City of Arts and Sciences Private Segway Tour

Valencia makes an unusual kind of city tour possible: glide from a medieval gate through a former riverbed turned urban park, then reach a cluster of bold, futuristic buildings without spending the day on foot. This private 90-minute Segway ride links three very different sides of the city.

I like two things in particular: you get extra time to practise before setting off, and a private guide can shape the route around your group. The park section also gives you room to enjoy the ride between history stops, rather than simply hopping from one landmark to another.

The main consideration is that a Segway asks you to stay alert. Posts, curbs and other obstacles need your attention, even when the buildings are tempting you to look up. If you are uneasy on a moving vehicle, tell your guide before departure and take the training seriously.

The useful details at a glance

• A compact route with three distinct chapters: Torres de Serrans, the Turia Gardens and the City of Arts and Sciences.
• A private group experience: Only your party takes part, with the possibility of planning a personal route.
• Beginner practice is built in: The guide allows extra time for training before the ride begins.
• Park time is the heart of the tour: About 30 minutes are allocated to the Turia Gardens, with around 50 minutes at the Arts and Sciences complex.
• You return to the same place: The tour starts and ends at the Segway Anyway office on C/ de les Carabasses.
• Safety limits apply: Riders must weigh at least 25 kg and no more than 130 kg, and helmets are provided.

From Serrans Gate to the futuristic city

The route’s appeal is its contrast. You begin near the old city, where Torres de Serrans recalls Valencia’s medieval defenses, then travel through a long green corridor before arriving at the sweeping, science-fiction-style architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences. In about an hour and a half, you get a broad visual introduction to parts of Valencia that feel worlds apart.

The tour is offered by Segway Anyway Valencia and costs $60.49 per person. Since it is private and requires at least two people per booking, the minimum booking cost is $120.98 for a pair. That price buys more than a vehicle: it includes a guide, helmets, raincoats and extra practice time, with a chance to adapt the route to your group. The stops have no admission charge listed, though this is a ride through the sites, not a ticket to enter museums or other attractions.

This format makes particular sense if you have limited time or want to cover more ground than you would comfortably manage on foot. It can also suit families and groups with mixed interests: one person can enjoy the ride, another can focus on architecture, and the guide can make pauses for local details. The best fit is a group that wants an active overview, not a slow, in-depth visit inside the complex.

Learning the Segway before setting off

The meeting point is C/ de les Carabasses, 15, in Ciutat Vella. The tour begins with training and then heads out, with extra time set aside to get comfortable before you travel. That matters if this is your first ride. Several people have taken the tour without previous Segway experience and found the controls manageable, but easy to learn does not mean you can stop paying attention.

Your guide can help you get used to balancing and steering before the route begins. A private group also gives you more room to raise concerns or ask for a slower start than you might have on a larger public tour. One family’s guide even helped a nervous rider stay with the group by controlling her Segway alongside her. That is a generous example of flexibility, not a service you should assume will be available in every circumstance.

Helmets and raincoats are included. Take a moment to make sure your helmet fits properly, and keep your eyes on the path while riding. One rider was hurt after looking up at the buildings and catching a wheel on a post. The guide helped coordinate care at the nearby Science Museum, but the useful lesson is simple: admire the architecture when stopped, not while steering past curbs and obstacles.

Torres de Serrans: a brief look at old Valencia

The first named stop is Torres de Serrans, one of the original 12 gates into Valencia. The scheduled visit is about five minutes, so think of this as a quick orientation rather than a full historical tour. It gives you a moment to see the medieval side of the city before the route shifts toward its greener and more modern face.

The gate is a useful starting point because it makes the city’s changing character easy to grasp. Valencia’s historic center is not the only story here. Within a short ride, you move from the old defensive edge of town into the Turia, a broad urban park that occupies the former riverbed, and later to the cultural complex.

The stop’s brevity is a trade-off. If you want to spend a long time studying the gate or learning its history, this tour’s pace may feel brisk. But the private format gives you the chance to ask your guide questions, and the route is designed to connect several parts of the city rather than linger at one monument.

Turia Gardens: the route’s green middle

The tour devotes about 30 minutes to Jardí del Túria, one of Spain’s largest urban parks. The park’s scale is part of the point: instead of crossing Valencia on busy streets for the whole trip, you ride through a long green space lined with tropical trees and plants. The ride itself becomes a major part of the sightseeing.

Along this section, the route may include Roman ruins, the Palace of Music and Gulliver Park. Those landmarks give the park a varied feel, mixing recreation, culture and traces of older Valencia. Gulliver Park is a particularly distinctive stop: its giant figure is designed as a play space, making it a memorable sight for families as well as a visual curiosity for adults.

This is also where a Segway can make practical sense. The park covers enough ground that walking between its different features would take time, while the ride lets you cover distance and still stop for explanations or photos. Guides David and Santiago are among the names associated with tours here, and the guiding style described by the company’s guests includes historical facts, local recommendations and a lively, personable approach. Your guide may be someone else, but the private setup is intended to keep the experience conversational.

