Valencia
One of the largest cities in Spain, Valencia is located in eastern Spain in the region of Valencia. Valencia today is famous for its Fallas Festival in March and for the City of Arts and Sciences, which is considered an architectural modern masterpiece. It is also the birthplace of paella, horchata, and fartons!
How to get to Valencia
There are a few ways to get to Valencia from Barcelona:
1) By train. There is a frequent direct train from Barcelona to Valencia which takes between 2.5 and 5 hours (depending on which train you get). There is a high speed one (the AVE) which takes only about 2 hours.
You can check the individual train websites (Renfe or Oigo) but we recommend you check Trainline's website, which compares all the companies' timetables & prices to show you the different options so you can choose the most convenient one for you.
A few recommendations when traveling to Valencia by train:
Book your tickets in advance. You will find the best schedules and prices by purchasing them a few weeks before the trip, so make sure you plan and buy your train ride with enough time so they are not sold out.
Most train companies use numbered seats (just like planes) so make sure you sit in your specific seat.
Keep in mind that not every train will have a cafeteria and the ones that do sell snacks will sell them for a considerably higher price, so we recommend you bring a sandwich, snack, and water with you.
2) By bus. There are direct buses from Barcelona to Valencia but normally they take a bit longer than the train (around 4.5 hours). If you prefer this option, we recommend that you check the websites of Alsa, Flixbus and Vibasa. You can also use ComparaBUS, which compares the different bus companies and shows you the best deals.
Where to stay in Valencia
Valencia is really popular, especially in the summer months, so accommodations can get pricy if you leave it to the last minute. Booking in advance is key to finding affordable accommodation. However, if you want to treat yourself there are a wide range of expensive and high class hotels to choose from. A few options for all budgets are:
If you want to travel on a budget, we recommend you stay in a hostel or B&B. Sometimes you can find great hotel deals as well. A few websites that compare prices and allow you to view results from lowest to highest price are Kayak, Booking.com, and Expedia.
If you don't know where to start looking and you don't know much about the city's different areas, we recommend you read this article on the best areas to stay in Valencia, which includes hotel recommendations.
If you prefer to stay in an apartment, we recommend that you check out Airbnb's website. They have a great selection of apartments and you can choose if you want to book the whole place for yourself or just a private room.
hip neighborhoods in valencia
barrio El Carmen
One of the most charming neighborhoods in Valencia, El Carmen is the largest and best known district in Ciutat Vella (the Old Town). This area is perhaps best known for its impressive street art and vibrant nightlife. Whether you’re looking for a restaurant offering delicious Spanish cuisine or for a walk full of impressive artsy sites, El Carmen should be top of your list.
Barrio El Carmen is also home to some of Valencia’s most historic buildings, including the Serrano Towers and Quart Towers (which were once the gates to the old city), and is a bustling hub during the day.
You can read more about el Carmen and what to do there here.
Ruzafa
A somewhat rundown area of the city just 15 years ago, Ruzafa has been transformed by its residents into a bohemian area full of arts and crafts workshops, shops, local businesses, and artisan studios.
Now it is one of the most popular areas in the city to live for locals, and one of the most popular areas to visit for tourists! Gastronomy has played a significant part in the rebirth of Ruzafa, with some of Valencia’s top chefs opening new restaurants in the area, with international eateries offering the best of Asian, Italian, Mexican and Indian cuisine.
Read more about Ruzafa here.
el Cabanyal
If you want to get away to the sea during your time in Valencia, then El Cabanyal is definitely the area to go to. In this area you'll find narrow streets and alleyways, with colorful two-story fishermen’s cottages and friendly cafés, shops, and bars to be explored.
A walk along the wide beachfront promenade will bring you to Valencia’s most famous beach: Playa Malvarrosa. Don't miss the chance to stroll along the marina for a perfect end to the day by the sea.
Read more about El Cabanyal here.
muSt-see's in valencia
CatHedral of valencia
Valencia’s vast Gothic cathedral has a Baroque façade but a dark and shadowy inside. It’s home to what some believe is the Holy Grail (you can visit the Chapel of the Holy Chalice, where the jeweled cup is theatrically displayed in an alabaster altarpiece). Don't forget to struggle your way up all 207 steps to the top of the Micalet, the city’s symbol, for glorious views – and the chime of the deafening belltower.
