Are you planning on making a citytrip to Valencia and can you use some extra tips? Below I described 10 things you definitely should do when visiting Valencia. Enjoy!
1.Cycling through the Turia park and to the beach
Cycling is definitely a must when you are in Valencia. The city is perfect for it, because everything is flat and enough cycle paths can be found. Although I recommend to get a map with the cycle paths, because they can suddenly stop, which means you have to cycle on the main road. The Turia park is the best place to go, because the park is stretching over 9 kilometers and has a cycle path on both sides. The park is lovely and everywhere you see something special. My favourite building in the park is the concert building Palau de la Musica.
To go to the beach you go all the way to the famous buildings of Santiago Calatrava: the City of Arts and Sciences. There you have to leave the park and go to Carrer de Menorca and turn right on Avinguda del Port. At the end of Avinguda del Port you have to turn left to cycle to the beach.
2.Go to see beautiful buildings in the old centre
The old centre of Valencia has a lot of beautiful buildings. One of my favourite is the Ceramics Museum at Raconada de Federico Garcia Sanchiz, built in a beautiful Baroque style. The museum is housed in a palace that belonged to the Marquis of the Two Waters. A little further you can find the building Banco de Valencia at the intersection of Carrer del Poeta Querol and Carrer del Pintor Sorolla. The details at the top of this building are very beautiful. Two other favourite buildings are Mercado de Colón and the train station of the city called Estación del Norte. Mercado de Colón used to be a covered food market and is now a relax area with terraces and restaurants. I really like the architecture of this building. It was designed by Francisco Mora Berenguer, whom they also call Valencia’s Gaudi. The Estación del Norte is very beautiful because of the details on the façade. Besides these building you also have to visit the Cathedral of Valencia en the squares that you can find surrounded.
Banco de Valencia
Ceramic Museum
3.Visit the hotspots of Valencia
You cannot miss these hotspots during your visit in Valencia:
Fabrica de Hielo – Fabrica de Hielo is located in the district Cabanyal close to the beach. They have turned an old ice cream factory into a hip cultural centre. Every week they organize various activities, often in the field of theater, art and music, but you can also go there for a drink.
Canalla Bistro – for modern tapas from one of the city’s most famous chefs you have to go to Canalla Bistro. The chef has visited many places in the world, which he shows on the menu card. Some dishes are for example: Mexican tacos, Beijing duck and steak tartar.
Simple – the concept store Simple is nice gift shop in the centre of the city. They sell a wide assortment of products like bags and jewellery and nice decoration for at home.
Marina Beach Club – Since a few years Valencia has a beautiful Beach Club called Marina Beach Club. With a nice cocktail you can relax in the lounge sofas, dance on the music or eat international food at their restaurant.
Wakaya Lounge – another lounge club in Valencia is Wakaya Lounge. It’s located outside of the city centre, close to the Albufera Park. Here you can also relax at the pool with a cocktail.
La Mas Bonita – in all blogs and social media channels you will read about it. La Mas Bonita is one of the most famous hotspots in Valencia. The nice decor and light blue and white colours give you a nice summer feeling. They make tasty sandwiches, tarts and juices and they have a beautiful courtyard. Besides the beach, also in Ruzafa they have a location.
Gnomo – in the district Ruzafa you can find a nice and above all very stylish gift shop. All the products they sell are stylish and creative. You can find accessories, books, bags, jewellery and more gadgets.
Gnomo Valencia
4.Eat tapas and paella Valenciana
When you are in Valencia you should definitely try Spanish tapas and pealla. The typical Valencian paella is with chicken and rabbit, but of course you can also order peala with fish or just with vegetables. The best paella restaurants are located on the beach. These restaurants are often only open in the afternoon because the Spaniards eat paella for lunch. Casa Carmela is one of the most famous paella restaurants in Valencia. Paella is here still made in the old-fashioned way: on wood fire. The restaurant La Pepica is also well known among the locals. If you want a nice terrace in the sun, than you have to go to Vlue Arribar.
My favorite tapas bar with pinchos (tapas on a small baguette) is Tanto Monta. It is located a little further away but it’s definitely worth it, because personally at Tanto Monta I have eaten the best pinchos in all Valencia. Besides, there is always a cosy atmosphere and the waiters are very kind. Other tapas bars I would recommend a bit closer to the centre are La Conservera, Tinto Fino and La Malaquita.
