City of Arts and Sciences Private Segway Tour

Valencia’s most enjoyable Segway ride links two very different sides of the city: the medieval Torres de Serrans and the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences. Between them, you glide through the former Turia riverbed, now one of Spain’s largest urban parks. I like the private format because your guide can slow down for nervous beginners or shape the route around your group. I also like the extra training time before departure. The main drawback is that the ride is only about 90 minutes, so you see the big sights without entering the museums.

The guides make a real difference. David and Santiago are praised for humor, local facts, photos, and a relaxed manner, while Euvgny and Sharin have also led memorable rides. Keep your eyes on the path, though. A Segway is easy to learn, but posts, curbs, edges, and passing obstacles still require attention.

Key points at a glance

• Private route from old Valencia to the futuristic complex: Only your group takes part, with room to adjust the pace and stops.
• Extra practice before setting off: First-time riders get training before the city ride begins.
• Turia Gardens is the heart of the tour: You pass trees, plants, Roman remains, the Palace of Music, and Gulliver Park.
• The City of Arts and Sciences gets the longest stop: Allow about 50 minutes for the complex and its striking architecture.
• Guides can add photos and video: The company offers pictures and video made with a professional camera.
• Safety matters more than speed: Helmets and raincoats are supplied, but you must stay alert around curbs and fixed objects.

Starting near Valencia’s old city walls

You meet at C/ de les Carabasses, 15, in Ciutat Vella. That puts the starting point near Valencia’s old center and within reach of public transportation. After check-in, you receive a helmet and, when needed, a raincoat.

The first part is practice. This matters if you have never used a Segway, since the machine responds to shifts in your weight rather than to a steering wheel in the usual sense. The extra training time also lets your guide see how comfortable each person is before the group heads into the city.

That private setting is one of the tour’s best features. A family with teenagers can keep moving, while a group of first-time riders can ask for more practice. One family of five had never ridden before and found the machines easy to handle after instruction. Another group included a nervous adult rider, and the guide helped her take part by riding alongside and assisting with control.

The minimum booking is two people. The weight limits are 25 kilograms minimum and 130 kilograms maximum. Those limits are worth checking before you pay, especially if your group includes young children or anyone who may find the machine uncomfortable.

Torres de Serrans and the medieval edge of Valencia

The first formal stop is Torres de Serrans, one of the original 12 gates of Valencia. The stop lasts about five minutes and does not include an admission charge.

You will not spend long here, but it gives the ride a useful opening point. The towers remind you that Valencia was once a walled city, before the route shifts toward the open spaces of the Turia Gardens. Your guide can add historical context and point out details you might otherwise pass without noticing.

This is more of a quick orientation stop than a full old-town tour. If your main goal is Valencia’s medieval streets, churches, and markets, this experience will not replace a walking tour. Its appeal is the contrast: a brief look at the old city, followed by a long ride through the park toward the modern district.

Riding through Turia Gardens

About 30 minutes are spent in Jardi del Turia, usually called the Turia Gardens. The park occupies the former riverbed and gives the tour a broad, mostly open route between central Valencia and the City of Arts and Sciences.

This is the most active part of the experience. You ride past tropical trees, plants, Roman remains, the Palace of Music, and Gulliver Park. The changing scenery keeps the trip from feeling like a simple transfer between two monuments. Your guide may pause for flowers, trees, or a point of interest, then get the group moving again.

I like this section because it lets you cover ground without the fatigue of a long city walk. Valencia is spread out enough that reaching the arts complex from the old center on foot takes time. The Segway gives you a practical way to connect the two areas while still allowing you to stop for views and local details.

The park is also where you need to focus most carefully. A guide can lead you, but you remain responsible for watching the surface and the space around you. One rider suffered facial injuries after looking away and catching a wheel on a post. The guide helped arrange care with museum security and an on-duty nurse, but the incident is a useful warning. Keep both eyes on the route, give curbs and posts room, and make sure your helmet fits securely.

The City of Arts and Sciences in 50 minutes

The final major stop is Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, a cultural and entertainment complex known for its futuristic, science-fiction-like architecture. You have about 50 minutes here, the longest pause of the tour.

This is where the ride earns its name. The huge white forms, pools, and open spaces create a sharp contrast with the old gate at the start. You get time to look around, take photographs, and hear your guide explain the complex before returning to the office.

The tour includes exterior sightseeing, not admission to the museums or attractions. That distinction matters. The complex contains places that can take much longer to explore, but this experience is designed to show you the setting and architecture from outside. If you want to visit the Prince Felipe Science Museum in detail, plan a separate visit and buy the appropriate admission.

The open space also makes this a good point for group photos. The company offers the possibility of pictures and video using a professional camera, a useful extra if you want more than quick phone snapshots. Ask your guide about it at the start so you understand what is available for your group.

