hi Spain-travellers, I have been living in Valencia, Spain, for 3 years now and I am extremely enthusiastic about this city! That's why I would like to give you some tips on my new home town (I'
I have been living in Valencia, Spain, for 3 years now and I am extremely enthusiastic about this city! That's why I would like to give you some tips on my new home town (I'm originally from the Netherlands) so that you can discover great things in and around Valencia!! Also, if you already know Valencia I would love to hear what are YOUR best tips!
As far as I'm concerned not to be missed in Valencia: - Ciudad de Artes y Ciencias (http://www.cac.es) This huge, futuristic, white city of the Arts and Sciences doesn't cease to astonish me. Impressive and eye-blinding (sometimes literally because of the sun shining on the white mosaic tiles) I suggest visiting the City of Arts and Sciences twice: once during the day, once at night. Ideal terrotority for photographers! Entrance is free, although you can also visit the paid attractions inside the City of Arts and Sciences: an IMAX theater, a science museum and an acquarium. Personnally, I would consider the science museum as a "tourist trap". I think it is only worth a visit if you're with kids or if you're a real science fan! - Turia-park: a long and narrow park of approx. 10 km in the old river bed of the river Turia. Absolute bliss to walk or cycle here. - Palau de Musica (http://www.palaudevalencia.com). This music palace (beautifully lit at night) is located in the middle of the Turia park. Take a short break from your walking or cycling tour here and enjoy the free watershow with classical music on Thursday and Sunday evenings from 8 to 10 pm at the fountains in front of the music palace. - Some culinary tips, local "street food" style, TAPAS!: order Valencian mussels (clotxinas) in Bar Pilar (C/Moro Zeit 13), one of Valencia's oldest tapasbars. Try the fresh sardines at Tasca Angel (C/Purisima 1). Everything is good in El Bar Central/El Bar de David (plaza Mercado 33), the bar doesn't look pretty but the food is fresh and of good quality. Moreover, there is a very non-touristy and lively Spanish atmosphere. Right in front of the Mercado Central.
The surroundings of Valencia are also worth a visit. -Beach: Go to El Saler. Pretty quiet beach, not as heavily visited as the Malvarrossa city beach. You can take a bus from Valencia or reach this beach by bike (approx. 15 km). - Mountains: go to mount El Garbí for a hike, beautiful views. It's an easy hike, so perfect for families. Starting point could be the village of Estivella. Another interesting place to go hiking is Chelva, spectacular views, Roman aquaduct etc. - Something special: visit a natural hot spring in Montanejos. The water is 25degrees Celsius all year round. Here you can swim in an idyllic lagoon between spectacular mountains. Not touristy at all and absolutely worth a visit.
The mountains and hotspring are unfortunately a bit hard to reach by public transportation. So you will need your own means of transportationr. Hiring a car is not very expensive in Spain, or you could book a tour with a cheap local guide, such as DO! Valencia (http://www.do-valencia.com)
I hope these tips are useful. I'm also looking forward to receiving YOUR tips after your experiences as a local or as a visitor in Valencia! Enjoy this fantastic city!
Thanks for this contribution! I visited Valencia many years ago and found it to be a very classy, even stately city, and I'm planning to revisit next Spring on my way to Andalusia. So your post with this updated information (compared to my long-ago memories) is most welcome by this traveller.
I was in Valencia about ten years ago during Las Fallas. It was interesting to have been there once, but I never thought about returning. There are too many other cities in Spain that I like much better and that I visit frequently.
Las Fallas was fun, but it was just too crowded. Perhaps if I went during a more normal time, I would have come away with a better impression.
At that time, tourists generally did not go to Valencia. What has changed that now so many are interested in visiting Valencia? Is it a better publicity campaign from the tourist office, or has something actually changed in Valencia to make the city more interesting and worth a visit?
Rob, Wally and Donna: Thank you for your replies! It is true that during the annual Fallas festival the city is extremely crowded. Fallas is one of the loudest festivals in Europe (or the world?). If you feel uncomfortable in big crowds and/or are easily startled by the constant noise of firecrackers then you should avoid Valencia from 15-19 March. If you enjoy seeing (and hearing!!!) something different and do not mind swapping your day/night routine around, don't hesitate to join in in the Valencia mayhem. It's a 5-day long party on the streets with beautifully crafted , colourful monuments on every corner of the streets that can be as high as 23 meters, spectacular fireworks at night (Valencia has a good reputation of complex yet aesthetic fireworks), heavy explosions during the daily 7-minute "mascletá" that are so skillfully orchestred they become "melodic", women in beautiful traditional dresses on the streets, food stalls with thick hot chocolate in which you can dip "buñuelos" (fritters)...... and much more.
