Are you going to travel to Valencia and you have no idea what awaits you? You are in the right place 🙂 Today we tell you our two days in Valencia and we give you ideas of what to see and do.
Ours was a rather impromptu trip, but sometimes you have to leave without much programming to be surprised and seduced by a city, like a blind date. Well, we anticipate that our blind date was successful and as proof, we leave you our video-summary 🙂
We started the day very early: when we woke up everything was dark and the thermometer marked -2 degrees (things to get up early in Sigüenza), luckily when we arrived in Madrid the thing was already better! We got on the bus that would take us to Valencia and freaked out: we had a single screen with lots of movies, music, series and even Wi-Fi and plugs (Usb included). Come on, that the road and the Km are the same, but the trip becomes much more enjoyable: the 4 hours flew by and almost without realizing we arrived at our destination. Yes sir: this is how gustirrinín travels 🙂 an applause for Avanzabus for making our lives so easy!
Valencia received us with 25 degrees ... long live the caloret!
TOP 10: THE ESSENTIAL
1- VISIT THE CITY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
It is to name Calatrava and there is already someone who is scared. Men and women (and vice versa) of little faith! This futuristic architectural work is a true past. Here you can watch a movie at the IMAX of the Hemispheric, walk among sharks in the Oceanographic, dust off your scientific knowledge at the Science Museum or choose which paintings you will buy when, finally, you win the lottery at the Umbracle, the Palace of the Arts.
It is one of the most photogenic places in Valencia, so hit hard with selfies!
2- UPLOAD TO MIGUELETE
As I write these lines, the post-climb laces to the Micalet, continue to keep me company but hey, it was worth it.
If you are in low physical form and the 207 stairs that separate you from the top scare you, I tell you a trick not to make the picture: when you are in the queue look for an old man. Get behind him and wait for Mother Nature to do the rest ... sooner or later, he will get tired of climbing stairs, take it for granted (unless he is not a retired climber). Then you give love, tell him to stop, not to worry and take a break. And that's when your evil plan will take effect: look at those behind, making him understand that the poor man needs a break ... when in fact you need him more than he does. Only nobody will know. Buahaha
However. If there is no old man you are screwed ... but I assure you that the views of Valencia from the top of the Micalet deserve a lot!
3- FLIP ON THE SILK FABRIC
Hey hello? How is something so beautiful and that many people do not know it? The silk market is the only Unesco Heritage monument in Valencia, but still does not usually enjoy the fame it deserves and what a mistake: it is absolutely beautiful! Why is it called that? Because in the past it was a market where, the main product, was nothing other than silk!
Admission costs € 2 and opens from 9.30 am to 7.00 pm
4- SEE THE CENTRAL MARKET
Who follows us knows it: whenever we go to a city, we visit its most characteristic markets. We love to walk between the stalls, see the locals fill the baskets with fruit and vegetables, chop something and take lots of photos ... but this time we missed this visit. ¡Nuooo! You are right. We understood that it was open late but when we arrived, at 15.20 I was more flat than my mouth when, my mate teacher, called me to the board. And I am of letters.
So note the Central Market schedules: 07.00-15.00
Luckily we were able to visit the Mercado de Colón, a market with little shops and very cool restaurants. If you have time we recommend you approach.
5- EAT A PAELLA
Eating a paella is essential in Valencia! But first you have to learn to distinguish between a paella and a “rice with something” or every Valencian friend you have will deny you. There is only one thing that bothers a Valencian more: that you invite him to his house and prepare a “paella” with sausage while talking about how in the Valencian Community there are only corrupt and aspiring “Women and men and vice versa” and “ Gandia Shore. " If he punches you in the face, you have it well deserved.
To what we were going: the authentic Valencian paella consists of rice, chicken, rabbit, green beans and garrofó (white beans). It would be a crime to go to Valencia and not put on your boots with your most typical dish. UNFORGIVABLE.
Paella aside, you should also try a brown rice and a fideuá with aioli. A delight for taste buds (and the terror of the michelines, but hey, one day is one day).
