What’s in the Article?
Let me just say this upfront: I didn’t expect to fall in love with Valencia. I was chasing a bit of sun, some good food, and an excuse to wear sandals again—but this coastal city in Spain did more than deliver. So, while I didn’t expect to fall in love, Valencia swept me off my feet faster than you can say “tapas!”
About a year ago, I passed through Valencia on my two-week Spanish road trip (you know you want to see this itinerary!), and I loved it back then, so it was one place that has been on my mind ever since. It got truly under my skin. With its blend of medieval backstreets, futuristic architecture, green spaces galore, and authentic Spanish food to cry happy tears over, Valencia is now firmly on my repeat-destination list.
Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city and is a vibrant blend of history, culture, and modern innovation. Nestled on the Mediterranean coast, it boasts stunning architecture, from the contemporary City of Arts and Sciences to the Gothic walls of the famous Valencia Silk Exchange.
If you’ve got three days to spare and a craving for somewhere a bit magical without the tourist overload, here’s how I spent my Valencia getaway—and some ideas on how you should spend yours.
Day 1: Old Town Magic and a Surprise Holy Grail
Morning: Mercado Central – Foodie Heaven with Fancy Windows
I arrived in Valencia mid-morning, dropped my bag in my hotel (a last-minute steal on Expedia.com – thank you very much!), and made a beeline for Mercado Central. People told me it was beautiful, but this place? It’s like a cathedral for food…and we all know I worship food! With stunning high glass ceilings, colourful tiles, wrought iron everything, Pinterest would be proud.
Mercado Central is one of Europe’s largest and most beautiful indoor markets, featuring over 700 stalls. I wandered from stall to stall with wide eyes and a growling stomach until I found a bakery stall that had some mouth-watering vegan pastries, so I grabbed brunch and navigated my way (eventually!) back out into the open air.
If you’re looking for a grab-and-go kind of food, this is exactly where you need to head—you won’t be disappointed!
Midday: La Lonja de la Seda – Where Merchants Got Fancy
My next stop in Valencia was just across the street. I walked into La Lonja de la Seda, or the world-famous Silk Exchange. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Portugal is very proud of it—and honestly? Fair enough!
The twisted columns in the contract hall look like they belong in a Tim Burton set. It is a masterpiece of Gothic civil architecture, with towering ceilings and a castle-like exterior, and is adorned with a Latin inscription emphasising the importance of honest trade. It sounds a lot fancier in Latin, though…
I grabbed an audio guide that uncovered some of the secrets of La Lonja de la Seda, such as the 15th-century merchant gossip, what became of merchants who didn’t drive a fair deal, and some of the famously cheeky and sometimes risqué gargoyles hidden around the building.
They were said to reflect the sins and vices of humanity—some claim they depict lewd or mischievous scenes, added by stonemasons poking fun at their patrons. (A bit of medieval trolling, perhaps?)
Don’t skip the orange courtyard before you leave—it’s peaceful and smells divine, guaranteed to make you forget you’re tucked away in the middle of a bustling city.
Afternoon: Holy Grail, More Gothic Vibes, and Holy Cow That View!
Next up was Valencia Cathedral. There’s a lot going on architecturally—Romanesque entrance, Gothic arches, Baroque bell tower—but the main attraction? Apparently, this is where the actual Holy Grail lives. It’s not cheap, but curiosity got the better of me!
It cost €9 to see the legendary chalice in a quiet side chapel under moody lighting—dramatic! Granted, I don’t particularly buy into the story, I was more driven by Indiana Jones’ heroics.
Afterwards, I decided to climb El Miguelete, the bell tower with a whopping 207 steps. Worth it for the views, even if I was wheezing like an asthmatic tortoise by the top. Valencia, with its terracotta rooftops and palm trees, looked like it was basking in its own golden-hour filter.
Evening: Tapas and Vibes in Ruzafa
Dinner time rolled around, and I wandered back to my hotel’s neighbourhood: Ruzafa. It’s a little bit hipster, a little bit artsy, and completely full of excellent tapas bars. I ended up at Jardín Urbano 
, a vegan restaurant with a bohemian vibe and an almost too good plant-based menu to choose from. I got food FOMO, hard.
After I ended up so full that I was thankful for elasticated waistbands, I headed for a wander around Ruzafa, and it soon became apparent why it is one of the most popular places to visit in Valencia. Everywhere is quaint and laid-back, with colourful buildings and cosy bars with plenty of outdoor seating.
