Planning A Trip To València, Spain: Everything You Need To See and Do
My friend Niah and I decided we needed to leave the grey United Kingdom and get one last dose of Vitamin D before hunkering down for a long winter. Despite our extensive travel experience, neither of us had ever been to Spain so it seemed like the obvious choice. After some quick research, we landed on the city of València – thanks to its direct flights from both London and Edinburgh and its proximity to the beach.
València is Spain’s third-largest city (after Madrid and Barcelona), but it has small-village-charm. It has all the perks of a major city without the overwhelming crowds. We visited during the shoulder season which is a time I highly recommend for people looking to be able to breathe while exploring Europe. You’ll have perfect weather and golden evenings but no lines at top attractions. In early October we never had to worry about restaurant reservations or booking tickets in advance.
The València Spirit: Warmth, Family, and Community
València is more than just beautiful sights and delicious food; it’s a city with heart. Valencians are all about meaningful relationships and quality time. Family comes first here, and you’ll see that everywhere you go. School kids even get a 2-3 hour afternoon break to eat lunch and take a siesta with their families!
Valencians enjoy the motto “mañana, mañana” as a playful way of saying “I’ll sleep tomorrow” meaning that good conversation with loved ones takes priority over everything, even sleep. In a time where most of us are eating hurried meals and constantly checking emails, it feels good to absorb some of that energy and reevaluate priorities – even if it’s just when you’re in València.
Pro Tip: You’ll see signs and descriptions written in both Spanish and Valencian (rarely English). Make sure you use the Valencian names (included below) for maps and directions to get the best results.
Things to See
Cathedral of València and the Holy Grail | La Catedral del Santo Cáliz
València’s rich history is deeply rooted in faith and religion. The city is decorated with ancient places of worship, and nowhere is more special than the Cathedral of València. This architectural beauty houses what many believe to be the actual Holy Grail – the cup Jesus used to perform the first Eucharist at the Last Supper. This claim is supported by multiple historians and there is no evidence that counters this position. València took the protection of this relic seriously and maintained its safety even when the city faced persecution, war, and foreign occupation.
Whether you are or are not religious, the chalice is without a doubt a Palestinian artifact crafted in the first century AD. Standing in the presence of such a well-protected piece of history is awe-inspiring.
Other churches worth visiting:
Iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari y San Pedro Mártir
Iglesia San Juan del Hospital
Iglesia de Santa Catalina
Iglesia del Patriarca
Parroquia de los Santos Juanes
Monasterio de la Santísima Trinidad
Museum of Fine Arts of València | Museu De Belles Arts De València
This gorgeous collection of art should be at the top of your list. The museum houses over 2,000 works, most dating from the 14th to 17th century. The building itself is a masterpiece, with high ceilings, vibrant courtyards, and rich colors throughout. Plus admission is free so there is no reason not to pop in!
El Carmen Neighborhood | Barrio del Carmen
El Carmen is the bohemian district of València and is packed with art, architecture, and good food. This neighborhood includes the Serranos Towers | Torres de Serranos which was one of the twelve gates that formed part of the ancient city wall. You can also find the Carmen Contemporary Culture Center | Centre del Carme Cultura Contempránia for interesting exhibitions.
City of Arts & Sciences | Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
This colossal architectural complex houses a science museum, a 3D cinema, an open-access garden, and a performing arts center complete with opera, concert, and ballet programs. It’s a great place for families or futuristic design lovers.
Central Market of València | Mercat Central de València
The largest fresh produce market in Europe, the Central Market of València is so much fun to walk around. Open from 7:30 to 3:00 PM every day except Sundays, this market is a great place to sample local oranges or pomegranates, stock up on meats, cheeses, and nuts, or grab lunch and dessert from one of the many vendors. Bring a tote bag and a hungry belly.
Other buildings that are worth a visit:
The Silk Exchange | La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia
Valencia Regional Government Palace | Palacio de la Generalitat Valenciana
Valencia City Hall | Ayuntamiento
Things to Do
Surfing Lessons
A popular beach destination, València has several surfing schools up and down the coast. With warm water and gentle waves, it’s a great place for improving surfers.
Paella Cooking Class
The highlight of our trip? An afternoon cooking class with the Paella Ambassador himself, Rafa. He was hilarious, knowledgeable, and an incredible cook. Without a doubt, this will be your favorite experience.
Flamenco Dance Lessons
Something we wish we had included in our itinerary was a Flamenco dance class. It just means we have more time to practice our moves before we take a lesson on our next trip to Spain
Beach Day
Soak up the Spanish sun at Malvarrosa Beach, Pinedo Beach, or Del Saler Beach. Each has its own vibe, so take your pick based on proximity to your accommodation.
Walk The Turia Gardens | Jardín del Turia
This long park winds through the city along the former riverbed of the Rio Turia. The park is about 9 kilometers long and was designed with footpaths for walking, running, and cycling. The park also has sports and leisure areas and leads you straight to the City of Arts & Science.
Places to Eat
Café de las Horas
Beautifully decorated, Café de las Horas is a popular spot to try Agua de València – the city’s signature cocktail made of freshly squeezed orange juice, sparkling wine, vodka, and gin. Be careful, these light, refreshing drinks will sneak up on you! This spot also offers traditional tapas so you can pair your citrusy cocktail with local cheeses, fruits, and nuts.
Chocolatería Valor
Churros & Chocolate. Need I say more?
Dulce De Leche Café
A TikTok-famous café with tasty breakfast options, incredible cakes, and a wide assortment of pastries. While a treat, this spot always has a line and limited seating availability so be prepared for a bit of a wait.
Language
A lesson we learned is that it doesn’t matter if you don’t speak any Spanish, the people of València will only communicate with you in Valencian (the Spanish dialect of the region). Even when we looked confused and responded in English, Valencians continued to speak Valencian Spanish. Thankfully, everyone is wonderfully expressive and incredibly patient, so you get the jist. We pulled the classic tourist card of starting and ending conversations with “hola” and gracias” as if those bookends magically made us fluent.
By the end of the trip, we were inspired to learn Spanish. We made a deal that we would return to Spain in a year to test our language progress! It’s been a month since our trip and I’ve already learned many helpful phrases like:
Yo no comprendo (I don’t understand)
¿Dónde está el baño? (Where is the bathroom)
Cuanto cuesta (How much does that cost)
Yes. I’m aware I still have a loooong way to go but I love how visiting a country and immersing yourself in a language, even for only a few days, can spark inspiration so much stronger than sitting in a classroom ever could.
Getting Around
You can put your phone away in València. It is an incredibly walkable city, and honestly, you don’t need a detailed itinerary. Wander in any direction and the city’s treasures will reveal themselves to you. Most buildings have open doors and welcome people to walk in.
The only exception? The City of Arts & Sciences. It’s a bit of a hike through the Turia Gardens so it may be easier to hop on a bus. I made Niah walk it and I’m still hearing about it.
Final Thoughts
València was everything we wanted and more: sunshine, stunning architecture, decadent food, and good energy. The city stole our hearts. We could have easily spent more time there. Whether we were sipping coffee at a street-side café or basking on the beach, we felt completely at home.