You want to know where to eat one of the best paellas in Valencia? Don't get nervous: we will reveal it below. And here we tell you a few restaurants to eat in Valencia well and cheaply 🙂
6- DISCOVER THE URBAN ART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE CARMEN
The Carmen neighborhood It was the big surprise of this trip and if, like us, you like urban art, you're going to fall in love. What used to be a neighborhood of labyrinthine streets, something dark and without much fame, today is an explosion of colors and creativity. Here, on Calle Museo 9, is one of the most curious places in Valencia: the house of cats... we don't want to give you too many spoilers, we'll just tell you that it's dedicated “In memory of the four cats that remained in the Barrio del Carmen in 1904. They were never heard to say a 'meow' taller than another". If you like to go also on the 15th of the same street and you will find the country house of the kittens ... the truth is that the Valencians do not lack ingenuity 😉
If you want to enjoy the Barrio del Carmen to the fullest (yes you want it, and you know it), sit on one of the many terraces and have a beer or a water from Valencia, a drink that is prepared with natural orange juice, cava , vodka and gin. Enter that you do not see and you will feel so agustitoooo, you will see. Cheers!
Another bar that we recommend you to step on, if you are a Breaking Bad geek fan like us, is the Breaking Bar, where you can have beers from € 0.50 or eat a Heinsenberg or a Pinkman. If you have not seen the best series in history you are already taking.
7- EXIT BY RUZAFA
Other great area to go out is Ruzafa, a neighborhood full of barecitos and places to have a drink or dinner. We take advantage of the visit to Valencia to meet with some Erasmus friends after 10 years (as time goes by!). Of course, we ended up taking Spritz and eating pasta in Osteria, an Italian place where a friulana girl like me works. I forgot to ask you the name -_- but if you go, give them memories from me (I don't think many friulanas have been around :-p)
One thing we loved about Ruzafa is that there are many vintage shops, with original signs and that air of yesteryear that we like so much. Come on, that walking around is very advisable.
8- WALK THROUGH THE GARDENS OF THE TURIA
After the terrible flood of 1957, it was decided to divert the waters of the Turia River and use its channel as an urban park. Today is the green lung of Valencia, where people can relax, exercise or walk along more than 9 km. Absolutely beautiful 🙂
9- GIVE A BOAT RIDE THROUGH THE ALBUFERA
10 km from Valencia is one of the most beautiful corners of the Valencian Community: the Albufera Natural Park. Its famous freshwater lake is the ideal environment to watch the sunset (better if it is climbed to one of the many boats). And if the sun feeds the soul, your stomach can be fed in one of the many restaurants in the area (El Palmar catches close! We leave it there).
10- DRINK A HORCHATA. Or two.
Horchata de chufa! Yes! Yes! Ok, but where?
We take one in the Horchateria Santa Catalina (€ 2.8), it was delicious and the place, with its tiles, we found beautiful. We didn't eat fartons because we had just hit a little rice ... and now we regret a lot: there's always room for dessert. What a self-disappointment 🙁
They also recommended the Horchatería Els Sariers although the most mythical place is the Daniel from Alboraia. We have it in our list of earrings (like too many things, ains ... next time we will return with more time).
DO YOU HAVE MORE TIME?
So lucky! Because there are many more things what to see and do in Valencia and if not, look at the mapita that we have healed 🙂
Strolling through the center you can visit some of the most outstanding monuments of Valencia, such as the Cathedral, the North Station, the Town Hall, the Post Office Building, the Round Square, the Quart Tower and the Serranos Tower.
Nor can you miss a visit to the Valencia beaches (and not just to eat a little straw). That of Hollyhock It is one of the busiest, and walking around the neighborhood is very pleasant: its low colorful houses are the sea of beautiful. Approach the Saler Beach It is also a great idea.
If you like museums, you're in luck: there are more than 30! Some of the most recommended are the Fallero Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Natural Sciences and the National Museum of Ceramics (inside the precious Baroque Palace of the Marquis de Dos Aguas).
2-DAY ITINERARY: WHAT TO DO?
FIRST DAY
We dedicate the first day of our trip to Valencia to explore the historic center and the Carmen neighborhood. At night, dinner at Ruzafa.
SECOND DAY
We start the day by taking a walk through the Turia Gardens to the City of Arts and Sciences. Then the ideal is to go to eat and spend the afternoon at Malvarrosa Beach or take bus 25 and approach El Palmar, where there are some of the most famous restaurants (ains, the rich paellas) and end the day taking a walk by boat through the Albufera.
