A solo travel guide to visiting Valencia, Spain
My latest solo travel adventures have led me to the city of Valencia. Situated on the west coast of Spain, Valencia is in fact the country’s third largest city and best known as the birthplace of the popular dish Paella. I have been longing to explore this city as I fall more in love with the Spanish culture and way of life.
I enjoyed three days here in October which was great as the summer season was still on, yet it wasn’t too hot and the city didn’t feel swamped with tourists. Valencia is packed full of history, stunning architecture, urban art and cultural wonders. It is ideal for solo travelers with its great transport system and walkable historic centre. TOP TIP: I highly recommend buying a Valencia Tourist card which you can purchase online in advance or at the tourist information centre. Not only does this give you unlimited free access to the metro, bus and trams here, but it also offers discounts at some of the cities main attractions.
I’m delighted to share with you the highlights from my time exploring the city of Valencia. Not only is there so much to see and do here, it is incredibly safe for solo travellers. I hope this blog inspires you to visit Valencia and plan your own solo getaway here.
Valencia Historic centre
You will find most of Valencia’s must see attractions in the Historic Centre, so I highly recommend basing yourself here for your visit. I stayed at the Casual de Cine Hotel which is located close to Xativa metro station and numerous bus stops. The hotel is also less a few minutes walk away from the beautiful must see Plaza del Ayuntamiento, where you will find the tourist information centre next to the impressive City Hall.
Here are my top places to see in the Historic centre:
VALENCIA CATHEDRAL AND EL MIGUELETE BELL TOWER
Located between the Plaza de la Virgen and Plaza de la Reina, this impressive landmark isn’t like any other Cathedral. The interior, with its towering stone columns, vaulted ceilings and decadent alter, is packed full of ornate chapels each with stunning frescos. But most importantly, Valencia Cathedral is home to the Holy Grail Chalice (yes, the chalice that Jesus supposedly used at the Last Supper and the one that Indiana Jones and Monty Python go in search for). Whilst there are many claimants of this elusive treasure, the one in Valencia Cathedral is said to be the most authentic and has even been ceremonially used by Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
Once you have marvelled at the Holy Grail and explored inside, make sure to take the 207 steps up the Miguelete Bell Tower for great panoramic views of the city.
The Cathedral and Bell Tower is open 7 days a week, with shorter visiting hours on Sundays due to Mass. It costs 8 euros to enter the Cathedral which includes an audio guide, plus an extra 2 euros to access the Bell Tower. There is a 10% discount when using your Valencia Tourist Card.
CHURCH OF SAN NICOLAS
Get ready to step into one of the most decadent and beautiful buildings in Valencia. Known as Valencia’s Sistine Chapel, the interior decoration of this Gothic church is truly exquisite. First built in 1242, the church has recently undergone a restoration which has fast made it one of Valencia’s top attractions. It’s not hard to see why.
There is a charge of 7 euros to enter the church which includes an audio guide to learn all about the history and its transformation. There are also separate guided tours you can book if you want to learn even more about the restoration here.
The church is open Tuesday to Sundays, with reduced hours on Sunday due to Mass.
CERAMICS MUSEUM
Valencia knows how to do beautiful buildings and the Ceramics Museum is no exception. The museum houses the largest national collection of ceramics, including pieces by Picasso. The collection is housed inside the stunning Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas and is widely appreciated to be one of the finest examples of Baroque architecure in all of Spain.
I enjoyed a morning coffee at the cafe opposite and simply soaked up the incredible details of this beautiful building. It truly is a work of art.
It costs 3 euros to enter the museum which is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. It is also open on Sundays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, with free hours Saturdays (from 4:00 pm) and Sundays.
VALENCIA SILK EXCHANGE (LA LONJA)
A World UNESCO Heritage site and one of Valencia’s most important historic buildings, La Lonja was once home to what was a prolific silk trade and a centre of commerce. After stepping through a courtyard of orange trees, you will enter the impressive main trading hall, which has the most beautiful towering columns and gothic stone walls. It really is very different to any other building you will find in the city and is considered one of the finest gothic renaissance buildings in all of Europe.
It is free to enter and can be found right in the heart of the historic centre opposite the popular Central Market.
L’ALMOINA ARCHAELOGICAL CENTRE
If you are a history lover, then you cannot miss out on seeing the archaeological museum in Valencia. The remains uncovered here quite literally take you right back to the Roman period and then through to the Visigoth, Muslim and Medieval period.
