Valencia on a Budget: Beaches, Food, and Culture

Experience Valencia's charm on a shoestring budget.

21 June 2023

A budget trip to Valencia, Spain can be filled with sun, great food, and culture. With affordable accommodation options and delicious street food, travelers can experience the famous attractions like the City of Arts and Sciences, the Turia Gardens, and the Central Market. By walking or renting a bike, visitors can explore the city without spending too much money on transportation.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Exploring the Old Town

  • Check-in at Nest Style Valencia Hostel, an affordable yet trendy hostel located in the heart of Valencia.
  • Start your day with a stroll through the charming streets of Barrio del Carmen, the city's historic old town.
  • Pay a visit to the iconic Central Market, a buzzing space filled with colorful stalls selling fresh produce, seafood, and local specialties.
  • Take a break at one of the many cozy cafes in the area and order a cup of horchata, a sweet drink made from tiger nuts.
  • Head to the impressive Silk Exchange, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to admire its Gothic architecture and learn about the city's history.
  • Wrap up your day with delicious tapas at Sagardi, a lively bar serving traditional Basque pintxos.
Day 2

Beach and Paella

  • Grab a bike rental from Vortex Rides to explore Valencia's beautiful coastline, starting at the trendy Marina beach.
  • Continue cycling until you reach the picturesque Malvarrosa beach, where you can soak up the sun and swim in the clear water.
  • Make a reservation at La Pepica, a historic beachfront restaurant serving the best Valencian paella in town.
  • After lunch, take a stroll through the charming Cabanyal district, known for its vibrant street art and unique local vibe.
  • End your day with a visit to the City of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic complex featuring impressive avant-garde buildings and exhibitions.
  • Watch the sunset from the L'Oceanogràfic, the largest aquarium in Europe, before heading back to the hostel.

Length of stay

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Type of trip

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How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Valencia by plane is to fly into Valencia Airport. Airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Iberia offer flights to Valencia from cities throughout Europe.

Car

Driving to Valencia is a great option if you want to explore the surrounding areas. From Madrid, take the A-3 motorway south towards Valencia. The journey takes around 3 hours depending on traffic.

Train

One option for travelling to Valencia by train is to take the high-speed train (AVE) from Madrid. The train journey takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes and arrives at Valencia Joaquín Sorolla station.

Boat

If travelling internationally, you can take a ferry from the island of Ibiza to the port of Valencia. The ferry takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes from Ibiza town to Valencia Port.

Bus

Travelling to Valencia by bus is a cost-effective option. There are many bus companies that operated a direct service from other cities in Spain. Companies such as ALSA have routes from Barcelona, Madrid, and Malaga among other cities.

Destination

Valencia

Located on the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, Valencia is the city where paella was born and where oranges grow so well, they practically peel themselves.

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Number of days

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Type of trip

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