Valencia

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💡Valencia: Good to Know

 

🛂 Visa: Spain is part of the Schengen Zone. Travelers from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, South Korea, and Japan can visit visa-free for up to 90 days.

 

✈️ Closest Airport: Valencia Airport (VLC)

 

💬 Language: Spanish and Valencian (a dialect of Catalan); English is commonly spoken in tourist areas

 

🏷️ Price Level: Moderate; cheaper than Barcelona or Madrid

 

🍔 Big Mac Index: US: US$5.69 / Spain: US$5.16

 

💰 Currency: Euro (€) | 1 USD ≈ 0.92 EUR

 

☀️ Best Times to Visit:  April–June, and September–October for pleasant weather

 

🚘 Transportation: Metro, buses, and trams

 

🔌 Adapter: Spain uses type C and F plugs (230V). US/UK visitors will need a plug adapter

 

🛜 WiFi: Fast and reliable; widely available with numerous free public WiFi hotspots through its participation in the European Union's WiFi4EU network

 

🏧💰 ATM and “Cash or Card”: Cards are widely accepted; carry small cash for markets or local spots

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💸 Tipping: Tipping is not obligatory, but rounding up or leaving small change (5–10%) in restaurants is appreciated. It’s more common in tourist areas than among locals.

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🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: Avda. del Muelle del Turia, s/n, 46024 Valencia, Spain (docked)

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✈️ 🚇🚕 Getting There and Around

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🎟️ Valencia’s public transport system is operated by Metrovalencia and EMT Valencia (buses). It includes metro lines, trams, and city buses. Tickets and travel cards (such as the SUMA card) can be purchased at metro stations, tobacco shops (estancos), and via the EMT or Metrovalencia apps. Contactless payment (credit/debit cards and mobile wallets like Apple Pay/Google Pay) is accepted on most EMT buses and newer metro stations, making travel convenient for visitors.

 

✈️ Valencia Airport (VLC) is located about 5 miles (8 km) west of the city center. The easiest way to reach downtown is by Metrovalencia lines 3 or 5, which take around 20–25 minutes to reach central stations like Xàtiva or Colón. A single metro ticket from the airport costs around 4.80 EUR (zone AB). Alternatively, Aerobus and EMT bus line 150 also connect the airport to the city, though they’re slightly slower than the metro.

 

🚇 Valencia’s main cruise terminal is located in the Port of Valencia. To get to the city center, you can take EMT bus lines 4, 30, or 95, depending on your terminal location. These buses connect to central areas like Plaça de l’Ajuntament and Xàtiva station in around 20–30 minutes. Taxis are readily available at the port and cost approximately 15–20 EUR to the city center. While walking from the cruise terminal isn’t practical due to distance and port restrictions, some cruise lines offer shuttle services. Tickets for buses can be purchased onboard (via contactless payment) or using the EMT app.

 

🚌  One company offers hop-on-hop-off buses that connect the main sights throughout the city (more info here).

 

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⭐️Top Sights in Valencia

"​Valencia was the capital of Spain during the Civil War."

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📸 City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències): A futuristic architectural masterpiece designed by Santiago Calatrava, this cultural and scientific complex is one of Valencia’s most iconic attractions. It includes the Oceanogràfic, Europe’s largest aquarium, home to sharks, dolphins, and even beluga whales. The Hemisfèric, with its eye-shaped design, houses an IMAX theater and planetarium, while the interactive Science Museum invites visitors of all ages to explore hands-on exhibits in technology, biology, and physics. The complex is surrounded by reflecting pools and walkways, making it as photogenic as it is educational.

 

📸 Valencia Cathedral (La Seu): Standing at the heart of the old town, this cathedral is a striking mix of Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque, and Renaissance styles. It’s most famous for claiming to house the Holy Grail, the chalice said to have been used by Jesus at the Last Supper. Inside, you'll find exquisite chapels, religious relics, and works by Goya. Climb the 207 steps of the El Miguelete bell tower for sweeping panoramic views over the city rooftops and beyond.

 

📸 La Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange): A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of civil Gothic architecture in Europe, La Lonja dates back to the 15th century. It was originally used as a marketplace for silk and other goods during Valencia’s golden age of trade. Its elaborate vaulted ceilings, twisted columns, and peaceful orange-tree courtyard reflect the city’s medieval prosperity and architectural ambition.

 

📸 Central Market (Mercado Central): Housed in a magnificent Modernist building with stained glass and ironwork, this is one of Europe’s largest and most vibrant fresh food markets. Inside, more than 1,000 stalls offer everything from locally grown fruits and vegetables to freshly caught seafood, Iberian ham, artisan cheeses, olives, and pastries. It's a feast for the senses — and a great spot to pick up snacks or souvenirs like saffron and local wines.

 

📸 Turia Gardens (Jardín del Turia): Once a river that frequently flooded the city, the Turia River was rerouted, and its old riverbed was transformed into a 9-kilometer-long green oasis. These gardens snake through the city and link major attractions like the Bioparc Zoo and the City of Arts and Sciences. With palm trees, fountains, playgrounds, bike lanes, and open lawns, the Turia Gardens are perfect for a leisurely stroll, picnic, or morning run.

