Stunning Spanish-style plazas with a fraction of the tourists. Delicious tapas and sangria at a fraction of the price. A walkable city just minutes from the beach, providing all the art, culture, and entertainment one could want in a long weekend. Interested? We’ve made a three-day itinerary for Valencia, Spain, so you can soak up some Spanish culture in a thriving city (that isn’t Barcelona or Madrid). This weekend is sure to leave you relaxed, inspired, and full of paella.
Friday
Hotel Hospes Palau de la Mar 
La Petite Brioche
Arrival: Land at the Valencia airport and take a taxi, easy to hail from the airport taxi stand, to your hotel. It should take about 20 minutes and you will need cash (Euros). In Spain, it is not customary to tip cab drivers, though you may if the service was impeccable.
Hotel: Hotel Hospes Palau de la Mar
Oozing old-world charm on the outside, the inside of Hotel Hospes Palau de la Mar is refreshingly contemporary. A geometric white lobby welcomes you, while bright rooms with dark-wood furniture make you feel right at home. The hotel also boasts a beautiful garden bar, an elegant restaurant, and terrace loungers near their spa.
Breakfast: La Petite Brioche
A four-minute walk from the hotel, breakfast at La Petite Brioche is the perfect place to wait for your room to be ready after an overnight flight. Get some air, check out the neighborhood, and then make yourself comfortable at this indoor/outdoor café. While they’re known for their sweet pastries, they also have fantastic quiche if you are in the mood for something savory.
Tipping: For a simple and casual café such as this one, it is customary to tip about €1-2 per person.
Plaza de la Virgen
12:00 Walking Tour: Free Tour Valencia
Day-one in a new city, one of the best ways to learn your way around is with a free walking tour. You’ll get a bit of history while soaking in the view of Valencia’s Old Town, and my favorite part, the opportunity to save any places on Google Maps that you want to come back to and visit when you have more time.
Logistics: Starting and ending at Plaza de la Virgen, with one-way streets and mid-day traffic it will take you the same amount of time to walk to the walking tour as it will in a cab.
Tipping: If you enjoyed the tour, it is customary to tip the guide – €5 per person is fine, or more if you really enjoyed the tour.
San Tommaso 
San Tommaso
2:45PM Late Lunch: San Tommaso
Famished after the tour, San Tommaso is only a three-minute walk from Plaza de la Virgen. Some of the best Italian food in Valencia, request a table outside so you can enjoy the weather and the people watching. Their pasta is delectable, but don’t miss the burrata pizza.
Tipping: For a proper meal, it is customary to tip about 10%.
Hotel Hospes Palau de la Mar 
Jardin del Turia
Afternoon Option A: Relax at the hotel
If you find yourself tired from an overnight flight and a busy morning, give yourself a break! Take a nap, book a spa appointment, or Netflix and chill. Do what you need to feel refreshed for the rest of the weekend.
Afternoon Option B: Enjoy the Jardin del Turia
Just two-minutes from the hotel is the Tram IX entrance to the park. Stroll through the gardens up towards the Botanic Garden or grab a bottle of wine and sit down along the lawn to soak up the sun and the people watching.
Escuela de Arroces y Paella Valenciana 
Escuela de Arroces y Paella Valenciana
8:00PM Dinner: Escuela de Arroces y Paella Valenciana
Why just eat traditional Paella when you could learn to make it, too? This top cooking school will help you grasp the basics of this traditional Spanish dish, made with rice, veggies, and seafood or meat.
Saturday
La Manera 
La Manera
9:30AM Breakfast: La Manera Coffee & Cocktails
Vibrant teal tiles splashed behind a burnished copper bar set the scene for this brunch and cocktails spot. They have the usual range of breakfast fare – incredible croissants, eggs, pancakes, granola – but also traditional Spanish Tostadas, or toasts with toppings ranging from Nutella and banana to Iberico ham with grated tomato. Their small plates and craft cocktails are also delicious should you wish to return later in the day.
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
11:00AM Explore: Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
Hop in a cab for a fifteen-minute ride from breakfast to Ciduad de Artes y Ciencias, a beautifully landscaped complex with stunning architecture and a world class aquarium that isn’t to be missed. The City of Arts and Sciences is an easy place to spend a few hours walking around.
