Michelle Cacija

Imagine stepping into a world where futuristic architecture meets ancient ruins, where the aroma of paella dances in the air, and where waves break on rocks. Servus and welcome to Valencia, a city where art, history, and culinary delights intertwine to create an unforgettable experience for every traveler. Join me on my three-day journey through the enchanting streets of Valencia, where every corner holds a story waiting to be discovered. My partner and I visited this city at the end of September and early October 2023 and absolutely loved the charming city!

As always, I want to remind you, that this itinerary isn’t perfect because everyone travels differently, and all trips involve changes of plans. I want to let you know that everything on this website has been experienced, photographed, and written by me. Since I finance all of my travel expenses on my own, the stories and opinions given are truly my own. If you’re interested in seeing more travel pictures or videos, feel free to check out my Instagram @michellecacija or my Tik Tok @michellecacija.

Index

1. The Basics about Valencia
2. Things you need to be aware of
3. Medical insurance
4. Itinerary
5. Summary of activities
6. Where to eat
7. Other Spanish Blogs

The Basics about Valencia

When to visit

The best time to visit Valencia is in spring (March to May), with pleasant temperatures from 17°C to 24°C (63°F to 75°F) and vibrant events like Las Fallas, a famous festival featuring parades and fireworks. Summer (June to August) is ideal for beach lovers, with temperatures ranging from 28°C to 34°C (82°F to 93°F), though it can be crowded and hot. Fall (September to November) offers mild weather, with averages of 22°C to 28°C (72°F to 82°F) and fewer tourists, making it great for sightseeing at lower prices. Each season has its own appeal depending on your interests!

Time period

Regarding the time period, I think three days is the perfect amount of time to explore Valencia as you’ll have the opportunity to discover the old historic town and explore some of the nearby attractions. However, in the end, it really depends on what you want to see and do in Valencia.

Getting There

When it comes to getting there, you can reach the Spanish city by car, bus, train or plane depending on where you’re coming from. Since we had been in Barcelona before, we came by train, which took around four hours.

Where to stay

If you enjoy being in the heart of the city, you might want to consider staying in the Ciutat Vella (Old Town) area, where you’ll be close to most of the attractions and restaurants. We stayed in that area, and it’s quite affordable if you’re on the border of a different district. If you prefer to be close to a beach area, you might want to consider the districts Malvarrosa and Cabanyal-Canyamelar.

Getting around

When it comes to getting around, Valencia is a very walkable city, you can easily walk to all the major sights. To see more in a shorter time, you could always hire a bike.

What to pack

Regarding what to pack, it obvisiouly depends on when you go, but if you go in late September and early October like us, I recommend packing lightweight and breathable clothing suitable for warm weather, including shorts, t-shirts and dresses. If you’re planning on doing a lot of walking through the city, I recommend bringing a few comfortable enclosed shoes. Sun protection essentials like sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen are fundamental. I also suggest bringing a hoodie or jumper for cooler nights and an umbrella for rainy weather. Additionaly, consider bringing your own little medication bag, including Band-Aids, pain relief tablets, sleeping tablets or spray, bug spray, aftersun, etc. You never know what you might need it for, and you might feel more comfortable using medication from home rather than in a country where you don’t know the ingredients and languages. If you’re coming from outside Europe, don’t forget to bring a Type C power adapter.

Cost of Traveling

As for the expenses, the amount you’re going to spend depends on several factors, including your choice of accommodation, your travel style, and the activities you’ll be doing. In general, Valencia is still one of the more affordable cities in Europe, especially when compared to big cities like London or Rome.

Things you need to be aware of

Water in Spain. You can safely drink tap water as it’s clean.

Toilet situation. Unfortunately, public restrooms typically cost around 50 Cent to a euro in Spain (and many other European countries). So, make sure to carry a few coins with you and always use the restroom before leaving your accommondation, a restaurant, or a café.

Tipping. In Spain, tipping isn’t as common or expected as it is in some other countries. However, it’s appreciated if you receive exeptional service. It’s common to round up the bill or to leave a tip of around 5-10% in restaurants and cafes.

