La Terreta. That's what the Valencians call it here. A sweet little word to talk about their corner of paradise. And that's also where our name comes from. Today, we pay tribute to it as it should be: with our favorite itinerary, our best addresses and all our tips to enjoy Valencia in 3 days.
Bienvenidos a Valencia
The third largest city in Spain with more than 830,000 inhabitants (a fifth of whom come from elsewhere), Valencia has it all: a dream location facing the Balearic Islands, between Barcelona and Madrid, and a sun that never takes time off.
With temperatures rarely falling below 10°C in winter, this beachside city with over 2000 years of history is the embodiment of the Mediterranean art of living. We admit it: Valencia is our favorite city in the country. By the way, it has been voted the most pleasant city to live in Europe.
Let's go!
Source: Google maps
Valencia, day 1: Straight to the beach
To get straight to the point (hehe) there is nothing like starting with a beach day.
For a long time, Valencia turned its back on this sublime blue and white expanse, reserved for fishermen and the paintings of Joaquin Sorolla, the emblematic artist of the region.
Things have changed in recent years with the arrival of the streetcar and buses: the beach is now an integral part of the city. It can be reached from the city center in 15 minutes by car or streetcar. Allow 40 minutes for cyclists.
Legend: Main beaches of Valencia
Source: Google maps
El Cabanyal: between authenticity and openness
The Cabanyal district (in Valencian) is the authentic maritime soul of Valencia, a former fishing village that has become the city's most endearing neighborhood, with its colorful low houses, enameled ceramic facades, and narrow streets still filled with the scent of iodine and grilled fish.
Today, the district is experiencing a cultural renaissance with the arrival of artists and creators who are injecting new energy and a bohemian spirit into its streets. On the sidewalks, abuelas (grandmothers) chatting while sitting on their chairs mingle with expatriates and visiting tourists, creating a unique blend of tradition and modernity.
Geoffroy Reiser, one of the founders of Terreta, captivated by the neighborhood, has decided to settle there (we're waiting for the home tour...!).
The immense beaches of Cabanyal and Malvarrosa, just a few blocks away, invite relaxation, sports, or enjoying an ice cream on the paseo maritimo.
La Pepica, an institution
It's impossible to spend a day on Valencia's beach without having lunch at La Pepica. Around 2 PM, as local custom dictates, this institution, which has seen the greatest names in literature and cinema pass through its doors, fills up with well-informed tourists and regulars. Founded at the end of the 19th century, this casa de paellas located on Malvarrosa beach, near the port, has become legendary thanks to the quality of its rice dishes and its exceptional setting facing the Mediterranean. Ernest Hemingway dined there regularly, and a table still bears his name. The family atmosphere, the waiters in traditional costumes, and the breathtaking view of the sea make every meal an unforgettable moment.
A tip: don't eat too much beforehand to enjoy its tapas as a starter: a Valencian salad, croquetas, and pan tomate with aioli to share.
Alternatively, we suggest two modern options: the burgers from fabrica de hielos, a former ice factory that has become a neighborhood institution, or the Mercabanyal food market, worth checking out if you have time to spare (the terrace is superb).
Satisfied? Follow the guide for a digestive stroll towards the north...
Day 1, continued: Patacona, the ultimate chill beach
It's our little Mediterranean Venice Beach. With its surfers, avocado toasts, beach clubs, sunset cocktails, and DJ sets, it appeals to local youth as much as to tourists and expats attracted by this way of life.
Nature bonus: Albufera and its picture-perfect sunset (really)
Just a few kilometers away, still on the coast, the Albufera Natural Park is a small ecological gem.
This freshwater lagoon, the largest in Spain, offers a natural spectacle of striking beauty, especially at sunset when the sky is streaked with orange and pink.
This is where paella was born and where its bomba rice grows, cultivated since the Middle Ages and used in the traditional recipe.
Flamingos, herons, and wild ducks populate this nature reserve, which is home to more than 350 species of birds.
To do: a traditional boat trip for a timeless end to the day. De categoria! as they say here.
Valencia visit, day 2: History, street art, and tapas in the old town
A medieval heritage to discover absolutely
In Valencia, every stone tells a 2000-year-old story, and to realize this, simply wander through the cobbled streets of the Ciutat Vella and the Barrio del Carmen, from where we are writing this itinerary.
In the historic heart of the city, which has become an iconic street art district, often politically charged murals rub shoulders with the remains of the Muslim wall dating back to the Andalusian period, built to protect the medina of Balansiya (the Arabic name for Valencia).
Must-see:
- The Torres de Serranos and de Quart: the only two gates still standing from the Christian wall built after the reconquest of Valencia in the 16th century.
- The CCCV, the city's contemporary art center, located in the sublime former Convent del Carme (13th century).
- The Holy Grail, you read that right, the Holy Grail is hidden in Valencia Cathedral. Built on the former Almohad mosque, it houses the Precious in the Santo Cáliz chapel, attracting pilgrims and curious visitors from all over the world by the millions each year.
- The Miguelete, an octagonal Gothic tower standing 51 meters tall, rewards the most courageous with a spectacular panoramic view of the city and the sea after climbing its 207 steps.