Located just behind Valencia Cathedral off the Plaza de la Virgen, this museum allows you to walk on glass boardwalks above the ancient walls and streets uncovered here. Numerous artifacts were also discovered which are also on display here.
The design of the museum building itself is equally fascinating. Before you enter the museum, you will see a glass roof pool where some of the remains are visible underneath. This pool becomes lit up at night, making it an attraction in its own right.
The museum is open 7 days a week and is free to enter with a Valencia Tourist Card.
City of Arts and Sciences
Step away from the historic centre and get ready to be transported into the future with the fascinating City of Arts and Sciences. This cultural leisure complex, designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, is without doubt one of the most unique and fascinating places I have ever seen. The whole site covers two kilometers and I would highly recommend spending a full day here if you plan to see inside any of the buildings. You can spend half a day simply wandering outside the complex between each building and there are several cafes and bars you can enjoy. Here you can also get a photo with the popular ‘VALENCIA’ sign.
The top places to visit at the City of Arts and Sciences:
Oceanografic - Europe’s largest aquarium.
Hemisferic - a cinema complex which houses a 3D cinema with a huge concave screen that almost surrounds spectators. Here they screen daily films, mainly educational documentaries that last for 45 minutes which are suitable for all audiences.
Science Museum - offers different interactive exhibitions about science and technology.
Palau de les Artes - a place for music lovers, with concerts and shows together with a roof top garden.
The Umbracle - a large open greenhouse type structure which houses palms and various species of plants. Free to access.
CaixaForum - a dedicated Exhibition and Conference Hall.
You will need tickets to enter the Hemisfèric, Science Museum and Oceanografic, which you can purchase either online or at the ticket offices on site. TOP TIP: Your Valencia Tourist card will give you discounts to enter the buildings here.
The site is about a 45 minute walk from the historic centre. I would highly recommend walking or hiring a bike through the beautiful Turia Gardens. You can also catch several buses from the historic centre here (remember buses are free when using your Valencia Tourist Card).
The Cubanyal district
If you want to step off the beaten track and away from the tourist areas to get a flavor of authentic Valencia, I would highly recommend wandering through El Cubanyal. The old Fisherman’s quarter doesn’t have any stand out attractions, but what makes it special is the architecture. Colourful decorative buildings, with tiled facades and old wooden shutters, line the streets here. The atmosphere and ambiance here is unique and has a buzz of true Valencian life. Here you will also find urban art murals covering the sides of buildings.
El Cubanyal has its own indoor market, predominantly selling fresh caught fish, along with an array of independent cafes and restaurants. The district is located just behind Las Arenas beach, so I would recommend combining a visit to El Cubanyal with a beach day. You can get to El Cubanyal via the metro or catch a bus here from the historic centre.
Best of the rest
Valencia has so much to offer as a city that I could easily split this blog into two parts! I’ve created a mini ‘best of the rest’ list of activities I’d recommend to further help you experience this wonderful city.
Best activity for solo travellers - I would highly recommend booking yourself on a free walking tour where you will be shown the best spots in the historic centre. These tours are a great way to meet new people, especially if you are a solo traveller, and you can tip the guide as much as you like. If you like Urban art, you can also enjoy a special free walking tour dedicated to Valencia’s street art.
Best places to eat - You cannot pass at the chance to eat paella in the very place it was invented! There are two areas in the city where the locals say are best places to eat paella, along with good tapas bars and restaurants: El Carmen district north of the historic centre and the Poblats Maritims district along Valencia’s beaches. If you are a foodie, I would also recommend visiting the Central Market where you can enjoy tapas and fresh produce.
Best place to drink Agua de Valencia - If you want to try Valencia’s signature cocktail, made with fresh orange juice, gin, vodka and cava, I would highly recommend Cafe de Las Horas. It is less than five minutes walk from the Plaza de la Virgen and it’s stunning interior will transport back in time with its Victorian decor.
Best day trip outside of the city - If you are spending more than 3 days in Valencia, I would highly recommend a day trip to Albufera National Park. If you are a nature lover and want to escape the bustling city, this is the place for you. Here you can enjoy woodland walks, wildlife and boat trips. This is also THE place to have paella.
Thank you for taking your time to read my blog. I hope it has inspired you to visit the city of Valencia and plan your own solo trip there. If you have any questions please post in the comments below or drop me a DM on my Instagram page.
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