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Restaurants
Our favorite is Abadía,a traditional Spanish restaurant that translated its menu into English for the first time last year. Nice family restaurant. Choose the wine yourself; they tend to recommend cheaper wines. Fantastic outdoor terrace with views of the cathedral and the Archbishop’s palace. We recommend Sevillian tears and Small bundle of prawns; great starters!
Traditional Mediterranean food with a modern twist, cooked in a Josper oven that uses charcoal. Very nice outdoor seating facing a small garden and nice buildings. This is the restaurant we found with the best sun terrace in winter. It’s great to sit outside for lunch (bring a blanket) even in January. Located just behind Marcado Central, it’s a 10-minute walk from Plaza Santa Cruz.
Right across the street from Plaza Santa Cruz 9, with a main entrance on Calle Roteros.
We recognise several of the staff from Riff, Tochi and Ricardo Camera, so this is a restaurant with ambitions.
Exciting menus at a fair price and very friendly service.
We’ve tried to get them to set up outdoor tables (they are allowed to), but have not succeeded yet.
La Senia has a BiB Gourmand, offers decent prices and outdoor tables.
Tables are close together, and we often end up chatting with nice people around us.
You may want to arrive early as it is not possible to make a reservation.
La Pilareta is one of Valencia's oldest tapas bars, conserving the old decoration and style.
Barrels of vermut, and boxes for throwing tooth picks on the floor - like they used to do!
Located in the old town, not far from Torres de
Quart, they have the
city's best calamares, the caramel flan does also taste like heaven.
Ostras Pedrin is an informal oyster bar with some other seafood as well decorated like the fresh market fish stores, with white tiles and the daily menu written on the wall. It is located in a charming street in the old town and has a small bar that allows you to stand outside as well.
Atenea Sky is a rooftop bar with a great view of the sunset and the roofs of the old town and Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Nice drinks and cocktails, decent food, both small dishes for sharing and daily menu or full a la carte. Outdoor tall tables or sofas, and indoors seated tables with air conditioning. Make sure you make a reservation for seated meals.
Lambrusquería has two locations. The one in Conde Altea is further away from the center, as it is located in Eixample where the crowd is more posh. The neighboring restaurant in C. Caballeros is very good and a 5-minute walk. We usually take the degustation menu and rarely spend more than €50,- per person. We sit outside year-round (they have heat lamps). Also here, reservations are necessary or come early (20.15-20.30) to get a table
Aquarium is a traditional bar and tapas place with good drinks and charming interiors. It also has outdoor tables. The aquarium serves Spanish food but is best known for its drinks; they are known for serving Valencia’s best dry martini.
RIFF is a Michelin 1 star recognised restaurant. Bernt won an award for the world’s best cookbook and is uncompromising when it comes to local, healthy, and fantastic food. He has a lunch menu on Wednesdays/Thursdays and Fridays at a more affordable price that offers much of the same as the dinner menus. Our experience is that often the cheapest evening menu is the best, oddly enough. Reservations are recommended. The wine package can be recommended; sommelier Paquita finds just the right wine to match the food.
Restaurante 2 Estaciones has a skilled chef who has worked in a 2-star restaurant and ambitious. They have many interesting Spanish wines from small vineyards. Nice premises and a large outdoor terrace on the sidewalk. This is becoming a new favorite; they have very good food at a reasonable price, a nice terrace outside, and friendly people.
Angolo Di Vino is an Italian wine bar. The mortadella is the best in town. Nice to sit both inside and outside before dinner or have a light dinner there (note: any warm dishes/pasta must be ordered in advance). Owner Silvia knows us well. Located at Calle Almirante Cadarso 14 with an entrance from Conde Altea.
Informal fun. Italian pasta made on-site and a good selection of wine, much of it organic. Reservations must be made in advance; they only have 4-5 tables inside and just as few outside, which are always occupied.
