Valencia Guide, map and photos. boo.com members recommend hotels, restaurants and attractions in Valencia

It IS NOT an Hostel. It's a REALLY QUIET place where you can sleep, store you backpack, get a shower, use the kitchen. That's it. Two only double rooms, small and enough clean, at about 6/8 metro stops (with a change). If you want to rest is the right place, if you want to party or meet people,...more It IS NOT an Hostel. It's a REALLY QUIET place where you can sleep, store you backpack, get a shower, use the kitchen. That's it. Two only double rooms, small and enough clean, at about 6/8 metro stops (with a change). If you want to rest is the right place, if you want to party or meet people, you're absolutely in the WRONG place.close

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by havan7684 – posted on Mar 14, 2008

4

Over the past year or so I\'ve spent a lot of time travelling in Spain, and I can quite honestly say that Valencia is the best of the lot so far! Beats both Barcelona and Madrid in my books! The city is really easy to explore on foot, but if you want to use public transport the Valencia...more Over the past year or so I\'ve spent a lot of time travelling in Spain, and I can quite honestly say that Valencia is the best of the lot so far! Beats both Barcelona and Madrid in my books! The city is really easy to explore on foot, but if you want to use public transport the Valencia tourist card gives you free transport by bus and metro. Great shops, very friendly city, spectacular buildings, wonderful climate - I definately recommend it!!!close

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by laura4604 – posted on Nov 12, 2007

2

Valencia is quite a thrilling city, too bad we had just 3 days to discover it. But we had three full days, when we strolled around the city center (with lots of monuments and interesting architecture), we went to the sea-side (too bad it was too cold for a swim), we had our portion of leisure at...more Valencia is quite a thrilling city, too bad we had just 3 days to discover it. But we had three full days, when we strolled around the city center (with lots of monuments and interesting architecture), we went to the sea-side (too bad it was too cold for a swim), we had our portion of leisure at Oceanografico and had an insight on Spanish classic music at Palace of Music. At night, the city is quite different, with lots of teenagers on bikes or on foot strolling up and down the streets and sqares, (some of them are of interest, though, for hanging out - we liked Calle Caballeros and Plaza de la Virgen the most). From what we\'ve seen, Valencians don\'t put a big accent on pubs design (in Barrio del Carmen, for example). Pubs had a strange schedule, for example we ate Friday night at a terrace near St Catalina Tower, but the terrace was closed on Saturday and Sunday! On the other hand, a chocolaterie was closed on Friday, but open on Sat & Su. If you want to buy food or souvenirs on Sundays, hurry up, because most shops are open until 2 pm, and they don\'t open again in the evening. On the other days of the week, they close around 2 or 4 pm for siesta and open in the evening. It\'s flexible, depending on the owner, I think. It\'s smth relaxed about this city that I liked, and it was very pleasant to linger at a terrance in the night and drink a beer. About eating, I can\'t say too much because we ended up eating mostly sandwiches from the Central Market or pastry-shops. But there were nice-looking restaurants advertising menus with local food around 8 Euros. We tried eating at La Pepica (near paseo maritimo) but, being Sunday at noon, it was overbooked! So we ended up eating at an Indian restaurant on Av. del Puerto (buffet for only 10 Euros). The weather was gorgeous on November, around 20 degrees during the day and just a little bit chilly during the night. close

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by emacojocaru5343 – posted on Nov 9, 2007

1

I first visited Valencia in the early 90’s to study Spanish for a few months and have been looking forward since then to returning for a holiday. The city has a good mix of cultural attractions, restaurants and nightlife. The best time of year to visit is at the end of March for the city’s...more I first visited Valencia in the early 90’s to study Spanish for a few months and have been looking forward since then to returning for a holiday. The city has a good mix of cultural attractions, restaurants and nightlife. The best time of year to visit is at the end of March for the city’s annual festival – Las Fallas. But, be warned, the city fills up with tourists around then, so you can expect crowds around the main attractions and also to pay more for hotel rooms. On this visit, I decided to take in some sights that I didn’t get to visit the first time around. I bought a small Sat-Nav with a pedestrian mode and found it a great help in exploring the city, as I could simply walk to my destinations without constantly checking paper maps or getting lost. The people of Valencia are generally friendly and helpful. However, even younger people working in tourist-oriented businesses seem to speak very little English. Learning some Spanish phrases before visiting is definitely recommended. Even then, some persistence and pointing is needed; I found that “Coca-Cola” posed a problem for more than one waitress! This contrasts with my experience of Portugal, where the locals make a real effort to communicate with visitors, and are even more enthusiastic if you make an effort to speak their language. The old part of Valencia (Barrio del Carmen) is definitely worth a visit. It contains buildings dating to Roman and Arabic times. There are also quite a few good bars and restaurants in this area. Coming from Dublin, I noted the streets there to be very clean and tidy – the people of Valencia are justifiably proud of their city. At the other end of the spectrum is the ‘city’ of arts and science. This is a complex of futurist buildings comprising the Palace of Arts, the Príncipe Felipe Museum of Science, L'Hemisfèric, and the Oceanographic Park. The Oceanographic Park (l'Oceanografic) alone is worth a visit to see its collection of marine species in carefully reproduced habitats.close

