Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, where futuristic buildings – like the set from a sci-fi film – complement the charismatic old quarter.
Take a bite out of Valencia
No visit is complete without indulging in a freshly cooked pan of paella in the city where the dish was born. In the Ruzafa district, Casa Roberto is a favourite haunt, loved by locals since it opened in 1986. Dishes follow the traditional recipes, the decor is simple and the seafood is fresh and cooked to perfection.
Leave Valencia with a delicious souvenir that won’t gather dust on the shelf – an authentic paella recipe. The School of Rice and Valencian Paella (Escuela de Arroces y Paella Valenciana) offers classes, which can be booked online, on how to cook the perfect dish.
Once you have your recipe, head to Mercado Central in the historic centre to stock up on fresh ingredients. Hundreds of stalls line the glass-roofed market selling fresh fish, vegetables, fruits and meat. If you don’t fancy cooking, grab a bite at one of the surrounding al fresco cafes to sample some of the best produce Spain has to offer.
Step into science fiction
Ever wondered what the future will look like? Step into the City of Arts and Sciences (Cuidad de las Artes y las Cièncias) in the centre of Valencia for a space-age daydream. This expanse of shimmering buildings and gleaming metal arches holds a number of delights for all the family.
You’ll be amazed by interactive exhibitions at the Science Museum, where virtual reality recreates the age of dinosaurs. Then take a glimpse under the sea at the largest aquarium in Europe at the Oceanogràfic, home to one of the world’s biggest dolphinariums.
Watch a gripping 3D film in IMAX perfection at the Hemisfèric, a building shaped like an eye, and stroll along a palm-lined park with panoramic views inside the gigantic glass Umbracle. You’ll also find the parking lot for the complex here.
Travel back in time
Meander through Valencia’s old quarter where ancient streets meet medieval plazas and Crusader castle gateways straddle the cobbles. Pause in Plaza de la Virgen, where a cathedral with an intricate rose window commands attention.
Journey back to the days of the Silk Road by visiting La Lonja de la Seda. This old silk exchange is reminiscent of the days of souks and merchants, with ornate stained-glass windows, spiralling columns, stone gargoyles and vaulted ceilings adorning this piece of history.
Explore the area around Valencia
Just 10km from the city, drive to Albufera National Park for a natural escape. Take a romantic boat trip on the park’s serene lake at sunset and admire the region’s flora and fauna.
The Roman city of Sagunto makes for a perfect day trip from Valencia. Its history stretches back more than 2,000, and its hilltop fortress, winding streets and crumbling walls are begging to be explored.
Head back into Valencia once the sun sets and the old quarter comes to life. Grab dinner at an al fresco restaurant in the atmospheric plazas and time-worn streets, before planning another authentic Spanish adventure in your rental car.
Discover it all with car rental in Valencia from Hertz.
