Spain

Valencia

The city that invented paella, a futuristic Calatrava complex in a riverbed park, and a Gothic market with 1,000 stalls

Best Time

April-June and September-October

Ideal Trip

2-3 days

Language

Spanish and Valencian, English in tourist areas

Currency

EUR

Budget

EUR 28-63/day

The place

About Valencia

Valencia is the city that invented paella and will never let you forget it. The dish is cooked over wood fire in a wide shallow pan, the rice is short-grain and absorbs the saffron broth, the socarrat (the crispy rice at the bottom) is the part locals fight over, and if you order it with chorizo a Valenciano will look at you like you insulted their mother. A proper paella valenciana has rabbit, chicken, green beans, and garrafon beans. It costs EUR 12-18 per person, is always ordered for a minimum of two, and is always eaten at lunch, never dinner. The beach restaurants at La Malvarrosa and El Cabanyal serve it best.

The City of Arts and Sciences is the other reason people come, and it is genuinely worth the trip. Santiago Calatrava designed a complex of futuristic white buildings in a drained riverbed that looks like a science fiction film set. The Oceanografic (EUR 33, the largest aquarium in Europe) and the Hemisferic (IMAX cinema inside what looks like a giant eye) are the highlights. The whole complex is walkable and the Turia Gardens, the 9 km park that runs through the old riverbed from the city centre to the complex, is one of the best urban parks in Europe.

The old town is underrated. The Cathedral claims to have the actual Holy Grail. The Llotja de la Seda (EUR 2) is the Gothic silk exchange with twisted spiral columns and is the most beautiful secular Gothic building in Spain. The Mercado Central has over 1,000 stalls in a 1928 Modernisme building: go hungry, drink fresh horchata at the counter, eat at the stalls, and understand why Valencia's food scene is better than its reputation suggests.

Where to stay

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Ciutat Vella

The medieval core: the cathedral with its Holy Grail claim, the Gothic silk exchange, the 1,000-stall Modernisme market, and the medieval towers that still mark the old city gates.

First-time VisitorsHistory BuffsMarket Lovers

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Ruzafa

The creative and restaurant district south of the old town: the highest restaurant density in Valencia, brunch culture, vintage shops, street art, and where Valencia under 40 goes on weekend evenings.

FoodiesBrunch LoversLocal Life

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City of Arts & Sciences

Calatrava's futuristic complex in the drained Turia riverbed: white biomorphic structures reflected in shallow pools, the largest aquarium in Europe, and the 9 km linear park that connects it all to the old town.

Architecture LoversFamiliesScience Enthusiasts

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Where to book

Stay in Valencia

Real-time pricing across hotels, apartments, and ryokans. Book direct from the map.

What to do

Things to do in Valencia

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Museum

City of Arts and Sciences

Valencia's City of Arts and Sciences sprawls across 350,000 square meters of what used to be the Turia riverbed, featuring six futuristic white structures designed by Santiago Calatrava. You're looking at Europe's largest aquarium (the Oceanogràfic), an IMAX cinema shaped like a giant eye (the Hemisfèric), an interactive science museum that resembles a whale skeleton, and an opera house that pushes architectural boundaries. The buildings reflect dramatically in shallow surrounding pools, creating some of Spain's most photographed modern architecture. Walking through feels like exploring a sci-fi movie set where every angle reveals new curves and impossible-looking supports. The structures change completely as you move around them: what looks like a spine from one side becomes flowing wings from another. Early morning and late afternoon light transforms the white surfaces and creates mirror-perfect reflections in the water. The scale hits you gradually as you realize each building is massive, yet they feel weightless thanks to Calatrava's engineering. Most guides push you to buy tickets for everything, but honestly, walking the exterior for free gives you 70% of the experience. The Oceanogràfic justifies its EUR 33 price if you've got 3 hours and love aquariums, but the science museum at EUR 9 feels dated. Skip the IMAX unless you're desperate for air conditioning. The real magic happens outside with your camera during golden hour.

