Enzo In August 2019 I visited Valencia with a friend of mine. During this city trip I experienced many pluses and minuses of the city and I would like to share these with you!
Let’s start with the pros:
For me, a city trip starts when I arrive at the airport. In this case it was Brussels Zaventem airport. At 7 o’clock in the morning our flight left for Valencia and we arrived here as planned, 2 hours after departure. This short flight distance is certainly a plus.
When we arrived at the airport, we first collected our bags and then went looking for a taxi. A very good taxi place has been realized in front of the exit of the airport, so that we were already in the taxi to our Airbnb within fifteen minutes. The distance from the airport to the center of Valencia is also great because we arrived at the apartment also within fifteen minutes.
Our Airbnb was located right in the center of Valencia near the cathedral. The apartment was exactly as shown in the pictures and was very much appreciated. From the balcony at the front you had a view over the entire street and even a view of the Cathedral of Valencia.
Click here to see the appartments in Valencia!
There are several options for exploring the city. For example, you can use a hop-on-hop-off bus, rent bicycles or take the metro from one place to another. We chose to approach it in a slightly different way. We rented electric steps. You can rent these for 24 hours, so you can enjoy Valencia all day long. They are easy to drive and give you a lot of freedom so you can go wherever you want.
Via the Jardin del Túria, an almost 10 kilometer long park that winds right through the center of Valencia, you can easily move yourself with the electric steps. Along this park are also places of interest such as the Torres de Serranos. Through this park you also arrive at the well-known ‘Cuidad de las Artes y las Ciencias‘. A real highlight for architecture enthusiasts and very photogenic to take pictures of. The complex was designed by world-famous architect Santiago Calatrava, and consists of six buildings:
- L’Hemisferic
- L’Umbracle
- Museo de la Ciencias Príncipe Felipe
- L’Oceanografic
- Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia
- L’Agora
From here you are also within a few minutes at the beach and you can ride the step on the boulevard. Valencia’s beach is very large and offers enough space for busy summer days. There is room for everyone.
Time to head back to the center. Near the main shopping street is Plaza de Toros, the bullfighting arena. From the outside it resembles the Colosseum in Rome, because this is also what the design is based on. In the neighborhood there are all kinds of streets with nice little restaurants.
From here you can also quickly reach Plaza del Ayuntamiento where beautiful buildings can be admired.
The next day we went to bring the electric steps back to the shop where we rented them and then we went by taxi to Marina Beach Club. For good places at the pool we already made a reservation the day before. This is definitely recommended because these beds are sold out quickly.
Despite the fact that the weather is always good in Valencia, the day started very cloudy. Fortunately, the clouds cleared around 2 o’clock, so we could enjoy the sun and a clear blue sky for the rest of the day.
You will be spoiled all day here with music in the background and a beautiful swimming pool with a sea view. In the evening we went to eat at the restaurant that is located at the beach club and the day ended with a party night. Even if you haven’t been at the beach club all day, you can still get access to the party. For this you have to buy tickets at the box office.
So far, many positive aspects have been mentioned of my city trip to Valencia. But now it’s time to face the less fun things too…
Let’s start with our Airbnb. Here we could only check in from 3 am and then get the keys to the apartment. Unlike at a hotel, unfortunately we couldn’t leave our suitcases here and we were forced to drag all our stuff with us until 3 am.
We didn’t want to carry the suitcases and bags through the center of Valencia, so we decided to go to the beach and have lunch at a restaurant. When we started walking we soon found out that the distance between the center and the beach is very large. That is why we decided to take the metro at the next station. However, when we got off at the last station it was still a long walk to the beach.
Another downside is that if you want to walk to the beach from the center. That you then have to go through the suburbs of Valencia. There are many apartment buildings and narrow streets here, which you should stay away from at certain times.
Then we arrive at the electrosteps. Renting these steps is easy and will take you everywhere you want. However, there is a battery attached to these steps that does not last as long as you think. From the rental point via jardin del Túria to the masterpiece of Calatrava. A distance that would be easy to do according to the landlord. However, when I arrived at Cuidad de las Artes y las Ciencias, my battery was already empty. Charging these steps can be done via a power cable. At several restaurants and cafes I asked if it was possible to charge the step, but unfortunately we were rejected everywhere. So I had to step on my own for the rest of the day.
It is also true that you cannot close the step with a lock and therefore have to keep it with you everywhere. In the apartment we only had a narrow stairwell to our apartment. So we had to lift the steps ourselves 3 floors to keep them safe at night.
Then we arrive at Marina Beach Club. Beach clubs in general already have a high price tag everywhere when it comes to income and consumption. Marina Beach club is certainly no exception. After staying all day at the beach club where we also spent a lot of money on food and drinks. We ended up having to pay again for the entrance to the party. There was also nowhere to find lockers where we could store our stuff and we were therefore forced to first bring all the stuff back to the apartment.
Speaking of nightlife…the clubs in València are also a long way from each other and are often not open during the week. So if you want to go out during your city trip, keep in mind that clubs like MYA (L’Umbracle) are only open from Thursday to Saturday. And don’t forget that entrance fees have to be paid everywhere.
Every city has its pros and cons and can be different for everyone. Sometimes it also depends on factors that you unfortunately have no influence on, such as bad weather or an electric step with a bad battery. Fortunately, I can always put everything into perspective and I certainly enjoyed this city trip!
Hopefully I have been able to give you a good idea of some pros and cons of the city of Valencia. Or if you already have your own experience of this city, please share it with me because I’m very curious what you thought of it!
Safe Travels,
Enzo
