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Swap Barcelona for Valencia
It’s the birthplace of paella. Need I say more?
Mike D. Lang
September 12, 2024
Barcelona has been in the headlines recently for all the wrong reasons.
Too many tourists, anti-tourism protests, high prices, etc.
Less than 3 hours by train further south along the coast lies Valencia - a city that many see as friendlier, more charming and, yes, a bit cheaper.
Valencia, photo by kdry ylds/Pexels
WHERE IN THE WORLD?
Spain’s third most populated city (after Madrid and Barcelona, since you’re asking), lies on the Mediterranean Sea (yay, beaches!), some 360 kilometres (220 miles) south of Barcelona. (Google Maps, Apple Maps)
Madrid, the capital of Spain, is also 360 kilometres away, but north-east of Valencia.
GO IF….
you can tell your paella from your patatas bravas and your inner architect geeks out at the sight of buildings that look like they're from the year 3000.
DON’T GO IF….
your idea of cultural immersion is a selfie with a Gaudí building.
VALENCIA - WHAT’S THE ATTRACTION?
City of Arts, Sciences and Monuments
No, it’s not a catchy nickname for Valencia. It’s an area built on and along, the old riverbed right in the heart of the city.
It’s actually incredible to think they redirected the river Turia (after a horrible flood in 1957 that destroyed large parts of the city), and turned the old riverbed into the city’s new park called Turia Gardens.
And that’s where a renowned architect and structural engineer, Santiago Calatrava, filled large parts of the old riverbed with gigantic, futuristic buildings that form the City of Arts.
The Hemisfèric, and Museu de les Ciències are probably two of the most impressive and most photographed buildings there, but the whole area is an incredible feat of engineering.
And a proof that big green spaces give big cities something truly unique.
No wonder Valencia was named European Commission’s Green Capital for 2024.
The Calatrava Buildings, Valencia, photo Pixabay/Pexels
Albufera Natural Park
No trip to Valencia is complete without paella. No real paella is complete without the rice grown in Albufera.
This urban oasis full of paddy fields is just approximately 10 kilometres south of the city itself.
But it’s much more than just paddy fields.
Right in the heart of the reserve lies a huge freshwater lagoon that merges with the surrounding marshes and paddy fields.
A boat trip across the lagoon - particularly at sunset and when the paddy fields are still submerged under water - is a magical experience.
Albufera, Photo by Manuel Torres Garcia/Unsplash
The Cathedral of Valencia and the Miguelete tower
Back in the heart of Valencia there are plenty of gorgeous buildings to visit - Central Market, The Silk Exchange or the extraordinarily ornate Ceramics Museum.
For 360-degree views of the city, however, there’s only one place. The Cathedral of Valencia, also known as the resting place of the Holy Chalice.
The cathedral’s Gothic bell tower known as El Miguelete, is just over 50 metres (165 feet) tall and conquering its 207 steps will give you access to wonderful, panoramic views of this remarkable city.
HOW TO GET THERE:
The airport in Valencia is just to the west of the city and offers a wide range of flights to most European destinations as well as other Spanish cities and islands (including the nearby party island, Ibiza).
Fast trains connect Valencia with Madrid, Barcelona as well as destinations further south and inland.
CURIOUS? READ ON:
Las Fallas - welcoming spring with fire
La Tomatina (annual tomato throwing festival) in pictures
Nat Geo: a slow tour of Valencia
Female scientists murals bike routes across Valencia
Valencia must-sees
Missed earlier editions of Re-Routed? Read all about Yoho here and Bologna here.
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Thanks for reading!
Mike