A Taste of Valencia:
Visit the home of Paella and so much more!
Originally published August 24, 2020. Updated February of 2024
All photos in this piece are credited to Paul Knowles of Streets of Valencia unless otherwise noted.
Plaza del Doctor Collado, Valencia, Spain.
Do you like warm weather and hitting the beach?
Are you an architecture buff who appreciates spending time at historical sites?
Do you enjoy getting an authentic feel for the city you’re visiting by meandering through local neighborhoods?
And, do you love trying cuisine from the place you’re exploring?
If you answered yes to these questions, be sure to include Valencia in your upcoming Spain Less Traveled itinerary.
Situated just off the east coast of Spain, Valencia is an inviting city known for its local hospitality, history, delicious oranges, and phenomenal weather. In addition to Spanish, Valencian - a dialect of Catalan – is also spoken here. And, as the home of paella, it’s the place to go for this traditional Spanish meal!
So, no matter how short or long you have in Spain, add Valencia to your travel plans. Read on to learn more about why this city is an ideal destination to get a true taste of Spanish culture.
Great Location
Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, with just over 800,000 residents living in the municipality. It has a happening nightlife like Madrid and pristine beaches like Barcelona.
But, thanks to its smaller size, this Spanish city has a chiller, plenty to see and do, and is less crowded.
Since Valencia is a few hours by train from Madrid and Barcelona. you can easily spend a few days here. Aside from being close to Spain’s first and second largest cities, it’s fairly easy to get to other parts of the country too.
Beach scene
Amazing Weather
Valencia is the ideal destination for visitors who like to be out and about while catching some rays. With 300 days a year of sunshine, the warmest thing you’ll need pack is a light jacket for the evenings.
And, because the city is just off the Mediterranean Sea, on the Turia River, you’ll experience a pleasant breeze when it’s exceptionally warm. This makes it perfect for spending an evening people watching and sipping a sangria from an outdoor café.
If you’re heading to Valencia in the summer, expect the beaches to be packed with locals and other Spaniards escaping the heat from the major cities. You can enjoy the scene from one of the restaurants along the beach boardwalk!
Some History Highlights
Did you know that Valencia is over 2100 years old and one of the oldest cities in Spain? And, at one time, Valencia was the capital too!
Back in the day, Valencia was a Roman colony. As a port city, Valencia was key to trade, with access to the Iberian Sea and other parts of Europe. Along with Spain’s complex history, Valencia changed hands over the years. Aside from Roman influence, the Moors and Christians contributed to the culture and leadership changes throughout the years.
Spain is also rich in Jewish history. Before the Jews were ousted from Spain in 1492, they contributed to Valencia’s vibrant culture in their own quarter called “el Call”.
Valencia was also one of the most influential cities on the Mediterranean in the 15th and 16th centuries. As a destination city for merchants and home to the first printing press – it was a prosperous time for the city.
Nowadays, the port of Valencia is the biggest on the Mediterranean coast. Valencia continues to be a leading manufacturer of many products in Spain such as cars, textiles and agriculture.
Old town, colorful buildings
Explore the Old Town
Valencia’s Old Town was once surrounded by Roman walls. Today, it’s the top spot to experience local charm and history. Some “must see” Spanish architecture treasures include:
Valencia Cathedral is frequented by both locals and tourists as it is one of the top cathedrals in Spain. Aside from its blending of different architecture styles, it’s claim to fame is a chalice which some claim is the Holy Grail. When you plan your visit, enjoy the tour. This will provide a detailed look at the cathedral and in depth history about the Holy Grail.
In addition to being a great vantage point to take in the views of Valencia, The Bell Tower is the tallest building in the Old Town and home to a 7+ ton bell.
When the Silk Exchange was built near the end of the 15th century, merchants came from all over the world to be a part of the buzz. Nowadays, visitors can tour this gothic architecture building and UNESCO World Heritage site.
Along with these landmarks, one of the best ways to enjoy the Old Town is to just wander aimlessly. As you turn a corner, you might stumble into a garden or see a hodgepodge of different types of architecture that look amazing together. Or, you might meander through the food stalls in the Central Market. Valencia’s mercat central is considered to be one of the top markets in Spain!
With so much to explore, you can easily spend two days in the Old Town.
Street art scene
See Old Town and Make Some Memories With a Local
Spain Less Traveled recommends taking a tour with Streets of Valencia. You’ll have a special experience with Paul, a friendly guy, who’ll be both your guide and photographer!