Canalla Bistro by Ricard Camarena 
Ruzafa Neighborhood
2:00PM Lunch: Canalla Bistro by Ricard Camarena
Ricard Camarena is a Michelin-starred chef and restauranteur from Valencia. Canalla Bistro is his most eclectic restaurant, featuring a wide variety of international dishes inspired by Osaka, Mexico City, New York, Valencia (of course), and more. Walk the twenty-minutes from Artes y Ciencias to work up an appetite.
4:00PM Wander: Ruzafa Neighborhood
Take your time wandering through the streets of this trendy neighborhood. Some favorite spots in the area include:
- Rufaza Gallery – features contemporary art and fashion
- Siemprevivas – unique combination of fashion, accessories, and furniture
- Gnomo – cute gift shop
- Sporting Club – part co-working space, part art gallery
- Ubik Café – combination between a café and a bookshop
- Olhops Beer House – a Spanish craft beer house
- Café Berlin – for an afternoon cocktail
Logistics: The afternoon is your oyster! Explore at your own pace, knowing that you can head back to the hotel for a siesta before dinner, or bar hop your way to the restaurant, as you wish.
Mercat Bar 
L’Umbracle
10:00PM Dinner: Mercat Bar
Make the most of your meal and try the tasting menu at Mercat Bar, a whimsical Gastro Bar with a laid-back vibe. Opt for the beer pairing if you’re feeling adventurous.
12:00AM Dance: L’Umbracle
If you aren’t worn out from the day, pop over to L’Umbracle, an upbeat dance club in a beautiful outdoor venue. Like most bars in Spain, this one is open late so you can dance as long as your heart desires.
Sunday
Almalibre 
Almalibre
Morning Option A: Sleep in and Late Breakfast at Almalibre Acai Bar
If you stayed out too late dancing or just want to start the day on a restful foot, leisurely make your way over to Almalibre. They have fantastic acai bowls with a wide range of toppings that you may mix and match. Their veggie burgers are also great if you want something a bit heartier.
Logistics: It will take about 20 minutes in a taxi to get to the next event, but we’d recommend leaving plenty of time both to hail a cab and find the meeting point upon arrival.
Morning Option B: Breakfast and Beach
Grab a quick breakfast at the hotel and then make waves towards the beach! Either bring a towel to sit in the sand or pull up at one of the many boardwalk restaurants, like Pura Vida, for a fresh Mojito.
La Playa 
Catamaran
1:00PM Adventure: Catamaran
This three-hour cruise takes you around the area to see beautiful views of the water, with the option to jump in and swim if you wish. Food is provided, and for an extra €12 you may purchase 5 drink vouchers. Bring swimsuits and towels.
Link to Book: https://veryvalencia.com/tours/packagedetails/sun-sail-and-paella
Afternoon: As you wish!
If you’re not burnt to a crisp, head back to the beach to lounge about or join some locals in a game of beach paddleball. To get out of the direct sun, this is also a great time to wander through the central part of Valencia, exploring any spots you may have wanted to revisit from your walking tour. If you’re tired from all of the sun, there’s no shame in taking a nap or heading home for a spa treatment! Enjoy the afternoon, knowing you have a laid back dinner later.
Mercado Colon
8:00PM Dinner: Mercado Colon
Mercado Colon is an elevated food market with over a dozen restaurant options. We, and the Michelin Guide, would recommend Ricard Camarena’s Mediterranean restaurant Habitual for a more formal dining experience (maybe you recognize his name from your lunch the other day?). If you’re feeling a more casual vibe, check out Mi Cub for food with local ingredients and local beers. Most places in the market are open until 2AM should you want to enjoy some after dinner cocktails in a relaxed setting.
Logistics: Only a seven-minute walk from the hotel, it’s an easy place to get to and from at any hour.
Monday
Federal 
Federal 
Federal
Breakfast: Federal
My personal favorite, stop by Federal for breakfast before your morning flight. An airy spot with delicious food and drinks, it’s the perfect sendoff from your wonderful weekend in Valencia!
