10 Things to do in Valencia, Spain
Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city. It is one of the country’s most beautiful places with charming warm colors, unique buildings, and large food markets. It is home to the first Paella, an authentic rice dish. The most famous attraction is the City of Arts and Sciences. Valencia is not a very popular city to visit but it will welcome you with delicious comfort food and fun activities.
1. The City of Arts & Sciences
The City of Arts and Sciences is a must-visit area. The architecture and design are amazing. This area has six different attractions; L’Oceanogràfic, L’Umbracle, Hemisfèric, Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe, Àgora Caixaforum València, and Pont l’Assut de l’Or. It is FREE to roam around the area, which is fantastic because it is one large outdoor art museum. You must purchase tickets to enter each building. There are restaurants located throughout the area creating a perfect place to rest your legs and enjoy a refreshing drink.
2. Grab a Healthy Lunch from Salad Planet
Salad Planet is an adorable fast-casual restaurant with trendy decor with clean lines. They specialize in healthy clean clean foods. Visit their shop in the morning for a nutritious açaí bowl and fresh juice. We had the pleasure of dining here for lunch and it was the perfect place to enjoy two healthy bowls and keep us rejuvenated for our busy day touring around the city. Don’t skip their vegan desserts!
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3. Food Markets
Valencia is home to some great markets. Mercat Central and Mercat de Colon are the two most popular. If you are looking for fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, and fish head towards Mercat Central. This is one stunning building with artistic paintings, architectural patterns, and more. Mercat Central is open only on the weekdays 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM. Mercat de Colon has been established since 1916, today it is home to trendy restaurants and shops.
4. Paella
Paella first originated in Valencia as a hearty meal at lunchtime for the farmers. Farmers would collect things from the orchards to add to the rice dish. Today, paellas have developed into a staple for everyone. We enjoyed a large seafood paella for dinner at La Trucha! It was everything I had imagined, with an acidic tomato base, perfectly cooked rice, and fresh seafood.
5. Wander the Streets
Valencia is home to charming streets filled with colorful buildings and shops. We spent one entire day strolling through the streets, stopping at the markets, and enjoying the city. Walk down the bustling shopping street of Carrer de Colon for some of your favorite department stores.
6. Enjoy the Green Parks
Valencia may be the third-largest city in Spain, but they are home to some great parks. There is a long winding green area that runs through the center of the city. It is filled with small parks, paths, plants, and bright flowers. You will find many bikers and joggers here getting their daily exercise.
7. Valencia Cathedral
The Valencia Cathedral is a gorgeous building with a fun upbeat square just outside. We peaked our heads in and saw the inside section for FREE, if you want to tour the entirety of the cathedral tickets can be bought at the entrance or online for €8.00.
8. City Views
To get some of the best views of the city head over to Torres de Serranos. This is a FREE attraction! Hike up the endless steps to the tip-top to enjoy 360° views of the city. Valencia has so many colorful buildings making the views even better with shades of red, orange, and yellow.
9. Botanical Gardens
If you are looking for a nice leisure activity head over to the Botanical Gardens located next to the University. With admission only being €2.50 per person, it is well worth the visit. The flowers and different types of plants are a nice change from the bustling city. My favorite part was the fresh garden growing in the back with herbs, vegetables, and fruits.
10. Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas
The Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas is located in the center of the city and is one of my favorite buildings. The palace is known for its unique baroque style design. I loved the pastel colors and cream-colored details. You can tour the museum inside for a small fee or tour it for FREE on Saturdays after 4:00 PM and Sundays!
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