Valencia is a beautiful city on the east coast of Spain, three hours away from Barcelona and two hours from Alicante. This makes it an accessible and ideally located hub of activity for tourists, backpackers and locals alike. With a population of around 800,000 people, the friendly buzz of this charming city will have you wishing you stayed longer.
From the beautiful sight of the orange trees that line the streets, to creamy horchata in the Central Market, food is a major aspect of the Valencian experience. Here’s some good news: whether you are travelling on a budget or you want to splash out on gastronomy experiences, you can experience the best of Valencian cuisine regardless of how much money you can spend.
Arguably, one of the most important and time-enduring topics that weigh on the mind of the world’s travellers is; where do we eat?! Visit Valencia has an amazingly handy tool which allows you to look through the best restaurants in Valencia, Spain. You’ll discover the finest Michelin star restaurants alongside the traditional and enduring small restaurants.
Keep reading for some key restaurants and events that will help you navigate this unique city with ease!
If you are looking for variety and flavour, look no further than tapas! Tapas and montaditos are an excellent choice for those wishing to experience local food, along with the added benefits of being delicious and often very low cost! A couple of fantastic options in Valencia are La Finestra, Tanto Monta, El Colmado de la Lola and Dulce de Leche, which offer a variety of options for different diets and tastes. You should definitely try to visit at least one of these while you are in Valencia. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
The best holidays combine delicious cheap eats with some unforgettable restaurant experiences. You can definitely find both in Valencia, where local traditional tapas and high-class Spanish fusion cuisine meet, and live side by side in harmony with one another! If you are wondering about the quality of food in any restaurant, locals are more than happy to point you in the right direction. After all, they know the best local restaurants like the back of their hand!
As budget travellers, we know that everything little thing counts when we are trying to save money. If you are staying in hostels, there are more often than not excellent kitchen facilities that you can use to cook up a storm. Shop at local low cost supermarkets to find cheap ingredients to make hearty meals that will fill you up for your busy days sightseeing. If you are travelling on a budget, have a look at some of the best ways to save money on a trip to get some valued inspiration and hit your targets for each week!
‘Mercat Central’ or the Central Market of Valencia, doubles as a treasure-trove of local food and one of the best examples of Valencian Art Nouveau. Covering more than 8,000 square meters, it is one of the biggest markets in Europe. You’ll have no problems finding the best local produce here, whether you are planning a picnic or picking up the ingredients for a homemade paella. Traditional Valencian paella is one of the most beloved and culturally iconic dishes worldwide, so there is no better place to try your hand at one yourself! Here’s a traditional Paella recipe to get your creative cooking juices flowing!
There are lots of unique festivals in Valencia, if you are looking to experience some real Valencian culture. If you are looking for a food-fight, you’ll get one! The Tomatina held in Buñol at the end of August attracts a big crowd for a joyful tomato-throwing extravaganza. The Falles festival in March is held in honour of Saint Joseph, with colourful giants and fireworks galore. Consider your trip dates and which festivals you can fit into your holiday in Valencia.
If you want to see the city but you need a break from walking, think about hiring a bike from one of the many low cost companies around the city. This will not only allow you to see the beauty of Valencia with the wind in your hair, but it will save you much-needed time that you can use to explore the amazing museums on offer, including the Science Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Silk museum. You’ll be burning off all of the extra calories from the amazing food you’re eating every day in Valencia in no time.
All in all, this jam-packed city will leave you with unforgettable memories, along with a belly full of delicious Valencian food! If you do your research, plan your travel route and budget for unplanned expenses such as museum visits or nightclub entry tickets, you can have it all; a low-cost, activity-packed, enjoyable trip to Valencia!