Valencia, Spain: A Complete Travel Guide
Updated: Sep 11, 2023
Valencia is located on the Mediterranean coast in eastern Spain. It’s the third-largest city in the country, boasting a range of sandy beaches, historic monuments, striking architecture, and a vibrant food scene. This, all without the crowds found in other large Spanish cities. In this travel guide, we share 10 of the best things to do in Valencia as well as great places to stay, eat, and drink.
Check out our video about Valencia to see the best things to do through our camera!
Best Things To Do In Valencia
Explore the Old Town on a Free walking tour (Highlights: Valencia Cathedral, Plaza de la Virgen, plaza redonda, City Hall, Estacio del Nord & La Lonja de la Seda)
Admire the Church of San Nicolás de Bari and San Pedro Mártir (Book entrance ticket to the church, Silk Museum and Santos Juanes Church with audio guide)
Discover the Mercado Central or Mercado Colón (try tapas, Agua de Valencia, horchata, or sangría)
Visit Albufera Natural Park
Relax At Malvarrosa Beach & Stroll The Marina
Visit one of Valencia’s museums (Archeological Museum La Almoina, Science Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas)
Eat And Drink At Ruzafa
Stroll Around Barrio Del Carmen (Climb the Torres de Serranos)
Bike Through Turia Park
Explore The City Of Arts And Sciences (Book entry to Oceanogràfic)
Go on a day tour to Montanejos
Places To Stay In Valencia
Old Town Flats Casa Burguerini ($$): This is a great option for budget travelers who want to stay in the heart of the old town. The apartments are located in a charming 18th-century building and have all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay, including air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and a kitchenette. The location is perfect for exploring the many sights and attractions of the old town.
Hotel Boutique SH Inglés ($): This hotel is located in a beautiful 19th-century building in the heart of the old town. The rooms are spacious and stylish, and the hotel has a rooftop terrace with stunning views of the city.
Portrait Boutique Guesthouse ($): This guesthouse is located in a quiet street in the old town, just a short walk from all the major attractions. The rooms are small but well-furnished, and the guesthouse has a lovely garden where you can relax in the sun.
NH Ciudad de Valencia ($): This is where we stayed. The rooms were clean and spacious. It's not located in the old town, so you'll need to rent a bike to get around the city if you stay here. It's a good budget option though.
Places To Eat And Drink In Valencia
Mercat de Colon: is home to over 30 stalls selling a variety of food, including tapas, paella, seafood, and desserts.
Bocadella Tapas: is a tapas bar that is known for its creative and flavorful tapas. It's located near the University of Valencia and we found the price-quality to be excellent here!
Boatella Tapes: is another great tapas bar in Valencia. The menu features a variety of traditional Valencian tapas, as well as more modern dishes.
Central Bar (Mercado Central): is a great place to grab a quick bite or a drink. Central Bar also offers a variety of sandwiches, tapas, and cocktails (Agua de Valencia is great here!)
Escalons de la Llotja: offers a variety of tapas, including paella, seafood, and desserts. It's in the heart of the city near the Silk Exchange.
Orxateria Santa Catalina: The most famous horchatería, but a bit more touristic
Amor Amargo: is a great tapas restaurant
El Rodamón de Russafa: is a tapas bar located in the Russafa neighborhood. It is a great place to try a variety of traditional Valencian tapas.
Bodega La Rentaora: is a wine bar located in the Ruzafa neighborhood. It is a great place to try a variety of wines from Spain and around the world.
JULIANA Restaurante: local restaurant for lunch, with a traditional menu.
Cafe de las Horas: is a cafe located in the Ruzafa neighborhood. It is a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee, tea, pastry, or a great selection of cocktails in the evening.
Bar Congo: is a bar located in the Ruzafa neighborhood that also offers great breakfast, sandwiches, tapas, and desserts.
Varques: comes with a set menu choice, including an appetizer, main dish, and dessert. There's also the option to go for an open-bar menu with alcoholic drinks included in the price.
Estación Cero: has excellent Argentinian food in the Ruzafa area, but you need to book in advance
Liaopastel: is a bakery that you can find all around the city. It's great for a quick breakfast or a snack during the day.
Támesis Bar Restaurante: a small local tapas bar a bit outside the center with great wines
Horchateria Heladeria Nou Sendra: is another great tapas bar a bit outside the city center
Restaurant Duna Port: is a paella restaurant in the harbour
El Trompo Restaurante: is right at the beach and has delicious paella as well as sangría
La Paz: is a paella specialist
Alquería El Brosquil: is an upscale Valencian restaurant outside the city
Restaurant Pasqualet: is an elegant, art-filled venue for paellas and other rice dishes, as well as Mediterranean-style grilled meat & fish.
Orxateria Daniel: famous for its traditional horchata, but located a bit outside the city center
Map Valencia
Find all the places to go, eat, drink, and stay in Valencia on Google Maps. To follow and save the list, do the following:
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If you follow the list we made, all our saved places of Valencia will show up in Your Places. The places will also appear as suggested locations in Google Maps.
Use These Websites To Save Money On Your Trip To Valencia
Booking.com for places to stay
Skyscanner for cheap flights
GetYourGuide for local tours
Rentalcars.com for affordable car rentals
Are you having a hard time planning your trip to Valencia? Get our Interactive Travel Planner to keep it all organized.
Need more travel inspiration? Check out our other destinations and articles on Spain:
