Valencia can be seen as an alternative to Barcelona. Slightly smaller and more relaxed - but with a similar culture, and with a clear connection in the Catalan language. However, Valencia still has plenty of attractions. And it is a very historic city: First of all, we recommend you to check out the cathedral, the Serrano towers and the modern part of the city, known as City of Arts and Sciences. In the latter one, you'll find Europe's largest aquarium and a stunning opera house.
Valencia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain. The city is appealing due to its great food, interesting history, large amount of cultural sites, along with several modern entertainment opportunities. Valencia also has a large beach area, not far away from the city centre.
Valencia was founded by the Romans in 138 BC. It is located right by the Mediterranean Sea and has been an important strategic city ever since the foundation. For many years, Valencia was a mid-size city. The population boom didn't start until the 19th century. Today, Valencia is the third largest city in Spain with a population of around 800,000 people within the actual city and 2.5 million people in the full metro area.
Most people in Valencia speak two languages: Spanish and Valenciano. Valenciano is a local dialect of Catalan, the native language of Catalonia. Street signs are usually written in both languages.
Valencia checks your list with every enmity you need for a good satisfactory break from your everyday routine. This gorgeous city in the Mediterranean space is a delight for people who want to explore every bit of their time. It is the third largest city in Spain consisting of great landscapes and modern architecture.
The hearty platter of Paella is famous throughout Spain but Valencia is the home to savour the dish. Want to get a tomato body spa? Well, get it for free! La Tomatina, is celebrated every year in the month of August off the coat of Valencia, Bunol. And that’s not it, you can also take part in the battle of flowers which is generally the shower of orange and yellow petals nearly in the month of July.
If you are someone with a taste of literature, hop in the University of Valencia's library to find the first book ever printed during 1474 which is a collection of poems. Everything you need is here! At Valencia.
If you are planning a visit to Valencia, it is always a good idea to make a plan on what to do and see. You will find some inspiration here!1. Valencia Cathedral
Without any further talk, let's move on to the top attractions in Valencia. Each of the following landmarks should be on every traveler's shortlist when going to Valencia. Valencia’s large cathedral is located right in the middle of the city. It has a very unique style and is one of the most visited tourist attractions. Yet, it also remains functional as a cathedral.
As impressive as it is from the outside, it is even more impressive on the inside. With great decorations in the interior, most visitors get an awesome impression when stepping in. The tower of Miguelete, one of the tallest constructions in this area of the city, is a part of the cathedral itself.
2. Plaza de la Virgen
Surrounding Catedral de Valencia, you will find Plaza de la Virgen, an important square. In fact it is one of the oldest squares in all of Spain, because the story goes all the way back to Roman times. There are many nice restaurants and cafés in the area. If you’re looking for a perfectly located hotel in Valencia, simply try to get as close to the cathedral as possible!
The most famous festival in Valencia is called Las Fallas - celebrated in March every year. Are you ready to celebrate Las Fallas festival in Valencia? You don’t know what Las Fallas is? It involves giant papier mache statues, street parties and lots of firecrackers!
3. Torres de Serranos
The favorite attraction of most visitors. Torres de Serranos consist of two towers with a central entrance. For a very small price, you can go up in the towers, and you will have a very good view of the city. It is literally the perfect place to take pictures of Valencia.
The towers have become a symbol of the city, and for good reason: They were constructed in the 14th century and have been standing ever since. At that time, Valencia was a walled city, and Torres de Serranos were an entrance point. Aside from some renovations in the 1930s, the towers are still standing in their original shape, and it remains one of the best attractions in all of Spain.
4. Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
Let's move on from the classic attractions and look at something new: Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, or The City of Arts and Sciences, is a modern part of Valencia consisting of several futuristic buildings. It was finished in 1998, although updates have been added consistently throughout recent years.
There is also a planetarium, an interactive museum, an opera house and several event houses. In other words - there are plenty of things to experience in this new part of Valencia.
5. L'Oceanogràfic
In Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, there are many different attractions. The main one is L'Oceanogràfic - the largest aquarium in Europe. It contains more than 42 million liters of water and has a collection of over 500 species of fish. Each department represents an ocean or a major sea.
6. Ciutat Vella
Ciutat Vella, literally means old city. This, in fact, is the historic center of the city . Here you can visit the Valencia Cathedral, where the true Holy Grail is rumored to be located, the Basilica of the Assumption, the Lonja de la Seda, the ancient silk market declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the central market, the fountain of Turia and the Virgin Square. Ciutat Vella is home to some of the city's most famous neighborhoods, such as Carmen.
It is one of the oldest in Valencia where the ancient walls within which it develops are still clearly visible today: also climb the Quart and Serranos towers, the entrances to the ancient city.If you like the idea of being at the center of it all, you might consider booking your stay in Valencia here. You should also know that if you choose this area you will be able to visit the center comfortably on foot and also reach the main venues of the city.
6. Plaza Mercado
One of the most important Spanish dishes, Paella, comes from Valencia and is served at almost every local restaurant. During your trip, you should also go to a local restaurant and order paella - perhaps while drinking a cold sangria.
If you still have time left in Valencia, go to the Cabanyal beach. It is a neighborhood that retains its seaside and colorful charm, made up of houses covered in colorful majolica tiles, the old fishermen's homes. From north to south some of the most popular beaches extend, such as Malvarrosa, Pataconas or Arenas, the port and the Marina, full of bars, restaurants, terraces and lively shops. This neighborhood is traditionally made up of ancient fishing villages, but today it is full of clubs and nightlife.
How to get to Valencia
Valencia has an airport located a bit west of the city. Most tourists fly in (usually with low-cost airlines) and then proceed to take the metro or a bus to get to the city centre.
An alternative way to get to Valencia is to fly to Alicante first. Alicante has a much bigger airport with a lot of connecting routes. And since the two cities are rather close, it might make financial sense to fly to Alicante and then take a train into Valencia - that way, you also get to see two great cities on the same trip!
If you're already in Spain, you can take a train or a bus to Valencia. The best solution is to take the high-speed AVE trains. There is a connection between Madrid that only takes an hour and a half. You will also find train lines connecting Valencia with Barcelona, and they are also highly popular. Overall, you have many options when it comes to transport.
Where to stay in Valencia
Deciding where to stay in Valencia will be quite simple for you after reading this. But first you will have to think about the reason why you are visiting the city: would you like to discover its historic centre? Visiting the City of Arts and Sciences? Or have you purchased a plane ticket to satisfy your desire for the beach, sea and fun? Whatever the reason why you are looking for accommodation to sleep in Valencia, this will help you find it by saving time and making an informed decision, making your choice a real breeze.
You will not struggle to find accommodation in Ciutat Vella, however, compared to other Valencian neighborhoods it has higher prices. On average you can find accommodation starting from €50/70 per person depending on the season.
Extramurs is a neighborhood that runs alongside Ciutat Vella and, for this reason, choosing to stay here means still being in a good position to visit the city, but with more tranquility and with an average lower cost of accommodation.
Ruzafa is not very far from the center, but it is about 2 kilometers away. In this neighborhood there are numerous bars, restaurants (the best and most expensive in the city), but also clothing shops. If you are looking for an area to enjoy nightlife, you should opt for accommodation here. You won't struggle to find fantastic terraces for sipping cold beer in the sun and some of the best breakfast spots.