City trip to Valencia: Spanish happiness
If you're looking for a destination that's sunny, rich in culture, close to the sea, and has a friendly population, look no further: Valencia in Spain is the place for you.
I'm just getting back to it and I'm going to share with you here my 100% tested and approved itinerary for a 5-day city trip to Valencia, district by district to give you a good overview of what to expect.
Day 1 – El Carmen & its historic center
Welcome to the beating heart of Valencia: El CarmenHere, it is a maze of alleys, pastel facades, street art frescoes and squares where having a coffee becomes a sacred ritual.
A must-do :
- Climb the bell tower El Miguelete for a panoramic view of the rooftops
- Stroll around the Plaza de la Virgen and visit the Valencia Cathedral (in the evening you can stroll to the sound of street singers and musicians – one of them is there every evening, he carries a piano on wheels across the whole square and plays very well-known tunes, more or less mixed, they mix them up, it's just magnificent, you can't miss him, he's there all the time apparently)
- Admire the works of street art around the alleys
- Taste a horchata iced at Santa Catalina (with the famous waxes)
💡 Lunch advice : file to Central Market , to buy ham, paella or even fruit and cheese to nibble on (and take 40 photos of ultra-photogenic stands along the way, of course).
Day 2 – Turia Gardens & City of Arts
Former riverbed transformed into a giant park, the Turia Garden crosses Valencia for 9 km. It is the perfect place for a bike ride to the incredible City of Arts and Sciences.
On the program :
- Rent a bike and cross the Turia along the palm trees
- Taking pictures in front of the futuristic architecture of Santiago Calatrava
- Visit theOceanographic (the largest aquarium in Europe) if you have the time and money (38.30 euros per adult all the same but on the other hand you see all types of animals)
- Lunch at Ruzafa (the arty district – I’ll tell you more about it later)
💡 Bike tip : there are several rental companies in the city, or take Valenbisi to do like the locals.
Day 3 – Cabanyal district & its beaches
You wanted the sea? Here it is. Cabanyal district and its beaches offer you a relaxing day, Spanish style: feet in the sand, or along the miles of endless beaches.
Not to be missed :
- Chill morning on the beach
- Lunch at Casa Carmela for example for THE authentic paella (Tourist trap alert : avoid paella restaurants " fast " on the beach. Prefer inland addresses where they take the time to cook well).
- Stroll through the streets of Cabanyal, a former fishing district, very colorful (and full of beautiful, shiny, bare-chested runners haha, not to be missed at the end of the day, on their way back from the beaches 😉)
- Cocktails at Marina Beach Club or on the promenade
Day 4 – Ruzafa arty & bohemian
Ah, Ruzafa ! My favorite. It's the liveliest and trendiest neighborhood in Valencia. You can spend your day there without ever getting bored.
On the program :
- Brunch at Bluebell Coffee Or Sweet Milk
- Shopping locally in cute designer boutiques and stationery stores
- Snack break on the terrace (after all that walking around the city, you'll have deserved it)
- Modern tapas at Canalla Bistro, or pinchos to share with friends (yes, I know everything is centered around food, but at the same time in Spain, you can't ignore it)
Bonus tip : In the evening, the bars come alive. Try a cocktail in a hidden bar (speakeasy style) if you want to shine on Instagram (like The Madriguera Or The Green Book).
Day 5 – Colón: between culture and shopping
Is your flight or train (if you're continuing your trip to Spain like I did) late in the day? Perfect. It's the perfect time to combine culture, memories, and well-being.
Last pleasures :
- Visit of a museum (free every Sunday and public holidays) – I do not recommend the Museum of Fine Arts, it is much too classical and ultra Catholic with only paintings of Jesus (personally not my favorite museum 😉)
- Souvenir shopping at Colon Market : art deco architecture + chic boutiques
- Relaxing massage at Hammam Al Andalus to say adios gently or laze on the beach one last time to get your dose of vitamin D and ocean before leaving
- A last glass of sangria or tinto de verano on a sunny terrace or rooftop (like the Atenea Sky , very well known)
Practical tips for your trip to Valencia
- ✈️ Airport 25 min from the center (metro line 3 or 5)
- 🚋 Transport : tram, metro, bicycle, or walking (city on a human scale)
- 🕶️ When to leave : April to June or September-October = perfect weather
- 💶 Average budget : 50-65 €/day (no excess)
Why choose Valencia for a city trip?
✔️ A city that is still authentic and not crowded with tourists, pleasant to visit on foot
✔️ Sea + culture + gastronomy in the same place
✔️ Sun 300 days a year
✔️ Very welcoming and caring premises
✔️ Plenty of stylish spots to discover, stress-free
So, if you too dream of eating real paella, getting a tan without breaking the bank and strolling around an ultra-cool city, Valencia is your next destination.
Have you been there yet? Do you have any other good tips or questions?
Tell me everything in the comments
See you soon 🌞
