Our trip to Valencia was a bit of a last-minute decision, so we didn’t snag the best deal on flights. We flew out of Trieste, which felt much cozier compared to Venice. Though we had an unusually warm and dry winter at home, the sunny skies and pleasant temperatures of Valencia were still a welcome change.

We chose an Airbnb right across the street from Mercat Central, and the photo below captures the view from our window.

Before we arrived, we arranged for bike rentals, and it turned out to be the perfect way to explore the city. We spent our days biking or walking everywhere, and Valenbisi proved to be a convenient and affordable option.

On our first day, we explored the entire Historic Centre in one go. It’s surprisingly compact and easy to navigate, so we decided to skip detailed sightseeing and simply stroll through the charming streets of the old town. Along the way, we passed landmarks like Mercat Central, Lonja de Seda, Iglesia de Santa Catalina, La Almoina, and Plaza de la Virgen with its stunning Valencia Cathedral. Our walk took us up to Torres de Serranos and through the vibrant El Carmen neighborhood.

For lunch, we stopped at Snack Attack, enjoyed horchata and fartons at the famous Horchatería Santa Catalina, and wrapped up the day with tapas at La Pilareta for dinner. Quite the warm welcome to the city!

We cycled south to Ruzafa, a trendy neighborhood where we instantly fell in love with Dulce de Leche. Their cakes are incredible, and the selection is enormous—it quickly became our go-to coffee spot during our stay.

While exploring, we stumbled upon Parc Central de València by chance and ended up really enjoying it. The park is beautifully maintained and pleasantly uncrowded, offering a peaceful escape from the city's bustle. It was the perfect spot to take a break and recharge.

Ciutat de les Arts
i les Ciències

We soon arrived at the City of Arts and Sciences, parked our Valenbisi bikes, and continued exploring on foot. Calatrava’s work is truly awe-inspiring—everything is grander and more striking in person than any photo can capture.

We particularly enjoyed L'Umbracle, a stunning garden showcasing plant species native to Valencia. The entire complex is a masterpiece of architecture, with the Hemisfèric, Science Museum, Palace of the Arts, Assut de l'Or Bridge, L'Àgora, and Oceanogràfic all seamlessly connected in a breathtaking display of design and creativity.

GOIKO was a delightful surprise, and their burgers quickly earned a spot in my top five. We loved them so much that we had to go back for seconds. I’m pretty picky when it comes to burgers, but these were genuinely outstanding.

Oceanogràfic

A rainy day provided the perfect excuse to visit Europe’s largest oceanarium, home to 45,000 animals from 500 different species—including sharks, penguins, dolphins, sea lions, walruses, and beluga whales. The park is thoughtfully divided into distinct habitats, making it easy to explore.

We took our time exploring the entire area, skipping the dolphinarium since it’s not really our thing. The highlight of the visit was definitely the beluga whales. Since their exhibit is located near the end of the tour, we were among the first to arrive, giving us an up-close experience. We were amazed by how sociable and playful they were, zooming around us and playing with their bands and balls. We could have watched them all day.

Mercat Central

We finally made our way to the neighboring market. The Art Nouveau architecture is impressive in its own right, and the market is brimming with delicious Valencian cuisine. Needless to say, we became frequent visitors after that first trip. I couldn’t resist picking up several packages of jamón ibérico to take home with me.

I spent the rest of the cloudy day exploring El Carmen. I wandered through the vibrant street art scene and climbed the 15th-century Torres de Quart for some moody, gray views. As the rain started to intensify, I decided to call it a day and head back.

Lonja de Seda

One of Valencia’s top attractions is the Silk Exchange, situated just behind Mercat Central. This stunning example of late Gothic architecture was once a bustling center for silk trading and commerce. By chance, we were the first visitors of the day and enjoyed a brief, exclusive look at the building all to ourselves.

Torres de Serranos

Jardí Botànic de la
Universitat de València

After exploring the botanical gardens, we cycled back to Café de las Horas, renowned for its Agua de Valencia. This cocktail, a potent mix of cava, orange juice, vodka, and gin, is said to be the best in town. One pitcher certainly packs a punch!

Torre del Micalet

The Bell Tower of the Catedral de Valencia offers a stunning sunset viewpoint. The climb up the stairs may take some time, but the panoramic views from one of the highest points in the city make it well worth the effort.

Bioparc

One of the week’s absolute highlights was our visit to the zoo, which was truly remarkable. I was captivated by the relaxed and seemingly content demeanor of the animals.

What sets this zoo apart is its immersive approach, designed to blend visitors into the animals' habitats rather than confine the animals. Instead of traditional railings and cages, natural barriers like rivers, ponds, and rocks create a more authentic experience. The zoo also excels in recreating ecosystems, featuring a significant collection of African flora to enhance the environment.

Fujifilm Slovenija generously provided me with the opportunity to test the Fujinon XF 50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR lens, and Bioparc turned out to be the perfect backdrop. The lens is absolutely fantastic!

Russafa

Parc Central
de València

Tyris on tap

Tyris On Tap is a great spot with a wide selection of beers on tap. As Valencia’s first craft brewery, Tyris offers a range of unique brews, and my personal favorite was the Trigo, a refreshing wheat beer.

Another highlight was visiting Torre de Santa Catalina, a charming spiral staircase and viewpoint located not far from Torre del Micalet. After exploring the tower in the morning, we headed to Jardines del Turia, where we spent a relaxing afternoon soaking up the sun.

El Cabanyal

El Cabanyal is a charming and vibrant fishing district known for its colorful tiled façades and distinctive buildings. The area exudes a unique, relaxed vibe and is home to a variety of restaurants. We enjoyed sharing some delicious tapas at La Otra Parte Taberna, adding to the neighborhood’s delightful experience.

Playa de la Malva-Rosa

The beach was bustling with activity—people were playing volleyball, football, strolling, or simply relaxing. We wrapped up the evening by capturing some stunning sunset shots of the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències.

The next morning, we woke up at 4 a.m. and took a Cabify to the airport. Upon landing in Trieste, we were immediately met with temperature checks. The COVID-19 situation had rapidly escalated, with Italy and Spain experiencing significant outbreaks in the weeks that followed.

Valencia is a beautiful city, and we hope to return soon.