The Valencia City Council is drafting a new ordinance on coexistence and civic behavior, and one of the proposed measures directly affects those of us who lead group tours: groups of no more than 25 people per guide throughout the city and no more than 20 in Ciutat Vella. It is also proposed to stop using megaphones and loudspeakers and switch to individual headphones for each person in the group. For now, this is not final, and no date has been announced for its approval or when it will take effect.
Limits on tour group sizes were already agreed upon in 2024 with Valencia’s official tour guides
These figures were already familiar to us. In April 2024, the Valencia City Council and the Association of Official Tourist Guides of the Valencian Community signed a set of ten guidelines for best practices that already specified groups of 25 people in the city and 20 in Ciutat Vella. It was a commitment to doing things right. What is now being proposed is that this agreement be codified into a municipal ordinance, with possible penalties for noncompliance.
How this might affect tours and guided visits in Valencia’s historic center
Ciutat Vella is a small neighborhood with narrow streets, squares that fill up quickly, and residents who live there year-round. Discussing how we coexist with tourism makes sense and seems like a healthy approach to us. What we still don’t know is how it will be applied on a day-to-day basis: for example, what happens when a tour includes several teachers and chaperones in addition to the children. These are questions that currently have no answers and that affect tour guides, group tour companies, and schools.
Group and Family Tours in Valencia Starting in 2021: What We Do at Indiana Tours
We offer a theatrical experience: a real-life Indiana Jones leads the tour with students, teachers, and members of the school or group, using clues, missions, and the history of Valencia—with everyone playing a leading role. A fun, adventurous, and educational two-hour tour where we explore the streets in search of the Holy Grail. We work with schools, families, and organizations—particularly those serving individuals with intellectual disabilities. We began in Valencia’s historic center in 2021, and the Indiana Tours brand has continued to grow: today we operate in four destinations across the Valencian Community—Valencia, Peñíscola, Gandia, and Cullera—with the latter being a new addition for the 2026–2027 school year.
Will the group size limit affect school field trips and groups of people with intellectual disabilities?
Our schedule is open, and we are finalizing dates with schools and associations for people with intellectual disabilities for this school year. What we don’t know yet is whether this measure will affect school field trips and outings for special groups in Valencia, because so far nothing has been said about it. We are continuing with our schedule as usual, waiting to see what impact this will have on our group activities and on tourism in Valencia’s historic center.
Leading companies in the tourism and education sectors are also waiting to see what happens
This measure could affect all types of tourism businesses—from small ones like ours to larger ones—as well as schools that organize field trips. Among the organizations we work with are Tour & Kids and Turiart.
Tour & Kids is a brand that guarantees a superior level of quality for family tourism. It is the Family Tourism product club of the Valencian Community (Spain), created by the Valencian Community Family Tourism Association, which works to promote and foster family tourism by developing a high- , and competitive offering that benefits users, businesses, and partner destinations.
It recommends destinations and activities for families with children and teenagers, has a section for school field trips, and offers activities for schools along with a wide range of educational programs. We are partners of Tour & Kids and members of its board of directors.
Turiart is a cultural tourism company that organizes guided tours, family itineraries, and excursions in Valencia, Castellón, and Alicante, with programs for families, schools, and businesses focused on art, history, and local heritage.
All companies in the sector are closely monitoring how this issue unfolds, how the process evolves, and what consequences it will have for the tourism and education sectors. When there are updates, we’ll share them here.
What do you think?
We all want to preserve the historic center and ensure it remains open to visitors; the debate is over how to achieve that. Some see the group size limits as a way for Ciutat Vella to breathe and be better enjoyed. Others fear that the measure could harm tour guides, schools, and small businesses—and above all, the groups themselves: schoolchildren and students, or groups of people with intellectual disabilities, who are sometimes larger in number.
What do you think? Do you think this is a reasonable measure to protect Valencia’s city center, or do you believe it will harm those who should be least affected? Whether you work in tourism, are a teacher, organize outings for a group, or simply live in Valencia, we’d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts on our social media.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tour Groups and School Field Trips in Valencia
How many people can be in a tour group in downtown Valencia?
The proposal calls for a maximum of 20 people per guide in Ciutat Vella and 25 in the rest of the city.
Will this affect school field trips in Valencia?
We don’t know yet. We’re still unsure whether schools and special groups will be treated differently. We’ll keep you updated here as soon as we have more information.
Will you continue to offer tours in Valencia?
Yes. Our schedule is open, and we’re finalizing dates with schools and organizations for this school year—both for Valencia and our other three destinations.
Are you organizing a field trip for your school or organization?
Email us at info@indianatoursvalencia.com or contact us via WhatsApp and ask for the school field trip brochure for your chosen destination and a personalized, no-obligation quote.