I picked a place at random and sipped on Agua de Valencia cocktails while I finished off some work and did a little people watching. Not exactly a rock ‘n’ roll kind of evening, but exactly the kind of calm welcome that Valencia had promised.
Day 2: Space-Age Buildings, Marinelife Oogling, and a Skate in the Park
Morning: The City of Arts and Sciences – Like Walking Through a Sci-Fi Movie Set
I woke up with a mild Agua de Valencia hangover and an urgent need for coffee, then headed to the City of Arts and Sciences. It’s a gleaming white architectural playground of swooping buildings surrounded by reflecting pools, and in my opinion, it looks like aliens landed and decided to stay—it’s the most iconic modern building in Valencia. The building sits on the edge of a spotless artificial lake where you can rent a rowboat or paddle board if you want to glide across the crystal clear water.
I wandered through the science museum (Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe), where I geeked out over interactive exhibits and got mildly competitive trying to beat my own reaction time test. It looks like a great place for kids, so I’d definitely recommend this as a top family-friendly attraction in Valencia.
Midday: Under the Sea (Sort Of)
Next up was L’Oceanogràfic, which is actually Europe’s largest aquarium. I spent a good couple of hours there, getting immersed in the underwater tunnel, watching sharks and stingrays float above me. The jellyfish section was purely hypnotic.
⚠️ Major downside though! I should have done my research first, because I soon discovered that L’Oceanogràfic has a dolphin show, where animals are expected to perform tricks that go against their natural behaviour, and many zoologists report can be physically damaging to the dolphins. While generally speaking, the living conditions are reported to be quite good, there’s no need to prioritise tourist entertainment over animal welfare, so there are significant ethical concerns here. I’d say skip the show.
Afternoon: Jardín del Turia – From Lakeside Lunch to Park Perfection
Needing some fresh air and desperate for lunch, I rented a bike and hit Jardín del Turia, with my first stop being a quaint eatery overlooking the lake. Jardín del Turia is Valencia’s sprawling park built in a former riverbed. Yes, you read that right. Valencia re-routed its river and turned the empty basin into a park that winds through the city for 9km.
So, here’s the dumb “classic Anna” part…
Halfway round my two-wheel exploration, I saw some folks roller skating, and they told me about a place to rent them just a little way outside the park. You can see where this is heading, right?
I dropped off my bike and picked up some roller skates, and after about half an hour doing a relatively capable job, I came to a hill and got cocky, resulting in a bruised bum and a serious bump to the coccyx. I can do most things, but I really need to admit defeat when it comes to balancing on wheels!
In short, Jardín del Turia is perfect for a picnic, a bike ride, a blissful wander, or a session on roller skates—just do a better job than I did at staying upright!
Evening: A Flamenco Show With All the Frills
After a long soak in the bathtub back at my hotel to soothe my sore backside, it was time to scrub up, get on the glad rags and head out. Every Thursday, Sabbia Valencia offers a flamenco dinner show called “Sarao Flamenco”, where you can tuck into exquisite authentic Spanish food and watch traditional Andalusian flamenco dancing.
This is one of the high-class experiences in Valencia, so it was a bit of a treat, but I am big on cultural immersion, and there is nothing more immersive than this! Just be warned, it is best to book your table in advance as it’s a highly popular event!
If flamenco isn’t your thing and you’d like something a little more modern or even a bit raunchy, Sabbia Valencia has quite regular dinner shows that are performance masterpieces. You can book your table through their website.
Day 3: Boats, Beaches, and (Finally) Real Paella
Morning: Boats and Birds in Albufera Natural Park
My last day in Valencia kicked off with a half-hour bus ride to Albufera Natural Park, just south of the city. It was invigorating to get out into nothing but nature, and the best way to explore the park’s diverse ecosystems, including rice paddies, reed beds, and the tranquil Albufera Lagoon is by boat. I booked a tour through GetYourGuide, which included transport from the city and an adorable and passionate tour guide, Enzo.
I boarded a traditional wooden boat with a few other early risers who had booked the tour, and we glided across the glassy lagoon while our guide pointed out egrets, herons, and a range of other protected wildlife that call Albufera Natural Park their home.
After our boat tour, I decided to give my trusty hiking boots their workout and took on a hike known as the “Ruta Circular de l’Albufera” – Full Albufera Loop Walk. The hike is about 5.5km, and pretty easy terrain, starting near Gola de Pujol and forming a satisfying loop that connects forest, dune, lagoon, and farmland in a gentle meander through Albufera’s most iconic landscapes.
