Valencia city breaks

Compact and flat, Valencia is best explored by foot or bicycle. The Turia Gardens, a dried-out riverbed that snakes through the heart of the city, is a great place to start. A roadmap to Valencia, the park stretches for nine kilometres all the way down to the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences.

Architecture that is more traditional can be found in the old town. The three main squares – Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Plaza de la Reina and Plaza de La Virgen – house some of the city’s main attractions, including its cathedral and city hall. Walk from one to the other before exploring the winding laneways of El Carmen, where you’ll find hip cafés and walls covered in street art.

When you’re feeling peckish, visit one of Valencia’s fresh produce markets to see why the city is famous for its food. Grab a table at a streetside tapas bar and go for local specialties like clochinas (mussels) and fried artichokes. Valencia is also the undisputed home of paella, but there are rules Valencians stick to: it should only be eaten at lunchtime and it’s a sin to include chorizo.

Work off lunch with a bike ride to Valencia’s sandy beaches for year year-round sunshine and a dip in the Mediterranean Sea. Or, head out of the city to the Albufera to see traditional barracas houses and the rice paddies that first inspired paella.

Valencia has a sunny, Mediterranean climate, with a mild spring and autumn and very little rainfall throughout the year. The temperature can reach the mid-30s during summer months and, while tourists flock to the old town and beach, many locals leave the city. Visitors should expect premium prices in July and August.

Prices plummet with the mercury during winter; November to February is considerably cheaper, though temperatures can still reach 17C during the day.

Las Fallas, Valencia’s fire-filled festival, is the city’s greatest spectacle. The main festivities take place between March 15 and 19 (although it begins on the first), culminating in a citywide bonfire of 800 elaborate sculptures. Daily mascletàs – fireworks displays – take place and the streets are alive with explosions from firecrackers. Las Fallas is a stunning festival and popular tourist draw, but you should be prepared for street parties and music until 4am, as well as higher prices for accommodation.

Valencia is a place of such contrast it’s hard to believe it can all be contained in the same place. The cathedral gives a glimpse of the city’s history, while a stroll through a sprawling urban park leads to a vision of the future. The sun shines year-round too, so the beach is always inviting.

City of Arts and Sciences

At one end of the Turia Gardens, the City of Arts and Sciences has a science museum, an IMAX cinema, a planetarium and an opera house. The real attraction, though, is the space-age buildings designed by local architect Santiago Calatrava, including those resembling a blinking eye and a whale skeleton.

The ultra-modern complex, which has appeared in several movies and TV shows, is also home to the largest aquarium in Europe. The Oceanogràfic has seven marine environments with 500 species.

Mercado Central

One of the largest covered markets in Europe, Mercado Central is adorned with stained glass windows, iron columns and a dome at its centre. Wander the 1,200 stalls selling everything from giant legs of jamón to locally grown tomatoes and oranges.

Stalls also sell Valencian specialty, horchata, a sweet milk made from tiger nuts. A glass is typically accompanied with a farton, a glazed, finger-shaped pastry. The central tapas bar has a changing menu based on the day’s produce.

City beaches

Not far from the centre, Valencia’s golden sandy beaches are a year-round favourite. La Malvarrosa is closest to the port and marina that once hosted the America’s Cup. This family-friendly area has low-rise hotels and restaurants serving paella and seafood.

The other end of the wide stretch of sand is Patacona Beach, where chiringuito beach bars invite you to sip on cocktails while enjoying the sand between your toes during the summer. The patrolled beaches are usually safe for swimming.

Catedral de Valencia

Valencia’s cathedral houses what is claimed to be the Holy Grail and has a mummified arm of one of the city’s patron saints, San Vicente Martir. Climbing the 207 steps of the adjoining El Miguelete bell tower offers a 360-degree view of the city.

You might spot pregnant women walking around the interior; legend has it this leads to a healthy baby. The cathedral admission includes an audio guide, but the tower costs extra.

Turia Gardens

The Turia Gardens winds through the city, with nine kilometres of footpaths and cycle lanes. Created in 1957, it is one of the largest urban parks in Spain and is bookended by the City of Arts and Sciences and the Bioparc zoo.

Today, you’ll find a steady stream of runners, cyclists and picnicking families. The gardens are also home to Gulliver Park, a free 70-metre-long children’s playground based on the Jonathan Swift character with slides and climbing ropes.

For families

Staying near the Turia Gardens provides easy access to Gulliver Park and plenty of open spaces for walking, cycling and picnics. Base yourself at the south-eastern end and kids can visit the Oceanogràfic aquarium or interactive exhibits at the Science Museum.

During summer, La Malvarrosa is the perfect place to pitch an umbrella and get out the bucket and spade. The calm Mediterranean waters are ideal for families with little ones, and there are plenty of restaurants to escape the heat of the day.

For travellers on a budget

The Patraix neighbourhood, close to the modern Joaquin Sorolla station, is a great option for cheaper accommodation. This residential area is still not far from all of the city’s attractions and has plenty of bars where you can grab a cheap beer and a tasty bite.

Another option for a cheap holiday to Valencia is Mestalla. The area is home to Valencia FC’s football stadium and is also within walking distance to the Turia Gardens. Avenida de Aragón has lots of cheap eats and student bars.

For food and drink

Valencians takes paella seriously, which isn’t that big a surprise – the city, after all, is the birthplace of this iconic Spanish dish. You can try the authentic recipe – featuring rabbit, chicken, snails, rosemary and garrofón beans – in the thriving old town area of El Carmen.

Hipster hub Russafa, just south of the old town, is also perfect for foodies. There are bars offering creative twists on classic tapas, Italian restaurants and Mexican cantinas. Russafa Market is a more traditional alternative to the Mercado Central, with stalls selling charcuterie, fruit and veg from Monday until Saturday.

For nightlife

Russafa is also known for its bars and clubs. Most bars open from 8pm, though clubs don’t really get going until at least midnight. Try an Agua de Valencia cocktail made with cava, fresh orange juice, vodka and gin, and served in a fishbowl-sized glass. Pace yourself – they are potent.

Alternatively, you can base yourself in El Carmen, which has many small bars with alfresco tables lining its laneways and plazas, as well as late-night music venues playing everything from jazz and flamenco to R&B.

For culture

Classy barrio Colon is close to the main shopping strip in Valencia and filled with tree-lined streets and buildings with ornate façades. Mercado Colon, a former market inside an impressive modernist building, now houses cafés, bars and restaurants, as well as regular stalls selling local crafts.

For low-key vibes, look to stay in and around La Xerea, a quieter, more upscale section of the old town. You’ll find your fill of high-end restaurants and designer boutiques here. La Xerea is also within walking distance of cultural sites like the Bella Arts Museum, the Silk Exchange (La Lonja) and the National Ceramic Museum.