3-5 hours (full complex)Explore

Cultural Site

Oceanogràfic València

Oceanogràfic València houses 45,000 marine animals across nine underwater towers, each replicating different ocean ecosystems from Arctic waters to tropical coral reefs. You'll walk through Europe's longest underwater tunnel (35 meters) surrounded by sharks, rays, and massive groupers, then explore separate pavilions for dolphins, beluga whales, walruses, and penguins. The architecture alone is spectacular: Félix Candela's futuristic white structures look like giant water lilies floating on artificial lagoons. Your visit flows naturally from ecosystem to ecosystem, starting with Mediterranean waters and progressing to tropical seas, Arctic zones, and finally the impressive dolphinarium. The underwater tunnels create genuine wow moments as hammerhead sharks glide overhead, while the beluga whale habitat lets you watch these Arctic giants both above and below water. The dolphin shows happen four times daily, but honestly, the spontaneous interactions you'll see just walking around the dolphin lagoons are more engaging. Tickets cost 32.70 EUR for adults (book online for small discounts), and you'll need a full morning or afternoon to see everything properly. Skip the overpriced restaurant inside and eat beforehand. Most visitors rush through the smaller exhibits to reach the big attractions, but the jellyfish gallery and sea turtle recovery center are actually more memorable than the crowded dolphin shows. Start with the Red Sea tower if you arrive after 11am, as tour groups hit the main tunnel first.

3-4 hoursExplore

Market

Mercado Central Valencia

Mercado Central is Europe's largest fresh food market, housed in a stunning 1928 Modernist building with iron columns, ceramic tiles, and stained glass that casts colored light across 1,000+ stalls. You'll find everything Valencia's top chefs buy: glistening fish, jamón ibérico, citrus varieties that don't exist outside Spain, and the city's best fresh horchata. This isn't a tourist market, it's where locals actually shop, which means genuine quality and real prices. The moment you step inside, the scale hits you: soaring ceilings, endless aisles of produce, and vendors calling out prices in rapid Valencian. The central dome area feels almost cathedral-like, while the fish section near the back buzzes with serious buyers examining the daily catch. The horchata stall by the main entrance draws constant queues of locals getting their thick, fresh tiger nut drink with fartons for dipping. You'll hear more Spanish than English, which is exactly what you want. Most food tours bring groups here around 11am, making it crowded and less authentic. The real magic happens before 10am when chefs are selecting ingredients and vendors are at their chattiest. Skip the overpriced jamón near the entrances and head to the back corners where locals shop. The horchata costs EUR 2.50 to 3 and beats every restaurant version in the city. Don't bother after 2pm when half the stalls start closing early.

45 min - 1.5 hoursExplore

Museum

Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe

Santiago Calatrava's skeletal white architecture houses one of Spain's most engaging science museums, where you'll spend hours with hands-on exhibits that actually work. The Zero Gravity simulator lets you experience weightlessness, while the giant Foucault pendulum demonstrates Earth's rotation in real time. Interactive displays cover everything from DNA sequencing to Mars exploration, with most explanations in Spanish, Valencian, and English. You can manipulate real lab equipment, walk through a reproduction of the International Space Station, and test physics principles that would make your school teacher jealous. The building itself steals the show with its ribbed white exterior and cathedral-like interior spaces flooded with natural light. You'll start on the ground floor with basic physics exhibits, then climb through increasingly complex displays about biology, technology, and space. The atmosphere feels more like a playground for curious adults than a stuffy museum. Kids run between exhibits while parents get equally absorbed in the demonstrations. The upper levels offer the best exhibits and fewer crowds, especially the astronomy section with its planetarium-style projections. Most guides don't mention that entry costs €8 for adults, but the combined ticket with other City of Arts and Sciences attractions gets expensive fast at €37.20. Skip the ground floor's basic exhibits about simple machines and head straight upstairs where the real innovations live. The museum works best for 2-3 hours maximum, after that the interactive novelty wears thin and you'll want to explore the stunning exterior architecture and reflecting pools outside.

