Valencia Travel Guide

Activities

Landmarks

• City of Arts and Sciences
  - A stunning complex of futuristic buildings including an opera house, a science museum, and an aquarium.
• Valencia Cathedral
  - Home of the Holy Grail, this cathedral is a beautiful mix of architectural styles.
• Central Market
  - A bustling art nouveau market with a huge variety of fresh produce and local delicacies.
• Torres de Serranos
  - A set of historic city gates that offer great views of the city.

Museums & Galleries

• Museo de Bellas Artes
  - One of Spain's most important art museums, with a vast collection of Valencian masters.
• González Martí National Museum of Ceramics and Sumptuary Arts
  - Housed in a stunning baroque palace, this museum has an incredible collection of ceramics.

Parks & Gardens

• Turia Gardens
  - A huge park that was once a riverbed, now a green oasis in the city.
• Jardí Botànic
  - The University of Valencia's botanical garden, with a wide variety of plants from around the world.

Beaches

• La Malvarrosa Beach
  - Valencia's most famous city beach, known for its lively atmosphere and wide stretch of golden sand.
• El Cabanyal Beach
  - Located next to La Malvarrosa, this beach is also a popular spot for sunbathing and swimming.
• Patacona Beach
  - A bit further from the city center, offering a more relaxed and less crowded beach experience.
• El Saler Beach
  - A beautiful wild beach located in the Albufera Natural Park, surrounded by sand dunes and pine trees.

Restaurants

Traditional Cuisine

Valencia is the birthplace of paella, and its cuisine is rich with rice dishes, fresh seafood, and local produce.

• Paella Valenciana
  - The authentic paella, made with rabbit, chicken, and green beans.
• Arroz a Banda
  - A rice dish cooked in fish stock, served with seafood.
• Fideuà
  - Similar to paella, but made with noodles instead of rice.
• All i Pebre
  - A spicy eel and potato stew.
• Horchata with Fartons
  - A refreshing drink made from tiger nuts, served with sweet pastry fingers called fartons.

Markets & Sweet Treats

• Mercado Central
  - A must-visit for food lovers, with a huge range of fresh produce and local products.
• Horchatería Santa Catalina
  - One of the oldest horchaterías in Valencia, famous for its horchata and fartons.

Local Experiences & Activities

• Paella Cooking Class: Learn to make authentic Valencian paella from a local chef. Many classes include a visit to the Central Market to source ingredients.
• Bike Tour of the Turia Gardens: Explore the beautiful Turia Gardens, a 9km long park that was once a riverbed, on a bike tour.
• Sailing & Water Sports: Enjoy a sailing catamaran cruise along the coast, or try surfing or stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) at one of the city's beaches.
• Flamenco Show: Experience the passion of flamenco with a show at a traditional tablao like La Bulería, often including dinner.
• Fallas Festival: If you're visiting in March, don't miss the spectacular Fallas festival, where giant papier-mâché sculptures are built and then burned in the streets.
• Explore the Old Town: Get lost in the charming streets of the El Carmen neighborhood, known for its street art, independent shops, and lively nightlife.

Day Trips

• Xátiva - Explore the historic castle and cobblestone streets of this charming town.
• Sagunto - Discover ancient Roman ruins and a well-preserved Jewish quarter.
• Albufera Natural Park - Visit Valencia's stunning wetlands, famous for its rice fields and boat trips.
• Cullera - Enjoy the beaches and castle views of this coastal town.
• Peñiscola - A beautiful medieval old town by the sea, famous as a filming location for Game of Thrones.
• Gandia - Known for its beautiful beaches, charming old town, and the Ducal Palace of the Borjas.