Neil’s guidebook to Valencia
Sightseeing
When you enter the cathedral turn left and look for the ticket booth that gives you access to this 14th century Gothic bell tower attached to the cathedral. After climbing up up up the narrow stone staircase you will be rewarded with spectacular views of el Carmen, the historical centre of Valencia, one of the largest in Europe.
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Micaletin torni
s/n Pça. de la ReinaWhen you enter the cathedral turn left and look for the ticket booth that gives you access to this 14th century Gothic bell tower attached to the cathedral. After climbing up up up the narrow stone staircase you will be rewarded with spectacular views of el Carmen, the historical centre of Valencia, one of the largest in Europe.
After the great Valencia flood of 1957, the city diverted the Turia river to the south of the city and converted the empty river bed into a spectacular park called the Turia Gardens, which opened in 1986. Stretching for 9km, it is one of the largest urban parks in Spain. With limited time, this enormous green space is best explored on bicycle. The park connects the futuristic City of Arts and Science and Oceanographic at the east end with the African savanna of the Biopark at the west end. Joggers and cyclists make extensive use of the park. 18 bridges cross the park, some of which date to the 15th and 16th centuries. Small, swan-shaped boats are for hire in Cabecera Park in the west. There are bars and cafes throughout the gardens with extensive terraces.
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Rio Turia Park
After the great Valencia flood of 1957, the city diverted the Turia river to the south of the city and converted the empty river bed into a spectacular park called the Turia Gardens, which opened in 1986. Stretching for 9km, it is one of the largest urban parks in Spain. With limited time, this enormous green space is best explored on bicycle. The park connects the futuristic City of Arts and Science and Oceanographic at the east end with the African savanna of the Biopark at the west end. Joggers and cyclists make extensive use of the park. 18 bridges cross the park, some of which date to the 15th and 16th centuries. Small, swan-shaped boats are for hire in Cabecera Park in the west. There are bars and cafes throughout the gardens with extensive terraces.
If you like flamenco, this small authentic venue is perhaps the best place in Valencia to enjoy it. From Thursday to Sunday there are live professional flamenco shows with groups from Valencia and the rest of Spain. The shows last one hour. Arrive well before the show starts. Once the place is full you won't be able to enter.
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Café del Duende
62 Carrer del TúriaIf you like flamenco, this small authentic venue is perhaps the best place in Valencia to enjoy it. From Thursday to Sunday there are live professional flamenco shows with groups from Valencia and the rest of Spain. The shows last one hour. Arrive well before the show starts. Once the place is full you won't be able to enter.
Is this a woman's clothing store or an enchanted garden? Located near the Colon market, Sanjhara is a must visit for shoppers and visitors who want to find the latest fashions (mid-range prices) as well as original pieces designed and produced on site by the owner, Eva Crespo, who also designed the shop. How many birds can you spot among the luxuriant foliage?
Sanjhara
70 Carrer de Cirilo AmorósIs this a woman's clothing store or an enchanted garden? Located near the Colon market, Sanjhara is a must visit for shoppers and visitors who want to find the latest fashions (mid-range prices) as well as original pieces designed and produced on site by the owner, Eva Crespo, who also designed the shop. How many birds can you spot among the luxuriant foliage?
Food scene
The rental apartment is very close to this large colourful neighbourhood market. Definitely take some time to wander its aisles and enjoy the variety of sights and smells. Buy some Iberic ham to take home with you. There are stalls with organic produce. If you like oysters, go to the fish market and find the stall where they offer fresh oysters with a glass of Spanish cava (champagne) for a special price. A wonderful aperitif before lunch.
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Mercat de Russafa
The rental apartment is very close to this large colourful neighbourhood market. Definitely take some time to wander its aisles and enjoy the variety of sights and smells. Buy some Iberic ham to take home with you. There are stalls with organic produce. If you like oysters, go to the fish market and find the stall where they offer fresh oysters with a glass of Spanish cava (champagne) for a special price. A wonderful aperitif before lunch.
The Ubik Café is a special place that lies at the heart of Bohemian Russafa. With it's eclectic tables and chairs, shelves full of books for sale (all in Spanish), and lively ambience, it's definitely worth checking out. There is also a play area for children. On the menu enjoy the salads and sandwiches. Ask the waiter to recommend a good locally brewed beer.
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Ubik Café Cafetería Librería
13 Carrer del Literat AzorínThe Ubik Café is a special place that lies at the heart of Bohemian Russafa. With it's eclectic tables and chairs, shelves full of books for sale (all in Spanish), and lively ambience, it's definitely worth checking out. There is also a play area for children. On the menu enjoy the salads and sandwiches. Ask the waiter to recommend a good locally brewed beer.
Delicious authentic Italian restaurant with scrumptious thin crust pizzas and other delights. An institution in the neighbourhood. Very close to the apartment. Fast and cheap and friendly.
Restaurante Di Fredo
5 Carrer de Sant ValeroDelicious authentic Italian restaurant with scrumptious thin crust pizzas and other delights. An institution in the neighbourhood. Very close to the apartment. Fast and cheap and friendly.
Andalusian tapas restaurant with great atmosphere. Check out the tortillitas de camarones (shrimp fritters) and cazón en adobo (marinated fried fish, perhaps shark). This is our favorite restaurant when we want a taste of southern Spain.
