What is the value of traveling through Valencia – the experiences and impressions?

Introduction

As part of the "Spanish Dream" initiative, the publication of entries by editor-in-chief Philip Berezin continues. In May, our team decided to visit Barcelona and its surroundings, including cities like Alicante, Torrevieja, and Benidorm. At the end of summer, we headed to Valencia. In this article, we will share interesting moments that were not included in the video materials.

Part II. First Day. Valencia

Upon arriving at Valencia Airport, it seemed quite modest to me. There are only two baggage claim belts designated for flights from non-EU countries. The arrival area itself doesn't look like what one might expect from the "air gateway" of the third largest city in Spain. I found information on Wikipedia and discovered that Valencia Airport ranks only 11th in terms of passenger numbers in Spain. This is quite understandable.

At the airport exit, we were greeted by Daniel – a charming Spaniard with a delightful smile and excellent English skills. We had to work a bit to fit our luggage into his Prius (the manufacturer of this model doesn't really prioritize comfort for passengers with suitcases), and we set off towards Valencia.

Sudden changes

The city seemed to have emerged out of nowhere. Just moments ago, we were passing by identical, unattractive warehouses, car dealerships, and supermarkets, and suddenly the highway turned into a wide avenue lined with tall buildings. After a few minutes, the road narrows, the buildings become significantly older, and we find ourselves in the very center.

Maze of streets

The central streets of Valencia are a true labyrinth. Although I don't consider myself topographically challenged, I couldn't get my bearings in the new city in four days. The streets are narrow, intersect at odd angles, and curve so much that reaching the desired place on the first try is almost impossible. Even the locals sometimes get lost.

Moreover, most of the streets in the center are one-way and quite narrow. If a taxi or garbage truck is in front of you, you can get stuck for a long time.To be sad or to panicIn such situations, it makes no sense; it's better to just relax. That's what everyone around us does. Following this example, we ourselves became a source of traffic jam half an hour later, as we approached a three-story house on a long, completely empty street.

Housing selection

Here is where we stopped. It was probably the first apartment in my life where there were more floors than rooms. We had only one room, while the kitchen was located on two floors, connected to the hall by a steep staircase.

• Great choice on Airbnb!– in complete silence, just 50 meters from the noisy central streets.
• The center of Valencia is coming to life.in the evenings, attracting many tourists and locals.

Daniel carefully parked his car in a conveniently found spot by the sidewalk. I still couldn't understand how one could choose a parking space in advance, but the decision to leave the car and explore the city on foot turned out to be quite reasonable. The best way to explore Valencia is indeed on foot, as you can encounter interesting details and beautiful landscapes everywhere.

Viewpoints in Valencia

To fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Valencia, it's worth visiting one of the viewpoints. Although this is not always necessary for navigating the city — as mentioned, it can be difficult to orient yourself here and not always justified — the view from above offers a stunning panorama of numerous rooftops and chimneys. Sometimes, even during complete silence, when the streets are empty, the sense of the city's dynamism remains alive and energetic. In some photographs, you may not even be able to discern important architectural elements, as you will be presented with a multitude of houses featuring sun-bleached tiled roofs.

The charm of narrow streets

Returning to the ground, we realized that the narrow streets of Valencia have their own special charm. Here, there are small houses three to four stories high, adorned with amazing balconies on bright facades. If their owners appreciate beauty, there are potted flowers growing on the balconies. Most of the facades are well-maintained, although there are buildings that need cosmetic repairs, creating a contrast with the almost abandoned structures.

Graffiti as an element of culture

Moreover, Valencia is generously adorned with graffiti. I must admit, I haven't had much love for such wall art. While they can transform a dull space, they often seem like attempts by young people who have found a bit of money for a spray can. In Valencia, most of the graffiti resembles primitive examples of art from ancient civilizations. Nevertheless, among the general flow of murals, there are truly remarkable works. For instance, one of these pieces is a cry from the heart: the artist is urging people to help in the search for a missing cat.

Morning with Daniel and his family

The next morning, we had a lot of interesting activities planned. The morning started with an unexpected surprise: Daniel came to pick us up with his family.

As a person with an insatiable passion for gastronomy, I was particularly impressed by two markets that emerged in the early twenty-first century. The sensations from the blend of diverse flavors and aromas: slices of cured meats hanging from the fence in raspberry and black tones, an insane variety of olives, fruits in all possible shapes and shades, spices — all of this creates a true emotional whirlwind. Moreover, the architectural designs of these spaces beautifully complement the overall atmosphere. I won't delve into the details of what I saw; it's better to just take a look at the photos.

