With over two thousand years of history, Valencia, Spain is renowned for its gothic architecture, museums, shops, Mediterranean cafes, rooftop bars and luxury hotels. With bountiful options of where to eat, play and stay in Valencia, the following roundup takes the overwhelm out of planning a visit to this cultural and gastronomic mecca.
Eat:
As the birthplace of paella, an epicenter of the Mediterranean diet and a fertile ground for culinary innovation that remains closely tied to both land and sea, Valencia is synonymous with authentic flavor.
Start with a visit to the Central Market, one of the largest and finest purveyors of fresh produce in Europe. Spend an afternoon strolling the traditional stalls lining the street markets in the Plaza Redonda. Enjoy a tapas break at an architectural gem such as the Mercado de Colón and the Mercado de Tapinería.
In terms of prestige, La Perfumería at the Palacio Vallier 5 * pays homage to the building’s historical memory, where vestiges of a third-century Roman perfumery were discovered during the renovation works. This archaeological legacy inspires a space where past and present meet through gastronomy.
Further, Valencia has two restaurants with two Michelin stars: Ricard Camarena and El Poblet, along with six one-star restaurants: Fierro, Kaido Sushi Bar, Lienzo, La Salita, Riff and Fraula.
Other world-class Mediterranean restaurants such as Saiti offer a well-curated menu and local product. La Cigrona serves contemporary Valencian cuisine in an elegant setting with a local vibe. Conveniently located in the city centre, El Portal Vell is a small restaurant that serves well-executed Mediterranean dishes. Also right in the city centre, Vaqueta Gastro Mercat offers modern local cuisine and rice dishes. Pelayo Gastro Trinquet is known for its traditional Valencian cuisine with a modern twist.
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Visit the spectacular frescoes at the Church of San Nicolás, as well as The Valencia Cathedral, which houses the Holy Chalice, traditionally believed to be the cup used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper and is the only relic of its kind that is officially recognized by the Catholic Church.
A stroll through the El Carmen district, located at the northwest end of the historic center, reveals a thousand years of history with magnificent examples of medieval architecture, a rich artistic heritage, hundreds of historical anecdotes and the origin of a good number of local legends.
Additionally, the Museum of Fine Arts is a must-see, with pieces by Joaquín Sorolla, Goya and Velázquez, as well as a collection of unique medieval reredos. And as the city is known for its ceramics, stop by the Museum of Ceramics as well as La Llonja - the silk exchange.
For nature lovers, there are infinite outdoor opportunities to explore, such as the city’s beaches at Las Arenas and La Malvarrosa. Explore the Marina and enjoy an authentic paella beside the sea. Stroll through the Turia Gardens and escape to Valencia’s Albufera, an ecological paradise just outside the city. Take a trip in a traditional fishing boat and savor a Valencian paella in its genuine place of origin. Visit the African savannah at Valencia’s Bioparc. Take a boat ride through l'Albufera natural park and enjoy the best Valencian cuisine in the middle of nature.
Also, a trip to the city would be incomplete without experiencing the Valencian shopping district along Colón, Poeta Querol, Don Juan de Austria, Jorge Juan, Cirilo Amorós and La Paz streets.
Stay:
To get a feel for the vibrant scene of Valencia, stay in the city center.
An exceptional choice is Palacio Vallier 5★, a nineteenth-century palace that has been transformed into an exclusive luxury accommodation and is considered one of the finest five-star hotels in the city. A restoration in 2019 preserved numerous elements of the historic building that, layered with a contemporary aesthetic inspired by Valencian Art Deco, adds a distinctive touch of sophistication to every space. Throughout its 31 rooms and suites, each with its own personality, Palacio Vallier is an exclusive boutique experience with attentive and discreet service. Be sure to enjoy a cocktail on the rooftop overlooking the city.
Alternatively, consider the Caro Hotel. Situated in a more private, intimate location, yet still centrally located in the Seu–Xerea neighborhood of the historic center, Caro was built within a fourteenth-century Gothic palace. A living testament to Valencia’s history, Caro has preserved remains of second-and-third-century Roman artifacts and the Arab city wall, as well as medieval and gothic architecture. As such, Caro is officially considered a “monument hotel,” a rare designation.
Another option is the Helen Berger, a four-star modern boutique hotel located in one of the best-known streets of the central “La Seu” district and next to the impressive neoclassical “La Nau” building, the oldest building of the University of Valencia. Helen Berger offers an exclusive experience in an authentic boutique environment, where detail, elegance and quality prevail in every detail.
To further explore all that Valencia has to offer and to start planning a trip, visit www.visitvalencia.com/en.
As a resident of the Lowcountry for over twenty years, freelance writer, journalist, editor, independent researcher, book collector and food and wine enthusiast Sarah Rose has spent most of her life traveling and living around the world.
As the birthplace of paella, an epicenter of the Mediterranean diet ... Valencia has two restaurants with two Michelin stars, along with six one-star restaurants.