Valencia for the day

xinran

xinran wrote: »

They also mentioned a "Valencia card" which gives unlimited travel on the bus, trams and metro for 24 hours for 8 Euros each, as well as money off various attractions, including the Arts and Science museum.
I'm just trying to find out if it includes the trip to/from the airport.

Yes it does - making it very good value. Here's a link: http://www.valenciatouristcard.com/

Mangomilk

Anybody know what's the cheapest way to go from Valencia to Barcelona or Madrid? Booked a 5 day trip to Valencia, but would like to go around a bit. Thanks.

Jolly_Roger

Hate to put a dampener on this trip, but I visit Spain a lot on business and Valencia is not the sort of city you visit to do tourist things in!
In terms of atmosphere, the old town is interesting, but the streets around it are an absolute warren so you do need a map -and you will get lost! There is an indoor market in that area, which you might want to pop into and buy some local fruit.
One thing not mentioned above is the old water course of the Turia River, now diverted away from the city centre. It has parks and sporting areas in it and is pleasant to look at.
Valencia is also home of the Paella, which tends to be more chicken-orientated and contain less sea food than in other Spanish cities. I believe this is supposed to be the REAL version of the dish.
As one who likes lentils, I also like going to Valencia, where they use these in a starter with lumps of meat and sausage. "Lentejas" is what they are called in Spanish.
Do try a local sandwich when you are there. In restaurants run by Pans Y Company and Boccatta they use crusty French sticks, in which they put sloppy tomato and olive oil plus the filling. Sounds odd until you have tried it and then you will be hooked!!
If you want to do some shopping, the El Corte Ingles in the centre of the city is the area where most of the other good shops are also to be found. You can also find value for money menu del dia restaurants around this area; look in the side streets.
The pound sterling to euro exchange rate is the worst it has ever been, so you may begin to find things in the city a little expensive -be warned.
I would recommend the Metro if you want to get around, but what little Valencia has to offer is around the central area.

Jolly_Roger

Jessie,
I don't know about the cheapest -probably long distance bus- but Renfe operates high speed trains to both Barcelona and Madrid. Do bear in mind that these are long trips, of at least 3 and a half hours, with a lot of work going on in Barcelona, which is severely hampering the rail network at the moment. Alicante is also within easy reach by train and much closer.

Jolly_Roger

Jessie,
Forgot, nowadays, it is relatively cheap to take internal flights in Spain. Vueling is the best local low cost carrier, but its prices are also matched by Spanair, Clickair and Air Europa. You will find all four have website where you can book flights and all are in English. Vueling is now run by Barbara Cassani, who founded Go! and also ran London's Olympic bid. Avoid any Ryanair internal flight like the plague, tho.

xinran

Jolly_Roger wrote: »

Hate to put a dampener on this trip, but I visit Spain a lot on business and Valencia is not the sort of city you visit to do tourist things in!

Noooo! Don't say that! I'm really looking forward to it.

Still - it's only a day out of my life, if you're right!;)

daveyjp

xinran wrote: »

Noooo! Don't say that! I'm really looking forward to it.

Still - it's only a day out of my life, if your right!;)

Don't worry about that quote - when on business you do business things so aren't in tourist mode!

My sister in law went for a week last year with her family and loved it, their friends also went last year with two boys 9 and 6 for a week and they are going back this year.

It's got parks, museums, restaurants and a fantastic beach - what more does a tourist need!

Jamjar_2

We are planning a day trip to Valencia while we are on holiday at Easter, we are staying near Torrevieja.
Can anyone recommend somewhere suitable where we can park the car and get a train or underground train into the city centre?
Many thanks JJ

Oldernotwiser

Jolly_Roger wrote: »

Hate to put a dampener on this trip, but I visit Spain a lot on business and Valencia is not the sort of city you visit to do tourist things in!

Have you been to Valencia recently? There's been an enormous amount of development since the announcement of the America's Cup and you could easily spend a week there without scratching the surface of what there is to do. I agree that the old part is compact but what about the new developments?

Check out this website

http://www.cac.es/cac/informacion/tarifas/?languageId=1

Valencia is wonderful!

Mangomilk

Jolly_Roger wrote: »

Jessie,
Forgot, nowadays, it is relatively cheap to take internal flights in Spain. Vueling is the best local low cost carrier, but its prices are also matched by Spanair, Clickair and Air Europa. You will find all four have website where you can book flights and all are in English. Vueling is now run by Barbara Cassani, who founded Go! and also ran London's Olympic bid. Avoid any Ryanair internal flight like the plague, tho.

Thanks very much Jolly_Roger, very useful information, will keep in mind.