2 Days in Valencia, Spain
Valencia struck me as particularly incredible due to the fact that different parts of the city are so diverse. The city is separated by old and new. The first part of the city we saw was ultramodern with astounding symmetrical buildings. The older part of Valencia is filled with historical building! This city was definitely less crowded but still quite touristy. We had no problem getting around the city by metro or foot and did not encounter much of a language barrier. Like in Barcelona, we decided to sleep on this ship and explore Valencia during the day!
Food and Drink
During our short time in Valencia, we drank a lot of good wine! One thing we noticed in Valencia was the difference in meal times. In our global studies class we learned that Spaniards usually eat lunch around 2pm and dinner not until around 10pm with tapas in between. Since Valencia is quite touristy, we were still able to eat dinner earlier but were surprised that the crowds did not start to fill the restaurants until late!
Before leaving Valencia, we had the chance to try the famous paella! Paella is a popular Valencian rice dish cooked over an open fire. The main types include Valencian, vegetable, seafood, and mixed paella. We tried seafood paella which was delicious! There were many different types of seafood including shrimp, octopus, crayfish, and more! It is a very large dish and we had a tough time finishing it!
City of Arts and Sciences
The first thing we saw in Valencia, beside the port, was the City of Arts and Sciences buildings. I have never seen anything like these buildings before! They seemed so futuristic and were all very symmetrical. The architecture was designed by the very talented Santiago Calatrava. We were able to walk through the green garden that overlooked the buildings. What I found the most intriguing, was the reflection of the buildings in the still water underneath them furthering the symmetrical perspective and leading to great photo opportunities! Make sure to visit early in the morning before the wind picks up and moves the water! We were there before it opened and were able to avoid the crowds!
Turia Park
We walked through Turia Park to the historical centre of the city. This park stretches 9 km through Valencia where the Turia River once ran. Pedestrians and cyclists are able to walk through the city without worrying about crossing the many busy roads. This park is very beautiful with many different types of trees, parks, ponds, fountains, playgrounds, and dog parks.
Torres de Serranos
Torres de Serranos consists of two towers and represents the ancient gate of the Old Town. It recalls an era when Valencia was surrounded by defense walls. It played a key role during the Spanish Civil War from 1936-1939. The towers were built in the 14th century and restored in 1930. People are able to pay a few euros and climb to the top of the towers for a view of Valencia but we decided to enjoy the view from the ground!
Mercado Central (Market)
The Mercado Central is the main market in Valencia. It was built in 1928 and is one of Europe’s oldest markets. There are 1300 market stalls selling a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and more. We were a little surprised to see the skins, tongues, and even hearts or various animals for sale. The building itself was very beautiful with colourful windows and intricate designs.
Plaza de la Virgen
We enjoyed walking around the Plaza de la Virgen and the cathedral quarter. In this plaza, we found the Cathedral de Valencia. This is the main gothic cathedral of the city. It was built in the 13th century and renovated in the 17th century. There is also a beautiful fountain, many small shops, and a few restaurants and cafes in this area.
Valencia’s Town Hall
We found Valencia’s Town Hall in the Plaza del Ayunttamiento – the large town square! This building was built in the 18th century. Inside can be found an elegant marble staircase and a history museum. My favourite room was the ballroom with beautiful chandeliers. There is also a large balcony with a great view of the entire square! It was free to go inside and definitely worth a visit! This square is a great place to do some shopping, get some food, or sit down on a bench and enjoy the surroundings!
Playa de la Malvarrosa
We decided to spend our last day in Valencia relaxing on the beach. We walked about 20 minutes to Playa de la Malvarrosa. This beach seems to go on forever and is very open! There are chairs and canopies available for rent and tons of space to lay out a towel and tan! The water is cold but refreshing! There are about a dozen restaurants along the beach with great selections of wine and tapas. Make sure to go early before it gets too busy!
