Madrid or Valencia for a city break

[Ursualesther]

Would love some thoughts from those who have been to both?

next spring with a 14 year old and an 11 year old. Both used to city breaks and enjoy walking.

Huge thanks

Hopeful bump

Not been to Valencia but we did a city break to madrid last year (similar aged kids) and it was ok but not amazing - there’s quite a lot to do but it’s not very beautiful! I think Valencia sounds more interesting to wander around, I’ve heard it’s really beautiful.
I know you didn’t ask, but Barcelona is amazing if you haven’t been there - best of everything - culture, beaches, shops and much prettier than madrid.

Valencia is amazing! Especially for kids of that age. There’s tons of great stuff to do - the Bio park, science centre, aquarium. The old town is beautiful. And there’s a lovely beach.

I’ve been to both. It depends what you want to do.
Madrid can be very chilly, as it’s quite high, but the art galleries, shops etc are fabulous. (Prato, Reina Sofia etc).
Valencia has a beach, a lovely old centre with a beautiful cathedral, and the amazing City of Arts and Sciences. Great for hiring bikes.
I’d choose Valencia.

*Prado.

How long are you going for? The old town in Valencia is quite small and it will be too cold in spring to go to the beach.

Madrid can be lovely for walking around in spring. It's too hot in summer!

Late March

m not bothered about beach

Do you have any recommendations of central areas to stay? Thanks

I'd do Madrid with a teen, Valencia with a younger child. Both are fabulous, but there's a bigger variety of things to do in Madrid in my experience. One of my favourite cities and you find something new every time. I also find it more authentically Spanish than the coastal cities. Valencia is great too though.

Because we do love the sun… I’m thinking Valencia in spring.

and even though 14, a young 14 year old at that!

any recs for areas to stay? We like as central as possible.

sorry it’s the op here btw!

I have been to both a few times.

Madrid is great for nightlife and museums. The Prado in particular is amazing (din't try and do it all in one visit - it WILL defeat you).

I think perhaps Valencia might be better with young teens. There is the beach, the modern city if arts and sciences complex with an Aquarium. The historic old town which is very walkable and easy to navigate, the linear Turia park has attractions like tourist bikes.

If either of the children are in to football the tour of the stadium is also interesting.

Valencia was great last summer (though fearfully hot in August)
we topped and tailed our holiday with it with a villa in the middle. In terms of where to stay - the first couple of days we had there we were in an air bnb apartment in the old town just round the corner from the cathedral which was lovely. It’s a bit of a walk or a short cycle/public transport down to the amazing old river bed park where the arts and sciences centre is.
But loved being right there with all the old town and restaurants etc.

second part of the trip was in a different Airbnb apartment right opposite the riverbed park which was also lovely so only 10 mins walk to the science museum etc.

I think on balance with slightly older kids I’d go for the old town but hire bikes one day and spend the day in the riverbed park/arts and sciences part.

This is where we stayed in the old town. Was bijou but lovely period features and great location

www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/7096025?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=c05944e6-c57f-4d6a-a9f9-95a8517cd761

In terms of weather currently it is low twenties and sunny un Valencia - perfect weather for walking around the city, perhaps a little on the chilly side for sea swimming but fine for a stroll on the beach or eating outside.

Last time I went to Valencia it was in early November and it was still warm enough to walk around in jeans and a t shirt and sit outside, although tights and a jacket were needed in the evening.

The train connections are good so you could take a slightly longer break and travel between the two cities by train.

In terms of where to stay, the old town is in the centre of things. There are some reasonable three star and hostel style hotels as well as fancier ones.

There are cheaper chain hotels out in the modern development by the City of Arts and Sciences but you will have a little bit of a walk back in to town which is a nice stroll through the Turia gardens in the day but not really recommended at night (there are also plentiful taxis that can be hailed in the street and decent metro link)

Thanks all so much

How does Valencia compare with Seville?

went last year and utterly adored

Umm - a bit different but still great.

I found the food culture in Seville was better - Valencia is more about paella than tapas. Seville feels more "traditionally Spanish" maybe it is flamenco bars etc...

Seville is also a lot warmer (uncomfortably so in the summer!) But both are amazing. Seville was our last holiday befoe lockdown and I still think of it very fondly.

Both compact?

not bothered about food or beach.
for us it’s about three days of sight seeing and exploring. We don’t want to use public transport. We love to walk and We used e scooters in other cities and that was great.

Seville was perfect. I want to go back but feel we should try elsewhere!

If you loved Seville, have you thought about Granada? The Alhambra is majestic and the white-walled old town is beautiful.

I went to Valencia in February once and it hit the high twenties. Lovely place. Great food markets. Bike hire and cycling along the park/river.

Granada!! I’d not thought about that.

how differs to Valencia?

Valencia!

You much preferred to Granada?