Discover Valencia
This summer I spent two months in Valencia, on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Although my timing fell on the hottest months of the year - July and August - I feel that I managed to get the most out of the city even in the sometimes scorching heat. Moreover, the city offers some activities and events that are only available during the summer months which I could take advantage of.
Valencia is the 3rd largest city of Spain, although it only has a population of about 700 thousand people. I choose to visit Valencia because it is and all round an ideal travel destination for many reasons: it is located along the beach of the Mediterranean sea, with a very pleasant climate and an almost constant breeze through the hottest months of summer, while also set against the mountains of the Serra Calderona. The city has an international airport, which is easily accessible by metro. Furthermore, there are various opportunities for discovering the city through the arts, sports and entertainment, education and culture.
Valencia has the opportunities of a big city with the feeling of a smaller town. It has various restaurants, bars, cafes, museums and all kinds of activities for people of all ages and interests. What captivated me most about the center was its colorful and unique architecture. There are some historical sights only walking distance from each other. The central market was one of my favorite places to visit and to photograph. Not just because of the wide selection of the best Spanish delicacies in 900 stalls, such as hams, cheeses, fresh fruit and seafood, but also because it is a very interesting piece of architecture with lots of light entering through the roof. It is one of Europe’s oldest markets that has been functioning since 1928.
In the center you will also find the Estacio Nord and the Plaça de Bous or the bullfighting arena situated right next to each other. The Torres de Serranos is an ancient gate on the north of the center that were built during the 14th century and were meant as a main entrance point into the city while protecting it as well. The center is full of tapas bars and various restaurants operating around the typical Spanish fiesta times, so it would be unusual to find a place to eat between 5 and 8 in the evening, which is worth considering during a day of sightseeing.
Valencia’s beach is by far one of my favorite parts of the city. It seems to be its own separate microcosm. Taking frequent bike rides down to the beach, I had the opportunity to watch the communities living close to the beach deal with the heat of the summer and practically move out onto the streets to escape the heat of their apartments. Down at the large sandy beach you can participate in a seemingly endless lines of activities, such as free yoga sessions, workout groups, beach volley, jogging and many more. The beaches closest to the city are Cabanyal, Malvarrosa and Patacona. Valencia has a beach with a very long sandy shore and it provides plenty of space for everyone. Although, in August it gets way too crowded and for this part of the year I would recommend to head over to the beaches south of the city such as El Saler or Garrofera, where there is less crowd and more of a natural feel to the beach. This is also where the Albufera national park is situated which deserves a day trip on its own.
Another interesting place to visit is Port Saplaya in the north of the city and is easily accessible by local buses. This place is a great spot for travel photography due to its unique architecture and harbors crisscrossing the district, which earned it the nickname of Little Venice. It is definitely worth a visit and while you are there, you can grab a coffee or a bite to eat in many of the local restaurants. The beaches of Port Saplaya are also a lot more calm and less busy than the ones parallel to the city.
The Turia park is a fascinating place to visit in the city. It used to be a river until it flooded the center of Valencia. At this point authorities decided to reroute the river and turned the riverbank into an extensive park. This is another place in Valencia where one can find endless activities to participate in, such as capoeira classes, yoga and cross-fit or just take a blanket and enjoy the shade of the trees by the banks of the small stream that is left of the once raging river.
The City of Arts and Sciences is another great destination right next to Turia park, south-east of the center. It is an impressive collection of museums and artwork masterfully combined into a little city of its own. I took a separate trip just to discover and photograph this area and I am going to talk more about it in my next blog post.
All in all, Valencia is a great place to visit for many reasons and it could be an ideal location to live in for anyone who likes the Mediterranean. It’s beautiful beaches and various bars and restaurants provide endless opportunities to unwind and relax, while the center provides many cultural activities and festivals throughout the summer. No wonder it is such a popular Erasmus destination and I can only recommend it.
