Recently the family and I spent a week in Spain in a little town an hour south of Valencia, so we did a day trip to the city one day to soak up the beautiful architecture and eat paella!
There isn’t a huge amount to actually do in Valencia, it’s more a place to wander around staring up at the buildings and visiting the stunning churches to escape the heat.
It’s such a pretty city though that I just had to share our day trip with you all!
Horchata at Valencia Central Market
We parked in one of the many underground car parks in the centre of the city and then walked the short distance up to the Central Market for their famous Horchata drink at La Huertana, which is a refreshing drink made from tiger nuts.
It pretty much tastes like any other nut based drink, but is apparently something you ‘have’ to try when in Valencia, so make sure you get one!
The Central Market is a paradise for food lovers and one of the city’s most vibrant spots.
This stunning building, with its towering iron structure, stained-glass windows, and colorful tiled domes (check out my photo below!), is an architectural marvel in itself.
But it’s what’s inside that’s truly special.
From the freshest local produce and fragrant spices to rows of cured meats, cheeses, and seafood straight from the Mediterranean, every corner is packed with the best flavors of Valencia.
Grab some jamón, a wedge of local cheese, or a fresh juice and take it all in – it’s a total feast for the senses and a taste of authentic Valencian life!
Iglesia de Santa Catalina Tower
After trying a cup of Horchata we then made our way up to Valencia Cathedral via the smaller church of Iglesia de Santa Catalina, just a stone’s throw from Plaza de la Reina, which has a stunning Baroque bell tower.
At Iglesia de Santa Catalina we climbed the hundreds of steps to the top of the bell tower were we could see the entire city from above!
Built in the late 17th century, its intricate details and hexagonal design are a feast for the eyes, and if you’re up for a bit of a climb, the views from the top are worth every one of those narrow spiral steps.
It was sooo beautiful and I’d 100% recommend doing this when you’re in Valencia.
Valencia Cathedral
Valencia Cathedral itself was absolutely STUNNING, so so beautiful. It really is an absolute must-see while exploring the city’s historic center.
Nestled between Plaza de la Reina and Plaza de la Virgen, this stunning cathedral is a blend of Gothic, Baroque, and Romanesque styles, making it a true architectural treasure.
But let’s be honest, most people come here for one reason – the Holy Grail!
Valencia Cathedral is really important to us Catholics as it is supposedly where the Holy Grail – which is the cup/vessel that Jesus drank from at the Last Supper, and which Joseph of Arimathea used to catch Christ’s blood at the Crucifixion – is located.
Yep, that’s right.
Tucked away in one of the chapels, you’ll find what many believe to be the actual chalice used by Jesus at the Last Supper.
Even if you’re not religious, it’s hard not to be captivated by the cathedral’s soaring arches, ornate altars, and, of course, the chance to climb the famous Miguelete Tower for jaw-dropping views over the city.
Whether you’re here for the history, the architecture, or just the views, Valencia Cathedral is an experience you won’t want to miss!
We spent ages just walking around the cathedral staring at every detail and chapel.
You can see it in a side chapel behind protected glass, which was pretty mind-blowing and very surreal.
Plaza de la Virgen
Next on the list was lunch, and enroute we stumbled upon Plaza de la Virgen, which is THE cutest square ever with a fountain and beautiful buildings and cafes.
On one side, you’ve got the Fuente del Turia, a gorgeous fountain symbolizing the Turia River with Neptune casually reclining in the center. This is a perfect spot for a photo!
Then, if you wander over to the other end, you’ll find the Apostle Doors leading into the Cathedral, with beautiful carvings of the 12 apostles.
Fun fact: every Thursday at noon, the Water Tribunal gathers here, keeping alive one of Europe’s oldest legal traditions!
Just beyond those doors, you’ll catch a glimpse of the Miguelete tower.
And then if you head to the other side of the square, you’ll stumble upon Calle Caballeros, the gateway to the bustling Barrio del Carmen which is packed with bars and cafes.
This actually ended up being one of my favourite places in Valencia, it was just so beautiful and full of the most incredible architecture!
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| Dress: GAP // Shoes: Slydes // Bag: Primarni // Sunnies: M&S |
Famous Paella from La Cigrona
But.
We were on the hunt for the world-famous paella from a specific restaurant that was on the wikipaella.org website (which lists the only restaurants in Spain to provide certified authentic Paella), called La Cigrona.
Sadly when we arrived we discovered it was reservations only (boooo), so we ended up in some random tourist restaurant, which made me sad.
So, if you go to Valencia, book in advance for La Cigrona!
After lunch we walked down to Hard Rock Cafe so my brother could get his drumsticks (he’s a drummer and has collected drumsticks from Hard Rock Cafe’s around the world since he was a kid), and then walked back to the car.
It was a stinking hot day in the high 30s and we were all pretty exhausted, so we decided to drive to the City of Arts and Sciences then head back to Moraira where the villa was.
The City of Arts and Sciences
The City of Arts and Sciences was absolutely beautiful, and I wish we could have spent more time there.
It’s a scientific and cultural leisure complex, and is the most important modern tourist destination in the city of Valencia and one of the 12 Treasures of Spain.
Designed in the 90s by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, we found it was just so photogenic and the gardens are stunning!
It’s a beautiful place to just wander, relax, and enjoy the nature and trees in the gardens.
We had a lovely day in Valencia, and although I’m disappointed we didn’t have enough time to see the beach, we got a really good feel for the city and I don’t think you need more than a weekend there to see it all.
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Catherine Lux is a veteran travel blogger by night and the Head of Content Marketing at Amazon by day. Originally from Surrey, she spent four years living in Australia (2007-2009, and 2016-2018), and now lives in London. An ex-party girl sometimes prone to relapses, she loves nothing more than sharing her fine dining and luxury travel experiences with her loyal readers.