During the tour, you’ll get the insider’s scoop of what to do and where to do in the city. Paul makes sure you have a memorable time by snapping photos of you striking a pose while taking in Old Town’s rich history.
Make your reservation for this personalized tour today!
And since Paul took all of the photos in this post, he can help elevate your photography to the next level too!
Turia Gardens
Other Special Spots
Head to Turia Park for a lovely day out. Originally a riverbed, the park is now 9km of paths and gardens, In addition to hearing kids playing and dogs barking, you’ll enjoy looking “in” on the city - since the park is in the middle of the city.
Start out at beginning of the part and walk towards the water. Some places to explore include the Bioparc, the City of Arts and Sciences and the Oceanogràfic – all near the gulf of the water.
Ruzafa
Get out of the urban hustle and bustle in the Albufera
Boats in a peaceful lagoon in the Albufera (photo by Karen Rosenblum)
Just 30 kilometers from the city, under an hour by car, and even the public bus is the natural paradise of the Albufera.
You can really get away from it all in the rice paddies, lagoons, and woods. Hiking, biking, and even taking a sunset boat ride are just a few of the things that L’Albufera Natural Park has to offer.
But if you are interested in trying Valenciano culinary staples (more about those below), the Albufera is the place to go. In the town of El Palmar, located right in the middle of the Albufera, the many restaurants serve up regional gastronomical delights such as stews and of course paella!
A visit to the Albufera is the perfect way to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of urban life. And it’s so close to the Valencia’s center!
Hang with the Locals
The charming neighborhood Ruzafa also has a local market worth checking out. This quirky part of the city is walking distance from the Old Town and a great spot to have a happening night on the town!
Funky Valencia Street Art
Enjoy an Art Show, from the Street
The best place to appreciate art in Valencia is from the streets in the El Carmen neighborhood. Like many Spanish cities, cool street art is a common form of expression. Local artists took over dilapidated buildings in this part of Old Town to express themselves. Today, tourists are drawn the vibrant graffiti in this part of the city.
Spotlight on Las Fallas
Las Fallas is famous throughout the world as one of the best festivals in Spain. It brings international visitors to Valencia each March. This spectacular two-week event celebrates the arrival of Spring. It’s the place to be to enjoy fireworks, tons of art and parties in the street.
Food, glorious food!
We hinted to it earlier, but now, for the moment you’ve been waiting for – paella, one of the most popular and best foods in Spain!
Let’s start with a fun fact - paella is named for the pan it’s made in and not the actual meal.
Paella was initially a dish served to Valencian farmers and their workers for lunch. Along with rice and saffron spice, workers would gather what they could find to add to this communal dish. Aside from onion and tomatoes, rabbit, duck, chicken, and snails were added to the meal.
Valencians are known for using seafood such as shrimp and mussels, along with beans in the dish. This is one of the region’s claim to fame.
Here are few paella restaurant suggestions for you to try when you’re in Valencia:
Restaurante Canela is located just next to the Torres de Quart and comes highly recommended by locals.
Casa Carmela at Patacona is quiet and traditional restaurant. It’s an authentic experience. Take note that it’s super busy on Sunday - aka paella day!
La Riua is a family run business centered in the Old Town and has a selection of paella options to choose from.
Arroceria la Isla is located in the Albufera in the town of El Palmar (see above). They offer a variety of Valencian paellas with views of the rice paddies.
So, after devouring a delish paella, what should you have for dessert? How about dipping into a horchata, (a sweet milk) with a farton (sweet piece of bread)? This sugar rush is also from Valencia. And be sure to wash it all down with an Aqua de Valencia, Valencia’s signature (alcoholic) drink.
Another great way to savor local cuisine is to hook up with Sea Saffron for the ultimate gastronomical experience. Each dining tour provides an intimate setting to take a deeper dive into Valencian cuisine.
Exterior of the central market, make sure to stop by to try many of Valencia’s local specialties
Are you raring to go?
Clearly, there’s so much to take in and do while visiting Valencia.
Now, if you’re hungry for an off the beaten path adventure and some paella, contact Spain Less Traveled to discuss creating a handcrafted tour just for you! They can include a few days in Valencia on just about any Spain itinerary.
Valencian Oranges
If you loved this, you might like our other in depth guides by region.
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About the writer:
Marla runs Marlita’s Atlas Writing Services. When she’s not creating content, Marla is teaching ESL, volunteering, and planning her next travel adventure.