Valencia in Threes- Top things to do, eat and drink

ellenday2002
Aug 13
5 min read

Updated: Aug 14

Valencia is a vibrant, exciting and charming city, perfect for foodies like me! I've created a mini guide to help navigate some of my favourite spots to visit and eat at so you can enjoy visiting as much as I did.

Three things to do:

Walk through Jardín del Turia (Turia Gardens).

This park runs through the city, providing 9km of lush green areas and running and cycling tracks. Watch life go by, taking a break from the hot sun while sitting in the shade provided by one of the many trees. Here you’ll see locals having picnics, wandering and catching up with friends and taking part in some pretty fun looking dance and exercise classes (join in if you’re brave!).

Wander around the Mercat Central de Valencia

A must visit for foodies, where you can wander through the many aisles of vibrant fruit stalls selling an array of local produce as well as refreshing juices and smoothies, jamon stalls boasting all the different types of cured meat you could imagine and deli style vendors where the olive selections are vast and delicious, with variations for everyone!

Cycle to Malvarrosa beach

From the city centre you can take the scenic route through the aforementioned Jardín del Turia and end up at Malvarrosa beach. For those wanting a drink or something to snack on, the bars/cafes on the promenade provide you with just that. The beach stretches a long way, providing lots of space to bask in the sun, book in hand or earphones blasting Beele. A great place to relax and let the coastal wind cool you down. When you’re ready, take a dip in the sea to cool off even more, although beware of little jellyfish swimming below you!

Three coffee shops to try:

Blackbird:

The most magnificent display of baked goods is always seen here- from cookies to cinnamon buns to savoury items. Pair that with a wonderful coffee or freshly squeezed orange juice (or both) and happiness is guaranteed. We came here a few times over the trip because it was too hard to resist.

Los Picos:

Located in Russafa just like Blackbird with a small indoor area and a larger outdoor space, with tables dotted around an area of the square nearby a park. The flat white never disappoints and their sandwiches are top-notch. Their Cubano made with salty serrano ham and tender pork is frequently in my dreams.

Coffee and Bikes Specialty Coffee Valencia:

Takeaway only but luckily you’ll be nearby Park Turia or can enjoy it while walking through some picturesque Valencian streets. The iced latte was a saving grace on a hot day.

Three must-try restaurants:

L’alqueria del Boro:

Possibly the best meal of my life was eaten here. The whole experience is what places it so high in my rankings, with the beautiful location, lovely staff and of course it’s incredible food making it an unforgettable day. It was a hot day, so being outside but under shade was perfect and hydration in the form of a refreshing white sangria was ideal. Fresh bread comes first alongside a range of starters- I’m talking cured meats, nutty Manchego, tomato, onion and olive salad, mussels and the unsung hero of smoked almonds (truly addictive!). Then the main event- paella with perfectly cooked chicken, juicy and flavourful rabbit meat and sweet, charred artichokes. Second helpings are offered if you can manage. If you can’t, you move onto dessert- sweet fortified wine with lemony almond cakes and dark chocolate buttons. For a set price of €40 you leave with a full stomach and a full heart.

Pez Tortilla:

A good tortilla is hard to find in England, as hard as I’ve tried. Pez does the classic so well- creating a runny, flavourful tortilla with onion (I am, and will always be, on team Con Cebolla). Mopping up the remnants with a piece of bread is one of my greatest joys. For the more adventurous tortilla tryers, their other flavours of chistorra (a smoky, garlicky cured-sausage) and green peppers or goats cheese and caramelised onion are certainly worth a try.

Wine Gallery:

This place gets pretty busy and I can see why. The great range of tasty and well-priced wines makes you realise why they are named as such. The food also delivers on taste and value with a cheese board being a highlight. Creamy brie, a mild but delicious blue cheese and a creamy mahon-style cheese, amongst others, as well as sweet quince, breadsticks and grapes starting off this meal very well. Tortilla with sobresada and honey followed along with some garlicky and slightly spicy prawns. Great wine, food and vibes- what more could you want?

Three foods/drinks to try while here:

Paella

It’s a no brainer to try a paella in it’s birthplace. Paella Valenciano traditionally has chicken, rabbit, green beans and occasionally snails. There’s a reason why it’s so popular!

Bumblebee coffee

Mixing coffee and orange juice sounds strange and I’ll admit that I was sceptical at first. But it’s delicious, with the sweet citrus notes of the orange juice being what you taste first, followed by nutty and chocolate notes from the coffee. It’s different, but in the best way.

White Vermouth

I probably had a few too many of these on this trip but no regrets. Sipping a cold, sweet white vermouth while chatting with my friends was one of the happiest moments. It’s refreshing, delicious and tends to be pretty cheap too (plus the feeling of getting a free couple of olives in your drink is unmatched!)

An underrated food to sample:

Gildas

I’d never had these before this trip but now I crave them a lot! Toothpicks are speared with juicy olives, fresh, salty anchovies and spicy guandilla chillies for the perfect snack to enjoy alongside a white vermouth!

Three things not to do (from a Guiri):

Enter the bus by the middle door- you will be shouted at by the bus driver and be made to re-enter from the front door while the whole bus looks on.

Forget to re-apply sun cream- just because the wind cools you down doesn’t mean you’re not still catching rays. Special mention to make sure to re-apply on your feet in particular which apparently so still burn and make putting shoes on afterwards pretty painful.

Forget to look at price of Agua de Valencia cocktails before ordering three each. It’s very tasty but considering sometimes its just gin, vodka and orange juice, €12 seemed slightly expensive! I think I’ll stick to white vermouth!