Those of us from Valencia say that the city is the perfect size. Why? Because you can walk downtown in just 20 minutes, or because the distances between neighborhoods are not as long as in other cities.
Although it has almost a million inhabitants, you don’t feel overwhelmed like in Madrid or Barcelona, and that is a great advantage, especially during rush hour. Details that we also notice when someone comes to visit and we do the typical tourist route.
This may be your case, you want to rediscover your city, or you are reading this because you are planning to visit Valencia this weekend. Whatever your intention, we have prepared a 48-hour plan to visit the city during a weekend and not miss anything typical of the city.
Day 1: morning
We started the route. Let’s take the North Station as the starting point of the route . Seeing it from the inside is a delight for the senses. Here’s why. From there, we can walk to the Town Hall Square and enter the Town Hall, from where we can go out to the balcony to see the square from above.
Then up San Vicente street until you reach the Plaza de la Reina. We entered the historic center. Here you can see the Cathedral of Valencia, the Plaza Redonda, the Mercat Central, the parish of San Nicolás, the Palau de la Generalitat and the Serranos and Quart Towers. The best thing to do is to walk and get lost in the narrow streets of Ciutat Vella.
After so much walking, you’re sure to feel like eating, so we suggest several of our guides about where to eat in Valencia. You’re sure to find your perfect spot.
Day 1: afternoon
After an intense morning, now it’s time for a little more relaxation. That is why the Zones we now suggest are the most fashionable. The first option is the ruzafa neighborhood the neighborhood is the realm of everything alternative, modern, but without losing the essence of the neighborhood.
The alternative is to walk along Colón and Jorge Juan streets, as well as La Paz and El Parterre to take advantage and do some shopping in the best stores in Valencia, if you prefer.
Day 1: night
If you have been enchanted by the streets of Ruzafa, full of gift stores y second hand as dining in the neighborhood is the best option.
It is one of the areas with the most nocturnal activity, bars, restaurants and terraces in Valencia. We recommend sites such as Maui, Nozomi, or Zalamero.
You also have the option of crossing to the other side of the North Station for dinner at the Pelayo Trinquet the temple of the Valencian pilota now converted into a gastrobar.
If, on the other hand, you have opted for shopping, dining in the Zone of Cánovas is the best thing to do. If the weather is nice, you will feel like God in one of the terraces of Conde Altea.
Day 2: morning
We recharge our batteries for a morning along the old bed of the river Túria. The best option is to rent a bicycle to ride along the different sections of the river. It is the favorite plan of every Valencian on a weekend. We can contemplate the various gardens that compose it, the Gulliver Park or the Palau de la Música until arriving at the City of Arts and Sciences. Along the way we will cross a myriad of bridges and other points of interest.
To round out how typical this plan may seem, make a stop at one of the bars in Alameda or the river for a valenciansnacks: sandwich of whatever you want, peanuts and tomato and onion salad.
Day 2: afternoon
And now is when you say: “But if Sunday afternoon nothing is open.” Don’t worry, there are things to do. The Zone of the port is ideal for an afternoon stroll, especially the dock with its cocktail bars.
Nearby is also the Cabanyal and the Malvarrosa. Its village essence makes it one of the most special neighborhoods. It has the usual bars, but alternative places are starting to emerge that are beginning to set trends, as is the case of the Ice Factory cultural center (Carrer de Pavia, 37) or Mercabañal a must-have.
Recently, it has opened Merchant in the area of the Cabanyal train station. A culinary pass if you are looking for market products and modern proposals.
If you drop by these parts, you can’t leave without trying the paella in front of the sea from Carmela House one of the best restaurants to eat paella in Valencia.
Day 2: night
Make the most of your last hours in Valencia by discovering one of the historic neighborhoods. We are talking about Benimaclet, the small village in the orchard that swallowed the city. After walking around (it’s not very big) you can opt for a quiet dinner at Chico Ostras, a good barbecue at Viejo Barrio, tapas at Trencadís or an evening with music at one of the best cafés in Valencia: Kaf Café.
Weekend plans in Valencia
If you want to complement your visit to Valencia with the best plans that are happening at that moment in the city, this is our guide of the best places to visit the best plans for the weekend in Valencia.