Valencia and paella as a summer escape from obligations and routine!

After last year’s visit to the famous Palma de Mallorca, this year I decided to dedicate my vacation to another part of Spain and its charms.

Midsummer, a flight from Trieste and Agua di Valencia? Why not!

Valencia, Photo: Jelena Mirić, Adria.fun

We all know that Valencia is a city of sun, sandy beaches, and modern buildings by the famous architect Santiago Calatrava. You can find a flight from many parts of Europe, but I decided on the flight from Trieste, which only takes an hour and a half, and if you’re wondering why, know that I had to stop in Istria to pick up my beloved yellow muscat – logically!

Without further ado, it’s time for you to hear what must be visited and tried in this adorable city!

Valencia, Photo: Jelena Mirić, Adria.fun

WHAT MUST YOU EAT, EAT AND EAT IN VALENCIA?

Of course, paella is number one! This year I tried it with snails, so my paella was rich in the slowest animals, but it was eaten at the speed of light. Interestingly, this year they introduced a minimum order of two to make it “worth cooking it“, and the price per person is around 17 euros, so if I compare last year’s prices in Mallorca – it’s about 6 euros more expensive.

Paella, Photo: Jelena Mirić, Adria.fun

I also enjoyed hot tapas, esgarrats, but also desserts typical of Valencia; churros – a type of fried dough and bunuels, which are a real treat. It is made with sugar and a filling of your choice. Yum!

Churros, Photo: Jelena Mirić, Adria.fun

I leave pure delight to the queen of all queens: horchata, a delicious sweet vegan drink made of water, sugar, and tiger nuts, served with farton, a sweet dough topped with sugar. My people, after Muscat Yellow, this was a great discovery for young Jelena!

Farton, Photo: Jelena Mirić, Adria.fun

You can find all this and much more at the famous Mercado Central market—fruits, vegetables, dried meat products, juices, sweets, everything! I also discovered a Bulgarian store, so I had to buy something from the Bulgarian brothers. Fantastic croissants, soft and fine sweets, but also good beer!

Mercado Central, Valencia, Photo: Jelena Mirić, Adria.fun

My biggest mistake was eating fried octopus at 9 am. One morning my boyfriend enthusiastically told me that we had to try fried octopus in a bread roll, and what you have to do you got to do, right?

And so I did, however, no one warned me that this also applies to garlic sauce, that is, lots of garlic at 9 am. Uh.. after the meal and nausea – you already know the continuation…

BEACH, CITY OR MUSEUM?

Honestly, I was not impressed by the beaches because they are sandy, everything sticks to me and it is cloudy when you enter the sea. I am more of that character: Lika hill and Istrian stone. The sea is quite rough and full of waves, so I would recommend not going too deep if you are not a greatest swimmer.

Interestingly, you can get to the beach by car, bus, or on foot, however you like. By the way, the metro and bus cost 11 euros, so you can ride wherever you want.

Valencia, Photo: Jelena Mirić, Adria.fun

The city center is intended for a sea of ​​souvenirs, sweets, restaurants, and local cocktails. City buses are active until a little after midnight, a taxi is also a good option, but not so favorable for long distances.

Valencia, Photo: Jelena Mirić, Adria.fun

Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Museu Faller de València, Hemisfèric, Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia, and Plaza de Toros de Valencia are just some of the museums that you have to visit, but of course, you need a lot of days for that.

Each is specific in its way, but we decided on the Science Museum – Museu de les Ciències. A true fantasy! We could smell the planets, experience living organisms, space actions, and suits, and the most important of all is that there is plenty of interactive content and memory games that you can enjoy all day long! Tickets range from 10 to 40 euros, but it’s worth every penny!

Museum of Science, Valencia, Photo: Jelena Mirić, Adria.fun

The general impression of Valencia is that it is charming, accessible by the standards of our countries, and relatively multicultural. A modest impression is that they have a lot of neglected populations and that there is relative poverty.

It’s worth a visit, and I’ll get back to you soon from a new location where, of course, the yellow muscat one was included!