Unveil the magic of Valencia, the city of pizzazz and the Mediterranean joie de vivre
Known for its unrivaled street art, well-preserved old town, and many cultural landmarks such as its Opera House, Mercado Central, its national museum, its Gulliver Park, and charming cafés such as Café del Duende, a popular locale to dance flamenco, Valencia is a one-of-its-kind destination to visit in Spain.
Not as popular as Barcelona, Valencia is cheaper than the Catalan capital, and its advantageous location on the Mediterranean Sea, means that it is not only over Christmas and in winter in general that you can find a lot of nice things to do in Valencia, but also during the summer months when visiting Valencia is synonymous with indolent leisure on the beach, along with a visit to the city's many a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with nice soirees in the city center and Valencia's beaches.
Head to one of the most alluring Spanish cities but first check out the top ten things to do in Valencia.
- Visit Torres de Serranos & Miguelet Tower
But for sure it is Valencian architectural marvels, such as the city's many towers, also known as Torres, that lure travelers from all over the world to the pearl of the Mediterranean.
Dating back to the 14th century, are Torres de Serranos, two towers, commissioned by Pere Balaguer, served as important town fortifications, and have remained central to the city's townscape.
Note that The name "Serranos" comes from the fact that the towers are oriented towards the mountainous region of Serra Calderona, from where the main threats were expected to come.
However, despite their defensive purpose, the Torres de Serranos also served as a ceremonial entrance, receiving visiting dignitaries and important guests with a touch of splendor.
Another nice tower to visit is the Miguelet Tower.
Other towers in Valencia include but are not limited to the following: Torre de San Bartolameu; Vigía de Piles Tower; and many church bell towers such as Santa Catalina Church Bell Tower.
- Uncover, El Cabanyal Beach, arguably Spain's best urban Mediterranean beach.
Even though little known to the general mainstream of beach aficionados, the city of Valencia is famed for its magnificent stretches of sand. To add to the beauty of Malvarossa Beach, Pinedo Beach, and El Saler Beach, there is El Cabanyal Beach.
Known for its golden sand, and cool vibe, it is nice to bask in the sun and swim in the summer and do sports during the rest of the year.
Note that on Cabanyal you can find snacks, umbrella rentals, and a promenade for you and your loved ones to keep fit.
- Explore Gulliver park
Known as the best locale in Valencia Spain to explore with family and kids, Valencia's Gulliver Park features a stunning play structure for you and your little ones to climb and slide, along with many marvelous facilities that will make your trip to Valencia a veritable tribute to unadulterated joy of family life.
Note that since the park is located close to the Turia Gardens, so once you are done with sliding and climbing, and exploring the vast likeness of Gulliver by climbing it, you might as well set out for a picnic in the Turia Gardens for a nice outdoor Valencia city break.
- Go on a search for the Holy Grail, the Holy Chalice that is thought to give immortality, and visit Valencia cathedral
A cornerstone of European folklore and mythology, the quest for the Holy Grail is impossible to dissociate from that of the city of Valencia.
It is inside this beautiful cathedral that situated the storied Holy Grail, a vessel described in the King Author's legends, and thought to bring immortality.
Exhibited in a special chapel, named the "Capilla del Santo Cáliz" (Chapel of the Holy Chalice), you can visit it yourself and take delight in seeing this legendary artifact.
- Pay a visit to the Central Market
Renowned as one of the Mediterranean's most bustling bazaars, the marketplace is a great spot to go shopping for fresh food, local ambrosial ham, and other meat products, as well as for meeting locals and seeing its one-of-its-kind architecture.
The central market was put up in the 1920s and boasts a magnificent Catalan Art Nouveau exterior. Head here for a glimpse into the city's commercial present and architectural past on your visit to Valencia.
- Head to Dino Golf, to play golf at a mini Golf Course in a truly scenic setting
Known as one of the best places to have fun with friends and family, Dino Gold is a golf course situated within the city bounds and offers some of the best golf-playing options in the South of Spain and Valencia.
Dino Golf Barcelona isn't just for seasoned golfers; it's fun for the whole family! Children and adults alike can enjoy the whimsical yet challenging course while learning about the fascinating creatures that once roamed the Earth such as dinosaurs, whose footprints can be spotted in the golf center.
The facility also offers mini-golf clubs for kids, making it easier for little ones to join in on the fun.
- Pay a visit to Central Hall and its orange garden, known for its orange trees, blooming right in the heart of Valencia.