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by Sean – posted on Oct 5, 2007

19

There are numerous places to enjoy the wonderful weather with outdoor activities. Valencia is pretty big (the third largest city in Spain) and it has numerous parks and gardens, they’re great to relax and enjoy the sunshine. Don’t miss Santiago Calatrava’s “Ciudad de Las Artes y Las...more There are numerous places to enjoy the wonderful weather with outdoor activities. Valencia is pretty big (the third largest city in Spain) and it has numerous parks and gardens, they’re great to relax and enjoy the sunshine. Don’t miss Santiago Calatrava’s “Ciudad de Las Artes y Las Ciencias”, the Lonja, Plaza de Toros, Plaza de La Virgen, Mercado Central.close

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by Antonio3 – posted on Aug 30, 2007

38

I absolutely adore Valencia, it is my favourite Spanish city. With plenty of culture, one of the things you notice is how Spanish it is, the cuisine is excellent and wine is cheap. The beach is only a few minutes by bus and is beautiful.

There is a river that was turned into a park that...more I absolutely adore Valencia, it is my favourite Spanish city. With plenty of culture, one of the things you notice is how Spanish it is, the cuisine is excellent and wine is cheap. The beach is only a few minutes by bus and is beautiful.

There is a river that was turned into a park that is great for a walk and leads up to the Science centre, I know it might sound geeky but it is an amazing building.close

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by amy – posted on May 1, 2007

69

Valencia is a beautiful first-class city and is the 3rd largest city in Spain. It is very elegant, clean and has tons of beautiful historical sites. In addition to the city's rich cultural heritage and also has the largest aquarium in Europe, which has many different marine habitats and shows,...more Valencia is a beautiful first-class city and is the 3rd largest city in Spain. It is very elegant, clean and has tons of beautiful historical sites. In addition to the city's rich cultural heritage and also has the largest aquarium in Europe, which has many different marine habitats and shows, like Seaworld. The water is warm and the beach is very clean. If you like nightlife, there are plenty of good clubs, bars & cafes to go to. The city is also rich in culture and you have your choice of a wealth of museums, or performing arts performancesclose

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by Sonia – posted on May 1, 2007

74

Valecnia is just one of those cities that has it all, great culture, cheap places to eat out , drink and party, old cobbled streets, cheap shopping, especially Zara! Its also only about 10 minutes from the beach. There is a cool walk along what was once the riverbed that brings you to the...more Valecnia is just one of those cities that has it all, great culture, cheap places to eat out , drink and party, old cobbled streets, cheap shopping, especially Zara! Its also only about 10 minutes from the beach. There is a cool walk along what was once the riverbed that brings you to the fantastically futuristic aquarium and museum.close

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by Carmel – posted on May 1, 2007

59

I loved valencia. It's a city which is great for tourists, but it demands that you immerse yourself in the culture by havaing to grasp a command of spanish, unlike other spanish locations. The winding streets, many parks and plazas, churches, turia park and the beach offer a great cultural...more I loved valencia. It's a city which is great for tourists, but it demands that you immerse yourself in the culture by havaing to grasp a command of spanish, unlike other spanish locations. The winding streets, many parks and plazas, churches, turia park and the beach offer a great cultural escape for those travelling on a shoestring. There are countless resteraunts, my favourite being 'Boing Boing' just around the corner from Plaza Tetuan. And nightlife is next to none.close

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by ndf100 – posted on Apr 5, 2007

8

Well, Valencia was really enjoyable for my part as well as the group of 6 that we were! The city is full of charm, architecture history definitly noticeable, beautifull under the sun, of that i am certain ;) Thumbs up! The central market is amazing, a gourmet culture greatly developped, the beach...more Well, Valencia was really enjoyable for my part as well as the group of 6 that we were! The city is full of charm, architecture history definitly noticeable, beautifull under the sun, of that i am certain ;) Thumbs up! The central market is amazing, a gourmet culture greatly developped, the beach beautifull and the palm trees very big :). The only unfortunate part is the rain we experienced most 6 days out of 7, for easter holidays! This was unfortunate since it is suppose to be 86% sunny there, but still made the most of it! You can get the feel for Spain that is for sure. The people there have been helpful and very nice, but becareful at your bags at all times, theft seems frequent.... a pore french girl experienced it and this kindda ruined her holidays! However, i do recommend the Home Hostel in Plazza de Vincente Iborra... great value for money, and friendly helpful staff! A lovely experienced as whole.... So enjoy ;)close

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by flofox-20004408 – posted on Apr 5, 2007

2