Valencia
Valencia, my second home after having lived there for five months. The city offers everything you need for your next city break:
- Turia park
- The historic city center with Mercat Central
- The origin of Paella
- Uitwaaien aan zee
- Modern architecture
- A lovely Spaanse vibe
- Bicycle friendly (important for the Dutch people)
- Agua de Valencia & Horchata
I could go on enumerating, but fortunately images speak more than words do.
| Where to eat? | |
|---|---|
| Casa Carmela (Paella) | La Más Bonita (Breakfast/ Lunch/ Pastry) |
| La Blasca (Tapas) | Dulce y Leche (Breakfast/ Lunch/ Pastry) |
| Copenhagen (Vegetarian) | 100 Montaditos (Breakfast/ Lunch) |
| Miss Sushi | La Pepica (Spanish) |
| A Huevo (Tapas) | Destino 56 |
| Mercado Colon | Bocadello (Tapas) |
| San Tommaso (Italian) | La Lola (Spanish) |
| Sabbia by Gabbeach (Mediterranean) | Restaurante Saona (Mediterranean) |
Explore the historic city center
At the foot of the historic center lies Valencia's City Hall (Ayuntamiento). Around the square you will find the Hard Rock Cafe, the monumental post office (Correos) and the official Valencia CF Fanshop. A little further back is the famous train station with its classical interior, dating from 1917: Estació Del Nord as well as the Plaza de Toros.
Walk a bit further and you'll be at the heart of the historic city center, including:
- Lonja de la Seda: the 15th century silk exchange, now declared a World Heritage Site
- Mercado Central: fresh market with authentic Valencian / Spanish products such as Jamón Serrano, Horchata and oranges.
- Plaza de la Virgen and Plaza de La Reina
Stroll through the Turia Park
The Jardín del Turia is a beautiful, diverse park that grew out of the drained riverbed of the Turia River. At the beginning of the park you'll find the City of Arts and Sciences and 'L Umbracle, one of Valencia's eye-catchers in my opinion! Walk or cycle through the park and enjoy its beautiful surroundings.
Football fan?
- (Nou) Mestalla: in June 2022, Valencia announced that the new stadium will actually be built. The first attempt in 2008 failed, so the 'new' mestalla stands abandoned. The 'old' Mestalla is the oldest stadium in the Primera Division.
- Ciutat de Valencia: the smaller brother of Valencia CF, but after the renovation in 2021 the stadium looks a lot more modern.
Visit the Bioparc
At the end of the Turia park lies the zoo of Valencia: the Bioparc. According to many one of the most animal friendly zoos in the world and definitely worth a visit.
