When it comes to exploring a city, there\u2019s nothing like seeing it from above. My favourite view in Valencia overlooks the old town, yet is close enough so you can still appreciate the small details. <\/p>\n
One of the best viewpoints is the Micalet,<\/strong> the bell tower of the Cathedral, which was constructed between the 14th<\/sup> and 15th<\/sup> centuries. Although climbing its narrow spiral staircase may tire you out, the 50-metre-high views are what will really take your breath away.<\/p>\n Another historically-significant vantage point is Torres de Serranos, one of the old city gates, where you can gaze over Valencia from thirty three metres up. <\/p>\n The Spanish idiom \u2018quedarse a la luna de Valencia<\/em>\u2019, meaning to sleep<\/em> under the Valencian moon<\/em> but really referring to being left out in the cold, is a throwback to a time when the city gates would close at nightfall, and late-arriving travellers would have no choice but to spend the night outside the city limits in the open.<\/p>\n Mercado Central<\/a> is one of the most beautiful buildings you could visit in Valencia. Inside this art nouveau construction located in the city centre, you\u2019ll find over 250 stands<\/strong> with local produce.<\/p>\n I love a stroll around these stands to browse and buy fresh, seasonal produce, so I definitely recommend it, and there are souvenir shops, takeaway food stands, and much more for you to discover. Mercado Central is open from Monday to Saturday, from 7:30am to 3pm.<\/p>\n There\u2019s nothing more sacred to a Valencian than paella: just one change from the original recipe, and a few extra ingredients like peas, and we can\u2019t resist complaining: \u2018that\u2019s not paella, that\u2019s rice with stuff in it!\u2019. So, when you\u2019re in Valencia, you have to take the chance to try Valencian paella \u2013 real paella.<\/p>\n Where\u2019s good for paella in Valencia?<\/strong> One of the most recommended places for authentic Valencian paella is El Palmar, a district found in the heart of the Albufera de Valencia<\/a>. But please, never order it for dinner – that\u2019s sacrilege!<\/p>\n Valencia has its alternative side, and El Carmen is where you\u2019ll find most of the city\u2019s street art. In the old town, street artists have filled the streets with colourful murals full of satire and social commentary. <\/p>\n So, if you like street art as much as I do, go for a wander through its streets – there are some really original pieces to check out. My favourites are the ones by artists Barbiturikills (keep an eye out for their iconic bunnies), DEIH (who has a futuristic aesthetic), and David de Lim\u00f3n (whose famous ninja can be found all over the city).<\/p>\n Legend has it, a girl once offered King James I a drink he\u2019d never heard of. When he tried it, he exclaimed \u2018aix\u00f2 es or, xata<\/strong>!\u2019, which could translate into English \u2018this is gold, my dear!\u2019. This is how the famous Valencian drink, horchata, got its name.<\/p>\n Horchata is made with tiger nuts, and tastes incredible when served cold. To me, drinking a cold glass of horchata marks the beginning of summer (though the weather\u2019s great all year round).<\/p>\n But that\u2019s not the only drink you have to try – don\u2019t forget about Agua de Valencia (Valencia water)! And no, I\u2019m not talking about the tap water there, rather a traditional cocktail that uses orange juice, cava, vodka and gin, amongst other ingredients.<\/p>\n Did you know that Europe\u2019s oldest judicial body<\/strong> is in Valencia? It\u2019s called the Tribunal de las Aguas<\/a> (meaning \u2018the Water Court\u2019), and was created to settle any disputes arising between the various irrigation communities who used water from the River Turia to water their vegetable gardens.<\/p>\n This Court was formed of eight representatives, one for each irrigation canal, and every Thursday at 12:00 they\u2019d meet at the Catedral de Valencia\u2019s Gothic door in Plaza de la Virgen (the most beautiful square in Valencia in my opinion) to talk out any issues they might have had. Isn\u2019t that something!<\/p>\n If you\u2019d like a first-hand look at the vegetable gardens of Valencia, take a bike trip to Horta Nord. One of the most recommended roads is the V\u00eda Xurra<\/a>, a greenway which starts in Valencia.<\/p>\n However, if you\u2019re not much of a cyclist, like me, you can always follow the path on foot. I do this regularly \u2013 to me, it\u2019s a special place where I can switch off and chill out. We\u2019re really lucky to have it right next to the city!<\/p>\n The 10km-long River Turia is one of Spain\u2019s largest urban gardens. It\u2019s perfect for a stroll, sports, or for sitting down and enjoying the nice weather.<\/p>\n The Garden of the River Turia\u2019s most stand-out location is the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias<\/strong><\/a>, where futuristic buildings catch the eye of anyone visiting the Garden \u2013 along with the odd film director who couldn\u2019t resist shooting some footage.<\/p>\n If you ask any local where to find the best sunset in Valencia, they\u2019re sure to point you towards the Albufera. I always go there to watch it and sit on this dock<\/a> to enjoy the view (but arrive with time to spare, because it gets busy fast).\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"torre](\"https:\/\/volare.volotea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Torre-del-Micalet-Valencia-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"torres](\"https:\/\/volare.volotea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Torres-de-Serranos-la-puerta-de-entrada-a-Valencia-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n2. Go shopping in Mercado Central<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"interior](\"https:\/\/volare.volotea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Interior-del-Mercado-Central-de-Valencia-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n3. Try authentic Valencian paella<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Get to know El Carmen through its street art<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"arte](\"https:\/\/volare.volotea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Arte-urbano-en-Valencia-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n5. Try the city\u2019s two most iconic drinks<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
6. Observe the Tribunal de las Aguas<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"puerta](\"https:\/\/volare.volotea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Puerta-gotica-de-la-Catedral-de-Valencia-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n7. Go on a bike trip to Horta Nord<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"horta](\"https:\/\/volare.volotea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Un-paseo-por-la-Horta-Nord-Valencia-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n8. Walk through gardens and be transported into the future<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"ciudad](\"https:\/\/volare.volotea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/CIudad-de-las-Artes-y-las-Ciencias-1024x577.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n9. Enjoy a sunset on the Albufera<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"atardecer](\"https:\/\/volare.volotea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Aterdecer-en-la-Albufera-de-Valencia-924x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"las](\"https:\/\/volare.volotea.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Fallas-de-Valencia-854x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n