Spain- a great whale stranded on the shores of Europe

Elizabeth Oakes Smith

Welcome to the second leg of our Spanish journey! Departing from the enchanting Barcelona, we hopped on a train to Valencia which we had booked our tickets using renfe.es from Barcelona, a city teeming with its unique allure and vibrant offerings. (Read the blog to explore Barcelona here)

Adventurous Choices & Lessons Learned

As enthusiasts of water activities, we eagerly booked a jet skiing experience with Fun&Quads. However, our encounter with this agency was less than ideal. Difficulty locating the shop, a late instructor, and the absence of basic training in our package made the experience unnerving.
We caution against this activity unless you have prior experience riding a jet ski. Also, the changing room was a container and it was quite badly maintained.

Navigating Transport

Navigating local transport presented hurdles as we could not find a way to but the day pass online. Even at the central station, there was no kiosk to buy the pass.

Thankfully, our Airbnb host offered us a spare travel pass.

Pro tip: You can purchase your pass directly at the metro station.

Carrer del Convent de Santa Clara

Nestled within the lively Carrer del Convent de Santa Clara, our accommodation area buzzed with energy. Street performances and a vibrant atmosphere made this neighborhood an enthralling hub of activity.

Pro tip: Our Airbnb was situated in the heart of the city and quite a value for our money. You can look up the room by Rotaret on Convent de Sta. Clara.

A few highlights..

Marvels of the City of Arts and Sciences

The City of Arts and Sciences mesmerized us with its architectural marvels and captivating ambience.

The Charisma of Malvarrosa Beach

Valencia’s charm extended to Malvarrosa Beach, an idyllic expanse of sandy white shores.

Quart Towers

Once you climb the steps, the twin Gothic-style defensive towers offer a stunning city overlook. While free in April 2022, there is now a 2 Euro entry fee. Highly recommended for the breathtaking view

Unexplored Gems

Though Gulliver Park eluded us due to closure, its reputation as a must-visit attraction remains intact.
Plaza de Toros de Valencia, the bullring inspired by civil Roman architecture such as the Colosseum in Rome looks extremely pretty at night, but we did not get a chance to visit the museum.

Valencia’s stunning white cityscape, the vivacious beachfront, and the captivating neighborhood of Carrer del Convent de Santa Clara left an enduring impression, fueling our desire for a return visit. A surprising delight came in the form of traffic signals portraying feminine figures with children—an unexpected but welcome feature seen across Europe.

Read the blog to explore Madrid here, uncovering more adventures and insights from our captivating journey across Spain!