Valencia is one of my favorites cities in all of Spain. The beaches are pristine. The food scene is outstanding. The festivals are extraordinary. You can enjoy traditional Spanish dishes that originated here. You can see beautiful architecture from the Roman times as well as take in the modern architecture at Parque De Ciencias.
The Beaches
The beaches of Valencia are located not too far from central Valencia. The beach that is closest to the center is called Mallvarossa. This beach is large, clean, and popular amongst tourists and locals. While visiting Mallvarrossa don’t miss out on the beautiful promenade. As you walk along the promenade, you find several restaurants serving up traditional Valencian dishes. I had some of the freshest and yummiest paella while overlooking the beach!
The Central Market
This market has been named a heritage cultural interest because it is one of the oldest markets in all of Europe! This beautiful modernist building covered in stain glass and mosaics will certainly catch your eye as you’re strolling through the old town. This place houses more than 1,000 stalls and it is also one of the biggest indoor markets. There will be no shortage of goodies for you to try. The vendors sell anything from fruit, fish, spices, sweets, to IPA beers
The City of Arts and Sciences
This collection of art and science museums will have you feeling like you stepped into the future. Even if you don’t enter inside any of the attractions, the atmosphere outside is worth the visit. The six modern structures located on Turia River -surrounded with gardens, will have you mesmerized. This place houses a planetarium, opera house, IMAX cinema, aquarium, and more. It’s been named one of the twelve treasures of Spain. No trip to Valencia is complete without visiting Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. .
Traditional Dishes
Many traditional foods that are known across Spain and the world have originated in Valencia. Let’s start with the most well know dish of Spain, Paella. Traditional Valencia Paella was cooked in “calderos “with chicken, rabbit, and local white beans. Today, you can find any kind of Paella that will please you – seafood, vegetarian, and mixed with both meat and fish. Horchata and Fartons are another treat that comes from Valencia. Horchata is made with chufas which are tiger nuts, sugar, and water. This tasty beverage comes with a sweet pastry that compliments your beverage called a Farton. Then we have another sweet treat called Bunyols. Bunyols are sold all over Spain and are typically dough shaped like a ring covered in sugar. In Valencia Bunyols are typically made with made with pumpkin – resembling a mini donut and paired with hot chocolate. Find these sweet treats during the Fallas celebration 😊
The Cathedral
You can find the Valencia Cathedral in the heart of the old town in an area called El Carmen. El Carmen houses the most bustling plazas – Plaza Del La Reina and Plaza del Virgen. This cathedral dates to the 13th century. This cathedral once stood as a roman temple, and later as a mosque. You can see many different architectural styles. This is because the construction went on for many centuries. In 2009, UNESO granted it intangible cultural heritage status.
Fallas Festival
Fallas Festival takes place every year around the 1st of March until the 19th. The celebration is filled with art, passion, satire, and tradition. The days & nights are filled with firecrackers, parades, fireworks, ceremonies, and concerts in the streets. The last day of Fallas is when the floats are burnt The celebration ends on Saint Joseph’s Day. Saint Joseph, who is patron of carpenters, is the focal point of the festival. Legend has it that Fallas originates from a tradition where carpenters would burn the leftover wood pieces on San Joseph’s day to celebrate winter coming to an end. Regardless of the origin, Fallas is a celebration that is not to be missed – considering it’s one of the biggest in all of Spain!