2-3 hoursExplore

Landmark

Torres de Serranos

Torres de Serranos stands as Valencia's most impressive medieval gateway, a pair of 33-meter Gothic towers that once protected the northern entrance to the walled city. You'll climb narrow stone staircases inside the towers to reach the rooftop terrace, where you get the best panoramic view in all of Ciutat Vella. The vista stretches across red-tiled rooftops, church spires, and the green ribbon of the former Turia riverbed turned park. The climb takes you through small chambers that once housed guards and prisoners, with thick stone walls and narrow arrow slits that show how seriously Valencia took its defenses. The staircases are genuinely medieval: uneven, narrow, and steep enough to make you appreciate why attacking armies struggled. Once you reach the top, the cityscape opens up dramatically, and you can see clear across to the City of Arts and Sciences in the distance. Entry costs 2 EUR, but it's free on Sundays and holidays when locals pack the place. Most visitors rush straight up and miss the carved heraldic shields and Gothic details on the facade. The towers close at sunset, so don't arrive expecting a night view. Skip this if you're claustrophobic, the staircases are genuinely tight, and there's no elevator.

45 minutesExplore

Park & Garden

Turia Gardens Bike Ride

The Jardines del Turia is a 9 km linear park that runs through the centre of Valencia in the bed of the Turia river. After the 1957 flood (the worst in Valencia's history, 81 people killed, 200,000 displaced), the city diverted the river around the urban perimeter. The dried riverbed was converted into a park in the 1980s after citizens successfully defeated a plan to turn it into a motorway. Today it connects the old town to the City of Arts and Sciences in a continuous green corridor with gardens, sports courts, playgrounds, fountains, and the Parque de Gulliver (a giant Gulliver figure on the grass with climbing structures inside). Bikes can be rented at any ValenBisi city bike station (EUR 0.50 for 30 minutes, registration requires a credit card or the app) or from private rental shops near the old town. The full 9 km ride from the Torres de Serranos to the City of Arts and Sciences takes 30-40 minutes at a relaxed pace. The gardens are flat, car-free, and connect the main sights.

1-2 hours (full ride)Explore

Landmark

Valencia Cathedral and Micalet Tower

The Valencia Cathedral was built on the site of a former mosque between the 13th and 15th centuries and is a layered Gothic structure with Baroque, Romanesque, and Renaissance elements added over the centuries. The main entry is through the Puerta de los Apostoles (the Gothic doorway facing the Tribunal de las Aguas, which still meets here every Thursday at noon). Inside, the Chapel of the Holy Chalice contains what Valencia claims is the actual Holy Grail: a 1st-century agate cup that was in Valencia from the 11th century. The Micalet Tower (the bell tower, EUR 2) is 51 metres high with a staircase of 207 steps and a platform with 360-degree views over the tiled rooftops and the old city. The tower is octagonal (unlike the square minaret it replaced) and its bells are still rung by hand for major events. Entry to the cathedral is EUR 9.

1-1.5 hoursExplore

Landmark

La Llotja de la Seda (Silk Exchange)

This 15th century silk trading hall showcases the most spectacular Gothic columns you'll see in Spain: nine twisted stone pillars that spiral 17 meters up to intricate fan vaulting. You're walking through Europe's best preserved medieval commercial exchange, where Valencia's silk merchants once conducted business that made this one of the continent's wealthiest cities. The main trading hall (Sala de Contratación) contains those famous twisted columns, while the Torre del Consulado houses the old merchant tribunal, and a peaceful Gothic courtyard with orange trees completes the complex. The moment you enter the main hall, those columns dominate everything. They look like massive stone ropes frozen mid-twist, and the narrow Gothic windows cast shifting shadows that make them appear to move as you walk around. The acoustics are remarkable: whisper at one column and someone across the hall can hear you clearly. The courtyard provides a quiet contrast with its geometric garden layout and the sound of water from the central well. Most visitors spend their time photographing the columns from every angle, and you should too. At €2, this is ridiculously good value for a UNESCO World Heritage site. Most people rush through in 20 minutes, but give yourself the full hour to appreciate how the light changes on those columns. The audio guide costs extra and isn't worth it: the visual impact speaks for itself. Skip the tower climb unless you're obsessed with medieval tribunals. Come right after visiting Mercado Central across the plaza, both represent Valencia's commercial heart perfectly.

45 min - 1 hourExplore

Restaurant

La Pepica

Family-run paella restaurant since 1898, serving traditional Valencian paella and seafood rice dishes in a dining room decorated with photos of celebrity visitors including Hemingway. The beachfront terrace offers views of the Mediterranean while you wait for your paella to cook.