Nestled in Valencia's Russafa district, Ruzanuvol is a unique craft beer bar specializing in unpasteurized Italian craft beers from Birrificio Lambrate and Birrificio Italiano. Alongside their extensive beer selection, the menu features Mediterranean and Italian dishes, such as eggplant parmigiana, buffalo mozzarella caprese, and a variety of Italian cold cuts and cheeses. The informal admosphere makes it an ideal spot for enjoying authentic flavors and quality brews.
Nozomi Sushi Bar is an absolute favorite, but it must be booked months in advance. Offers an authentic Japanese dining experience, focusing on traditional sushi prepared with the finest ingredients. The tasting menu at 65€ is worth the visit, and it’s easy to find good wines. Reservations are recommended to secure a table at this popular spot.
Boucan is a top informal tapas bar close to Santa Cruz. They serve very good traditional dishes with a cool twist, based on fresh ingredients from the Central Market. The menu is written in chalk, and depends on the seasons, the daily treasure hunt, and the mood of the chef. You'll find lots of locals and and a friendly informal atmosphere. It is only open Wednesday to Saturday from 8:45pm, so make sure to make a reservation by stopping by or calling during opening hours some days in advance.
Llar Roman offers authentic Mediterranean cuisine in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant features three distinct areas: a spacious main dining room, a covered and glass-enclosed terrace with garden access, and a private room ideal for business meetings or intimate gatherings. Known for its traditional cooking, Llar Roman provides a perfect setting for family celebrations and corporate events. Open daily for lunch and on Friday and Saturday evenings for dinner..
Casa Navarro is renowned for its authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Specializing in a variety of rice dishes, including over 27 types of paellas, the restaurant also offers fresh seafood and high-quality meats. Casa Navarro combines traditional flavors with modern techniques, providing an exceptional dining experience with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. The restaurant caters to dietary needs, offering options for vegans and celiacs. Reservations are recommended due to its popularity.
Sabbia by Gabbeach is a beachfront restaurant in Valencia that offers an exceptional dining experience combining gastronomy and entertainment. Known for its creative cuisine and signature cocktails, Sabbia provides a unique sensory experience. Guests can enjoy live dinner shows that blend culinary arts with captivating performances, making it more than just a meal but an event to remember. The restaurant also features a boutique hotel for a complete seaside escape.
Entertainment
Jimmy Glass is a narrow, urban jazz club, a classic place for live music since 1991. They host both international and emerging local artists, and the music can be enjoyed with tapas, drinks and cocktails
L'Umbracle is a private part of the City of Arts and Science, an outdoor garden of 4.000m2 with bars, dance floor and chill out areas. They have both concerts, events and disco nights – a great atmosphere under the open sky.
Calle Caballeros and Plaza Roteros has many bars, terraces and restaurants. The best for Aqua de Valencia is “Plaza Saint Jamie”. A lot of life is found at Plaza Roteros and the area around La Sena (closer to Marcado Central).
Pop-up stores around an open square, with theme-markets every week-end. You can find antique markets, beer tasting, coffee tasting, second-hand markets or just the usual terrace cafeteria Bar&Restaurante that serves good food and local craft beer all day.
Weekends after lunch, starting at 5 pm, there is a DJ and cocktails at the roof terrace of the Restaurant Attic. The fun continues downstairs at 7pm, with a step back in time, to a disco ambience from the 90's, full of young people from 45 and up. 🙂
Beaches
Pinedo, a tranquil village south of Valencia, is home to the serene Pinedo Beach, our favorite beach in Valencia. For a convenient beach experience, take a cab to the Tropicana restaurant, where you can access beach chairs and umbrellas. For a more secluded experience, walk 10-15 minutes further south to discover a quieter, natural beach without services. To return to Valencia in the evening, you can easily call a Valencia taxi or use the FREENOW app
Patacona, a charming village north of Valencia, boasts a long, wide beach that seamlessly extends from Valencia's city beaches. Its off-map location makes it less crowded with tourists, offering a more relaxed atmosphere. Along the promenade, you'll find restaurants with terraces, perfect for enjoying local cuisine. The area also features vibrant "chiringuitos"—beach bars where you can enjoy music and a lively ambiance late into the night.
