Keeping Fit in Valencia

How to work up a sweat under the Spanish sun

With wide, open beaches, a river that has been converted to urban parkland, gyms and public pools, it’s never a problem keeping up with your exercise regime in Valencia.

Outdoor fitness activities in Valencia

Wherever your tourist apartment in Valencia is, you are never too far from the Turia – a drained riverbed that snakes through the city. Historically prone to flooding, the worst one occurred in 1957 – leading to the decision to empty it of water permanently.

Ironically, doing so paved the way for one of the city’s greatest assets. The Turia’s dry riverbed now accommodates the Jardínes del Turia – one of the largest urban green spaces in Spain.

Its entire length has been landscaped with gardens, pathways and sports fields It's the place to go for running, cycling and jogging, or outdoor yoga in the shade of one of the 18 historic bridges that cross the Turia.

A short distance away, the city’s beaches provide further opportunities for jogging, running, and particularly cycling in Valencia.

Although a slow adopter compared to Madrid and Barcelona, Valencia now boasts a network of bike lanes measuring some 157 kilometres.

One of the most popular rides is from the Turia River to the port, passing the City of Arts and Sciences, and arriving at the sea – a journey that takes about 30-40 minutes.

Valenbisi, Valencia’s bike share scheme, offers a tourist package where you can use one of their bikes 24/7 for a full week for a cost of 13.30 euros. You’ll need to sign-up online, and a map of all Valencia’s bike lanes can be downloaded here.

Swimming pools in Valencia

If embracing the day with a few laps is more your speed, Valencia has a handful of public swimming pools – a few of them in unique locations.

The Piscina Oeste (open summer only) is more like an aquatic park – with fun slides and other contraptions for kids and an Olympic-sized pool for serious swimming – though you’ll need to get there early on hot days to nab a lane for yourself.

Or how about a day out that combines both sea and pool time?

Situated 10 minutes from Valencia in the Port Saplaya, the Pool Beach is a huge swimming pool situated right next to the beach. Complete with parasols, sun loungers and showers, it has the feel of a hotel resort – and makes for a great day out.

For a quick dip closer to the centre of Valencia, you might like to try Olímpia Spa & Fitness – one of the best fitness centres in Valencia that also offers a gym, a spa circuit and wellness treatments.

Gyms in Valencia

There are some incredibly prestigious gyms and wellness centres in Valencia, but unless your gym back home has an affiliate program with one, you need to be a member to get access.

This is why low-cost gyms in Valencia can be a godsend for visitors.

For example, Basic-Fit, which has four locations in central Valencia, offers a four-week deal for 20 euros. Even if your holiday in Valencia is shorter, this deal presents great value.

Situated in the heart of Valencia’s old town and with a fittingly, funky steampunk décor, The Time of Fitness is a start-of-the-art workout space that offers 10-euro day passes (15 euros for 2 days) along with massages and personal trainers.

If an outdoor workout, and particularly callisthenics, are more your thing, there are a few options too.

The Zona Fitness y calestenia Morvedre (Carrer del Ministre Luis Mayans, 33, 46009) is a free outdoor callisthenics park.

The same type of set-up can be found near the Malvarrosa beach (Carrer de l'Enginyer Fausto Elio, 78D, 46011), so you can combine your workout with a dip in the sea.

Other fitness activities in Valencia

What better way to work off calories than to dance the night away and make new friends?

Situated near the Port of Valencia, Miky House (Calle de la Barraca 41) is a Latin dance club that offers free lessons most nights of the week – Wednesdays is salsa night, Thursdays merengue and Friday’s bachata. Classes start at 10pm, but plan to stay into the night for the dance floor and karaoke sessions.

Indoor wall climbing is a hugely popular urban sport in Spain. You can put your skills (which need not be advanced) to the test at Laif Climbing Gym (Calle del Foc 16) – a fun place where you can take the entire family.

And finally, if you love the challenge of playing sport on the sand but want the comfort of an indoor environment, Beach Arena is the first centre in Spain that combines both. Courts are for hire for both beach volley and tennis –and you can leave the sunscreen at home.