2 hoursExplore

Cafe

Horchatería Santa Catalina

Traditional horchatería serving fresh horchata made daily from local tiger nuts, accompanied by fartons for dipping. The tiled interior dates to the early 20th century and the recipe has remained unchanged for four generations.

30 minutesExplore

Park & Garden

Parc de Capçalera

Parc de Capçalera spreads across 13 hectares at the western tip of Valencia's old Turia riverbed, anchoring one end of Europe's longest urban park system. You'll find an artificial lake surrounded by Mediterranean pines, eucalyptus groves, and rolling lawns where locals spread picnic blankets on weekends. The park connects seamlessly to the 9km Turia Gardens greenway that cuts straight through Valencia's heart, making it your launching point for the city's best cycling route. The atmosphere here feels distinctly local compared to touristy spots downtown. Families cycle the wide paths while kids feed ducks at the lake's edge, and you'll hear more Valencian than English. The southern section stays quieter since most visitors gravitate toward Bioparc zoo in the north. Tall palms and citrus trees provide genuine shade during Valencia's scorching summers, and the lake's fountains create a cooling microclimate that drops temperatures noticeably. Most guides mention this park as an afterthought, but it's actually Valencia's best escape from urban heat without leaving the city. Skip the overpriced Bioparc (€23.80 for adults) unless you're traveling with young kids. The free southern parkland delivers the same peaceful atmosphere. Come early morning or late afternoon when locals exercise, the light hits the lake perfectly, and you'll avoid the midday sun that makes the open areas uncomfortable.

1-2 hoursExplore

Market

Mercat del Cabanyal

Mercat del Cabanyal sits in a beautiful 1920s modernist building where fishermen's families have sold their catch for generations. You'll find the best seafood in Valencia here: langostinos for €12-15/kg, local dorada at €8-10/kg, and whatever the boats brought in that morning. The stalls reflect El Cabanyal's fishing heritage, with vendors who've worked here for decades and know exactly which fish was caught where. The market feels authentically local, not prettied up for visitors. Fishmongers call out prices in rapid Valencian, elderly neighbors debate the merits of different catches, and the smell of sea salt mingles with fresh bread from the bakery stalls. Bar Mercat inside serves proper working-class almuerzo: grilled sardines, tortilla española, and cold beer for under €8. The modernist iron and glass architecture creates beautiful light patterns across the stalls. Most travel guides oversell Valencia's Mercado Central and completely ignore this place, which works in your favor. The seafood quality here often surpasses the central market because turnover is faster and fishermen sell directly. Skip the few tourist-oriented stalls near the entrance; the real action happens in the back sections where locals shop. Prices drop significantly after 1pm when vendors want to clear stock.

45 minutes - 1 hourExplore

Hand-picked

Experiences worth booking ahead

Vetted tours and tickets we'd send a friend to. The ones worth reserving before you arrive.

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Bestseller

Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia

Valencia's fine arts museum houses Spain's finest collection of Valencian Gothic and Golden Age paintings in a beautifully converted 18th-century seminary. You'll find masterpieces by Joaquín Sorolla, whose beach scenes practically glow with Mediterranean light, plus religious works by Juan de Juanes that defined Spanish Renaissance painting. The collection spans six centuries, but the real treasures are the Valencian primitives from the 14th and 15th centuries, many displayed nowhere else in the world. The museum flows chronologically through elegant rooms with high ceilings and natural light that flatters the artwork perfectly. Sorolla's paintings occupy an entire upper floor room where his luminous seaside scenes make you feel the Valencia sun on your skin. The medieval religious paintings might seem repetitive at first, but look closer at the intricate details and rich colors that have survived centuries. The building itself adds atmosphere, with original stone archways and peaceful courtyards breaking up the galleries. Most guides don't mention that entry is completely free, making this one of Europe's best museum bargains. Skip the ground floor contemporary section unless you have extra time, it's forgettable compared to the historical masterpieces upstairs. The audio guide costs 3 EUR and actually adds value, especially for the context behind the Valencian primitives that most visitors walk past without understanding their significance.

