la Seda, is a Gothic hall with twisted columns, listed by UNESCO. Across the street, the Central Market is a great iron and glass hall full of fresh food.

When the Turia river was diverted after floods, its old bed became the Turia Gardens, a long green park through the city. At its end stands the City of Arts and Sciences, a group of white futuristic buildings with a science museum, an aquarium and an opera house.

South of the city, the Albufera is a freshwater lagoon surrounded by rice fields. Boats glide across the water at sunset, and villages around it serve paella cooked over a wood fire.

Xàtiva, an hour by train, is a hill town with a long castle along the ridge and views over the plain.

In March, the Fallas festival fills the city with huge papier-mâché figures that are burned on the last night.

Valencia's old town is compact, and the cathedral and silk exchange are a short walk apart. The beach at the end of the city is reached by tram or bike. For the Albufera, go late in the afternoon so you can take the boat out at sunset and stay on for an early dinner.

Good to know: Valencia is flat and easy to explore by bike along the Turia. Lunch is the main meal, often eaten late. Order paella at midday rather than in the evening, as locals do.

Safety: Canada's advice for Spain is to exercise a high degree of caution (updated 13 August 2026).

Suggested outline

  1. Mumbai

    Start

  2. Valencia

    By air · 4 nights suggested

    The City of Arts and Sciences, the Turia gardens and the silk exchange.

  3. Albufera

    By bus · 1 night suggested

    A freshwater lagoon among rice fields, the home of paella.

    Albufera Valencia
    "Albuferenc, parque natural de la Albufera, Valencia, España, 2022-12-18, DD 25-27 HDR.jpg" by Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  4. Xàtiva

    By train · 1 night suggested

    A hill town with a castle above the plain.

    Castell de Xàtiva
    "Castell de Xàtiva Finestra de la sala del Duc de Calàbria.jpg" by Mike1979 Russia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Valencia — Arrive; the old town· Mumbai → Valencia (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Valencia — La Lonja and the Central Market
  3. Day 3 · Valencia — City of Arts and Sciences
  4. Day 4 · Valencia — Turia gardens and the beach
  5. Day 5 · Albufera — Boat on the Albufera lagoon· Valencia → Albufera (by bus)
  6. Day 6 · Xàtiva — Train to Xàtiva; the castle· Albufera → Xàtiva (by train)
  7. Day 7 · Xàtiva — Travel home from Xàtiva· Xàtiva → Valencia (by train), then Valencia → Mumbai (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

Each button opens a live, dated search. We don't show stored fares here: check today's price on the booking site.

Showing dates about a month ahead — change them when you search.

Valencia

More about Valencia →

Plan the trip: Valencia

These links go to partner sites. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices and terms are set by the partner.

Albufera

Nearest airport: Valencia Search fares · Valencia ↗

Partner links may earn LarkTours a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, availability and terms are set by each partner.