How to Spend 8 Packed Hours in Valencia, Spain

Even though I only had a day to spend in Valencia, I knew I didn’t just want to pass through. The third-largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona, Valencia offers a combination of city life, beaches, architecture, history, and culture. Here are the top ways to spend a day in Valencia.

Vermut and Montaditos

I came across Bodega Valero, a bodega with a large group of older men socializing and drinking out front. If I had been alone, my instinct would have been to avoid the spot for that reason. Instead, me and my friend walked right in. There were a few small tables inside, but we stood at a high counter where montaditos (tapas on bread) were displayed and where the bartender poured drinks. The narrow venue had jazz-related memorabilia displayed all over the walls and played Louis Armstrong songs. Jazz is very popular in Spain, but it still catches me off guard when I’m reminded of that.

Countertop holding two glasses of vermouth and a plate of two Spanish tortillas on bread

We ordered vermut (vermouth), which in Spain is typically drank neat or on the rocks with a slice of orange. It’s a tradition throughout Spain. The bartender gave us free tortilla española montaditos with our drinks. When my friend bought more food to carry out since she had to catch a train, the man put it in tupperware. He said she could bring it back next time she was in town!

Plaza del Ayuntamiento

With my travel partner catching her train to Madrid, I caught a cab to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. The plaza features the detailed architecture of Valencia’s town hall and other buildings from the city’s golden age. It’s worth the time to walk around the plaza and surrounding streets to admire the architecture. Then, stop at a cafe or restaurant with a view of the street.

Plaza with fountain in the middle and Spanish style buildings

Mercado Colón

My self-guided walking tour continued with Mercado Colón, or Mercat Colón. This public market was completed in 1916 in the Valencian Art Nouveau style. The market includes shops, restaurants, and a market area on two levels, as well as an outdoor patio space. It’s near the Russafa neighborhood, known as a trendy, vibrant, up-and-coming district with a lot of young residents and plenty to do day and night.

Buñuelos y Chocolate

Trying buñuelos was high on my to-do list. It’s a popular snack in Spain, as well as many Latin American countries in some form. Buñuelos are fried dough balls that come with a cup of thick, fudgy hot chocolate for dipping. I ordered some at Horchatería Fabián where you can watch them being made fresh in the front window. Horchatería Fabián and many places in Valencia also serve horchata, a drink that they say originated in the city.

Covered outdoor seating area of a pastry and chocolate shop during a day in Valencia Spain

Woman sitting behind a window frying dough to make a pastry dessert

Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias

With my buñuelos in hand, I walked toward the Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences). This is a cultural and architectural complex that contains six areas, including an open-air aquarium, planetarium and IMAX theater, opera house, garden, science museum, and event space.

Of course, time didn’t allow me to explore the complex fully, but even looking at a view of it from a bridge was impressive. Since I visited at night, the buildings were lit in purple. I found a nice view from the Puente de Aragón, a bridge that crosses the Turia river channel.

Bridge at night lit by yellow streetlights and buildings in the background

A day in Valencia isn’t nearly enough to see everything the city has to offer, but I’m glad I was able to experience some of it. For my next visit, I know exactly what I want to do and see. A few items on that list include the Central Market (it wasn’t open when I was there), the Silk Market, more of the City of Arts and Sciences, horchata, and nightlife in Russafa.

When you only have a day in Valencia, it’s tempting to rush around trying to check items off a list. I did a fair amount of rushing, but was able to experience some local culture and interact with residents, which is often the most meaningful part of travel. What would you do with a day in Valencia?