Valencia

Valencia stands out among Spanish cities. It blends futuristic marvels and ancient, winding streets, all wrapped up in a super relaxed, coastal vibe. It's the kind of place where you can feel the history in the old town, then bike through a park that used to be a river, and end up at a sprawling beach. It's less frantic than Barcelona but with just as much to offer.

Valencia is a fantastic choice if you want a bit of everything without the overwhelming crowds of Spain's bigger cities. For me, the food is a primary draw – this is the birthplace of paella, and locals take it seriously. The architecture is just wild; you have the mind-bending City of Arts and Sciences complex on one end and a stunning Gothic Silk Exchange in the other. A highlight is the Turia Gardens, a massive, nine-kilometer-long park sunk into a former riverbed that cuts through the city. It’s the city's green lung and a perfect way to get around. Plus, you've got legitimate city beaches just a short bus or tram ride away. It feels more manageable and authentic here.

Valencians are generally super friendly and a bit more laid-back than people in Madrid or Barcelona. There's a strong sense of regional pride. You'll hear both Spanish and Valencian (a dialect of Catalan) spoken, and you'll see it on the street signs. In the main tourist areas, English is widely understood, but learning a few phrases in Spanish like "hola" and "gracias" goes a long way and is always appreciated. Life seems to move at a slightly slower pace here, especially once you get out of the absolute center of the old town.

The food here is incredible and a huge reason for many tourists to visit. You absolutely have to eat Paella Valenciana. The authentic version is made with chicken, rabbit, and beans – not seafood! Another must-try is Horchata de Chufa, a refreshing sweet drink made from tiger nuts, which is best for dipping fartons (sweet breadsticks). The Mercado Central is an absolute paradise for food lovers; it’s one of Europe’s oldest and largest food markets, and the building itself is a modernist masterpiece. You can grab a fantastic tapas lunch at Central Bar inside. For dinner, expect to eat late, usually after 9 PM. A meal at a mid-range restaurant can cost around €18-€30 per person.

Valencia is a breeze to get around. The public transport system, with its metro and buses, is efficient and covers all the key areas, including the airport and the beach. The city center is incredibly walkable. Internet is fast and reliable in most cafes and accommodations. Most places have air conditioning, which is an absolute lifesaver in the summer. While it's a modern city, you'll still find charming old buildings that might not have elevators, so keep that in mind when booking a place to stay. The city is generally very well-maintained and clean.

You'll almost certainly fly into Valencia Airport (VLC), also known as Manises Airport. Getting into the city is super easy and cheap. You can use the metro; lines 3 and 5 go directly from the airport terminal to Xàtiva or Colón stations in the city center in about 20-25 minutes. A single ticket from the airport costs €4.80, plus €1 for a new rechargeable card. Taxis are also readily available just outside arrivals and will run you about €23-€25 to the center during the day, plus a €5.40 airport supplement. Expect slightly higher rates at night or on weekends.

Valencia is a walking city, especially the entire Ciutat Vella. For longer distances, public transport is great. You can get a SUMA card, which is a rechargeable card you can use on the metro, buses, and trams. A 10-journey SUMA 10 card for Zone A (which covers the whole city) costs €8.00 (plus €1-€2 for the card itself). Note that a temporary 40% discount on the base fare of the SUMA 10 for Zone A is expected to remain until December 2025, bringing the cost of the journeys down to €4.80. The metro is fast for getting to the beach or airport, while the bus network is more extensive for getting between neighborhoods. Valencia also has a fantastic bike-sharing system called Valenbisi, and with the flat terrain and the huge Turia Gardens, it's a brilliant way to explore.

Valencia is generally very safe, even for solo travelers at night. The main thing to be aware of, like in any major European city, is pickpocketing. It’s most common in crowded tourist hotspots like the Central Market, Plaza de la Reina, and on public transport. Just keep your wits about you, don't leave your phone on a cafe table, and keep your bag zipped. Be particularly wary of distraction techniques, where groups may try to divert your attention before snatching valuables. Violent crime is low. It’s a refreshingly safe and relaxed city overall.