Valencia is an amazing place to visit on holiday because it has so much to offer. From famous museums to gastronomy delights to picturesque beaches, there is a little something for everyone. Valencia is located in Eastern Spain along the Mediterranean coast. It is one of the 17 autonomous regions of Spain. This means that you can visit the capital, Valencia city, or the many small beach towns that dot along the coastline.
When to visit Valencia
Lucky for you, the amazing Mediterranean climate allows for nice weather all year round. This means you can visit Valencia anytime in order to soak up the sun and the culture. Although, we recommend going in the spring and summertime to really enjoy the beaches and other outdoor activities. But this doesn’t mean the wintertime is a bust. You can still enjoy the beaches just not a quick swim in the sea. Valencia has so much to see and do that we recommend visiting during every season. This way you have the chance to visit everything!
What to visit in Valencia
The City of Arts and Science Museum
For the science lovers, Valencia city offers the most culture and diversity than any other place in the region. A must-see attraction is the city of arts and science museum. You haven’t truly visited Valencia if you don’t go to this amazing museum. This gem is easily recognizable because the architecture is very modern and looks like something out of a futuristic sci-fi novel. Inside you can find many educational science exhibits. It even has the largest aquarium in Europe where you can see a true reproduction of the marine ecosystems. One could easily spend the day exploring.
Valencia City
For the city and history fanatics, Valencia city has many things to discover. A walking tour of the city is the best way to see all the marvelous sites while also learning the history. Along these tours you can see the many stunning cathedrals, fountains, and towers.
Beaches
For the beach bums, Valencia city and the entire region is blessed to have the entire east coast as the Mediterranean Sea. This means there are a multitude of amazing beaches to choose from. You can have the best of both worlds by living in the city but then being able to visit the beach whenever you want. The three most popular white sandy beaches are Cabanyal, Malvarrosa, and Patacona. These beaches have many activities for everyone to enjoy. From enjoying a great book on the sand, swimming in the crystal-clear water, enjoying a paella and sangria in the little beach bars, to walking along the sand. You absolutely can’t go bored here!
Adventure
For the adventurers, there are plenty of hidden beaches to visit with adrenaline spiking water activities. A great beach town to visit that can be reached by bus or train from the city is Gandía. Here you can windsurf, surf, paddle surf, or kayak. The options are endless! Another fun summer activity can be found in Benicàssim. It’s called FIB, an outdoor festival similar to Coachella! The music is amazing, and they have a wide range of styles with a mixture of undiscovered bands and famous artists. It’s a must see if you enjoy music festivals and discovering new music.
Quique Dacosta Restaurant
For the food lovers, it is highly recommended to visit the Quique Dacosta Restaurant in Denia. The chef, Quique Dacosta, has dedicated his entire life to the culinary arts and it shows in his exquisite cuisine. He started his career in the culinary arts at the young age of 14. Since then, he has studied many French culinary books that inspire him to look at food as art and an activity to share with loved ones to create memories instead of a basic human need. Due to his Extremadura background, he combines traditional Spanish tapas with innovative ingredients for a one-of-a-kind experience. One of his favourite ingredient is the red shrimp; gastronomic treasure with Mediterranean flavor.
He strives to incorporate local produce into his creations as well as using international ingredients to enrich the Valencian cuisine. This attention to detail earned him three Michelin stars in 2012/2013.The restaurant continues to win prestigious gastronomical awards, including earning a spot on the list of the world’s 50 best restaurants by the magazine “The Restaurant”. The Quique Dacosta Restaurant provides a unique experience to everyone and allows people to savor different foods. It is an experience that you cannot miss!
What Valencia is famous for
Paella
As we mentioned before, Valencia is known for its paella. But did you know that there are many different varieties of paella? This is because the many towns have perfected one style of paella to make it their own. This type of specialization has made many towns recognized and special. The different types consist of seafood paella, traditional, mixed (seafood and meat), vegetarian, black paella made with squid ink, white paella that doesn’t add coloring, and fideuà. The latter being a popular seafood dish similar to paella in Gandía. The major difference being the main ingredient is noodles instead of rice, our favourite the Calasparra one!. The cooking process is the same which makes it a unique dish that is famous in Gandía.
Horchata
This refreshing beverage is a staple in the Valencian gastronomy. It follows along with the Mediterranean diet because it is a grain-based drink. It is prepared with water, sugar, and wet tiger nuts. For extra flavor, some horchatas have cinnamon and some lemon peels. It is common to enjoy with a midday snack.
Oranges
Oranges were introduced to Valencia by the Moors in the 10th century as a tree to decorate their gardens and streets. To this day it is a common sight to see orange trees all over Valencia. But the tree has become so much more than just decorative and aromatic. Many of the oranges in Spain come from orange groves in Valencia. The warm climate has allowed Valencia to produce many tons of oranges. This citrus fruit is a very common healthy snack in this region as well as all of Spain.
Las Fallas
This is a huge celebration in the city of Valencia from March 15-19. This festival is an important tourist attraction because it is part of the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as of November 2016. It’s easy to see why. It is a traditional commemoration of Saint Joseph. The celebration consists of the construction of fallas, huge sculptures made from paper and wax. These sculptures are caricature depictions of an agreed upon theme that is usually a satirical punch at current political situations. These giant floats are then paraded around the streets. The last night a winner is decided and the rest of the fallas are set on fire. This is the grand finale of the entire celebration. You can also enjoy the culture and tradition throughout the entire week because the streets convert into a giant street party.
We hope this has piqued your interest in Valencia. Now all that’s left is to book the ticket and see the city for yourself!
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