Ultimate Valencia solo travel guide: top tips, hidden gems & best things to do

I have already wrote a blog post about 3 reasons to add Valencia, Spain to your dream destinations, if you missed it you can read it here. If you are convinced (or perhaps looking for more reasons to go), I have collected my top tips, hidden gems and best things to do in this beautiful, coastal city of Spain solo. Here goes my ultimate Valencia solo travel guide, everything I have learnt, experienced and observed during my over 4 months stay.

Let's look at why Valencia should be your next travel destination

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Now that you are one step more prepared for your next adventure, let's talk about Valencia!

Accommodation

While the city is not overwhelmingly huge, where you stay will slightly change the vibe of your trip. If you book somewhere walking distance to the beach, such as El Cabanyal or La Malva-Rosa you will get more of a beach holiday vibe. If you want to stay more in the city centre, I would recommend booking in El Carmen or El Botànic, In the city you can also book in Russafa, but this area I would only recommend if you want to be close the parties, as Russafa is known to be the party district.

Getting around

Starting with getting from the airport to the city. There is a metro line, so approaching any destination within the city should be quite easy to do. Once you're i the city, I would recommend renting a bike and cycling around. The city is built for that and you will find that it is a very popular form of transportation around there. In the city centre everything is quite close, so it is very walkable, making it perfect for solo travel. I also want to highlight that Valencia is very solo friendly, I had friends visiting me here and there, but majority of the time I was there on my own, and I felt completely comfortable and safe. Of course, as always, I was practising safety precautions, just like I would anywhere else.

How long should you go for

You might be wondering what the ideal trip duration is to visit Valencia, and I hate to be annoying, but I'd say it really depends. If you just want a quick city break and eat good food, 2 full days is worth the visit, if you have a week to spend there, you can definitely find enough things to do, and if you're a digital nomad looking for your next location, spending a few months here is great too. This is why I don't create strict travel itineraries, must-do things etc. I will just share my top locations and things to do and you can cherry pick whatever suits your travel style and the duration of your trip.

Now that we got the more practical insights out of the way, let's focus on the fun part: things to do, food hot spots and hidden gems.

The best time to visit

I would say the spring or autumn months can be a great time to explore this city if you want to avoid the heat and the crowds. Even in October/November the weather is mild and sunny to wonder around on a bike, sit outside or take long walks (even a swim) by the beach.

This is what the beach was like when I was in Valencia in November

Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències

This is the most obvious area to explore in Valencia. The architecture and atmosphere is unmatched, even walking around here is an experience. Depending on your main area of interest when it comes to museums or cultural experiences, you can definitely find something you love. I don't think visiting museums is a must when one travels, but I would highly recommend visiting at least one of these sites. My favourite was the Science Museum, but you might be more interested in watching an educational movie in 3D in the Hemisfèric or the L'Àgora (temporary exhibitions).

Visiting the science museum

Explore Jardì de Turia

The bed of a once river running through the city is now a stretched, flourishing park full of activities and greenery. It is about 9 kilometres long, so you might want to grab a bike to do this tour. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you will love this space. It is full of life and beautiful spots to just relax at, either for a coffee break or just to watch people pass by. I used to take a book with me and sat under palm and olive trees in the afternoon sun.

Where once upon a time there was a river running, is now a lush, long-stretched park in the middle of the city

Visit the Botanic Garden  

If after visiting the above park you are still craving to see beautiful gardens (or you're like me and you can never have enough of them), definitely pay a visit to the Botanic Garden. The entrance fee is very small, and in return you'll see a lot of cool plants, my favourite is the cactus garden!

One of my favourite spots in the city, the cactus garden

Have a look at the 'Sistine Chapel' of Valencia

Iglesia Parroquial de San Nicolás de Bari y San Pedro Mártir is often called the Sistine chapel of Valencia, and in my opinion rightfully so. This small and hidden church has such a beautiful interior, but without the crowds of the actual Sistine Chapel, you want to add this spot to your list.

Visit the cathedral

Out of the two, I have to say the Valencian Sistine Chapel is definitely my favourite, but the main cathedral is also worth a visit. It is in the centre of the city, so you can't really miss it.

The Cathedral of Valencia standing tall in the centre of the city

Cycle to Port Saplaya

This is definitely a hidden gem, a small, port area with colourful houses and canals that remind me of Venice a little, but without the crowds and crazy prices. If you have the time, definitely spend a morning or afternoon cycling here, as it is very charming.

Watch the sunset at Lake Albufera

You won't be able to catch the sun setting over the sea in Valencia, but there is a beautiful lake just outside of the city, that offers a beautiful view of it. You can even get on a boat and be out in the open water during sunset. The lake is approachable by either cycling or taking a bus.

This lake might be just outside of the city, but it is definitely worth a day trip if you have the time

Visit the central market

This is for those who love to explore a culture or place via food. The central market of Valencia is a beautiful building filled with various food stands, from ready to eat bites to fresh produce, you will be able to find something you like. You can try a good paella here, a dish Valencia is famous for. I would generally recommend as much food here as you can, as I found this to be a really good spot for local food.

The central market at night

And while we're on the topic of food, let me share some of my favourite food and drink spots with you:

El Cafetín Valencia

You have to visit this specific spot to try the Agua Valencia. If you consume alcohol you will definitely give it a shot, this Spanish cocktail is made from freshly squeezed orange juice, cava (Spanish sparkling wine), vodka, and gin, often served in pitchers for a crowd. While this may sound crazy, it actually works! Some say this place has the best recipe, I will let you be the judge of that.

La Mas Bonita

There are several ones in town (my favourite one is the one in Patacona), if you're looking for a good brunch spot, I can highly recommend it!

One of my favourite spots in the city, La Mas Bonita in Patacona

MESTIZO

Perfect spot for brunch or tapas. You can find this cafe/restaurant in the centre of the city, so easily accessible.

Nice little breakfast stop before a busy day of exploring

DDL Boutique

There are two in the city and I can recommend them for a coffee break. Their cakes and desserts are literally next level, they are worth a try during a busy day of exploring.

The perfect spot for an afternoon break

MESTIZO

Perfect spot for brunch or tapas. You can find this cafe/restaurant in the centre of the city, so easily accessible.

Sagardi Valencia Centro

Although this place offers traditional Basque cuisine, I had to list it because a, the food is great, b, the atmosphere is amazing. I walked by this place so many times, and every single time it was full of people and laughter, the type for place that naturally attracts me.

Not the best quality photo, but you get the vibe

Beverly Café

This one I added more for the aesthetics, if you love a pink/floral theme you will love this brunch spot! It is definitely an instagrammable one, but I was quite impressed with the food and drinks too. I normally find that pretty places make for mid food, here I did not find this to be the case.

Lambrusquería Caballeros

I used to be the kind of person who says you always have to try and eat the local food, but nowadays I also like to mix new experiences with familiar dishes when it comes to food. After many paellas, tapas and local Spanish food, I wanted to try this Italian restaurant and I really did enjoy the cozy, candle-lit atmosphere of this restaurant, so I thought I would share it with you, in case you wanted to try it!

La Fabrica de Hielo

This one is both a cultural and food experience. This is a modern culture centre and bar, with live music and food/drink options. It is a lively spot close to the beach, so if you are looking for something sociable, this will be perfect!

I visited most of these food spots alone, and I had the best time. Valencia is laid-back and no-one really cares whether you're vibing solo or in big groups.