1
Gulliver Park
More Than Just Swings: A Guide to Valencia’s Best Playgrounds and Parks For Children
In Valencia, playgrounds are much more interesting than a simple "swing and slide" set-up. Interestingly, you won't find the sandboxes familiar to many expats here—they are considered unhygienic and expensive to maintain. Instead, there are giant sculptures, water features, ships, climbing walls, and an entire children's district with road signs. Furthermore, Spanish playgrounds are a model of polite and kind behaviour toward both one's own and others' children; you can be sure someone will always help a child onto a swing or retrieve a ball from the bushes. Just in time for the school holidays, La Cotorra highlights the parks most worth a visit.
Located in the dry Turia riverbed, this park has long been one of the city's landmarks. It features a 70-metre figure of Gulliver, which children can walk on, climb, and slide down via its countless integrated slides.
The park was designed by Fallas masters—specialists who create the giant figures for the Las Fallas festival. Gulliver's entire body, including strands of hair and items of clothing, is designed for play. The hero of the famous novel is so massive that both children and parents crawling over him can feel like Lilliputians. A scale model is located next to the figure, and the park also provides toilets and a large picnic area.
Editor’s tip: When visiting, wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty. The ground is covered in soil that stains easily.
Additionally, a new playground styled after a concrete plant has been built near Gulliver, featuring lorries, cranes, an excavator, a tractor, and a steamroller.
2
Children's Traffic Park (Jardines de Viveros)
This large children's district—complete with streets, zebra crossings, tunnels, bridges, traffic lights, and road signs—is situated within the Royal Gardens (Jardines de Viveros), one of the city's oldest green spaces.
Here, children can ride bicycles, scooters, rollerskates, or skateboards while learning the rules of the road in a safe environment. Local schools often hold outdoor lessons here. The route runs in a loop, with several play areas for different ages in the centre. Nearby, there are aviaries where you can see peacocks and various breeds of parrots.
3
Cabecera Park
Families come here to stroll around lakes, go boating or ride swan-shaped pedalos, and watch fish and water turtles. The local playground is styled as a pirate ship, and there are plenty of spots for picnics or outdoor games.
4
Parc Central
Located almost in the city centre, this park features a stylised climbing tree, a rock-climbing wall, a large slide, and fountains that children love running through in warm weather. It is a perfect spot for a picnic among beautiful flowers.
5
Parque del Oeste
This large park was created on the site of a former military garrison. It features several play zones for different age groups, skateboard areas, mini-golf, and a decommissioned aircraft monument.
6
Monforte Gardens
A neo-classical park with fountains and small play areas, this is an excellent option for toddlers and leisurely family walks. Its intimate atmosphere and picturesque floral arches provide a truly meditative mood.
What is a Ludoteca?
A distinct category of play areas in Valencia is the ludoteca. These are indoor play spaces, typically found in large shopping centres, equipped with books and toys for general use. They are a brilliant option for escaping the heat or bad winter weather.
The idea of the ludoteca was born in Europe in the 1960s. The "toy library" concept allowed children to take toys and games home, much like books from a library. This was particularly vital for low-income families, ensuring every child had access to high-quality play.
Today in Valencia, ludotecas are often more than just playrooms; they are educational centres with entertainers and teachers. Dozens of these spaces—both municipal and private—operate in the city and suburbs. While toys are no longer borrowed for home use, they remain a productive and fun way to shelter from the summer sun or autumn rain.
Major Ludotecas in Valencia
- Ludoteca Municipal Isaac Peral (Burjassot) — The most famous municipal play library.
- Ludoteca Municipal 613 (Burjassot) — Large-scale, with a strong social focus.
- Ludoteca Arcoiris (Valencia) — Features a ball pit and is popular for children's birthday parties.
- CC Saler Free Ludoteca — A major free initiative located within the popular shopping mall.
- Ludoteca Superthings (Gandía, La Vital) — A unique themed play space.
