Valencia is a smaller city in Spain, although this doesn't mean the beaches will be less crowded or you can't go on a pub-crawl and shout all your new friends shots on a Tuesday. It is a city anyone will have fun visiting and exploring, and we hope everyone has a chance to visit someday.

 

 

How we got there

Valencia was our first destination with the Busabout hop on hop off system. We departed Barcelona at 8am and Valencia was our first drop off destination, which made it a pleasantly short trip. What is great about Busabout is that they drop you off at the recommended hostel, which was where we were staying. It took the hassle out of trying to find our accommodation from the airport or train station. We enjoyed a comfortable coach, free Wi-Fi, on-board entertainment and informative and friendly guide and driver who told us about the history of the city, what to do, see and eat, the best tips and optional Busabout discounted excursions.

 

 

Where we stayed

We stayed at the Busabout recommended hostel, called Purple Nest Hostel in a private twin room and shared bathroom. The hostel has an outdoor terrace, laundry, bar, breakfast, towels and tours provided.

What we did

Hang out on the overcrowded beach and get ridiculously sunburnt

We found that the best hangover cure (not scientifically proven) is to fall asleep on the sunbeds on the Valencia beach. However, just make sure it is not for 4 hours, as your hangover may be gone, but your chances of sunbaking again for the next few weeks might not be on the cards.

 

 

Pubcrawl

The Tour Me Out Pubcrawl started from our hostel with drinking games and mingling with other travellers from various parts of the globe. Our group consisted of people from Europe, Australia, the US and South America, but we soon picked up more people along the way and was the best way to make new friends. We headed out by foot to the local pubs for 10 euro each, which got us free entry and a free shot at each place. Probably not advised to drink any more than that, as Bree soon realised.

 

 

Ride a bike through the Garden of the Turia and the City of Arts and Sciences

There is a 4 hour bike tour from the hostel every day, however, we decided to hire our own for just 1 ½ hours. We went to Valenbike rental and tours just down the road from the hostel for 5 euro for 1-2 hours. This has been the best way to see new cities, and it was a great way to easily see the futuristic city of Arts and Sciences and explore the Garden of the Turia. It was a short ride from the bike rental to the garden that was full of greenery and people enjoying the outdoors. As we rode through the gardens and reached the city of Arts and Sciences, the scenery changed into modern buildings and unique sculptures, much different from the old towns of Europe we had previously been exploring. If you have more time on the bikes, you can also ride to the beach for an extra 1-2 hours.

 

 

What we ate

Paella

We were told by the Busabout crew that Paella is the thing to eat in Valencia. We were lucky enough to be at the bar in the hostel for a free homemade chicken paella before the pub-crawl, which saved our pennies for more important things that night.

How we got around

Besides by bike, we could get around the city and venture to the beach by the metro and bus lines. We caught the metro to and from the airport on the Line 3 or 5 and caught the 31 or 32 bus to and from the beach.

 

 

Final Note

The two short nights we were in Valencia were not enough, and we would have recommended anyone visiting to stay longer. Valencia will be remembered as the city of new friends, hangovers and getting ridiculously sunburnt.