Currency. The Currency in Spain is the Euro (EUR). While a few years ago, Valencia was still very cash-oriented, they now accept cards mostly everywhere. It’s still advisable, though, to bring some cash with you.

Medical insurance

I highly recommend getting travel medical insurance while you’re traveling. Hopefully, you’ll never need it, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. SafetyWing offers two flexible plans tailored to your travel needs — whether you’re a short-term adventurer or a long-term expat, you’ll have reliable coverage anywhere in the world.

SafetyWing is especially great for remote workers and digital nomads, offering continuous global coverage even if you’re hopping between countries. Of course, it’s also a solid option for frequent travelers or those constantly on the go. But if you’re only traveling occasionally or just for a short holiday now and then, there might be better-suited alternatives.

Itinerary

Day 1

On our first day, we arrived by train in the early afternoon. After a longer-than-expected check-in at our accommodation, we decided to buy some groceries first. Then, we strolled through the city center and explored our area.

After having lunch at the market, we walked past Basílica Sant Vicent Ferrer, a beautiful Catholic church known for its stunning architecture and historical significance. If you’re ever in the area, be sure to go inside as it’s free.

After walking over the Pont de la Mar bridge, which crosses the former Turia River, we reached the stunning Turia Park, a linear park that now stretches through Valencia. It’s an ideal place for walking, picnicking, sports, or simply relaxing. A must-visit spot in Valencia! Later, we enjoyed winding down the evening with a leisurely walk through the park.

Day 2

We started day two with a free walking tour that we had booked a few days before our trip to Valencia. We enjoy free walking tours as they are a fantastic way to explore a new city in your first days there. You can learn about its history and see some of the main attractions. Among other places, we visited the Cathedral of Valencia, Plaza de la Virgen, Lonja de la Seda, Mercat Central, St. Nikolaus and Petrus church, the Serranos Towers, etc.

After the free walking tour, we returned to Mercat Central and strolled through it since we had only seen it from the outside during the tour. Here, you can find a variety of fresh products, delicacies, spices, and local specialties. I absolutely love Spanish food markets – they are definitely worth a visit when you’re in Valencia!

After exploring the market, we decided to head to the beach, but first, we grabbed some paella for lunch, which was absolutely delicious. We visited Platja del Cabanyal, one of the beaches to the city center, easily accessible by bus.

Day 3

On our final day, we further explored the old town and its attractions, most of which we had a glimpse from the outside during the walking tour. We began our day by visiting the Valencia Cathedral, a structure built from 1262 over several centuries, boasting three entrances. We chose to enter through the baroque entrance at Placa de la Reina. Upon turning right, you’ll find yourself in the chapter house, which houses a remarkable artifact: a vessel believed to be the Holy Grail. According to legend, Jesus used this chalice, adorned with rubies and pearls, during the iconic Last Supper. By the way, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the 68-meter-high, unfinished bell tower of the Cathedral.

The Cathedral is connected to the Basilica de la Mare de Déu dels Desemparats by a small bridge, making it convenient to visit both sites. It’s also definitely worth a visit!

After we visited the La Almoina Archaeological Museum, which is situated right next to the Valencia Cathedral and presents the city’s rich history. The museum offers a glimpse into ancient Roman ruins and medieval artifacts. During our visit, the entry fee was only two euros per person. If you have an interest in history and find archaeology intriguing, it’s definitely worth a visit!

Later, we enjoyed a late lunch, indulging in paella once more, then strolled through the charming streets of Valencia for the rest of the evening, taking a peek into the shops along the way.

Summary of activities

• Mercat Central (Markets)
• Mercat de Colón (Colon Markets)
• Lonja de la Seda
• Plaza de la Virgen
• Cathedral of Valencia and the Holy Grail
• Torres de Serrano (Serranos Towers)
• Turia Park and Pont de la Mer Bridge
• L’Oceanogràfic (Aquarium)
• Bioparc Valencia Zoo
• Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (Science Museum)
• St. Nikolaus and Petrus church
• Basilica de la Mare de Déu dels Desemparats
• El Micalet (tower)
• Eat Paella and/or Tapas

Where to eat

• Haus Navellos – Spanish cuisine ^{(unpaid ad)}

Other Spanish Blogs