Trip to the sea

After three o'clock in the afternoon, the heat became unbearable, and we decided to head to the coast. As we drove through the low and unremarkable gypsy neighborhoods of Valencia, we noticed that such places do exist. Once again, we struggled to find a free spot in a paid parking lot, for which we ended up paying twice. First, as soon as we approached the car, a man with a clearly Middle Eastern appearance offered his services to guard the car for one euro. And the heat just won't let up!

Swimming at the beach

We allocated only half an hour for swimming, but that turned out to be too little time. While we were changing and moving across the scorching sand to the water and back, we almost exhausted the time we had set aside for it. Valencia beach is quite wide, and the distance to the sea is about a hundred meters from the concrete promenade. The water turned out to be warmer than the air — well, it is August after all! In the end, we managed to swim, but the experience didn't become any more pleasant.

Launching the drone and meeting with the police.

After swimming, we got out of the water, dried off, and decided to launch the drone. We flew it higher above the beach, being careful not to disturb the vacationers, but soon two police officers approached us. They acted politely and courteously, informing us that they were going to check if we were allowed to operate the drone here. During the conversation, we found out that it is not permitted in the city. Although it never occurred to us that it was prohibited, they gently "warned" us, which was quite strange since we hadn't encountered anything like this before. Despite their courteous approach, it left us a bit disappointed.

Sightseeing

In the evening, we visited two amazing locations: one in Valencia and the other on the outskirts of the city. The first place is the City of Arts and Sciences, an everlasting masterpiece by architect Santiago Calatrava that is definitely worth seeing. In my opinion, there is a perfect combination of functionality and beauty here. Interestingly, these stunning structures were built not in the 21st century, but in the last decades of the 20th century, which evokes a slight envy.

• A sightseeing train runs around the complex.
• Families with children fill the museum exhibits.
• There is a boat station in a shallow pool where you can rent boats.

I was amazed by the presence of a boat station in the shallow pool. The little boats available for rent look quite clumsy, but just imagine the joy on the faces of the children paddling around them amidst the modern architectural masterpieces!

Sunset on Lake Albufera

Our day ended with a trip with Daniel to Lake Albufera, where we enjoyed a magnificent sunset. This moment, with its indescribable landscape and magic, added a special significance to our relaxation.

Conclusion

In conclusion to our fascinating journey through Valencia, I can't help but share my impressions and what remained beyond the lenses of our cameras. Meeting the sunny Spanish city turned out to be a true gift, and every moment of this trip filled me with emotions.

As soon as we stepped out of the airport and found ourselves in the embrace of Valencia, I felt that this was not just a city, but a true kaleidoscope of life. Perhaps it was this contrast between novelty and history that captivated me. The narrow streets of the labyrinth suddenly opening into wide avenues made my heart race, and the delight of discoveries around every corner was astonishing.

Sometimes I caught myself thinking that I was lost, and it was by no means sad; on the contrary, it was exhilarating. Even despite the confusion in the route, I saw many beautiful buildings, bright facades, and incredible details that lifted my spirits. As we enjoyed walking through the old neighborhoods, their atmosphere reminded me that Valencia is not just a tourist destination, but a vibrant city where people continue to live, work, and create.

Graffiti and street art

Graffiti everywhere has become my mystery. Although in most cases I wasn't a fan of such street art, I must admit that some of it turned out to be quite expressive. Muralists, using these walls as a canvas, sometimes touched on things that could evoke a smile or even sadness. I understood that each drawing carries a piece of the creator's soul, whether it's a cry for help or a simple desire to make the world around brighter.

Palaces and history

The day of our palace tour turned into one of Valencia's calling cards: the charm and grandeur of bygone eras made me ponder once again how many stories are hidden behind ancient walls. Each step brought us closer to understanding the rich culture that is immersed in architectural beauty.

Trip summary

As a result, our journey through Valencia became not just an exploration of novelty, but also a deep dive into a unique atmosphere that unites the past and the present. This trip left in my heart a genuine desire to return, to once again feel the warm rays of the Spanish sun and immerse myself in the sunny harmony of the city.

• All the unchanging moments of the journey have become a part of my soul.
• Valencia has once again opened its doors and gifted a dose of magic.
• I will take these memories with me for many years to come.