Valencia?

[Amy]

We are looking at two-three weeks in Spain in February. We will be in Barcelona for 10-12 days; and considering Valencia for 4-5 days. Would love to hear of other’s Valencia experiences. Also, are there interesting possibilities for day trips from Valencia? We would consider renting a car.

Thanks!

 

[Penn251]

We liked Valencia - a nice historic district - a beautiful park that runs through the center of town and provides really nice walking - there is the lively Ruzafa neighborhhood (lively streets, cafe's art, etc.) - the beach is a short bus ride from the center (although in February you won't be swimming or sunbathing). Valencia also has a modern opera house (the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía). We took a tour of it and saw a performance there. You can walk to it from the center using the path through the park. If you enjoy historical Jewish tours (there are Roman sites here too), the town of Sagunto is about 1/2 hour away by either train or car. There are several private guides around. The one we used was very knowledgable. If interested I can see if I can find his card and contact info. Another out of town trip is to Albufera, the home of paella. Not a lot to do there except have some good paella and take a boat ride through the rice paddy area.

 

[Amy]

There are several private guides around. The one we used was very knowledgable. If interested I can see if I can find his card and contact info.

Thanks! And yes, if you can dig up the contact info that would be appreciated.

 

[Penn251]

Thanks! And yes, if you can dig up the contact info that would be appreciated.

Here is his card - not sure if he is still active. We were there 6 years ago. There are others that offer similar tours as well.

 

[jonathan]

*waving from Girona* Yes, we were in Valencia for a week, end Oct/beginning Nov, 2021. Only just over 2 years ago, but looking back over the photos just now, and seeing almost everyone in masks was quite a jolt!

A lovely city, full of variety, with a good public bus system to get you to the beach areas, and down to El Palmar, just south of the fascinating Parque Natural de l'Albufera: this is where they grow the best paella rice, and El P is full of restaurants specialising in Paella (purists say that you can’t get a really proper paella in Valencia itself…).

Baroque churches, the cathedral and its bell tower, the superb modern complex (partly designed by Calatrava) of science Museum and opera house at the southern end of the park that Penn mentions (the park follows the original route of the river through the city. After some disastrous floods, they completely altered the course of the river, and converted the old river bed into a wonderful linear park full of exercise areas, gardens, walking biking & running routes, and much more).

We didn’t venture outside the city, apart from a couple of bus trips down to Albufera/El Palmar.

Do ask anything more specific, and I'll consult my photos & Google Map (the latter is *nothing* like as organised as one of yours, though ).

Meanwhile, we're off down to Tarragona tomorrow, for the final 5-night stay in the current roadtrip

 

[Amy]

Thanks, Jonathan! Very helpful. Valencia appeals to me, there seems to be plenty to do, and it feels like an enjoyable place to hang out for a few days.
Hope you enjoyed Girona as much as we did ( did you get to Besalú and some of the towns with fabulous Romanesque churches?) and I look forward to your impressions of Tarragona.

Our trip is shaping up to five days in Valencia, then pick up a car to explore the Priorat area and dip into Tarragona for three days, then on to Barcelona for a week (our third time there).

 

[Jan55612]

Amy, My husband and I will be in Barcelona for six weeks this winter. We arrive on January 10 and depart on February 20. If our times overlap, perhaps we could plan to get together?
Jan

 

[Amy]

Shoot, Jan we will just miss you! We will be in Barcelona from the 20-28th! But do let me know if you want to daytrip to Valencia to meet up.

 

[Jan55612]

What are your dates in Valencia? My son and his family will be with us for the week before we leave, so not sure if we can make it work.

 

[Amy]

We will be in Valencia from the afternoon of the 12th, leaving Saturday the 17th.

 

[Jan55612]

Sorry. That is the week my son and his family will be with us in Barcelona!

 

[Johnny Canuck]

Greetings from Vancouver Island.
Hope you don't mind my jumping on to your thread.
I noticed that you and Jan55612 are visiting Barcelona this month and I was wondering what observations or recommendations you might have about accommodation in Barcelona.
Was your choice from past experience, or new information received?
We'll be there for a few days at the end of April before setting off further south, with Valencia probably our next stop.
I hope it's warmer there now than what it is here.

 

[Amy]

Greetings from Vancouver Island.
Hope you don't mind my jumping on to your thread.
I noticed that you and Jan55612 are visiting Barcelona this month and I was wondering what observations or recommendations you might have about accommodation in Barcelona.
Was your choice from past experience, or new information received?
We'll be there for a few days at the end of April before setting off further south, with Valencia probably our next stop.
I hope it's warmer there now than what it is here.

