Valencia is for the traveler who has forgotten how to live

Pack your bags and make your way to Valencia if you:

• ... crave vitamin D.

  Are you in a funk? Try the proven recipe consisting of sea, sunlight and warmth. Odds are, you will have sunny weather whenever you visit.

• ... are overwhelmed.

  There are almost no queues in Valencia. Whenever you show up, there will be a spot for you. Isn’t that refreshing?

• ... are feeling stuck.

  Looking for some ganas de vivir (that’s Spanish for joie de vivre)? You are in need of balance. Or, should we say Valenc-e?

In need of a holiday, but debating between the beach, hiking, sightseeing and adventures? In fact, you would like all of it? And preferably, you’d need it at a reasonable price and with great weather, guaranteed? Look no further, Valencia is your pick. The third-largest Spanish city was long a well-kept secret, but thanks to the people like myself who visited and would not shut up about it, it is now a beloved tourist destination. With a population of just under 800,000, Valencia is the happy middle between a metropolis and a friendly small town.

If you feel you may have lost sight of the beauty of the present moment, Valencia is a great place to savor the present. A vibrant city on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, Valencia possesses a very particular allure, resulting from a captivating blend of history, culture, and magnetic spontaneity. It will offer you a new perspective on life. Immerse yourself in the present and savor every sight, sound, and taste, fully letting go of worries and releasing the past. Valencia’s bustling markets, serene parks, inviting beaches, architectural wonders, and charming neighborhoods can be a catalyst for change and a powerful reminder that life’s most profound moments happen serendipitously. You will get back in touch with yourself when you stop strategizing and start living. 

Photo credit HERE

You may be interested in:

• Restaurants, bars, and coffee shops

• Hotels (luxury and budget options) 

• Where to read in Valencia

• Where to listen to podcasts while enjoying a stroll

• Books and movies about Valencia

The highlights of Valencia can all be seen within a day. Everything is conveniently located within walking distance. So I’d suggest you start in the Old Town and work your way outwards. Make sure you visit the Barrio del Carmen, one of the oldest city neighborhoods, whose tiny tortuous streets, especially around the monumental Cathedral and its bell tower, Miguelete, are ideal for getting lost. This neighborhood invites you to wander its charming streets, lined with colorful buildings, trendy cafés, and hidden squares. As you explore the labyrinthine alleyways, stumbling upon hidden gems and embracing unexpected encounters, you will catch yourself letting go of plans and expectations. Everything is as it’s supposed to be.

Then there’s the Mercado Central, one of Europe's largest indoor markets. This is a superb example of the Valencian Art Nouveau, a local take on the early 20th-century modernism widespread in European architecture, art, and literature. Immerse yourself in a world of color, aromas, and flavors. As you stroll through the bustling market, interacting with local vendors and sampling delectable local specialties, put away your phone and make sure you aren’t wearing headphones. Engage your senses and connect with the vibrant energy of the present. Savor every moment of this comprehensive gastronomic experience.

Mercado Central

Follow the crowds to end up in the pedestrian Plaza Ayuntamiento (the City Hall Square). This part of the city offers another fantastic display of Art Nouveau, featuring the stunning Post Office and the Estación del Norte, one of Valencia’s two train stations.  One of the largest city avenues, Gran Via del Marques del Turia, officially separates the posh central Pla del Remei neighborhood from Ruzafa, one of the most popular destinations for artists, expats, and the young, and the elegant barrio of Canovas.

Carry on to explore the city’s (and one of Europe’s) largest parks, Jardin de Turia. It’s 10km long, so you are encouraged to rent a bike. Biking along the park's trails, surrounded by lush gardens, fountains, and peaceful ponds, the soothing ambiance encourages you to sense mindfulness.  At the eastern end of the park, you can admire Valencia’s principal landmark and one of the 12 Treasures of Spain: the magnificent City of Arts and Sciences, an architectural marvel that combines futuristic design with artistic innovation. Built in 1998, this spectacular architectural complex features science museums, an opera house, an IMAX cinema, a planetarium, an aquarium and oceanarium, and an exposition site. 

Jardin de Turia and City of Arts and Sciences

Another short ride away is Valencia's seemingly endless Malvarrosa Beach. It will beckon you to embrace the present with its golden sands and the scents of the sea. Revel in the warmth of the sun on your skin, listen to the rhythmic waves, and relish the joy of being here and now.

Have you already visited Valencia and if so, what did that visit do for you? What sort of issue(s) were you dealing with and how did traveling to Valencia help? Is there any other city that had a similar effect on you? Leave a comment and … until next time!