 

📸 Plaza de la Virgen: This picturesque square lies in the heart of Valencia’s old town, framed by the Cathedral, the Basilica of the Virgin, and the Palace of the Generalitat. It's a beloved meeting point for locals and visitors alike, known for its open-air cafés, historic charm, and the central Neptune Fountain. Visit during a festival or a warm evening, and you’ll see it come alive with music, conversation, and the clinking of glasses.

 

📸 Malvarrosa Beach: Stretching along Valencia’s coastline, Malvarrosa offers soft golden sands, clear waters, and a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere. It's ideal for sunbathing, swimming, beach volleyball, or just strolling along the palm-lined promenade. Hungry? The area is full of chiringuitos (beach bars) and seafood restaurants where you can try fresh paella, grilled squid, or a cold horchata. It’s easily accessible by tram, bike, or bus — just 15–20 minutes from the city center.

 

📸 Fallas Museum (Museo Fallero): Get an insider look at Las Fallas, Valencia’s most famous festival, which takes place every March. The museum houses an annual collection of ninots — intricately crafted, often satirical papier-mâché figures that were “pardoned” from the festival’s traditional burning. Alongside these fascinating sculptures, the museum features photographs, posters, and costumes that celebrate the artistry, humor, and cultural depth of this UNESCO-recognized event.

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🍽️😋 Regional Specialties

 

Valencia is the birthplace of paella and a paradise for food lovers — a city where every meal tells a story. From rich rice dishes and fresh seafood to centuries-old recipes and innovative drinks, Valencian cuisine is deeply rooted in local tradition and Mediterranean flavors. Whether you're dining in a rustic tavern or a seaside restaurant, food in Valencia is meant to be savored and shared.

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🍽️ Paella Valenciana: Valencia is where paella was born, and the traditional Paella Valenciana is a far cry from the touristy seafood versions found elsewhere. This original recipe features rabbit, chicken, snails, and flat green beans (judías verdes), often with garrofó (large white beans), all slowly cooked in a wide, shallow pan over an open flame — ideally using orange tree wood for extra aroma. The magic lies in the socarrat — the crispy rice at the bottom of the pan, considered a delicacy by locals. While seafood paella is also popular, Paella Valenciana is considered the most authentic and deeply traditional.

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🍽️ Arroz al Horno (Oven-Baked Rice): A hearty, rustic dish perfect for cooler days. Arroz al Horno combines rice with pork ribs, blood sausage (morcilla), chickpeas, tomatoes, garlic, and potatoes, all baked in a clay pot to form a golden crust on top. This dish reflects the resourceful, slow-cooked cooking of the Valencian countryside — deeply flavorful and filling.

 

🍽️ Fideuà: Born in the fishing town of Gandía, just south of Valencia, fideuà is a close cousin to paella but uses short, thin noodles instead of rice. Typically made with cuttlefish, squid, prawns, and fish broth, it's cooked in a paella pan and finished with a squeeze of allioli (garlic mayo) on the side. It’s a favorite among locals who want something a little lighter but just as satisfying as traditional rice dishes.

 

🍽️ Esgarraet: A refreshing, cold tapas-style salad made from roasted red peppers, salted cod (bacalao), garlic, and extra virgin olive oil. The name comes from esgarrar — “to tear” — referring to the hand-shredded style of the ingredients. Salty, sweet, and smoky, it's a simple but bold dish that perfectly showcases Valencian olive oil and seafood traditions.

 

🍽️ Bunyols de Carabassa (Pumpkin Fritters): These golden, deep-fried doughnuts made with pumpkin purée are especially popular during Las Fallas in March, when you’ll find stalls frying them fresh in the streets. Lightly sweet, soft inside, and often dusted with sugar, they’re perfect when dipped in hot chocolate or eaten straight from the paper bag on a cool evening.

 

🥤 Horchata de Chufa: A uniquely Valencian drink made from chufa (tiger nuts), water, and sugar. Served ice-cold, it’s slightly sweet with a nutty, earthy flavor and a creamy texture. Horchata is typically enjoyed with fartons, long, fluffy sugar-dusted pastries made for dunking. Try it in a traditional horchatería for the full experience — it’s particularly refreshing during the hot summer months.

 

🍹 Agua de Valencia:  Don’t be fooled by the name — this “Valencian water” is actually a potent cocktail made from fresh orange juice, cava (Spanish sparkling wine), vodka, and gin. Sweet, citrusy, and dangerously smooth, it’s usually served in a large jug to share among friends. Best enjoyed in the evening on a terrace, especially during festive times like Las Fallas.

 

🍺 Cerveza Turia: A beloved local amber lager brewed in Valencia since 1935, Cerveza Turia is known for its toasty, slightly caramelized flavor and smooth finish. It’s a perfect pairing with tapas, rice dishes, or just a relaxing afternoon by the beach. You’ll find it in nearly every bar in the city — a true local staple.

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📍🗺️  Maps, Apps & Links

 

🌐 Valencia Public Transport Map

🌐 Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour

🌐 Free Walking Tour I

🌐 Free Walking Tour II

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🚕 Cabify 

🚕 Bolt