“Life is a journey, not a destination”
Valencia, the heart of Spain
Valencia was my most beautiful trip with my family. It was a perfect summer vacation and had a lot to offer ! Thanks to its dynamism and geographical location, the charming city of Valencia is the ideal destination for all ages and tastes!
Valencia is the third largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona. It’s an amazing place full of contrasts. Valencia has quietly risen through the ranks and is now a worthy contender. The city has much going for it; a stunning medieval core, a multitude of architectural styles, urban savvy, colourful festivals, a vibrant nightlife and gastronomic scene, and a laid-back beach vibe.
There are so many things to do in Valencia, making it an attractive destination for all sorts of visitors. I love this Spanish eldorado, and that’s why I’m so happy to share some of the best tips on what to do there. It’s one of those European destinations that only gets better each time you return.
Valencia and its beauty
In the vast country of Spain, Valencia is adorned to be the third largest city. It is one of the autonomous communities of Spain, being part of the ‘Comunidad Valenciana’ , which consists of three provinces namely:
It is a port city located in the east of Spain about three miles from the Turia River and is flowing directly to the Mediterranean Sea. Valencia is comprised both of natural landscapes and man-made architecture. Mostly, Valencia is composed of mountainous peaks, fertile valleys, terrains and marshlands.
‘Plaza del Ayuntamiento’
What gives Valencia a remarkable sense of beauty is: its mild climate, lot of palm trees, flowers and fauna everywhere in contrast with its fountains, buildings and cobbled streets. Valencia is a large and sprawling city.
So if you have a limited amount of time and would like to soak up some of the history of the city, it is best to book an accommodation in the old town like we did in ‘Plaza del Ayuntamiento’. This area is exciting , it’s not only full of nice restaurants, shops and pubs, but it’s also the home of important historical buildings we visited. Here you’ll find the main tourist office, which offers a variety of tourist information (including ticket sales) in various languages.
In the square’s center is a fountain, which is surrounded by fragrant flower stalls. And if you’re in a shopping frame of mind, simply turn off one of the square’s side streets. The area is free to peruse any time of day.
Top 9 Buildings to visit in Valencia
Valencia is one of Spain’s most important cities and it boasts a long and interesting history. Its influences are taken from a variety of sources including the Moors, Christians and Romans.
This is all reflected in the architecture and atmosphere of the city. ‘The Golden Era of Valencia’ is said to be during the XIV and XV centuries in Valencia.
This was a time when the economy flourished due to agriculture and maritime trade. This meant that lots of emblematic buildings were constructed during this period:
- ‘Valencia Cathedral’;
- ‘Torres de Serrano’;
- ‘Torres de Quart’;
- ‘Lonja’;
- ‘Palau de la Generalitat‘ (it is now the headquarters of the ‘Valencia Regional Government‘);
- ‘Basilica of the Virgin de los Desamparados‘;
- ‘Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas’;
- ‘Plaza Redonda’;
- ‘San Pio V Museum of Fine Arts’ ( from the Baroque era and the period of Enlightenment).
The value of art
Another period that is of significance to Valencia history is the creation and continuation of Modernism. This is an architectural style that was pioneered by the likes of Gaudi in the XX century.
It can be distinguished by its use of organic forms (many influences are taken from nature) teamed with Art Nouveau styles. Valencia is one of the Spanish cities with a fair number of Modernist buildings.
Buildings that are of note include:
- ‘Estacion del Norte’ train station;
- ‘Mercado Central‘ (it is the largest market building in Europe, covering 8,000 square metres and with 1,500 food stalls);
- Mercado de Colon’;
- ‘Palacio de la Exposicio‘.
4 things to see in Valencia!
In our list of planned things to do :
- ‘Bioparc’ : it’s a great zoo that’s not too small or too big ;
- ‘Oceanographic’: it’s the largest aquarium in Europe. More than 45.000 species from the sea: belugas, penguins, seals, and sharks live here;
- ‘ Malvarrosa’: it’s a typical family beach with numerous activities to choose from: playground, volleyball, showers, car park, shops, and restaurants;
- ‘Garrofera’: it’s a quiet beach- secluded with not many facilities – so don’t forget to pack juices and snacks!
7 wine and food specialities which make you happy!
There’s something for everyone in the Spanish city of Valencia. It’s also a food and wine lover’s paradise: restaurants and bars fill the city’s streets and the markets are a destination in themselves. You can find all the typical dishes in ‘El Mercado Central’.
‘El Mercado Central’ is located in the Old Town, and I’ts the biggest market of fresh products in Europe, where a lot of the city’s inhabitants buy their groceries. Relax and imagine to taste all these tasty specialities:
Where to eat in Valencia
It’s difficult to eat badly in Valencia, frankly. You could eat different dishes every day in Valencia . As well as rice, a fabulous range of vegetables is grown in the countryside around the city, so you get great local produce in restaurants.
And being right on the Mediterranean, the fish and shellfish is really fresh too. My favourite local restaurants are:
- ‘Navarro Restaurant’ (expensive);
- ‘Cafè Lisbao’ (quite cheap).
Valencia Amazing City
Valencia is gorgeous. It’s warm and it’s beautiful and it’s interesting. It’s historical and filled with culture but also modern and filled with young creativity. If I knew what I know about Valencia, now I’m 100% sure I would have come sooner. Valencia is my kind of ideal city. It’s small enough to walk or cycle around , but big enough that there’s a long list of things to see and do.
There’s something photogenic at every turn. Sometimes it’s an incredible monument, a beautiful bridge, a spellbinding church, a colourful market, a delicious meal, cool street art or simply an old bloke drinking his coffee and looking so impossibly Spanish. I think one of the reasons I’m loving Valencia so much is because I hadn’t expected it to be so beautiful.
A special thanks to my mam and my dad for these unforgettable days !
If you like my post, please subscribe to the socials of www.WeLoveitaly.eu :