A Day in Valencia

Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and it boasts a stunning stretch of coast bathed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Its sun, its mild temperatures throughout most of the year, and the architectural works of Calatrava, make Valencia the perfect city for a cultural, relaxing and fun trip at any time of the year. Its location is particularly ideal in the summertime, as it is surrounded by seaside resorts like Benidorm, and small gems like Peñíscola. In short, Valencia makes for the perfect holiday destination for any type of traveler.

Today we’d like to propose a day in 5 stages in the capital of the Valencian Community, to experience the city like a true local.

 

 Breakfast Outdoors (9am-10am)

“A good day looks that way from the very morning”, says an Italian saying. And it’s true! One of the advantages of being in a city with such a mild climate is being able to make the most of the sunshine and the mild temperatures from the early hours of the day. We advise you go out for a good breakfast at any of the city’s cafeterias. If you don’t want to change your habits you can have a classic coffee with a croissant, but if you fancy trying some of the regional specialties, try fartons, spongy sweets with a sugary icing that are perfect for dipping into a glass of the uber-popular horchata de chufa. Some of our favorite spots for breakfast are Mollto (Plaza de la Reina, 9), El PArisién (Carrer Guillem Castro, 63), and L’Horchateria Daniel (Mercado de Colón, Calle Jorge Juan, 19).

And if you’d rather not be out too early, having a delicious breakfast and enjoying the sunshine from the comfort of your apartment’s balcony is also a good alternative.

 

The City of Arts and Sciences & a Stroll through the Park (10am-1pm)

Brimming with energy, it’s time to visit the jewel of Valencia, the City of Arts and Sciences. This wonderful architectural complex, designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, is a real box of surprises, both for its outer appearance and for the activities offered inside. The most popular building is, without a doubt, L’Oceanogràfic, one of the largest aquariums in Europe, whose impressive tunnels will have you falling in love with it. Another interesting activity is the screening of IMAX movies on the huge oval-shaped surface of L’Hemisfèric.

The most pleasant way to reach this architectural jewel is walking through the Turia Gardens, a city park created on the bed of the river of the same name that flows through the city. If you prefer, you can also cross it by bike, thanks to Valenbisi’s bike-sharing service, that will only set you back 13.04 euros for a weekly ticket.

 

 Lunch by the Sea (2pm-3pm)

After a culture-filled morning, it’s time to enjoy the city’s wonderful beaches and a good lunch. Not far from the city center we find Las Arenas Beach and La Malvarrosa Beach, where you’ll find a wide range of restaurants. We suggest you try the paella, a dish that’s well-known throughout all of Spain but that is native to this region. Some of our favorite restaurants are Casa Hilario (Avenida de Neptuno, 40) and Casa Isabel (Playa de la Malvarrosa, 4).

 

 A Walk along the Promenade (3pm-5pm)

After so much movement and good food, you’ll probably feel full and possibly a bit tired. So what better way to relax and digest than by taking a walk by the sea? We assure you it’ll be a very pleasant experience, as the Valencia Promenade is literally by the beach: if you like you can take a break to lie down on the sand, or to have a drink at any of the many cafeterias that offer amazing views.

 

 Dinner and a Drink Downtown (20.30h-00.30h)

After resting a little, it’s time to experience the Valencian nightlife. The old town is, undoubtedly, the heart of the city, and especially the colorful Carmen Neighborhood. For dinner we recommend you go for pinchos and tapas (you could try, for instance, the great cuisine of Casa la Pepa, Calle de la Conquista, 8). Among Valencia’s typical tapas you’ll find esgarraet, a dish with red peppers and codfish. After dinner, we’d like to suggest you head into any of the neighborhood’s thousands of bars and night clubs. If you enjoy your drinks, don’t miss out on the typical Agua de Valencia (Valencia water) that, despite its name, has little to do with water: the drink combines bubbly, orange juice, vodka, and gin.

 

After a few hours of such intensity, all that’s left to do is to return to your fabulous apartment, and recharge your batteries to get ready for another exciting day in this amazing city.

And if you are visiting in June, don’t miss Valencia’s Battle of the Flowers