5.Visit the futuristic part of Valencia
What I always like about Valencia is the great mix between new and old. The centre of Valencia is filled with historic buildings and in the Turia park you can find the famous futuristic complex: Ciudad de las Artes y Sciencias. You won’t believe what you see, it’s a totally different part of Valencia. The buildings are made by the architect Santiago Calatrava. The construction started in 1989 and the last building was completed in 2009. In total there are 6 buildings, each with a different purpose. The architect mainly uses white and dark blue colours and mosaic.
Museum of the Ciudad de Las Artes y Sciencias
6.Sleep in trendy accommodations
Visiting a trendy city also includes sleeping in a trendy accommodation. Would you like to stay in the chic district Canovas? If yes, I recommend the Bed & Breakfast ABCyou. It has nice modern decorated rooms with beautiful colours. Ruzafa is located next to the district Canovas. In the heart of Ruzafa you can find the modern apartments of el 16 Ruzafa. All areas of the apartment are stylishly furnished. Would you like to stay in the centre of Valencia? Than you should go to the luxury hotel Vincci Palace. In the El Carmen district, the coolest hostel in the city can be found: Valencia Lounge Hostel. This is thè hostel if you like design. The hostel is housed in a historic building that has been completely renovated and consists of 11 neoclassical rooms. On the beach I recommend the hotel La Balandret. You really get a summer feeling by the soft blue and white colours.
Valencia Lounge Hostel
7.Discover secret places
Of course you have to visit the famous sights of Valencia such as the Ciudad de las Artes y Sciencias and Plaza la Virgen, but Valencia also has a number of hidden spots. For example, there is a beautiful little garden near the Turia park called Jardines de Monforte. It is a little search for the entrance, because the garden is surrounded by high walls. Once you are in the garden you are overwhelmed by an oasis of peace. Marble sculptures alternate with beautiful plants, ponds and fountains.
In the district El Carmen you can find beautiful works of art. It is art from the street, because the streets are filled with beautiful street art. You have to search well and maybe step into small alleys to spot different arts. Another hidden spot is the beautiful roof terrace of Petit Bistro. You have to look carefully, because you have to enter a small side street on Plaza la Reina and walk into the hotel Cathedral Suits. On the top floor of this hotel the roof terrace is located, with beautiful views on the city.
8.Food and drinks at trendy food spots
Valencia has gotten very popular lately and that is not surprising. It is a versatile city and everywhere you can find trendy food spots. Ruzafa is the district that is best known for this. Most new concepts gather in this neighbourhood. At Copenhagen and Malmö you can eat delicious vegetarian food. For tasty tapas you should go to Osteria and La Cooperativa del Mar. The best coffee bars are Dulce de Leche, Bluebell and Artysana.
The district El Carmen also has a number of nice hotspots such as the vegetarian Almalibre, where you really have to try an acai bowl and Restaurante IO where they have a delicious international cuisine with carpaccio and curry. Also close to the beach you can find nice bars and restaurants. Bar La Paca and La Otra Parte are nice for a drink and at La Girafe you will be suprised. They have a beautiful courtyard and inside it’s nicely decorated with a food truck where they make the crepes.
Dulce de Leche Boutique
9.Explore the covered food markets of Valencia
Another recommendation is to visit some covered food markets in Valencia. The one in the centre of Valencia isn’t only the largest of the city, but also the largest in all Europe. And did you know a tapas bar is located in the Mercado Central? It’s called Central Bar and it’s definitely worth a try, because it owned by a famous chef from the province of Valencia: Ricard Camarena.
Do you want something less touristy? Then I recommend to go to the market in Ruzafa. Mercado de Ruzafa is also located in a beautiful building. When you walk around the building you can see that each side has a different colour. The four colours of the façade are due to the variety of products that are being sold.
10.Go shopping
One thing is certain: shopping cannot be skipped when you visit Valencia. It is one of the cities in Spain that is best known for shopping. The largest and most famous shopping street is Calle de Colón. Here you can find the well-known fashion chains such as H &M, Rituals, Zara and so on. Near the large shopping street you can find the beautiful building Mercado de Colón. This building is surrounded with beautiful boutiques. A nice shop with clothing for women is Ese o Ese. Do you want even more luxurious and expensive? Than you should go to calle Poeta Querol, with stores like Louis Vuitton, Loewe and Boss.
Nice vintage shops and cool concept stores are in the neighbourhoods Ruzafa en El Carmen. Nice shops in El Carmen are for example, Used Vintage Valencia, Kaïf and San Spirito Vintage. In Ruzafa you should go to KAUF and Petticoat.
Shopping luxury brands in Calle Poeta Querol
More great tips about Valencia can be found in this blogpost: TravelCows.
Love Sofie,
Personal tips about visiting Valencia
