If you’re looking for ideas for a short European city break this spring or summer, then Valencia is a great option. This coastal gem is less popular and well known than Barcelona, but is really worth a visit. It boasts a blend of ancient monuments and innovative architecture, lively tapas bars, seaside cafés and golden beaches.
In this post, we share some highlights for a Valencia short break. These come from our free website guide that has more detail on the hotels, restaurants, bars and activities we personally tried and loved.
Stay
Caro Hotel
Caro Hotel is a boutique sanctuary, originally dating back to the 12th century, that manages to merge centuries of history with striking contemporary design. The hotel is centrally located and walking distance to many of the city’s sights and places to drink and dine.
The hotel’s 26 rooms are each unique, reflecting the architectural evolution of this heritage building. Many rooms feature exposed wooden beams, fragments of ancient walls and thoughtfully curated furnishings that exude character and elegance.
Dine
Colmado LaLola
Valencia’s tapas scene is abundant and you are spoilt for choice. Our personal favourite was Colomado LaLola, a modern twist on a traditional Valencian bar. Classic tapas like cod fritters, croquettes and hand-carved ham are served in a string with a touch of contemporary flair.
Canalla Bistro
Canalla Bistro offered a whimsical departure from the classic with its industrial design and quirky pig sculptures adorning the walls! The inventive menu featured unexpected twists on Spanish favourites, making it a memorable culinary adventure.
Do
Coffee on the square
Sipping coffee in Plaça de la Mare de Déu was the perfect way to unwind in the heart of Valencia, in this beautiful square, surrounded by historic architecture.
Bike to the beach
Valencia is a joy to navigate by bike, especially through Turia Park, a converted riverbed stretching snake-like across the city. This lush greenbelt connects key sites, from the heart of the city past the iconic City of Arts and Sciences to the beach.
Our beachside journey led us through El Cabanyal, the former fishermen’s quarter, with colourful, tile-clad façades of traditional homes adding a quirky charm to our route (below left). Carrying on up the long sea front you find lots of beach-side cafés and eateries. We’d picked out La Más Bonita Patacona (Passeig Marítim de la Patacona, 11) as a place to stop off at. This laid-back, colourful café has a lively beachfront terrace. They also have a little beach club and chiringuito bar during the summer months (below right).
Mercat Central
In the heart of Valencia, Mercat Central as a vibrant atmosphere and stunning architecture. This historic covered market features hundreds of stalls brimming with fresh produce, regional specialties and fragrant spices. We also indulged in a tapas break paired with a glass of wine.
Llotja de la Seda
Declared a World Heritage Site, Llotja de la Seda reflects Valencia’s prosperous medieval trade era. There are intricate stoneworks and carved columns to admire in the grand halls, before strolling through the lovely inner courtyard garden.
With its seamless blend of ancient and modern architecture, bustling tapas bars and sun-drenched beaches, Valencia is a city that allows you to pack a maximum of experiences into a short Mediterranean break.
For other European short break ideas, see our selection of curated trips here.