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Lonja de Pescadores del Cabanyal

This working fish auction house operates exactly as it has for decades, with local fishermen arriving before dawn to sell their catch to restaurants and markets across Valencia. You'll see the day's haul laid out on ice while buyers inspect red mullet, sea bream, and whatever else the Mediterranean delivered that morning. The early 20th century industrial building perfectly captures El Cabanyal's authentic maritime character, far removed from the sanitized tourist experiences elsewhere in the city. The real action happens between 6am and 8am when the auction floor comes alive with rapid-fire Spanish bidding and the constant scrape of ice across concrete floors. Outside those hours, you can still wander the exterior and peek through windows at the vast auction hall with its soaring metal beams and utilitarian charm. The smell of the sea hangs heavy in the air, mixed with diesel from fishing boats moored nearby. It feels genuinely working class, which is exactly what makes it special. Most travel guides oversell this as a major attraction when it's really a quick cultural glimpse worth 20 minutes max. Unless you're genuinely interested in fish markets or industrial architecture, don't make a special trip. The building looks more impressive from outside than in, and the auction action can be underwhelming if boats didn't have a good night. Pair it with breakfast at a nearby bar rather than visiting solo.

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Museu d'Història de València

This city history museum sits inside a beautiful 19th-century water cistern, where curved brick arches create an atmospheric setting for Valencia's story from Roman times to today. The star attraction is an incredibly detailed scale model of medieval Valencia that shows exactly how the old city was laid out within its walls, complete with tiny buildings, streets, and the original riverbed. You'll also find Roman artifacts, interactive touchscreens about different historical periods, and audiovisual displays that do a solid job explaining how Valencia grew from a small settlement into Spain's third-largest city. The museum flows chronologically through spacious rooms where the old cistern's architecture steals the show. You'll start with Roman foundations and work your way through Moorish rule, the Christian conquest, and Valencia's golden age as a Mediterranean trading power. The medieval model sits in the center of the main hall, and you can walk around it from different angles while audio guides explain what you're seeing. The lighting is excellent, and the displays feel modern without being flashy. Most travel guides oversell this place, but it's genuinely useful if you're planning to explore Ciutat Vella afterward. The medieval model alone makes the visit worthwhile because it shows you exactly where the old walls stood and how the street layout worked. Skip the later historical periods unless you're really into 19th-century urban planning. At around 2 EUR for adults, it's excellent value, and you can easily see everything worthwhile in an hour.

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IVAM Institut Valencià d'Art Modern

IVAM focuses entirely on 20th and 21st-century art, making it Valencia's most serious contemporary gallery. The permanent collection centers on Julio González's revolutionary iron sculptures from the 1930s, displayed in a dedicated basement gallery that feels like a private museum. You'll also find rotating exhibitions of international contemporary artists, plus significant photography collections including Pilar Aymerich's documentary work. The building itself is a stark modernist structure that puts the art first. The visit flows chronologically downward: start on the upper floors with temporary exhibitions, then work your way to González's basement sanctuary. The galleries feel spacious and uncluttered, with excellent natural light filtering through the building's geometric windows. Unlike Barcelona's contemporary museums, IVAM doesn't try to overwhelm you with scale or spectacle. The atmosphere stays contemplative, even when school groups visit. Most guides oversell the temporary exhibitions, which can be hit or miss. The González collection is the real draw: his welded iron sculptures influenced Picasso and changed modern art forever. Entry costs €6 (free on Sundays), but skip the audio guide at €3 extra since the wall texts are excellent. The museum café's courtyard provides a perfect break, though the coffee is overpriced at €3.50.