Check out the opening times & ticket prices here.
Albufera national ParK
This lake and natural park about 8km south of the city is one of Spain’s most important wetlands. Surrounded by rice fields, which have a golden glow in the fall, the park has nature trails and bike paths and is home to more than 250 bird species. Spend the day at the beautiful beach of La Devesa nearby and don't forget to visit the lake in the evening for a sunset boat ride.
Check some of the best rides here.
aquarium oceanografic
This is the largest aquarium in Europe, with the capacity to house 45,000 living creatures from 500 different species.
You'll be able to enjoy the unique architecture of the City of Arts & Sciences, and the amazing inside of the aquarium. Beyond beauty, the Aquarium raises awareness for the protection of the flora and fauna of marine life.
Check out the opening times and tickets here.
la lonja (silk's house)
One of the finest civil Gothic buildings in existence, the fifteenth-century Silk Exchange was built at the height of Valencia’s Golden Age. Silk and other commodities came flooding into the city, then one of the most powerful on the Mediterranean coast. Check out the doorways and columns inside and around the cloister for some unique depictions of various sins.
Check more information here.
Turia Garden
The Turia Gardens were created at the end of the 20th century as a result of the diversion of the river to a new artificial course south of the city after the catastrophic flood of 1957. The park is divided into 12 sections, each of which has its own character. Do not miss out on the Palau garden area, home to the Palau de la Música auditorium.
central market
Located in the heart of Valencia’s Old Town, the market is one of the oldest markets still in use in Europe, and it has been declared a “Heritage of Cultural Interest” by the Spanish government.
It covers over 86,000 square feet over two floors. And from a distance, it looks more like a Cathedral than a public market. In the market you'll be able to experience some of the finest cuisine from the Mediterranean, made with the freshest produce in Valencia.
museums in valencia
city of arts & sciences
Valencia-native Santiago Calatrava designed this unique, futuristic complex for the arts and sciences and it has become an icon of the city. Covering around two kilometres of the former riverbed of the River Túria, it's both a scientific and cultural leisure complex. The complex is an artful arrangement of giant sculptures that house, among other attractions, an aquarium that looks like a wave, an opera house in the form of a ship, and a giant planetarium in the form of an eye.
Check the opening times for the different buildings here and the ticket prices here.
the fallas museum
The Museo Fallero is the perfect opportunity to get to know the Fallas Festival at any time of year, especially when it is not possible to visit the city during these holidays. Those who have experienced the incredible Fallas know that when the night of March 19 arrives, all Fallas are burned in the traditional cremá and leave their ashes behind. Every year, two privileged ninots (the figures that make up the Falla monument) are saved from the fire and in the museum you can see all those who were rescued from the flames since 1934.
Check all the information on their website.
¿Qué quieres comer? - FOOD in valencia
Located in el Palmar (Albufera), this restaurant has all the typical Valencian dishes you should try. Do not miss out on their paellas, "all i pebre", and their homemade desserts.
You'll love Taska on the outside (their façade is decorated with blue tiles following the Cabanyal area's seaside style) as much as the inside. They offer many traditional dishes with a twist. If you're looking for Mediterranean tapas, this is your place.
In Begin you can find a wide array of dishes designed for everyone's needs (vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian options are available). Their success lays in the quality of their ingredients and their commitment to organic and sustainable produce.
You can't leave Valencia without trying horchata and fartons. Horchata is made from tiger nuts, water, and sugar - and most Valencians swear by it. The perfect pastry to dunk in horchata are fartons (pastries covered in powdered sugar). You can thank us later. ;)
Located at the heart of the Cabanyal neighborhood, you can enjoy all sorts of cuisines in this outdoor culinary space. From burgers to Mexican food to Mediterranien to Asian fusion, there's something for every taste.
If you want to enjoy a paella in the Malvarrosa beach, Luz de Luna is your place. They have an extensive menu and offer "menús del día" (three course lunches at affordable prices) during the week.
If you want to feel like you've travelled to a beautiful Indonesian island, we recommend you visit Voltereta. They have different venues around the city based on different locations (Manhattan, Japan, and a Mediterranean island).
Located in the Ruzafa area, this is a great place for tapa lovers. Make sure you sample their patatas bravas, black garlic hummus, and their mini burgers. It won't disappoint.