Valencia for veggies

Good morning guys, how are you? Have we missed each other a bit? Yes, I definitely missed you. Although this little week of vacation secretly came in very handy. Something about recharging the battery, neglecting the laptop for a week, and cuddling with my boyfriend. And where better to do that than in one of the most beautiful city/beach cities of Spain? Let's go to Valencia, baby.

I've been to Valencia once before for a press trip, but that was a wine trip (read: two days tipsy), so to say that I remember much of it: not really. Time for a do-over with the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, or: the city of Arts and Sciences. The nice thing about Valencia? The city doesn't have any real world-famous big highlights where tourists sprint to with their selfie sticks. Maybe that's the best thing about the city; everything is possible, everything is allowed, you ‘must’ do nothing. But there are definitely nice spots. And this is what you want to do if you're a Valencia virgin:

Beach, please

In principle, you could explore Valencia in about three/four days, but we opted for a lot of lounging on the beach, so in that case, a week is perfect. The city has three beaches: Las Arenas, La Malvarrosa, and La Patacona. The beaches technically flow into each other, starting with the most popular and beautiful beach, Las Arenas. The beach by the harbor is incredibly wide, 1200 meters long, and you can find everything you need for a day of sand lounging: showers, toilets, massage huts, and countless restaurants along the boulevard. Drive a bit further and you arrive at La Malvarrosa (just a bit less wide, just as nice to lie on) and finally the quieter La Patacona, where mainly the locals hang out.

Do: rent bikes

Did you think there was a lot of cycling in Amsterdam? Ha, in Valencia they love it too. It's the ideal way to quickly explore the city (especially bike through the Turia park towards the beach), getting a tan while riding and being nice and mobile. Instead of the tourist bikes you can grab from the racks everywhere, I would rather look for a bike shop, so you end up with a decent model. Check if there's a Solution Bike, Baja Bikes Valencia, or Doyoubike near your hotel and you're good.

Do: get a tourist card

If you're as much of a discount junkie as I am, then you want this. The Valencia Tourist Card can be booked for 24, 48, or 72 hours and you get discounts at numerous good restaurants, shops, and museums. Additionally, you can travel for free on public transport and at some restaurants, they welcome you with open arms and a glass of cava with a pincho when you show the card. Especially nice for the first few days when you're still getting your bearings in the city. Instagram-worthy buildings you encounter in the city include Torres de Serranos, the Cathedral of Valencia, Iglesia de San Martín, or the Museo de Bellas Artes.

Walking at Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències

You probably know this cultural-scientific complex from the photos. The futuristic buildings in this complex are in total contrast to the architecture of the old city, making a visit particularly special. The white buildings combined with the bright blue water and the fountains are very Instagram worthy if you ask me. You can visit the museum, go to the cinema, stroll around a bit, and in the evening, definitely drink cocktails at the trendy nightclub L’Umbracle.

Ultimate relaxation in the spa of Hotel Balneario Las Arenas

Honestly, this is the wet dream of every luxury lover. I jokingly checked how much it would cost to stay a week in this hotel, and for the same money, you could travel around Thailand for two months, no kidding. If you still want to experience the vibe of this posh five-star hotel by the beach (I get it), just book a day at the spa. Massages, an aromatherapy shower, pools with special effects, sauna sessions, an ice fountain, and ending up in the jacuzzi while spinning and snorting. Sounds great. If you really have money to spend, book a ballroom of a hotel room and give me a call, deal? My inflatable banana and I will fly right over.

Spotting sharks at L’Oceanogràfic

A cloudy afternoon and looking for an indoor activity? Then head to the largest aquarium in Europe. The price for a ticket is quite steep (35 euros), but if you're fascinated by the underwater world, it's definitely worth it. Even better: in the evening you can dine among the fish in the underwater restaurant.

Shopping at Mercado Central

Yeah right, you're not going to tell me you're going to Valencia and not stop by the famous market. The foodies among us definitely don't want to miss this. You'll find hundreds of stalls with local and regional delicacies. If you want to have a cheap lunch: this is the place to be. Sandwiches with delicious pata negra or Ibérico for a euro, it’s all possible.

Chilling at Marina Beach Club

In Valencia, there aren't many hotels with awesome pools. If you're tired of the sand and want to do something ultra-hip à la Ibiza style, then head to Marina Beach Club. In the evening, you can party hard at this hotspot on the beach, and during the day you can leisurely sip your cocktail from your beach bed. The concept? You pay 50 euros for access to the infinity pool, an immense chill round white bed where you can lie all day, and you also get 30 euros worth of food and drinks throughout the day. Be sure to stick around for dinner in the evening, because the sushi is out of this world.

Shit. But. But. There's still so much more to tell from the tapas tiger in me. Ah fuck it, you know what? Tomorrow part 2 with all the super nice spots you must visit for the best beach lunch, sangria, paella, and pinchos. ¡Hasta mañana!