Hotels in Valencia Province

Situated along the coast of the Mediterranean sea, Valencia is blessed with pristine beaches, sunny weather, friendly locals, a vibrant cuisine, diverse nightlife, and a laid-back atmosphere that welcomes visitors from around the globe.

It is home to the best paella in Spain, for it is here that the world-famous rice dish was invented. Many of Valencia’s most popular sights are encased in the city’s signature mix of gothic, modernista, and contemporary architecture This includes the Central Market, La Lonja de la Seda, Museo de Bellas Artes, and the City of Arts and Sciences.

How to Get There

Valencia Airport, also called Manises Airport is about eight kilometres from the city. It receives flights from the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, Morocco, Portugal, Turkey, and other nearby countries. Spaniards, however, prefer to travel to Valencia by train, as the city’s Estacion del Nord is located in the city centre. Madrid is two and a half hours away by train, while Barcelona and Seville are three and a half and five hours away, respectively.

Getting Around

Going around Valencia is hassle-free for travellers and locals alike. Most major attractions are located in the historic centre. This allows visitors can leisurely stroll from one site to another without a problem. To go to the beach and other areas outside of the centre, visitors can hop on the city buses or the metro.

Areas not covered by the metro are reachable via city trams. Visitors can access the Valencia tourist card, which gives access to all three forms of transportation. The city is also bike-friendly, with many bike shops offering daily rental rates.

Top Things to Do

Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city, meaning that it’s chock-full of unique sights and activities. Among the top things to do in Valencia is to visit La Malvarrosa, a kilometre-long stretch of golden sand along the Mediterranean sea. It enjoys a great location a few minutes away from the historic city centre.

You can also walk around the casco historico, or the city’s historic city centre. In this neighbourhood, visitors can marvel at the gothic architecture of the Cathedral of Valencia and La Lonja de la Seda (the city’s old textile market), Plaza de la Reina, and El Miguelete. Other interesting spots to see include the modernist designs of Central Market and the Columbus Market Mercado Colon.

A visit to the city isn’t complete without a little bit of museum crawling. Museo de Bellas Artes specializes in classical works, while the Valencia Institute of Modern Art is a wonderful mix of 20th and 21st-century artworks. There’s also the City of Arts and Sciences, which is as much an architectural wonder as it is an interesting collection of interactive exhibits.

Other top tourist spots in Valencia are the Torres de Serranos, 14th-century city gates that offer a sweeping view of the city. Or you can also check Barrio El Carmen. It is a quirky, bohemian neighbourhood with unique shops, bars, restaurants, and best of all, street art. The most popular street art is the House of Cats on Carrer del Museu, a shin-high replica of a classic Valencian house embedded into a blue wall. The house is complete with windows, roof tiles, a garden, fountain, and a doorway for stray cats.

What to Eat

All visitors of Valencia cannot leave without trying traditional paella. The most popular types of which are paella Valenciana (chicken and rabbit) and paella de marisco (seafood). The seaside Casa Carmela and Restaurant Mateu are among the most popular paella restaurants in the city.

Fideua, paella’s noodle-based cousin, is also a must-try, while the morcilla (blood sausage) and egg sandwich at Bar Central is a great snack. Both the Central Market and Mercado Colon also have excellent restaurants that serve traditional dishes. Meanwhile, Spanish horchata (tiger nut milk) and Agua de Valencia (a boozy mix of orange juice, gin, and vodka, and sparkling wine) are drinks that shouldn’t be missed.

Nightlife

Valencia’s most famous spot for a night out on the town is undoubtedly Barrio El Carmen. The majority of the neighbourhood’s most energetic bars and clubs are located around Plaza de la Virgen and Calle Caballeros. Those looking for an international party scene can make their way to the marina, where the seaside cocktail bars and large night clubs attract visitors from all over the world. Plaza del Cedro and Avenida de Aragon, on the other hand, are the nightlife hotspots for university students.

Where to Stay

There is an abundance of hotels in Valencia, from luxury chains to budget accommodations. The Old Town or Ciutat Vella is a long-time favorite among tourists. Hotels in this area are well-appointed and within walking distance from many of the city’s attractions. Meanwhile, the Ruzafa neighbourhood has shed its “rough” reputation and has transformed itself into one of the city’s up-and-coming neighbourhoods with trendy bars, restaurants, art galleries, and charming boutique hotels and lively backpacker’s hostels.

The old fishermen’s district of El Cabanyal may be a bit more residential than other places in the city, but this neighbourhood offers affordable tourist apartments and easy access to authentic paella restaurants.

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