Playa Malvarrosa is a popular urban beach known for its wide, sandy shorelines and vibrant atmosphere. Stretching over 1 kilometer the promenade features numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops. The beach is accessible and family-friendly, with amenities like showers, restrooms, and lifeguard services. A bit crowded in the weekends.
This beach is part of a larger stretch that includes Playa Malvarrosa and offers a lively atmosphere, especially popular with locals and tourists. The area features a wide promenade lined with palm trees, restaurants, and bars, amenities such as showers, sunbeds, and lifeguards, making it family-friendly and ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
Playa de El Saler, located near the Albufera Natural Park and adjacent to a golf course, offers a more serene beach experience. Known for its natural dunes, it provides a tranquil setting away from the city's bustle. The beach is surrounded by pine forests, adding to its scenic beauty and providing a natural buffer from the wind. The nearby golf course has a café, restaurant and paid parking spots.
Best things to See
Cathedral Seu Valencia – especially the old part – feel free to go up the tower too, great views over the city. Don’t miss the Chapel of the Holy Grail inside the cathedral. Walk around the entire cathedral on the outside; "the back" Plaza de la Virgin is actually just as nice as the main entrance. There are many beautiful baroque churches in Valencia, one of the most beautiful is next to Mercado Central (to the right of the main entrance), and another much older one is on Almundin Street in Barre Carmen.
Starting at Calle Navellos, immerse yourself in the Turia Gardens, a striking transformation of a former riverbed into one of Valencia's largest and most cherished urban parks. The path leads you toward the architectural marvels designed by Santiago Calatrava. Your journey culminates at the iconic City of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic complex that is a must-visit destination. Here, you can also explore the Europe’s largest aquarium. This spot is especially popular among families.
Located in the heart of Valencia, the Central Market, or "Mercado Central," stands as one of Europe's largest and most vibrant food markets. This market is not just a place for shopping; it's a cultural experience where visitors can immerse themselves in the local lifestyle, taste authentic Valencian flavors, and witness the daily life of the city. Open from early morning, it provides an ideal spot for both locals and tourists to discover the freshest local produce and gourmet specialties.
Located directly opposite the bustling Central Market, La Lonja de la Seda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as a testament to the wealth and cultural boom of Valencia during the late medieval period. Constructed between 1482 and 1533, this magnificent Gothic structure is renowned as the world's oldest secular Gothic building not serving as a church. Originally built as a trading hub for the silk guild, La Lonja epitomizes the economic significance of the silk trade in Valencia's history.
The Palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas is a breathtaking example of Spanish Baroque architecture. While the exterior of the building is a visual feast, the interior is equally impressive, featuring a rich collection of ceramics and period furnishings that reflect the lifestyle of Spanish nobility. Although the exhibitions inside may vary in interest.
Outside Valencia short trips
Xativa Castle is a historic European castle located on a beautiful mountain above the town of Xàtiva, 34 miles south of Valencia. Xàtiva Castle predates Roman times. Technically there are in fact two castles known respectively as the “Menor” (minor) and the “Major”(major). They extend from east to west perched across the top of the magnificent mountain and are linked by sizable and impressive historic structures. Just 5 minutes from the castle is Hotel MONTSANT - Montsant Hotel & Restaurante with a fantastic location and very good and reasonably priced food (we ended up at €60-70 for a full dinner). The garden itself is worth a little tour before dinner.
The Albufera is a nature reserve, with a big lake and wetlands. This is a protected bird- and wildlife area, but also has villages, agriculture, beaches and even a golf course!
Thanks to the abundant water reserve, this is where the local valencian rice is grown. It is possible to organise a small boat trip on the lake, both for sightseeing and for dining.
Old-style boatman Batiste Granero can be contacted at +34 658 497 302, or we can help you arrange a trip.