What the private format changes

A private tour is not just a smaller version of a shared outing. It gives you more control over pace, training, and stops. The company says it can help plan a personal route for each group, within the time and practical limits of the ride.

That flexibility suits families especially well. Teenagers may enjoy the novelty of the Segway, while parents may care more about manageable instruction and regular pauses. A group of adults can ask for more city facts, more photos, or a steadier pace through the park.

The guides also add personality. David is described as funny and engaging, with a strong feel for Valencia’s history. Santiago has been praised for helping first-time riders, taking photos and video, and suggesting places to eat and drink for the rest of a visit. Euvgny is known for a lively style, and Sharin has led tours praised for both the ride and the information. The guide assigned to you may differ, and the company may use a multilingual guide.

The private format does cost more than joining a larger group, but the listed price of $60.49 per person is fair if you value personal attention. You are paying for a guide, equipment, instruction, and a route that connects several distant sights in a short period. The value is strongest for groups of family or friends who would rather set their own pace than adapt to strangers.

The pace, duration, and practical tradeoffs

The advertised duration is about one hour and 30 minutes. The scheduled sightseeing adds up to roughly 85 minutes, with the remaining time used for training, transitions, and the return to the office.

That is enough time for a useful first look at the route, but not enough for a slow, detailed examination of every stop. The Torres de Serrans visit is brief. The Turia Gardens section is active rather than leisurely. The arts complex receives the most time, but even there you are viewing the exterior rather than touring every attraction inside.

I would use this ride early in a Valencia visit. It helps you understand how the old center, the park, and the arts district fit together. You can then decide which places deserve a longer visit later.

The tour ends back at the original meeting point. You can leave luggage there, which may help if you are carrying bags before a departure or arriving from a ship. The experience is near public transportation, and most people can participate, provided they meet the weight limits and can safely operate the Segway.

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Safety advice for a better ride

The training is helpful, but do not treat it as a formality. Use those first minutes to get comfortable stopping, turning, and keeping a steady line. Tell the guide if you need a slower pace or another practice run.

Wear the helmet and check that it fits snugly. The supplied raincoat is useful if conditions change, but it does not make the tour suitable for every type of weather. The company may cancel in poor conditions.

During the ride, watch the path rather than the architecture. The futuristic buildings are designed to pull your eyes upward, but that is exactly when you can drift toward a curb or post. Stop fully before taking a picture, and do not handle your phone while moving.

The guide can assist with route decisions and group control, but no Segway tour removes the need for basic caution. The machines are approachable for beginners, yet they are still vehicles moving through a public park.

Who will get the most from this Valencia tour

This ride fits you best if you want to cover several districts quickly and enjoy a little motion along the way. It works particularly well for:

• Families with teenagers
• Friends traveling together
• First-time Segway riders who want instruction
• Cruise visitors with limited time in Valencia
• People who want exterior views of the City of Arts and Sciences
• Small groups that prefer a private guide

It is less suitable if you dislike balancing on a moving machine, want a long museum visit, or prefer a slow walking tour through the old center. It also may not suit anyone outside the 25 to 130 kilogram weight range.

The route is not designed as a complete Valencia history tour. You get a few important old-city sights, park scenery, and the modern arts complex, but the experience is strongest as a city sampler with local commentary.

Should you book the private Segway tour?

Book it if you want a fun, efficient way to connect Valencia’s old center with the City of Arts and Sciences. The private format, extra training, flexible route, and personable guides make it a particularly good choice for families and groups with mixed confidence levels.

Skip it if you want to spend the day inside museums or prefer to explore every street on foot. At $60.49 per person, the price makes the most sense when you value the guide’s attention, the equipment, and the ability to cover a lot of ground in 90 minutes.

For the best experience, book ahead, arrive ready for a short practice session, wear the helmet properly, and keep your eyes on the route. This is a lively introduction to Valencia, not a substitute for seeing every attraction in depth.

FAQ

Where does the City of Arts and Sciences Segway tour start?

The tour starts at C/ de les Carabasses, 15, Ciutat Vella, 46003 València, Valencia, Spain.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point, the Valencia Segway Anyway office.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $60.49 per person.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group takes part in the activity.

What sights are included?

The route includes Torres de Serrans, Jardi del Turia, Gulliver Park, the Palace of Music area, and the City of Arts and Sciences.

Are museum admission tickets included?

No museum admission is listed. The stops at the landmarks are provided as part of the guided outdoor route.

Is Segway training provided?

Yes. Extra time for training is provided before departure.

What are the Segway weight limits?

Riders must weigh at least 25 kilograms and no more than 130 kilograms.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the company to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund.