Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about visiting Valencia, a port city on the Eastern coast of Spain. There are so many things to do in Valencia, Spain. It’s a beautiful city with culture and nightlife and amazing food. There’s a lot to love about Valencia, but there are also a few things you might not love when visiting Valencia.
Love #1: Valencia Weather
Valencia has pretty great weather year-round. Winter weather is very mild and lots fewer tourists, so January and February are great times to visit Valencia. It’s sunny almost all the time and rain is rare so you will love Valencia weather any time of year!
Hate #1: Afternoon Siesta
Siesta is a very Spanish tradition of taking a break in the middle of the day. As a tourist, it can be inconvenient as a lot of shops and restaurants close for a couple of hours in the afternoon. It’s pretty enjoyable once you get used to it and plan around it. Live like a local…have a siesta!
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Love #2: Architecture and History in Valencia
Valencia is known for its beautiful beaches, but there are other things to do in Valencia Spain as well. The Valencia Cathedral has an amazingly beautiful altar and St. Nicholas church has a gorgeous painted ceiling. Additionally, there are some great Valencia museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Ceramics Museum, and the Silk Museum.
On the more modern end of the spectrum, the City of Arts and Sciences is a cultural and architectural complex along the river. The buildings are super cool and they house various museums like an IMAX Theater and Europe’s largest aquarium.
Other parts of town have a cool Art Deco vibe, so the architecture in Valencia is very diverse and interesting. It makes for a fun self-guided walking tour of Valencia neighborhoods.
Hate #2: Stinky Breeze
Farms and orchards surround Valencia, and sometimes if you are downwind of the farms, it can get a little stinky. It’s not constant, but it may be more noticeable on certain days than on others. The plus side of being near orchards is having fresh juice from Valencia oranges every morning. The orange juice here is delicious!
Love #3: Spanish Food at Valencia Markets
There are several markets in Valencia; Mercado Central is the best one, in my opinion. It’s a true market, with butchers and spices and flowers and pretty much anything you can imagine. Horchata originated in Valencia, so make sure you grab a horchata to drink while you walk around.
Hate #3: Turia River Park
Valencia has diverted the Turia river and made a park on both shores for nearly 10 kilometers. It’s a beautiful place to hang out during the day, with playgrounds, gardens, and tapas bars. However, it’s not very well-lit and there are a lot of people who sleep overnight in the park, so we avoid the park after the sun goes down.
Love #4: Valencia Beaches
Balencia has some fantastic beaches. Along with the nightlife, the beaches are a major reason why Valencia is one of the most popular destinations for exchange students.
The City Beaches in Valencia are great because you can take the tram to get there, and there are lots of bars and restaurants on the beach. The main beach is huge and so easy to get to, it’s really one of the best reasons to visit Valencia.
Hate #4: Weather in Valencia
We have a love/hate relationship with the weather in Valencia. It gets extremely hot in the summer months, and not all Valencia hotels have air conditioning. Additionally, the sunscreen in Spain is not great for pasty, white Americans. If you have fair skin, make sure you bring sunblock from home! That said, it can cool down at night, so always have an extra layer to throw on after the sun goes down.
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Love #5: Spanish Feel
A lot of Spanish and Portuguese cities are overrun with tourists from the UK, Germany, and the United States. Valencia is still very much a destination for the rest of Spain, but it doesn’t feel quite as touristy as other towns like Malaga. It really adds to the feel of the town and makes it more of a cultural vacation than just a beach trip.
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With a prime location on the Spanish coast, plus great food and interesting history and culture, visiting Valencia is a great idea any time of year. There are many outdoor activities, year-round, and great art to take in as well. Interested in more Spain travel tips? Check out these blog posts!