What’s more fun than getting tips from a local? That’s when you discover the real gems right? That’s why I asked friend Christa to share her secret spots in Valencia with us in this guest blog. Hi, my name is Christa. I am 33 years old and have been living in Valencia for 2 years. Before that I lived in Utrecht, where you can know me from yoga classes or as a Spanish teacher at the ROC. When you live in a city for a while and live among the locals you really get to know a city. I share my 5 favorite places with you here.
1. Fishing district Cabanyal
This is also right away my favorite. This is where I have lived for a while now and love it here. My family often forgets what the neighborhood is called so the donkey bridge is cod. Easy to remember because you can definitely eat the freshest fish in town. It is a real fishing district, with all its charm.
The most upcoming neighborhood
From my first day in Valencia I wanted to live here. Primarily because it is right by the sea, but what also makes this neighborhood very special is that it is almost exclusively low-rise. The neighborhood used to be an old fishing village and is full of colorful buildings. There is a lot of mosaic on the houses. Currently, Cabanyal is not only called the most upcoming neighborhood of Valencia, but according to The Guardian even of the world! Many new hotspots are therefore opening in this neighborhood. Latino atmospheres in Valencia
Another reason I love Cabanyal so much is its Latino atmosphere. There are comparatively many locals in this part and even a little less tourists. They are outside a lot, where most of Spanish life takes place. Many South Americans live in this neighborhood and there music and dancing is in their blood.
On a nice summer evening, my neighbors dance flamenco in the street, playing guitar and singing.
It is extra easy for me that I speak fluent Spanish, because I chat with my neighbors every day. I see my neighbors in the neighborhood pub “La paca” and everyone is tremendously sweet and sociable. Occasionally you still see some decay in the neighborhood but these are pieces that are being bought up by investors and the expectation is that the neighborhood will only become more beautiful. This also happened with the Ruzafa district. That one was looking a bit dilapidated, but if you cycle through there now you can’t imagine that anymore. The best insider tips for Cabanyal
If you ask me where you must have been in Cabanyal, I come up with a whole list of tips. Here are my top spots in Cabanyal. – Restaurante Mestiza: For vegans, or even if you are not vegan. You will be amazed how good the food here is.
– Restaurante Malafama: Great food, always fun and also very cheap.
– La Fabrica de Hielo: In Spanish the ice factory. This used to be an ice factory and now you can enjoy live music, DJs and delicious cocktails in this large space. – Mercabanyal: an open terrace with several layers and floors. Wherever you sit, you always have sunshine here. Food trucks are everywhere with the most delicious snacks from all over the world. Great place also for a drink at the end of your working day. – La Paca: the oldest most authentic but especially most strangely decorated little bar you will see. This is where all the Spaniards from the Cabanyal neighborhood come. Always cozy. “Nada en vano, todo en vino” is written on the wall, which means “nothing more needs to be done, you can relax now.” So fits exactly very well for the end of your working day.
2. Eating the most delicious cakes in Ruzafa
When I just came to Valencia I lived in Ruzafa, a real hipster neighborhood. There, all the buildings have a different color beautiful. I once read that our brain functions better when we see more colors. Maybe that’s why I function better here in Valencia than in Holland with all the gray buildings. One thing you absolutely cannot miss here is Dulce de Leche. Not very typically Spanish, but you don’t know what you are experiencing. The valhalla for the sweet tooth and coffee lover. You must have been there to understand what I mean.
3. Eating paella the way it should be eaten in El Carmen
El Carmen is the oldest district of the city. Here you will find impressive historic buildings, quaint streets and walls filled with street art. There are small squares everywhere. A famous square is Plaza Negrito, where in the evening many Spaniards sit and have a drink. Highly recommended if you want to be a little less surrounded by tourists. Of course with some tapas you will have a great evening here. In the evening the Spaniards do not eat a large heavy meal as we are used to in the Netherlands.
They have an extensive lunch around 15.00 and in the evening they take some snacks, the well-known tapas. For lunch, I recommend eating paella, which originated in Valencia. The real paella is not with fish, as many people think, but with chicken, rabbit and beans. Delicious!
4. Feast your eyes on the Turia park
What some people do not know is that the immense park that cuts across the city is up to 18 km long! This used to be a river. It was drained due to danger of flooding. The locals still call the park what has now been created “el rio,” literally translated “the river. Valencians almost never have a backyard and so Turia is their backyard. Collectively. And you notice that! As you walk through the park you’ll encounter all sorts of things: picnics, soccer fields, playgrounds, golf courses, a running path. It is also a nice place to bike through and the bike paths are well marked. If you look carefully around you will see cute little birds. Just pay attention to them. Do you recognize them? At the end of the park you will find La ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias. The beautiful large work of art which was put up by the municipality of Valencia to attract the attention of tourists. I think they succeeded ;).
5. A real Spanish beach day at Playa Patacona
Where many people go to the nearest beach to the city, I always go to Playa Patacona. Why? There the beach is just a little whiter, the sea cleaner and from late April to late October there are bars with live music on the beach. It’s the beach where the locals come. Where there is salsa dancing late at night. There are also many nice restaurants. And a small park with palm trees. The perfect place for yoga, right on the beach, overlooking the sea. I give a yoga class every Sunday from 11am to 12pm. A very nice way to start your Sunday. Do you have a specific question about an activity in Valencia? Then let us know via Instagram @workingremotelynl or via the contact form on the website. Hasta pronto! Reading tip: Why Sandra went on a workation in Valencia