WHERE TO EAT
THE BEST PAELLA OF VALENCIA
Paella is not a rice dish. Is he rice dish. Mother of beautiful love: now we understand how the Valencians take this so seriously ... we could eat baked paella and rice and rice a band every day!
In the center of Valencia it is not easy to find a good paella (or so the Valencians say they are very demanding hehe). One of the few recommended restaurants is La Pepa House although eye: only open at night (Saturday and Sunday also at noon).
Another good option in Valencia is the Alqueria del Pou (Entrance Rico, 6) or some of the premises of Malvarrosa Beach. We ate a rice a band in The dummy (Paseo Marítimo, 3), 2 portions + water, coke and two coffees cost us € 29.
Although we talk about paella ... El Palmar, a small town next to Valencia, takes the gold medal! We cannot advise you on a specific place since the town is full of restaurants (Bon Aire, Cañas and Barro ...) that prepare delicious paellas and rice dishes. So let yourself be inspired by the menus or the waiters as you will eat well for sure! If you do not have a car you can reach the area with the bus 25 (1,5€).
OTHER THINGS IF THE PAELLA COMES OUT BY THE EARS
Seriously? Well, we are not going to judge you. But, seriously? Come go…
- A restaurant that we liked a lot was “The pinch of salt”We found its midday menu (€ 11.5) to be of very good quality.
Where? Plaça de Santa Úrsula, 3 - If you fancy a good hamburger, we are very fans of Goiko Grill
Where? Carrer de la Pau, 9 and Carrer de Martínez Cubells, 4 - Or a huge sandwich? Try those of La Pascuala Winery
Where? Carrer d'Eugènia Viñes, 177 - We ate a good pizza at “Il Pizzaiolo“It is a local neighborhood that makes rich wood-fired pizzas: the margherita with parmesan (€ 6) was very tasty.
Where? Carrer de Ciscar, 55 - Also recommended on Mercatbar of Quique Dacosta
Where? Carrer de Joaquín Costa, 27 - To cover or chop something, a good option is the Central Bar
Where? Central Market - And finally we recommend a place with a hipster touch: The prettiest, where to have breakfast, make brunch or have a delicious cake. Of course, it will be the prettiest but it is not the cheapest.
Where? Carrer de Cadis, 61
10 THINGS WE LEARNED IN VALENCIA
- Don't call him Miguelete: it's Micalet for friends.
- The senyoret rice is called that because the shellfish it has is pelao. Aiiins that senyoret you are.
- The neighborhood of Ruzafa is very fashionable (although Carmen has a special color!)
- You have to check the opening hours of the premises: we are looking forward to trying the Casa la Pepa paella and having a few beers at the Breaking Bar (Ains, Heisenberg!)
- But good, without beer we weren't going to be and we have a favorite: the Turia.
- The caloret of the day leaves room for fresquet at night
- Torrent: bon poble, mala gent (que nooooo: millor gent!)
- The meetings between Erasmus are the most (and we age very well!)
- 2 days are not enough: we will return and stay longer, which the Terreta deserves.
- And it is that Valencia is very cool!
USEFUL INFO
TRANSPORT
- How to get to Valencia: We did it from Madrid with the Avanzabus company. It was the first time we traveled with her but not the last and that is a real past! We were lucky to get on a express bus which has many advantages: - Recharge of electronic devices
- Individual sound in armchairs
- Headphones
- DVD and movie screening
- Wifi (Oh yeah!)
- Individual screens with multimedia system with many series, movies, music albums and games.
- USB individual connector The truth is that the trip was super short and very comfortable (the seats are large and soft). In addition the drivers (we were touched 4 different) we all found very nice, pleasant and professional. Highly recommended!
- How to get around Valencia: The metro / bus network is pretty good. The single ticket costs € 1.5
ACCOMMODATION
- Where to sleep: we stayed in a double room (with super cute terrace) at MD Modern Hotel. The site is fine although next time we would stay in a somewhat more central location.
- Another good option is to look for a pisito with Airbnb. Here you have a € 35 discount for your first reservation.
Thank you very much to all who have sent us messages and written comments with things what to see and do two days in Valencia (and where to eat paellita and drink horchata)… you are very cool soletas!
