14 Surprises Awaiting You in Turia Park

El Jardín de Turia, or Turia Park, is a seven-kilometer (almost four-and-a-half-mile) wonderland in the city’s old riverbed. After the Great Flood of Valencia in 1957, the city diverted the river, Río Turia, and built in its place an amazing park, which opened in 1986.

Because I often cope with my anxiety and depression by taking long walks, I was thrilled when I found out my apartment in Valencia was a three-minute walk to the park. The heat was a little overwhelming at first, but Turia Park was a haven for me during my stay in Valencia.

Over the weeks, I explored every nook and cranny of this fantastic river park. If you ever visit Valencia, I suggest you do the same. To get you started, here are 14 surprises that await you in the park:

1. Picturesque Biking and Running Trails
Whether you like to bike, run, or walk, the park is perfect for a short or long journey. I recommend waiting until after 7 p.m. It’s more crowded, but much cooler, and you might catch a nice sunset.

 2. Nature
Maybe it’s not a surprise that a park is filled with nature, but Turia Park has different areas with unique trees, bright flowers, herb gardens, and a school of nature (whatever that is). You never know what you might stumble across as you wander.

3. Mini Beaches and Pools
Looking to cool off during those hot Valencia summers without trekking to the beach? There are a bunch of water features you can splash around in throughout the park, including one under a bridge. 

4. Sport Centers
During my exploration, I found baseball fields, batting cages, basketball courts, rugby fields, fútbol/soccer fields, tracks, hurdles, skate parks, and more. Turia is the place for all things sports. 

5. Food and drinks
Walking through this park is bound to work up an appetite. While other parks have hotdog stands, this one has cafés, horchata stalls, bars, and full restaurants to keep you full.

6. Epic Playgrounds
Turia has the coolest playgrounds I’ve ever seen. The crown jewel is Gulliver—a playground of mostly slides shaped like a giant man (Gulliver from Gulliver’s Travels). Slide down his beard or coattails or hide out under his curled hand. Besides Gulliver, there are play sets including one made of spider web-style nets and one shaped like a pirate ship.

7. Art and Architecture
Multiple architects, the most famous of which is probably Ricardo Bofill, designed the park, making it its own work of art. Check out the impressive buildings in the City of Arts and Sciences, interesting sculptures throughout the park, detailed bridges crossing overhead, and other hidden gems—such as a grand hedge maze that made me think I was in a Harry Potter movie (above).

8. Gyms and Workout Classes
Once the sun begins to go down and the temperature drops, the park is packed with people doing yoga, slack lining, leading group workouts, or exercising on the outdoor equipment scattered throughout the park. Why spend time in a stuffy gym when you can boost your endorphins outside with friends?

9. Mini-golf
There is a mini-golf course set up outside one of the cafés. I saw people playing on it but am still not sure how you get balls and clubs. If you know, please comment below!

10. Dog Parks
Turia Park’s designers didn’t forget about man’s best friend. There are vast dog parks along the paths where dog owner’s can let their pets run free.

11. Summer Movie Theater
Above one section of the park is the Palau de la Música where you can see orchestras, bands, and other musical performances. Below the Palau, in the park, there is a screen and chairs. Every night in August, they project movies on the screen. Movies only cost 3.50 euros and are sometimes in English. You can also buy food and drinks, including signature cocktails for each movie!

12. City of Arts and Sciences
The park dead-ends at the Ciutat de Les Arts y Les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences)—one of Valencia’s premiere attractions. Not only is this area a feast for your eyes, but each unique building also houses something different to explore. There is the Palau de Les Arts art center/concert hall, the Hemisfèric IMAX theater, a science museum, the Ágora convention center, the Oceanogràfic aquarium, and Umbracle, an enclosed garden above the other buildings that becomes a club at night (pictured above). Be sure to visit the area at sunset for spectacular pictures.

13. Water “Sports”
In the large pools outside the science museum and IMAX theater, you can try out some water activities. There are hamster balls that you can get in to roll around on the water, kayaks, rowboats, and paddleboards with pedals that look like water elliptical machines. Each activity costs about five euros for 10 minutes. Be warned that the hamster balls are very hot and not cleaned between riders.

14. Access to Other Parks and a Zoo
If you head away from the City of Arts and Sciences to the other end of the park, you will eventually end up in Parque de Cabercera. This park has a lake with swan boats, a small outdoor amphitheater, a restaurant, and more bike trails. It also leads to the Bioparc, Valencia’s zoo. You can get tickets there for about 24 euros.

Along with these highlights, I also passed under historic and modern bridges and found a seemingly abandoned water house (unsure if it’s still being used), intricate birdhouses, and a summer carnival with rides, games, cotton candy, and more. There are also places to rent bikes for yourself or a four-person bike for the family.

Overall, Turia Park is a great place to relax and find solace, to meet up with friends, and to unwind after a long, hot day. It’s a wonderful resource for everyone, but especially for those who need help quieting their minds. I found it harder to be depressed and anxious sitting under a tree, watching people enjoy themselves, and being grateful for the good in the world.

Check out my Instagram Story, Valencia Feels, to see more of my journey through Turia Park.