Top 5 Things to Do in Valencia, Spain

Hi, friends! Do you ever lay in bed, late at night, when you’re supposed to be sleeping… and decide to creep on your own Instagram? Like scroll way back? Well, I was doing that a few days ago — looking through all my posts since I got to Spain. And I came across a post from Valencia! And then it hit me… I never wrote a post about my time in Valencia.

It was in April, on the same trip I went to Palma de Mallorca with my friend Morgan, but it’s not hard to remember! Valencia was a great city, so I thought it would be fun to finally write about it now. Better late than never, right?

So… here are 5 of the best things to do in Valencia.

1. Visit the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias

The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias — or the City of Arts and Sciences — is the crown jewel of Valencia. This cultural and architectural complex is considered one of the 12 Treasures of Spain. It is comprised of seven iconic buildings, several of which are surrounded by impressive water pools:

• L’Hemisfèric: IMAX cinema, planetarium, and laserium. It was built to resemble a giant eye.
• El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe: An interactive museum with the largest exhibition space in all of Spain. Meant to resemble the skeleton of a whale.
• L’Umbracle: Constructed over the Walk of the Sculptures, an outdoor contemporary art gallery, along with plant species native to Valencia.
• L’Oceanogràfic: The largest oceanographic aquarium in Europe, built in the shape of a water lily. (Morgan and I visited this one.)
• El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia: Opera house and performing arts center.
• El Pont de l’Assut de l’Or: Cable bridge with the highest point in the city at 125ft.
• L’Àgora: Covered plaza that hosts concerts and sporting events.

Note: Names above are listed in Valencian, a dialect of Catalan which is spoken in Valencian.

2. Try Orxata at the Central Market

When I booked our Airbnb, one of its main selling points was that it was near the Central Market. I thought the photos looked cool, so I went for it. But I didn’t realize at the time how cool the location really was! From our balcony, we had a front-row view to the market, and it was only a 2-minute walk from our front door.

It’s one of the largest markets in all of Europe, and it’s architecturally stunning in the style of Valencian Art Nouveau. Market vendors primarily sell food, although there are some handicraft and artisan products as well. One thing that Valencia is known for is Horchata, or Orxata in Valencian. I don’t think I’d ever had it before, but I decided to give it a try.

Apparently, the Latin American vs. Spanish versions are quite different, though I had nothing to compare it to. In Latin America, horchata is made from rice, but in Spain it is made from tiger nuts. It’s served cold and looks like a milkshake, but not as thick. My verdict: it was lightly sweet and had a chalky texture. Kind of refreshing. Not bad, but not sure I’d say it’s my beverage of choice.

3. Enjoy the Outdoors

While Valencia city isn’t technically part of the Costa Blanca, or the “White Coast” of Spain — 200km of coastline against the Mediterranean Sea — Valencia is still famous for its beaches. If you’re looking to stay close to the city, head to La Malvarrosa. It’s easily accessible and popular with locals and tourists alike, although it usually doesn’t feel overcrowded.

Even if it’s not beach weather, Valencia still has plenty of outdoor space to enjoy. The Turia Gardens is a winding, 9-km (5.5 mile) long park that is one of the most visited in Spain. It was built on former sunken riverbed of the Turia River after a devastating 1957 flood, which explains its unique shape. At the southeast end, you’ll find the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, so whether you’re going or coming from there, I recommend spending some time wandering through the park. (Maybe stop at one of the outdoor pavillions for some sangria. Just my suggestion.) Larger-than-life artistic sculptures and 18 bridges ensure that there’s something new to see at every turn.

4. Eat paella!

When you think of Spanish food, you think of paella. The only Spanish food with its very own emoji 🥘. The truth is that paella originated in Valencia, so there’s no better place to get your fix. The word paella actually comes from the name of the frying pan that the rice dish is cooked in — wide and shallow with a handle on each side.

While there’s a version of paella to suit anyone’s taste preferences, the “original” recipe is known as Paella Valenciana. It has round-grain rice, a few different types of beans, rabbit, and chicken. Sometimes duck and snails might be included. And it’s seasoned with saffron and rosemary. Yum!!

5. Go shopping

Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city behind Madrid and Barcelona, so it’s a good place for some retail therapy. Or, even if you’re not a big shopper just taking a wander through its commercial areas can be fun and entertaining. Not far from Valencia’s City Hall (definitely check this out — I think it’s super beautiful) is Calle Colón. It’s where you’ll find all the well-known fashion brands like Zara, Mango, Sfera, and H&M, as well as other favorites like Apple, Media Markt, and Lush.

Otherwise, you’ll find brands such as Louis Vuitton and other European luxury brands on Calle Poeta Querol. And if you’re looking for more boutique shops with creative, handcrafted items, check out the trendy neighborhoods of El Carmen and Ruzafa.

Find more things to do in Valencia.

 

I think that covers most of the important things to do in Valencia – in my experience! I was only there for a couple of days, so I have plenty of reasons to go back in the future. 🙂

What would you add to my list? Let me know in the comments!

-Cathy

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Originally Published on December 2, 2019.