Things to do in Valencia

Valencia had been on our lists for a long time after visiting both Barcelona and Madrid and loving it we were ready to visit Spain’s next largest city! Located on Spain’s Southeastern coast where the Mediterranean sea meets the Turia River.

Valencia is a hub of culture and atmosphere and the city comes alive at night as locals and tourists alike explore the traditional food, drinks and music.

Things to do in Valencia

Visit Valencia Old Town

Valencia’s Old Town called El Carmen is a hub of activity. The main square called Plaza de la Reina and is filled with bars, restaurants and shops. people can be seen exploring the culinary delights, tasting traditional drinks such as Agua de Valencia and sangria and browsing the traditional shops filled with crafts and tourists accessories.

Valencia Cathedral is located in the Old Town and is well worth a visit.

El carmen comes alive after sunset and the city is known very much for it’s nightlife. Locals and tourists alike flock to cafes and bars to chat and dance the night away.

Visit the Beach – Playa de las Arenas

One of the best things to do in Valencia is hit the beach. Valencia is blessed with miles of sandy coast line that benefits from the Mediterranean Sea. The beach front areas of the city are becoming increasingly trendy and you can benefit from various seafood restaurants and bars along the promenade.

The beach itself has soft sandy beaches and warm waters during the summer months, where you can choose to lay on the sand, purchase a lounger or take part int he many water sports on offer.

Source: Travel Triangle

City of Arts and Science

Valencia’s City of Arts and Science is a main tourist attractions in Valencia and is known as one of the main treasures of Spain! The complex is known mostly for entertainment purposes and houses the largest aquarium in Europe, a 3D cinema, science museum, opera house, open top garden and hosts an array f art exhibitions. If none of these interest you the City of Arts and Science is well worth a visit just due to to it’s beauty and how photogenic it is! Take a boat ride int he alluring clear waters or watch the sunset from here for a great view.

We recommend walking from the Serrantos Towers through the Turia Garden’s to get here to catch 3 attractions in 1 day, but be prepared to get some steps in!

Central Market

One if the best ways to get immersed in local culture in Valencia is to visit the Central Market. Enter for free and wander the various lanes as you browse at the stalls. Take a look at traditional cooking appliances and pottery such as paella dishes and tapas dishes and buy these for a very reasonable price. Or buy fresh produce that you can take away for cooking such as fresh meats, fish, salad and vegetables. Mt favourite in particular is trying the various cooked foods and wine and taking a stall as you watch the market scene go by.

Outside the market in the square you can see more food stall and cafes with locals chatting and going about their day over coffees and local drinks.

Rooftop bars

Valencia has some small and charming rooftop bars that give both excellent views of the city and in particular excellent views for sunset. The perfect spots to step away from the budy streeets and head upstairs to see the city from above.

270 Terrace at Barcelo

This rooftop is an excellent option for those looking to try trendy cocktails and an excellent view of the city as well as the City of Arts and Science. The atmosphere is chilled with excellent service for you to cool down over cool cocktails.

Blanq Rooftop Terraza

This small but charming rooftop has excellent sunset views and is located in the Old Town. Look out for small town views and enjoy the bohemian style throughout.

El Camarote & The Roof

View the harbour from above and enjoy both food and drink options as you watch the busy harbour and beach go by.

Source: El Camarote

Miramar Terraza Rooftop

This rooftop is located by the beach and you can look down for some excellent sand and sea views.

Source: Trip Advisor

Sailing Trip

Take a trip from the harbour off into he Mediterranean sea on a sailing boat. Watch the shore drift away as you take int he sea sensory. We recommend going at sunset for the ultimate views on a clear day!

party boats are also a big hit and you can enjoy the party scene whilst out on the water listening to music and drinking with like minded travellers.

Boats can also send you off to Albufeira, Ibiza and Menorca from Valencia!

Source: TripAdvisor

Valencian Paella

One of the best things to do in Valencia is try a traditional Valencian Paella. Sit at traditional restaurant or café and watch Valencia go by as you sip on a local wine or sangria as you wait for your paella. Most paella’s are for a minimum of 2 people so we recommend heading out with a loved one or friend.

Source: Devour Tours

Try a Agua de Valencia

Valencia produces some of the best oranges in Spain and is well known for producing sweet oranges. It is no surprise then that the local drink known as Agua de Valencia is orange based alcoholic drink enjoyed by both locals and tourists. Be prepared the drink is strong and features 3 types of alcohol. In a twist on the traditional mimosa the Agua de Valencia consists of Valencia orange juice, cava, gin and vodka. This tasty drink will be sure to keep you cool in the Valencia heat. wander through the old town to see lots of people chatting and enjoying a Agua de Valencia.

Source: Tesco

Marina Beach Club

Get some beach side partying in at Marina Beach Club, as the name suggests the beach club is located directly on the marina with excellent views of the beach and marina. This stylish and trendy beach club hosts an array of pool parties as well as loads of larger scale parties with their full size stage that hosts an array of world class DJ’s. parties go from the day and can last well into the night as you see the disco lights lighting up the nights sky over the marina and into the water.

If you do not want to party the Marina Beach Club restaurant is a trendy place for a lovely meal. Head there to dine marina or pool side and taste the many dishes on offer.

Source: Sandbeds

Turia Gardens

Turia Gardens is a garden complex that surrounds the Turia River as it leads into the Mediterranean Sea. Wander over 9km of pathways through the gardens and under 18 bridges, one of which is the oldest bridge in Valencia.

The gardens are beautiful and are a hub of activity as locals take on various sports and leisure activities and tourists walk, run and cycle down the pathways taking in the scenery and bridges.

Serranos Towers

The Serranos Towers which act as the gates into Valencia’s Old Town and are left over from the ancient city of Valencia. They are the perfect spot to climb up and get a view of the Old Town and the Turia Gardens. I recommend heading up at sunset for the greatest view.

Source: Spain.com

Overall

Valencia is an excellent option for those looking for a traditional break in Spain’s third largest city. You can choose to explore the beach or wander the vast windy roads of the Old Town taking in the history. We explored the city for 3 days and 2 nights and could have spent much longer chilling on the beach, taking inthe beach club and enjoying the nightlife of the Old Town.