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by Alexandra Mansilla
Escaping the Heat: Fallas, Churros, And the Best Pasta Ever In Valencia
23 Jul 2024
Photo: Juan Domenech
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Another way to escape the UAE heat is Valencia. Get ready for warm welcomes, sunny smiles, and passionate hospitality from the Spanish. And remember, if it can wait until tomorrow (mañana), then let it be mañana.
How to get there
There are no direct flights from Dubai to Valencia, so you will have to fly with a layover. One option is to take a direct flight to Madrid and then catch a train to Valencia from Madrid Chamartin Railway Station. The whole journey will take just over 12 hours and cost around AED 3 100.
How to get from the airport to the city
The easiest way is by taxi. In Valencia, all taxis are white with a glowing sign on the roof. Just step out of the airport and you will see the taxi area right away. Taxis are constantly available, ready to pick up passengers.
Metro
Taking the metro from the airport to the city center is super convenient. You can buy tickets right at the airport.
Bus
Another option is the bus. Bus line number 150 connects the airport with the center of Valencia. A single ticket costs about 1.45 euros.
Where to stay
If you are visiting Valencia as a tourist, it is best to stay in the city center. Here are some good neighborhoods: Eixample (Russafa, El Pla Del Remei, Gran Vía), Quatre Carreres (Montolivet, La Font d´En Corts, Malilla, La Fonteta de Sant Lluïs, Na Rovella, La Punta, Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències), and Ciutat Vella (La Seu, La Xerea, El Carme, El Pilar, El Mercat, Sant Francesc).
There are plenty of fantastic hotels, but my top pick is Mon Suites. I stayed there for about two weeks and loved it. These are the kind of apartments you just won’t want to leave.
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What to see
A lot (Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia, Almoina Archaeological Center, etc.)! But here are our top museum picks.
Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe: Even if you know nothing about Valencia, you have probably seen this perfectly white building. It is part of the City of Arts and Sciences, and this particular building is the science museum. Each floor is an interactive world where you can even see chicks hatching.
CCCC (Centre del Carme Cultura Contemporània): A fantastic contemporary art museum that feels like the exhibits change constantly (though they follow a schedule). The museum features a beautiful central garden and entry is free.
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Museu Faller Valencia: Every March, Valencia celebrates the Fallas festival, where each neighbourhood creates a large figure (or "ninot") made by local artists, which are later burned. Some lucky figures are spared from the flames and are displayed here. The museum showcases these dolls dating back to 1934.
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Photo: Marcelo
Turia Park
This 9 km-long park, covering 110 hectares, runs through the heart of the city. It used to be the riverbed of the Turia River. Why the change? In October 1957, the Turia River flooded almost the entire city, a day now known as the "Great Valencia Flood." By 1958, the river was redirected into an artificial channel, and the old riverbed was transformed into this beautiful park.
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Photo: Lynn Van den Broeck
In Turia, there is a playground with a massive Gulliver figure sprawled out on the ground.
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Photo: Richie Diesterheft
Churros
Churros are everywhere, but the best ones come from green stalls selling all kinds of snacks. Look for these in Turia Park (near the spider-web playground) and in Jardins del Real / Vivers, across from the Museo de Ciencias Naturales. If you are visiting during the Fallas festival, churros will be everywhere, thanks to the many food trucks frying them up for the festivities.
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Photo: Félix Girault
Where to eat
Hasta la Pasta. Google Maps says it is a restaurant. But actually, it is just a couple of Italians behind the counter making the most amazing pasta ever. There are only three tables outside, so grab one quickly!
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La Ola Fresca. A homely café in the Benimaclet area with a menu, but if you fancy something that is not listed, the friendly English owner who has lived in Valencia for years will whip it up for you.
Mercado de Colón. This market has loads of cafés, and you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Lucciano's. The best ice cream in the city. But don’t just go for the ice cream — go for the whole experience.
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El Cabanyal. If you are at the beach, this is the spot. It is a small market with food to suit any taste.
Begin. A chic restaurant (with chairs shaped like hands!) serving up delicious food.
Ostras Pedrin. Oyster lovers, this is your place.
And if you are wondering where to get the best paella? For me, the casual beachside cafés are unbeatable; it is tasty everywhere. Just look for the spots with lines — they are the ones you want to eat at.
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