DAY 78: WHAT TO DO IN VALENCIA, SPAIN

Tuesday, July 1 (Valencia, Spain) – Valencia is a very interesting city in Spain.  There is the cobblestoned old city, the more modern area, plentiful beaches, a river-turned-park, and an architectural haven.  There is a lot to do in this city - known for originating paella - but here are some highlights, especially if you're short on time.

SHOP:  

• Central Market - the food markets of all food markets in Valencia!  Here you can find fresh fruits and veggies, meat, nuts, and even local wine.  I love that they have a separate room for the fresh fish so the whole market doesn't smell fishy.  There are a row of restaurants outside of the market, and you can bring some of them your fresh meat or fish and they will cook it for you on the spot!
  
• Calle Colon - the main avenue for shopping with all of the standard chain stores you see across Spain like El Cortes Ingles (I saw THREE of them in a few block radius), Sfera and Mango.  
• Poeta Querol - for the more boutiquey shops, you just need to wander.  When I did, I came across Poeta Querol which quickly became my favorite street.  Quickly because it was cool from the start, but also because I was rushing back to my hotel to pick up my bags and get to the airport! So unfortunately I didn't have time to go in any of the shops but there were so many that I would have loved to poke around in!

Conejo (rabbit) at the mercado... notice they even left some hair on rabbit's head

Funky tomatoes at the market

Caracoles (snails) climbing all over the place waiting to be bought and eaten

RELAX:  

• Beach - Valencia is one of those special cities like Chicago or Barcelona that is extremely metropolitan, but turn a corner and there is a beach!  It is very easy to get to with public transportation and there are facilities like restaurants and bathrooms on the boardwalk.  This is also a great place for a run!
  

Beach time in Valencia

Boardwalk (and cool hippo playground)

EXERCISE:  

• Run through the once-river, now-park called Turia River Gardens.  The Turia River was causing bad flooding in the city, so it was decided to dry the river up.  But in opposition with the city's plans to build a major highway in the middle of the city, rumor has it that Valencianos would go to the dried up river at night and plant trees.  Soon a park was born and the rest of history (or a legend, not sure!)
  
• Rent a bike in this notably bikeable city and burn calories while you explore the town.  There are bike rental shops on every corner, including this fancy bike store where you can plan a picnic in style.  And then there's always the Valenbisi city bike rentals, one of my personal favorite ways of getting around.
  

EXPLORE:  

• City of arts and sciences - an architecturally-unique cultural complex that houses an opera house, a science museum, a 3D theater, and an aquarium which I wrote all about yesterday!
  
• Graffiti - a nuisance to some, but an art form to many, especially in Valencia.  There are some really incredible - albeit strange - works throughout the city.  Interestingly, black sausage is a common theme.  I didn't have a chance to take the graffiti tour offered by the same company I took a free walking tour with, but if I had another day I would have loved to learn more about the artists and back stories of some of the work. 
• Perverted things - on my free walking tour, the guide Javier made sure to point out some of the... special... architecture throughout the city.  

Part of the City of Arts & Sciences complex

Black sausage graffiti

Man pooping on the building!

EAT:  

• Paella Valenciana - the original paella, as it was originated in Valencia.  This specific type of paella has a meat such as chicken and sometimes rabbit, as well as beans and green vegetables.
• Fartones - log-shaped donuts with a funny name that are often eaten with horchata
  

DRINK:  

• Horchata - a cold, refreshing beverage made from tigernuts, water and sugar.  It tastes like a sweet milk (but there's no dairy at all).  Note:  the horchata you may have seen in Mexico is different - it is made with rice instead of tigernuts.
  

A big vat of horchata

Tigernut beans that horchata is made from

Pretending to like the horchata...

• Agua de Valencia - a cava cocktail (Spanish champagne) that is served in a pitcher like sangria, and has no true recipe but usually includes a white liquor like vodka, orange juice, and sugar.

Agua de Valencia - looking like a plan OJ but doesn't taste like it!