You should not expect a quiet nature walk. This is an active ride through a large public park, and the route has to balance movement with stops. If you prefer to sit beneath the trees for an hour or explore every corner at walking pace, plan a separate park visit. For a broad introduction, though, the Segway offers a handy way to see the park’s range.

City of Arts and Sciences: Valencia’s futuristic face

The longest stop, about 50 minutes, is the City of Arts and Sciences, a cultural and entertainment complex known for its sci-fi-style architecture. The dramatic buildings and open spaces make a sharp contrast with Torres de Serrans. They are also the sort of place that can leave you looking upward, which is exactly why you should stop the Segway before taking in the views.

The route gives you time to see the complex and hear about it from your guide, but the tour does not list museum entry or attraction tickets as included. Treat this as an outdoor visit and an introduction to the architecture, not a substitute for spending time inside the Science Museum or other venues. If you want to explore an interior attraction, you will need to arrange that separately.

The complex is a strong destination for a short city tour because it rewards a wide view. Its scale and futuristic design are best appreciated as you approach and move around the area. A guide can help you understand what you are seeing, while a private group can pause for pictures without needing to keep pace with strangers.

The main caution is the open, built environment. Posts, edges and curbs can be easy to miss when attention shifts to the buildings. Keep both hands and attention on riding, and save photos for a stop. One guide has also been praised for taking pictures and video during a tour, and the experience includes the possibility of using the company’s professional camera. Ask your guide how that works on the day rather than assuming photos are guaranteed.

What the private format adds

A private tour is most valuable when your group has different comfort levels or wants to focus on particular sights. The route can be planned for each group, so you have a better chance of making the experience feel like your own outing instead of a fixed procession. That does not mean every detour or timing change is assured, but it gives you a sensible reason to discuss your priorities before departure.

The guide is central to the experience. Names connected with this tour include David, Santiago, Euvgny and Sharin. People have described guides who explain local history, point out trees and flowers in the park, suggest places to eat and drink, and keep the mood light. Those personal touches are a useful part of the value, especially when you have only a short time in Valencia.

There is also the practical matter of luggage. The operator allows you to leave luggage, which can help if you are between accommodation or transport arrangements. Confirm the details with the operator when booking, as the supplied information does not specify storage size or conditions.

The tour is offered in English, and it may be operated by a multilingual guide. The booking requires at least two people, and the weight limit is 25 kg minimum and 130 kg maximum. Most people can participate, but the Segway format does require enough confidence to follow instructions and pay attention to the path.

Is $60.49 a fair price?

At $60.49 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Valencia’s landmarks. But the price covers a private guide, the Segway, helmet, raincoat and practice time, and the ride links the old city, park and modern complex in a compact visit. If you value both the transportation and a personal guide, the cost is easier to justify than if you are only looking for a short Segway rental.

The value improves for a group that wants a shared activity. A family with teenagers may find the ride more engaging than a standard walking tour, while adults who want to cover ground can use the park route as a practical shortcut. The tour’s private nature also means your group is not sharing the guide with other bookings.

On the other hand, if you are keen to spend hours inside museums, study each monument in depth, or move at a very leisurely pace, you may get more from a walking tour and separate attraction visits. The Segway tour is best understood as a guided overview with an entertaining mode of transport, not a full-day cultural program.

A few practical points before booking

The activity lasts about 90 minutes, though individual stop times add up to roughly 85 minutes, with training and travel time making up the rest. It starts and ends at the same office on C/ de les Carabasses, 15. The booking confirmation is issued at the time of booking.

The tour needs good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff uses local time.

Should you book this Valencia Segway tour?

Book it if you want to see the medieval gate, Turia Gardens and the City of Arts and Sciences in one lively outing, and you like the idea of a private guide who can adjust the route to your group. It is especially appealing for families with older children and groups short on time, provided everyone meets the weight limits and is comfortable learning to ride.

Skip it if you want a slow, detailed visit inside museums or if you would rather keep your eyes on architecture than on the path. If you do book, arrive ready to practise, wear your helmet properly and remember the simplest rule of the ride: stop before you look up.

FAQ

How long is the City of Arts and Sciences Private Segway Tour?

It lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes, including training and the ride.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Torres de Serrans, Jardí del Túria and the City of Arts and Sciences, then returns to the starting point.

Are admission tickets included?

The stops are listed with free admission. The tour information does not include entry to museums or other attractions inside the complex.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates, and a minimum of two people is required per booking.

Is the tour offered in English?

English is offered. The guide may be multilingual.

Are there weight limits for riding?

Yes. Riders must weigh at least 25 kg (55 pounds) and no more than 130 kg (290 pounds).

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at C/ de les Carabasses, 15, Ciutat Vella, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

If poor weather cancels the tour, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start for a full refund.