As far as your questions are concerned, Donna, I can tell you Valencia has changed very drastically over the past 15 years. The first time I visited this city was back in 1997 and it was a rather dirty industrial town. The port and the old city center with its labyrinth-like narrow streets ("El Carmen") were places to be avoided, with lots of shabby buildings, drugs and prostitution. These areas have been swept clean. The port has received an enormous metamorphosis and is now in fact one of the "pillars of prestige" in Valencia. In 2007 and this year Valencia hosted the regatta "America's Cup". Another prestigious project that has given Valencia a modern look is of course the City of Arts and Sciences, that was not yet finished when you visited the city 10 years ago. The majority of the buildings in the old city center El Carmen have been renovated. This neighbourhood now is a place with a somewhat bohemian feel to it. Little shops from artists, jewellery makers, clothes designers. All with an "alternative" touch. El Carmen is also one of the neighbourhoods in Valencia with a lively nightlife. Lots of pubs and restaurants, no discotheques. I guess the tourist office in Valencia has also been working hard to promote the new Valencia. (http://www.turisvalencia.es)
Rob, as from 18 December 2010 the high speed train (AVE = tren de Alta Velocidad Española) between Madrid and Valencia will run approx. 13 to 17 times a day. The trip will take 1.5 hours and a one way ticket will cost around 70-80 euros.
I took a high speed train from Barcelona to Valencia along the coast that was very nice.
I didn't mind the noise of the fireworks, and they were actually quite beautiful and well done. What was disturbing was seeing very young children in the street playing with fireworks, lighting matches etc. with no adult supervision. Some actually threw lit firecrackers at me as I walked by which was dangerous. They were too young to know better. After our 4th of July holiday, we read news reports every year of children blowing their hands off and other serious injuries due to handling fireworks carelessly.
I will probably be back at some point to see how things have changed...but it won't be during Las Fallas. Once was enough for that.
Is the Aquarium worth going to. We have not been to any aquarium in Europe, but have visited many in the US. Posted by fla742
I visited the aquarium twice. It is a very nice park in which you can easily spend at least 3 hours at the Oceanografic without getting bored. In the high season it tends to be overcrowded and, personnally, I wouldn't recommend going there in the high season. It is worth a visit if you're not travelling on a tight budget. Entrance fee is approx. 25 euros (adult). The Oceanografic is the biggest aquarium in Europe with over 500 different marine species. Foreign visitors might be happy to know that all information panels in the aquarium are both in Spanish AND English (a feature often not found in other Valencian attractions).
Thnaks for the info about the Aquarium. Unfortuneately our plans have changed and we will have to get to Valencia from Ibiza instead. I'm not sure it is going to be possible since the information I have about Ferry service will not make it possible to come over for the day. Does anyone have any ideas?
I will be visiting Valencia for a couple of days this March during Las Fallas. Do you have any recommendations for a hotel that is located near enough the festivities that I can view them from my room if the crowds prove too much for me?
I will be travelling to Valencia from NY during the last week of August for our 1 year wedding anniversary. We will be there for 3 days (Mon, Tues, Wed) and then will be going to Barcelona.
We are both vegetaran. Will be have problems eating around Valencia?
Where can we fine really great English-speaking guided tours or hikes? We also enjoy live music/shows.
We plan on going to and participating in the La Tomatina 2011. Any tips?
However, in non-vegetarian restaurants you will be able to order veggie dishes, though. Think "paella de verduras", for example (vegetable paella) and in tapas bars you will be able to find vegetarian tapas, such as cheeses, grilled vegetables or "tortilla de patatas" (Spanish potato omelette).
For great English-speaking tours and hikes, try DO! Valencia at www.do-valencia.com They get very good reviews on TripAdvisor and organise fun, active tours to villages, the mountains and a hot spring.
For live music and shows, try Blue Note (for jazz and blues), or for flamenco go to La Claca, Radio City or Café El Duende.
As for the Tomatina, I´ve never particpated myself but I know it´s extremely crowded and messy. Some tips:
Don´t wear flip-flops as you will probably lose them, but sneakers you can throw away afterwards, don´t take your camera with you, wear a bathing suit under your clothes, wear clothes you can throw away afterwards as they will probably get torn, wear goggles as the tomato juice will sting your eyes, and be prepared to get bruised. There will be more than 40000 people participating in the Tomatina fight in a small village. It´s going to be absolute mayhem... Have fun!
I was in Valencia last summer and even though I loved the paella (pepita a at the each of course) I love the fact there are now also other great restaurants. Australian Chef Bonnie cooks up a storm in spicy APPETIT (Ruzafa) and I really liked the El Carmen restaurant Santa Companya. Their 'tapas' are strendy stylish raw foord home made dishes, absolutely excellent! All restaurants where tips from the small and central bed and breakfast I stayed at, just next to Plaza Virgen's Cathedral : http://www.valenciamansion.com/art.html it's really arty and cool. Also: take a warm lunch at two, the 10 euro ' menu del dia ' doubles in price for the evenings, so get a bag of cooked shrimps from the local MERCADONA or CONSUM, heaven with some pink sauce on a bench in the Turia Park...
Yes you are riht. You can't 'just watch' Tomatna, you are either not there, or in it. My sister broke her wrist, it was not funny eventhough we had a blast.
