Anyone been to Valencia?

[Paellasun]

DP and I (no kids) have a trip booked week after next. Has anyone been and has recommendations for things to do, restaurants, beaches and general areas to wander? Not massive fish eaters but keen to try some of the paella!

We’ll be there 5 nights so if there’s a day trip you’d recommend (public transport, no car) that would be great too!

We’ll be there for a few days of Las Fallas and not sure what to expect!

Thanks!

I love Valencia, been 4 times. The old town is lovely, if you like steak go to Gordon 10, Calle del conde de altea- the BEST steak I've ever had (we've been back a few times)

The market is a must see, there's loads of lovely squares where you can get a cheap beer and a plate full of ham and cheese

Mmm I’m definitely excited about plates of ham and cheese! Thanks

Great tips thank you! I’d looked up Mercabanyal, it looks good!

@Paellasun Thanks for starting this thread. I was just about to book flights for May but thought I'd check out what MNetters had to say about Valencia first. It sounds fabulous so very much looking forward to it. Enjoy your trip !

What a great thread!

any air bnb recommendations?

Not interested in beach. Spring. One tween and one teen. Long weekend. Happy for long walks and I speak decent Spanish. Don’t want to use any public transport, just legs!

Thank you

We booked last minute so didn’t have much ,
choice of accommodation and the place we booked has only one bed so wouldn’t fit your requirements but there was quite a few decently priced. A walk to the science park was good! And I know not interested in beach but you could walk down to the coast and walk up and down there.
really recommend the area by Albufera, lots of walking. You have to get a bus (or cycle, or car) but it’s really worth it if you like nature and walks. We went on a boat trip around sunset which was beautiful

op did you go? what do you recommend? going shortly!

We stayed recently at Hostal Tartessos. Basic but super central, we just had bedroom and bathroom, not sure if they had other apartments with more Airbnb type facilities. We were super close to Xativa- metro straight from airport and to beach. And the main square. Central market a five minute walk and main train station two if you wanted to go on trips. Also a really excellent icecream store around the corner: Luccianos. I was solo with kids so didn't manage everything I wanted to see but they really enjoyed the atmosphere at the beach (brass bands playing nirvana covers etc..) and eating near the market. The aquarium was a MASSIVE hit and the science museum good- but they were tired by then. Food very reasonable I thought, as was the wine/ agua de valencia. Chinese restaurants by the main station even cheaper. Walking along the Turia park was as lovely as I had remembered. Hope that you have a brilliant time.

Sorry just seen you said no public transport rather than only public transport. Where we stayed- just off Plaza de Ayuntamiento- probably perfect for you as buzzing late into night and from early morning so felt safe to walk out any time and could reach everywhere by walking pretty much.

We stayed near the Portes de Serranos and walked to most places - everywhere in the old city certainly, also the botanic gardens and the arts museum.

We did take the tram down to the beach and walked back to the science park (which tbf was quite a long way!) We got the bus back from there as we were pretty tired by then. With google, small change and the ticket machines that take contactless, public transport is pretty easy if your legs do get tired.

Also bike hire shops everywhere!