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Top rated

Valencia Bikes

Valencia Bikes runs proper guided tours through the city's genuinely flat terrain, covering three distinct zones: the medieval old town with its cathedral and silk exchange, the converted Turia riverbed gardens, and the beachfront promenade. You'll cycle about 12 kilometers total on dedicated bike lanes and pedestrian areas, with frequent stops for photos and historical context. The guides actually know their stuff about Valencia's Roman origins, Islamic period, and modern transformation. The tour moves at a leisurely pace that works for most fitness levels, though you'll still feel like you're covering real ground. Starting in Ciutat Vella, you'll weave through narrow streets past the Central Market and Lonja before heading into the expansive Turia Gardens where the cycling gets more enjoyable. The final stretch along Malvarosa beach provides Mediterranean views and a chance to understand why Valencia works so well for cyclists. Groups stay around 12 people maximum, so it doesn't feel like a tourist parade. Most bike tour companies in Valencia are interchangeable, but these guys consistently deliver better commentary than average. Skip this if you're already comfortable cycling Valencia independently, the routes aren't particularly secret. Tours cost around 25 EUR and they provide decent hybrid bikes, though serious cyclists might find them sluggish. Book directly to avoid markup fees, and don't bother with the sunset option since you'll miss the architectural details in poor light.

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Travel guides

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FOOD

Where to Eat in Valencia: Paella, Horchata & Ruzafa

Valencia food guide: the correct way to order paella, where to eat it (beach restaurants, El Palmar), the Ruzafa restaurant district, horchata with fartons, the Mercado Central, and the Agua de Valencia cocktail.

8 minRead

GENERAL

First Time in Valencia: What You Need to Know

The practical guide to Valencia: the non-negotiable paella rules, the Turia Gardens and how to bike them, what Las Fallas actually is, horchata with fartons, and how to get to the Calatrava complex.

6 minRead

From the blog

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NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE

Valencia Neighborhoods Map: Where to Stay in Each District 2026

Navigate Valencia's neighborhoods like a local. Our district-by-district guide reveals where to stay, eat, and explore in Spain's third city.

9 min readRead

FOOD

Best Valencia Food Places 2026: 25 Restaurants Worth the Trip

Valencia's food scene goes far beyond paella. This guide covers 25 restaurants from traditional beach paellerias to innovative Ruzafa bistros that define the city's dining culture.

11 min readRead

FOOD

What to Eat in Valencia: 12 Local Dishes You Can't Miss

Valencia food specialties go far beyond paella. Discover 12 dishes locals actually eat, from horchata with fartons to all i pebre eel stew, with exact prices and where to try them.

7 min readRead

Good to know

Practical bits, answered

Paella is a lunch dish, never dinner. Order a minimum of two portions (the pan size makes single servings impractical). Allow 30-45 minutes for it to cook after ordering: a good paella cannot be rushed. Paella valenciana uses rabbit, chicken, green beans, and garrafon beans. Seafood paella (arroz a banda, arroz negro) is a different dish and also legitimate. Ordering paella with chorizo is the one thing that will genuinely offend the person cooking it.

The Oceanografic (EUR 33) is worth it if you want to spend 2-3 hours in the largest aquarium in Europe: 500 species, the shark tank, and the jellyfish tunnel are the highlights. The Museu de les Ciencies (EUR 9) and the Hemisferic IMAX (EUR 9) are optional add-ons. The exterior of the complex is free to walk around and already justifies the trip. Morning light (before 11 AM) is best for the reflections in the pools.

Las Fallas is Valencia's fire festival, held annually in the third week of March. The city constructs hundreds of large satirical sculptures (fallas) throughout the streets, runs 18 days of fireworks at 2 PM daily (the mascletà), and burns everything on the night of March 19th. It is one of the most extraordinary festivals in Europe. Book accommodation 6-12 months ahead: the city fills completely and prices triple. The UNESCO-listed festival is loud, smoky, and astonishing.

Metro Line 4 or 6 from Xativa station to Neptuno stop (25 min, EUR 1.50). Alternatively, bike the Turia Gardens (30-40 min from the old town, flat and car-free). The beach at La Malvarrosa is 6 km from the old town. El Saler beach (15 km south, backed by Albufera pine forest) requires a bus (route 25) or car and is less crowded.

Horchata (orxata in Valencian) is a cold drink made from tiger nuts (chufa), water, and sugar. The fresh version is thick, slightly earthy, and completely unlike the packaged version sold elsewhere in Spain. It is drunk as a mid-morning or mid-afternoon refreshment, always cold, usually with fartons (elongated glazed pastries for dipping). The Mercado Central horchata stall serves the genuine article. Horchateria Santa Catalina near the Cathedral is the most historic vendor.

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