Midday: Paella in El Palmar
By lunch, I was ravenous for something a bit stodgy, and in case you didn’t know, Valencia is famous for being the birthplace of paella, so the menu was a no-brainer.
I stopped in El Palmar, a tiny village famous for its paella game, because you can’t go to Spain without getting stuck into its signature dish! The best, traditional paella is when they cook it over a wood fire. The result? Smoky, golden rice with crispy bits around the edge that we all know is the best bit. Paella as it should be!
Afternoon: Beach Time at Playa de la Patacona
Back in town, I spent my final afternoon sprawled on Playa de la Patacona. Valencia is blessed with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, so you’re almost guaranteed to have a decent tan after a day or two there. Chances increase tenfold if you hire a lounger, stick on a good audiobook, and pretend like you aren’t still sore from the previous day’s rollerskating disaster…
Playa de la Patacona is a serene beach located in Alboraya, just north of Valencia’s city centre. It’s known for its relaxed atmosphere, wide sandy expanse, and a promenade lined with cafés and restaurants. The beach is popular among locals and offers a quieter alternative to the slightly closer but more bustling Playa de la Malvarrosa.
I gave myself the bulk of my afternoon just appreciating being in the sun, the occasional dip in the sea, and a cone of churros or two. I have to admit, I was toying with the idea of making Valencia a digital nomad base for me and extending my stay for a while. I mean… imagine living in a city where at the drop of a hat you can be on the beach with churros in one hand and a sangria in the other!
To round off my beach-based afternoon, I went ahead and did something I’ve been dying to do for a long time—flyboarding. For those who aren’t familiar with flyboarding, it’s that thing that’s like snowboarding, but on water, propelled by jets. Hands down, some of the most fun I have ever had on the water, and not too difficult once you finally get the hang of it. Find out More
I came back down to Earth feeling pretty smug about it and pretending like I didn’t have a bruise the size of Mars on my bum from my skating disaster in the park the day before! Anyway, I think I redeemed myself.
Evening: Sunset and Sangria
I always like to make my last night in a place something a little special, so I had a serious deep-dive into where to have my last dinner and I settled on Boa Beach —a stylish beachside café in Valencia’s El Cabanyal-El Canyamelar neighbourhood. It’s a popular spot for both locals and visitors who are after a vibrant yet laid-back dining experience that focuses on fresh, wholesome cuisine.
One of the major reasons I picked Boa Beach to be my final farewell restaurant in Valencia is because of their dreamy decor and perfect views of the sunset. The second reason being that they are rumoured to have some of the best sangria in the city (they do.)
Other Things To Do In Valencia
So obviously, I didn’t get the chance to get my teeth into all of the amazing things to do in Valencia, but I’m not so sad about it because now I have an excuse to go back! Here are a few of the experiences that I didn’t quite manage to get to do…until next time.
- Night Zoo at Bioparc Valencia: The Bioparc offers a fascinating Night Safari experience where you can have a guided tour in the zoo after dark, giving you the lowdown on all of the nocturnal animals.
- Jet Skiing in Albufera: If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, head to the waters around Albufera Natural Park. You can rent a jet ski and go on a tour of the breathtaking Spanish coastline.
- Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Valencia: Float over the Turia Gardens and catch a glimpse of the city’s beaches, old town, and nearby villages.
- Valencia’s Ruzafa Market Food Tour: Go beyond the typical tourist spots and dive into Valencia’s local food scene with a guided food tour of the quirky Ruzafa Market.
- Explore the Hidden Murals of El Carmen: Go on a wander to uncover hidden murals and graffiti scattered across the neighbourhood’s walls. Many pieces are tucked away in narrow alleys and unexpected spots, offering an off-the-beaten-path exploration.
- Cave Exploration in the Caves of San José: Take a short trip outside Valencia to the Caves of San José, one of the longest underground rivers in Europe, where you can take a boat ride that feels too surreal to be on this planet.
Final Thoughts
I’ll be completely honest, Valencia isn’t the cheapest city on earth, but it is still much more affordable than some of Spain’s other major cities like Barcelona or Madrid. Day-to-day life is pretty affordable, but it’s the activities that crank up the price. That being said, there is so much to do in Valencia that doesn’t cost anything, such as the hikes and the beach, so even on a budget trip to Valencia, you are guaranteed to love every sun-drenched minute.
With the historic charm of Seville, the beachy vibe of Barcelona, and plenty of nearby natural beauty for those outdoorsy types, Valencia is one of those rare cities that has just the right amount of everything.
Hasta luego, Valencia. You were dreamy.
I got my trip, now get yours!
Anna x
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