Valencia, your perfect getaway

Yes, you’ve probably already planned to have paella. But what you might not know is that our most well-known dish tastes even better with a sea view. That’s why we recommend the restaurants at Las Arenas beach, with panoramic views of the Mediterranean, or those at the Albufera Natural Park. Wherever you go, you’ll love it!

Start by seeing a resounding mascletà, take a look at some of the 750 monuments that fill the city with satire and humour, enjoy the smell of the flowers brought to the Plaza de la Virgen for the Ofrenda, enjoy a night full of fireworks, concerts and parties, have buñuelos and chocolate for breakfast, and if you’re not too tired, go to a despertà. Those are just some of the things you can do if you visit between the 15^th and 19^th March, are you in?  

Dare to find out where the Valencian "tardeo" comes from. Get ready to party at the best rooftops in the city, have an "Agua de València" in a charming square in the El Carmen neighborhood or in a 16th-century palace, and finish the night dancing to techno, indie, or commercial music until your body can't take any more. And if you get hungry before going to sleep, don't hesitate to order a proper "esmorzaret."

Tradition and avant-garde merge to provide Valencia with an intense commercial life. Treat yourself to an afternoon of shopping in the historic center, El Carmen, Ruzafa, or L'Eixample, and choose from the proposals of major international brands and Valencian designers that are sure to surprise you.

There is no better place to try this popular refreshing drink, as horchata is made from "chufa" (tiger nut), a tuber that is uniquely cultivated in the Valencian orchards. Order it for breakfast or as an afternoon snack, liquid or as a slushie, but pair it with "fartons" for dipping and you will sweeten your day.

Would you like to see Valencia from east to west without passing a single car? Then head to the river! No, it’s not a joke. The old river bed of the Turia has been converted into a leafy 9-kilometre-long garden which connects the Parc de Capçalera with the City of Arts and Sciences. If you go by bike you can discover the fantastic museums, monuments and bridges that the river has to offer.

The best way of getting to know this ecologically valued lagoon is taking a boat trip at sunset. The Albufera Natural Park offers a visual spectacle where the sky blends with the sea and, of course, you’ll be able to take some of the most beautiful photos of your trip.

Grilled cuttlefish, steamed mussels, Serrano ham, clams, “esgarraet”, baby squid, patatas bravas… If it’s already making your mouth water, just wait until you try them! You can start the route at the stalls of Plaza del Mercado, continue past the Lonja steps, the Plaza del Collado, Plaza Negrito and Calle Caballeros, finishing at Plaza de la Virgen.

The most emblematic tower in Valencia is a required visit. You can climb the 207 steps of the spiral staircase and reach the top of the bell tower, where you’ll have an impressive 360º view of the city. You won’t regret it!

Experience the thrill of football (or soccer) in the stadiums of Mestalla and Ciudad de Valencia. From mid-August to early June, you can see the games of Valencia CF and Levante UD and cheer on some of the world's best players. Oe, oe, oe, oeeeeee!    
You can also visit the home of the Valencia Football Club with the  Mestalla Forevertour and discover the history of the team through its trophies, touch the grass with your own hands and feel the thrill of being a professional player.

Listening to chill out music while the sea gently rocks the boat and the sun hits your skin, is an experience that can only be improved with a glass of wine in your hand. Get aboard a catamaran from Mundo Marino and look out over the unbeatable view: the sunset at the Juan Carlos I Marina. What more can you ask?

Cheer on Europe's best basketball players at the Roig Arena. From October to early June, you can take in the games of the top-flight Valencia Basket Club's men's and women's competition. You can get yourself kitted out and buy a souvenir at the Valencia Basket store.