Sun, sea, culture, and amazing food – …it’s all here! So, Valencia should definitely be on your radar.
Valencia is about 350 km south of Barcelona. The AVE high-speed train gets you there in like 2 hours, while driving is roughly 4 hours. The city also has its own airport, so it’s easily reachable from many European cities and beyond – see? Perfect.
Told you.

What to see in Valencia

Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias

Valencia’s crown jewel of modern architecture and one of Spain’s most exciting landmarks – a futuristic complex that feels more like a sci-fi movie set than a city attraction. Even if you don’t go inside and check out all the attractions, wandering the area offers stunning photo opportunities, especially with the water reflections…

L’Oceanogràfic

If you love the ocean, it is an absolute must. This place is Europe’s largest aquarium, and home to over 45,000 animals from around the world.
It’s divided into different ecosystems – from the icy Arctic to the tropical seas. Highlights include shark tunnels, dolphins, and beluga whales – … although this place is truly amazing, I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the whole idea of aquariums… I talked about the issue deeper in THIS article, so now I’m just gonna leave a question here for you: have you heard anything about Lolita?

Prince Felipe Science Museum

Basically a giant playground for curious minds – you can touch, play, and experiment with everything from biology to tech. Oh, and the building is designed to look like the skeleton of a whale.

L’Hemisfèric

Looks like a giant eye floating on water, but it’s an IMAX cinema, planetarium, and laserium all under one roof.

Old Town

Honestly, the old town in Valencia is one of my favorite parts of the city. It’s got that classic historic vibe with old streets and cute little plazas – you can just wander around… It’s the kind of place you don’t need a map for.

Plaza de la Reina

Valencia’s most lively squares, right in the heart of the old town. It’s surrounded by historic buildings, cafés, and shops.

Plaza de la Virgen

Full of history and charm with fountains, street performers, and lively terraces, it’s the perfect place to feel the heart of Valencia.

Valencia Cathedral

Built back in the 13th century, and over time, they just kept adding to it, so this is why you get this wild mix of Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance, and Baroque styles all in one building. Legend says that the actual Holy Grail, the cup Jesus drank from at the Last Supper, is here.
Whether or not you believe it, it’s kind of wild to think about, and it adds a little mystical vibe to your visit. Oh, and don’t forget to climb the Miguelete Tower too while you are here… The view over the city is amazing.

Torres de Serranos

It is one of the 12 gates that formed part of the ancient city wall, the Muralla Cristiana – an important landmark and one of the best preserved monuments in Valencia. It was built in gothic style at the end of the 14th century.

Museo Nacional de Cerámica y de las Artes Suntuarias “González Martí”

A museum for Valencian ceramics, porcelains, and other arts like textile art, traditional costumes, and furniture. It was founded in 1947, from the donation of Manuel González Martí’s ceramics collection, housed in the mansion called the Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas.

La Lonja de la Seda

Built in the 15th century, this UNESCO World Heritage site was originally a silk trading center, back when Valencia was one of Europe’s most important trade hubs.

Plaza de Toros de Valencia

Some areas are canceling bullfighting or at least restricting it, but in Valencia, it is still part of the cultural tradition, tho’ it’s controversial.
You can also visit the Museo Taurino here – the Bullfighting Museum – showcasing costumes and other artifacts from bullfighting history.

Mercado Central

Europe’s largest and oldest food markets. It is the place to get a real taste of Valencia – literally and visually, too.
The building itself is stunning, with beautiful stained glass and a huge domed roof. Inside, you’ll find rows and rows of local, fresh products: seafood, meats, cheeses, spices, and more, all full of color and flavor.

Mercado de Colón

 A market just outside the city centre, and definitely a must-see. This market is not a traditional food market, but you can go here for a drink or to grab a bite.

Turia Gardens

It’s this massive park that stretches for miles through the city, built in the old riverbed of the Turia River. People come here to walk, jog, bike, or just hang out on the grass, and honestly, it’s the perfect break from all the city sightseeing. There are cool bridges, fountains, and little playgrounds scattered along the way, so it’s kind of fun for everyone.

Albufera Natural Park

…A breath of fresh air away from the city. It’s just south of Valencia and is basically a huge freshwater lagoon surrounded by rice fields and wetlands. You can take a boat ride on the lagoon, watch tons of birds – especially flamingos – or just wander along the trails and enjoy the peaceful vibes… I mean, the sunsets here are absolutely magical…

Beaches

Some people say Valencia’s beaches aren’t as great as Ibiza or the Costa Brava – … and it’s true, but it also really depends on where and when you go.
Playa de la Malvarrosa and Playa de las Arenas are the big, main urban beaches. They’re in the city, so it can get crowded and a bit messy, especially in peak summer.
If you want a cleaner, more natural beach, you need to go outside of the city. Visit El Saler or beaches near Albufera National Park, such as Playa de la Devesa – this one is super natural and almost wild. Not much infrastructure, so bring your own snacks and shade.

Taste of Valencia – Local food and drinks

Valencia isn’t just pretty to look at – it’s a foodie’s playground, duh.
Honestly, eating here is half the fun of visiting. The city is full of little spots where you can grab a bite from cafés to tapas bars. And of course the…

Paella

You can’t go to Valencia and not have paella – … y ya!
Skip the tourist traps and look for a family-run spot where the rice is perfectly cooked and full of flavor. The classic paella valenciana has rabbit, chicken, and green beans, but seafood or veggie versions are just as good.

• Paella 101

… no, it’s not burnt, just sit down and shut up, right now.
Socarrat is basically the crunchy, toasted rice that sticks to the bottom of the pan.
It’s smoky, a little nutty, and full of flavor…. Also, it’s a test of a good paella because it shows the cook got it just right: enough heat to toast the rice without burning it.
No socarrat means the paella fell a bit flat, and burnt rice means it went too far. Hit that sweet spot, and you’ve got paella perfection. 🤌

Oranges

Valencia is world-famous for its oranges, and for good reason. They are super sweet and juicy, and you’ll spot them everywhere – from trees on the streets to juice bars. Grabbing a freshly squeezed glass of Valencian orange juice is a total must – …it’s like sunshine in a cup.

Local drinks

Horchata
… but not the cinnamon-y version you might know from Mexico. It’s a creamy, nutty drink made from tiger nuts. It’s refreshing, slightly sweet, and well… you’re either gonna love it or hate it for the rest of your life.

Agua de Valencia
Yea, I mean… you kinda guessed it right – it’s not water… Fresh orange juice, cava, vodka, and gin all mixed together.

Sweet Treats

Farton
Soft, fluffy pastries usually served with a horchata for dipping.

Buñuelos
Fried dough balls, often dusted with sugar, that are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and mmmhhh….

hashtagbreakfastofthechampions

Pastissets
Small pastries stuffed with pumpkin or almond paste.

+1
Hundred Burgers – the best burger on the planet for the second year in a row by The World’s Best Burgers, the international guide that ranks the top 25 burger joints worldwide. 

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All in all, Valencia just gets you – it’s a mix of history, modern flair, amazing food, and beautiful streets.

… you just go, explore, eat, sip, soak it all in, and repeat.
By the end of the weekend, you’ll probably be thinking just like I did…

Yep… I could totally live here.
… sorry Barcelona! – … but don’t worry, I still love you.

Aaaanyways,

See you at the next one,

Noémi

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