I’ve twice stayed in El Born, the old part of the city across from the Gotic. It has a very evocative atmosphere, and is an easy walk to the Gotic, Barceloneta, and a longer walk up to Eixample/Gràcia (where the Modernista buildings are, more residential). Downsides, it can be loud at night, and lodgings often dark. This time around we are staying in Gracia. You really can’t go wrong with either, and the subway is easy to use to get anywhere. The places to visit are in both areas.

As to weather,—we’ve been twice in winter, and it has been very pleasant, sometimes warm enough to eat lunch outside.

 

[Johnny Canuck]

Hello Amy,
Thanks for your quick reply. That's all good info. I know other people have suggested that Eixample is a quieter place to stay and I think that is more closely aligned with what we're looking for.

What kind of accommodation have you decided on? There is such a lot to choose from.
John

 

[Amy]

Hello Amy,
Thanks for your quick reply. That's all good info. I know other people have suggested that Eixample is a quieter place to stay and I think that is more closely aligned with what we're looking for.

What kind of accommodation have you decided on? There is such a lot to choose from.

We always rent apartments. In el Born, I’ve rented from BCNGotic; and Inside Barcelona. Both were simple and comfortable. ( look in the Spain rental reviews.) For the upcoming trip I’ve booked through AirBnB. Better make a booking, Barcelona is very popular and you’ll be heading into high season!
I’d suggest starting a separate thread, people are always happy to vet your possibilities.

 

[Johnny Canuck]

Thanks for your info, and suggestion. I'll do that.

 

[Johnny Canuck]

*waving from Girona* Yes, we were in Valencia for a week, end Oct/beginning Nov, 2021. Only just over 2 years ago, but looking back over the photos just now, and seeing almost everyone in masks was quite a jolt!

A lovely city, full of variety, with a good public bus system to get you to the beach areas, and down to El Palmar, just south of the fascinating Parque Natural de l'Albufera: this is where they grow the best paella rice, and El P is full of restaurants specialising in Paella (purists say that you can’t get a really proper paella in Valencia itself…).

Baroque churches, the cathedral and its bell tower, the superb modern complex (partly designed by Calatrava) of science Museum and opera house at the southern end of the park that Penn mentions (the park follows the original route of the river through the city. After some disastrous floods, they completely altered the course of the river, and converted the old river bed into a wonderful linear park full of exercise areas, gardens, walking biking & running routes, and much more).

We didn’t venture outside the city, apart from a couple of bus trips down to Albufera/El Palmar.

Do ask anything more specific, and I'll consult my photos & Google Map (the latter is *nothing* like as organised as one of yours, though ).

Meanwhile, we're off down to Tarragona tomorrow, for the final 5-night stay in the current roadtrip

Hello Jonathan
I saw this post of yours earlier and having been given a gift a few years ago of an online cooking demonstration/lesson for paella from a chef in Bilbao!, I am now determined to visit El Palmar and experience the original. Very much looking forward to that.
But I've heard good things about Valencia, so looking forward to all that it has to offer.
John

 

[Jan55612]

We have had many extended stays in Barcelona and a couple of shorter ones. We have always rented apartments in the Eixample area. One of the reasons I initially chose this area is due to noise concerns because I am a light sleeper. I love the area. We have used VRBO and Sabbatical Homes to find our apartments. One of the things I look for, in addition to the usual things, in looking for apartments, is whether the bedroom windows face a center open area or the street. I avoid apartments that have street exposure on busy streets because of noise. Our current apartment is on Mallorca and is very convenient. Enjoy your stay in Barcelona! It is a wonderful, vibrant city.

 

[Johnny Canuck]

H

We have had many extended stays in Barcelona and a couple of shorter ones. We have always rented apartments in the Eixample area. One of the reasons I initially chose this area is due to noise concerns because I am a light sleeper. I love the area. We have used VRBO and Sabbatical Homes to find our apartments. One of the things I look for, in addition to the usual things, in looking for apartments, is whether the bedroom windows face a center open area or the street. I avoid apartments that have street exposure on busy streets because of noise. Our current apartment is on Mallorca and is very convenient. Enjoy your stay in Barcelona! It is a wonderful, vibrant city.

Hello Jan
Thanks for joining the discussion.
I think Eixample is probably where we will concentrate our search for accommodation and I agree that for a quieter room, it's generally better to secure one overlooking a courtyard.
Are you south of Ave Diagonal on Mallorca? I have viewed various apartments closer to Plaça de la Sagrada Familia, but we're still looking.
John

 

[Jan55612]

We are south of the Diagonal, closer to the Paseig de Gracia. I have stayed above the Diagonal at Provenca and Bailen on several occasions. The apartment we rented for several years is no longer rented and we found a new place. Our current apartment is one that can only be rented for 30 days or longer.