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El Albero
12 Carrer de CiscarAndalusian tapas restaurant with great atmosphere. Check out the tortillitas de camarones (shrimp fritters) and cazón en adobo (marinated fried fish, perhaps shark). This is our favorite restaurant when we want a taste of southern Spain.
A fantastic choice for a good dinner. Spanish international fusion from the most famous chef in Valencia. Check out their tasting menu.
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Canalla Bistro by Ricard Camarena
5 Carrer del Mestre Josep SerranoA fantastic choice for a good dinner. Spanish international fusion from the most famous chef in Valencia. Check out their tasting menu.
Family run restaurant with delicious Basque food. Great atmosphere, super friendly staff. Try the morcilla de arroz (blood sausage with rice), el bacalao rebozao (battered cod) and the sopa de ajo con un buen chorretón de vino fino (garlic soup with a good dollop of fino wine)!!
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Taberna Vasca CHE
9 Av. del Regne de ValènciaFamily run restaurant with delicious Basque food. Great atmosphere, super friendly staff. Try the morcilla de arroz (blood sausage with rice), el bacalao rebozao (battered cod) and the sopa de ajo con un buen chorretón de vino fino (garlic soup with a good dollop of fino wine)!!
Elegant and sophisticated with tasteful decoration, but not too expensive. Very fashionable in Valencia at the moment. I recommend the rabo de toro (bull's tail) and el pulpo a la brasa (grilled octopus).
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Turqueta
35 Gran Via del Marqués del TúriaElegant and sophisticated with tasteful decoration, but not too expensive. Very fashionable in Valencia at the moment. I recommend the rabo de toro (bull's tail) and el pulpo a la brasa (grilled octopus).
The owners of this quirky cocktail bar in Ruzafa are avid collectors of kitchy antiques. Chandeliers, antique books, mannequins, art-deco chairs, old photos, eclectic furniture. If you like kitchy chaos this is your bar. Try some Agua de Valencia or one of their mojitos. Very close to the apartment. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
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La Bella De Cadiz
54 C. de CadizThe owners of this quirky cocktail bar in Ruzafa are avid collectors of kitchy antiques. Chandeliers, antique books, mannequins, art-deco chairs, old photos, eclectic furniture. If you like kitchy chaos this is your bar. Try some Agua de Valencia or one of their mojitos. Very close to the apartment. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
This is a delicious restaurant very near the apartment, especially if you want to try some of Valencia's famous rice dishes.
Open for lunch and dinner. They have lunch specials. Cash only.
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Restaurante Ossea
9 C. de Romeu de CorberaThis is a delicious restaurant very near the apartment, especially if you want to try some of Valencia's famous rice dishes.
Open for lunch and dinner. They have lunch specials. Cash only.
One the best paella restaurants at Malva Rosa beach (Valencia’s famous beach strip). There are several such restaurants to choose from, but this one rarely disappoints.
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La Alegría de la Huerta
Módulo 6 Paseo MarítimoOne the best paella restaurants at Malva Rosa beach (Valencia’s famous beach strip). There are several such restaurants to choose from, but this one rarely disappoints.
Kaupunkia koskevat ohjeet
Tavat ja kulttuuri
Tipping is different.
Many visitors to Spain are unsure about tipping. Tips are not expected although they are always appreciated. Most people don't tip bartenders. If a Spaniard orders a coffee and sandwich in a bar and the bill is 7 euros, most will leave no tip, though some might leave 30 or 40 cents. If the bill is larger, like 25 euros, people might leave one euro. If the bill is 80 euros for a good dinner, people would likely leave an extra 3 or 4 euros. You can certainly leave a 15% or 20% tip and it will be happily accepted, but it's definitely not expected. If you want to tip, 5% is a good rule.
Liikkuminen
Consider renting a bicycle
Valencia is flat, the weather is usually sunny and the city is constantly expanding the network of bike lanes and calming the traffic in the city centre. It's a wonderful place to explore on bicycle. Try to stick to the bike lanes as much as possible and avoid riding in the streets with traffic. The Turia River Park that crosses the city is the best place to ride your bicycle. Along the edges of the park (beside each bank of the former river) there are bike lanes. There are many places to rent bicycles near our rental apartment and we can recommend some good ones.
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How to eat delicious paella for little money
Paella is the quintessential Spanish dish, and you should definitely try some in Valencia, the city where paella was born. The secret is the local water, which contains high levels of lime. If it fits your budget, go to a paella restaurant and enjoy. The best ones are at the local beach. A cheap way to enjoy paella is to buy takeaway. Many takeaway restaurants offer a big serving of fresh paella (with meat, fish or vegetarian) for 3 or 4 euros, which will cost 12-15 euros in a restaurant. Perfect for a picnic. Remember to ask for alioli, a garlic olive oil sauce that will enhance the flavour.
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Free museums
Several of the Valencia’s museums are completely free to enter, including the Fine Arts Museum (Museo de Bellas Artes) – which contains works by El Greco, Velazquez, Goya and Murillo – the Bullfighting Museum (Museo Taurino) and the Museum of Prehistory (Museo de Prehistoria). Many others, like the Fallas Museum (Museo Fallero), Museo de Historia de Valencia and IVAM (Valencia Institute of Modern Art) are free on Sundays.