What to do in Valencia

Valencia is a great city to visit for a weekend or a few days. Depending on your tastes there are beaches, an old historic area, museums, cultural centres, shops and a few churches to visit. It will surprise and delight you with the quality and variety of the local food.

Day 1

The beaches

There is a one way system along the main street from the city centre to the beach area. This is important whilst using the bus, as you won’t get back on the bus at the same place. Catch a bus down to the beach area and take in the old traditional buildings on the way. The McDonalds building is a bit of a surprise.

Enjoy wandering along the little stalls lining the beaches and enjoy a dip in the Med if you’re there in the summer. A walk round the port area is interesting and treat yourself to tapas and sangria at local tapas bars a couple of streets back from the beach - try La Otra Parte (relaxed atmosphere, great staff, really tasty and good value) and watch the world go by.

Old Town Valencia

Try walking round the city centre to get a feel for the city. The huge Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the seat of Parliament where you can admire the Town Hall and old Post Office buildings.

Next, wander down to the central market with art nouveau origins and gorgeously colourful fruit and veg stalls. The silk exchange is opposite, however if you don't fancy buying any, take in the fabulous columns in the hall. No trip is complete without a church visit and Santa Maria de Valencia will not disappoint with its various different examples of architecture from Gothic to Baroque and the alleged Holy Chalice .A great lunch stop is Plaza Redonda, a nicely renovated area. We ate at El Leon Bar - low key, relaxed restaurant, where you can sample tasty tapas outdoors and consider buying flamenco dresses from the next door shop as presents for your least favourite relatives.

For the afternoon, try wandering round the narrow streets in the Barrio del Carmen area. Make sure you see the Calle des Colorés for some great street art/graffiti.

Following floods in 1957 Valencia diverted the river Turia, which left a dried up and unsightly river bed. This has been transformed dramatically and deserves a full days visit.

The Turia Gardens cover the car parking area and are cool and shady in the summer heat. A walk along the Umbracle allows you to get a feel for the area.

Walking further along is the City of Arts and Sciences. The Opera building is situated here. The Science museum is well worth a visit - check what exhibitions are on. We saw a Leonardo Da Vinci and a space exhibition. If you have enough time, you may enjoy the Aquarium