- The Lonja de la Seda, is a kind of medieval Wall Street. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this Gothic marvel was the center for Mediterranean trade. Its twisted columns in the trading hall testify to an era when Valencia played a central role in Mediterranean exchanges.
- The Central Market: the art of Mediterranean lifestyle. Since 1928, this modernist gem has remained one of the largest markets in Europe. Fresh products, vibrant colors, authentic atmosphere: this is the quality of life you are looking for. Between deals, you can savor the best local products.
- The Almoina Museum: the foundations of success... the remains of the Roman forum under your feet remind you that Valencia has been able to reinvent itself over the millennia.
- The National Ceramics Museum: Valencia is the cradle of ceramics, and the Gonzalez Marti Museum is one of the city's cultural gems, both for its collections and for its flamboyant rococo style, starting from the entrance door.
Gourmet break:
- Taste an horchata, the typical Valencian drink, and fartons - equally typical - at Daniel's, an institution a stone's throw from the cathedral. Do as the locals do: take your time.
Where to eat?
- The brunch at café Mestizo has become a must. A culinary break with oriental and South American accents. Be careful, the queue gets longer by the hour on weekends.
- The paella at the restaurant Yuso. Xé que bo ! Reservation is essential!
Where to go out?
- Radio city, the cultural lighthouse of the old city since the 80s.
- The café Negrito, on the square of the same name, an emblematic place in the old city, a few minutes walk from the Plaça de la Virgen. Note that the adjacent calle Calatrava is full of bars, each more lively than the last.
Day 3 in Valencia: From the shade under the palm trees... to the dance floor
The Turia is the old river that crossed the city. Dangerous and often flooding, its bed was diverted and transformed into a huge urban park after a terrible flood in the mid-50s. Today, the dried-up riverbed has become the city's main green lung, adored by the locals.
9 km of happiness that crosses the city from northwest to southeast, with cycle paths, playgrounds, hundreds of plant species, birthday parties on weekends, historic bridges, joggers, the Bioparc to the north, the Palais de la Musique in the center and the City of Arts and Sciences to the south.
Legend: The Turia crosses Valencia
Source: Google maps
City of Arts and Sciences: visual icon
Impossible to miss the City of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic architectural masterpiece by Santiago Calatrava, visible from the plane window on landing.
Skeletons, shells, water lilies, the complex is inspired by natural and organic elements. Its white curves and reflections on the water create spectacular and completely unusual images.
🚣🏻♂️ A must-do: a boat trip on the turquoise waters of the City.
🌴 A must-see: the Umbracle, a 4,000 m2 open-air garden that runs alongside the City of Sciences. The place is home to one of the most beautiful nightclubs in the world...! The Mya (you dance the Mia? Ok, we're out...)
Ruzafa: THE trendy district
Tomorrow, you'll be sleeping on the plane, but it's impossible not to spend your last evening in the bobo district that's making headlines on all the expat blogs: Ruzafa.
With its colorful buildings and festive and creative atmosphere, Ruzafa is a haven for artists. Stroll through its Havana-like streets, admire the Art Nouveau facades, browse the vintage stores and enjoy the terraces.
For dinner, we have several ideas:
- Canalla Bistro, Ricard Camarena's restaurant, the most famous chef in Valencia.
- Pizzas from la Finestra or Filippa’s
- Beirut, an amazing Lebanese restaurant
For dancing:
- The Radar bar, a place with an industrial, electro and arty atmosphere, with one of the best musical programs in the city. Planazo!
Our top 3 must-do experiences in Valencia
Among all the activities we have mentioned and that you could do, here is our top 3:
- Enjoying an horchata on a shaded terrace.
- Renting a bike to ride through the Turia Gardens, an immense green space that crosses the city.
- Enjoying the nightlife in the bars of Ruzafa.
Ok, a little 4th: The sunset over the Albufera.
As you can see, Valencia promises beautiful landscapes, Mediterranean flavors and a festive atmosphere, between modernity and traditions. For a video preview, click here.
Practical information
How to get to Valencia?
Nothing could be easier, Valencia is accessible in two hours flight from most major European cities. Then, you have several options:
- From the airport, the metro (lines 3 or 5) connects to the city center for less than 5 €, fast and economical.
- By taxi, it costs around 30 €.
Getting around Valencia
- In Valencia, the bicycle is king. And good news: the city is flat, very well equipped and the sun is almost always out. The city is known for its ecological policy (Green Capital in 2024) and has more than 150 km of bike paths.
- The bus and metro in Valencia are also very pleasant. Forget those of metropolises like Paris, London or Madrid, in the Valencia metro, it's already vacation time.
Where to sleep in Valencia?
- Opt for the Only You hotel, in the center and modern. It houses the restaurant, cocktail bar and discotheque, Salvaje.
- Facing the sea, the Las Arenas hotel, a historic 5-star hotel that deserves its very good reputation.
When to visit?
We advise you to visit Valencia in October. The weather is nice but not too hot, the beaches are empty and... it's the month of the VDS, the Valencia Digital Summit, the unmissable tech event in Spain. But by the way, did you know that Valencia was the new tech capital of Spain?