Popular with foreigners and locals alike for its neoclassical architecture, the city hall, also known as ???, features elegant columns, intricate sculpture, and ornate detailing that make it one of the most stunning pieces of architecture to visit in Valencia.
What is more, it is home to many cultural marvels, and outside, you can find an orange orchard, that seems to envelop the site in a pleasant aroma of oranges, making a visit here a tribute to the most exquisite olfactory pleasure of smelling orange bloom from February to April, when orange trees usually bloom.
Note that apart from the great commercial and other historical sites there are many great places of worship to visit in Valencia, for example San Pedro Mártir Church, or other prayer houses located within city walls, and witnessing to the Valencia's golden age, along with other churches such as San Nicolás de Bari Church, and other culutral landmarks like the above-mentioned Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange); Marqués de Dos Aguas Palace; Ruzafa ceramics museum; the museum of fine arts to add to magnificent squares such as Plaza de la Virgen and Plaza del Ayuntamiento, where the city hall is situated, Plaza de la Reina, along with natural marvels such Albufera natural park, and the city's enviors dotted with palm trees, and great cultural traditions such as Las Falls festival.
- Make a trip to Biopark Valencia, an exotic spot to explore the African fauna
Stretching over 10 hectares, the giant zoo features not only a unique zoo immersion experience, submerging you into the world of the wild and untamed but also boasts a great population of African animals.
One of the best locales to familiarize yourself with the life of the dark continent, going to Biopark Valencia si a one-of-its-kind to visit the vast swathes of Africa, while on a short day trip into Bioparc, without leaving the town of Valencia.
Note that the biopark is open from 10 am to 8 pm, and has over 4000 animals.
- Uncover Spanish art and see one of the largest urban parks in Europe
Known for its futuristic architecture, designed by the native son of the city, Santiago Calatrava, the green space is part of a redevelopment initiative that changed the face of the Turia River riverbed, making it one of the most appealing locales to escape the summer heat in Valencia Spain.
Along with taking advantage of the Turia River Park's many walking and cycling paths, sports facilities, playgrounds, and various recreational areas, you can check out some of Valencia Spain s most appealing landmarks such as the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les arts), a cluster of cool tourist attractions, that is home to a planetarium, an opera house, an interactive science museum, and an oceanographic park, reportedly the world's largest.
- Head to La Seda Silk Exchange, one of Valencia Spain s most outstanding Gothic sites.
Bearing witness to the grandeur of Spain's golden age, the Silk Exchange, also known as Llotja de la Seda, is a of its kind landmark to pay a visit to when visiting the beautiful city of Valencia whether alone or on a guided tour.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Exchange bears witness to the city's past commercial grandeur and functions as a venue for some of the city's prime cultural events.
If on a visit here, check out the de la Seda Silk Exchange's main hall, known as the "Hall of Columns," featuring a grandiose space with twisted columns that soar towards the ceiling, creating a visually captivating experience.
TIPS:
But it is not just there are many other tourist attractions that draw in throngs of adventure-seeking tourists. Try out local delicacies, such as paella, a dish that became the symbol of Spain and the pride of its gastronomy, and local beverages, such as Horchata, a refreshing beverage, hailing from Valencia, and made from chufa, also known as tiger nuts.
When is the best time to visit Valencia?
Even though many think of a trip to Spain as a summer-time endeavor, it is pleasant to visit Spain, and Valencia in particular, throughout the year.
If you visit in winter, you can witness grand Christmas processions, shop around its marvelous Christmas markets, and take part in a veritable carnival, unfolding on Mardi Gras, at the beginning of February, falling on February 13, in the season 2024.
In spring, you can take delight in blooming orchards, and scarcer crowds of tourists than in summer, yet the weather is balmy and the heat is not as oppressive as during the summer.
Autumn is argubaly the most under-rated time to visit Valencia, for it is then that the summer heat goes away and the paradise of autumnal bliss envelops the city, so pleasant from September to October.
Don't miss out on the yellow leaves, so pleasant to behold.
Where to stay in Valencia?
Even though most prefer to put up in the old town, known as the Ciutat Vella, there are some new areas to lodge during your trip to Valencia.
Some of the hottest new areas to stay for a night in Valencia include but are not limited to the following: for example you can check into a hotel in Eixample, a hipsterish area, laid out in long streets and home to some of the city's trendiest establishments.
Here you can Colón Market, a striking brick-and-iron structure from 1916, housing a food court frequented for its tapas bars and nice cocktail lounges, or just stroll around to see some nice live music performances or chance upon some of the continent's best DJs' sessions.