5 unique experiences in Valencia, Spain

It’s easy to do the tourist “thang” in Spain, running through the gorgeous museums and taking selfies in front of all the beautiful sights. But if you’re looking for something off the beaten path, try these ideas on your next trip to Valencia!

I’m not a big museum person (I know, the historians will be hating on that admission, most likely… sorry, not sorry), but I love to explore and find cool, culturally unique things to do and places to see (and sometimes things to eat!). If you like that kind of thing, I think you’ll enjoy the list below!

1. Go Thrifting

If you haven’t gleaned that I love thrifting from some of my other blog posts (see Travel Planning Hack), then I’ll spell it out for you: I. LOVE. THRIFTING.

When I’m in other countries, it’s always fascinating to find a thrift store and just see the different spin on it, as well as the different items. In Valencia, if you have the opportunity to explore the Russafa neighborhood, not only will you find a family-friendly location full of ex-pats, you will find numerous quaint cafes, bars, a market and… resale shops! We found this great place, Ropa de Ocasión, and picked up some cute pieces for next to nothing. They have numerous locations around the city.

In my opinion, it’s the best kind of souvenir: something useful that wasn’t overpriced! Win-win! Here’s a link to the location we went to.

2. Try a new (unexpected) cuisine

I know what you’re thinking – you’re in Spain, so of course you’re going to eat all the Ibérico Jamón and Manchego, right? But if your belly is in need of a break, I have a hot tip for a fabulous vegan spot in the heart of Old Town in Valencia: La Tasta Olletes.

The dishes we sampled: a “Tex Mex” wrap with quinoa and avocado, fried potato wedges with out of this world dipping sauce – “Bravas de Luxe con Mayosiracha”, and a croquette dish, “Croquetas Caseras,” that has 2 different flavors: one with hints of lemon and spinach, one with sweet potato.

3. Catch a Flamenco Show

Okay, okay, flamenco isn’t really an “off-the-beaten-path” type of activity. But! What about going to a cozy venue just minutes away from the sea? You can spend the afternoon at a nearby beach and then head to El Toro y La Luna for a fabulous show of dancing, singing and incredible guitar playing. Even better, a drink (sangria or a beer) is included with your ticket price of only $19.73 per person.

The show lasts about an hour and is a feast for the eyes. Click here for more information about tickets to the show.

A female flamenco dancerin skirt for flamenco dance

4. Walk the city

We had a lot of delicious food, so we spent a lot of time just walking the city to help us digest! One of our favorite walks was from the Old Town to the sea to see the incredible architecture of the Museum of Sciences – Museu de les Ciencies. After a 10 minute walk from the Old Town, you hit a gorgeous green belt around the city that is just for pedestrians and cyclists. You can either rent a bike via one of the many rental shops or rent the Valencibici bikes that are all over town.

Exterior picture of the Valencia Museum of Science in Spain

We chose to walk to the museum, which was only about 25 minutes (it’s about a mile or so from the Old Town where we were staying). We walked the grounds, found a stand to experience Oxcata and a Farton (see number 5 below), and then continued on to a craft brewery tour (extensive post about beer in Valencia coming soon). We didn’t actually go inside to explore the museum (that’s not our jam… but if it’s yours, you do your thing!), but there is lots to see and explore around the park.

5. Eat a fart… I mean, a farton!

*Orxata and a Farton… what in the world is that, you may be wondering? Well, just an amazing drink made from Tiger Nuts and a delicious donut-like creation that hits the spot after a bit of walking!

Picture of a Female hands holding Orxata & Farton

Orxata (a version of “Horchata”) is a sweet and milky drink, served cold. It’s got a hint of spice, a hint of sweetness and despite the milky quality, it’s incredibly refreshing! It’s nothing like the horchata I’ve sampled in the United States, which are usually made from rice milk (not a fan), so if you are initially turned off because of that association, don’t knock it before you’ve tried it!

The farton (I mean, c’mon… don’t you just want to say it over and over? Farton! Farton! Farton!) is a doughy oblong pastry topped with a sugary glaze. It’s very donut-like in flavor, with the sweetness turned down a bit from it’s American relatives. It’s very light in texture and is perfectly paired with a cool glass of Orxata.

BONUS ADVENTURE

This is something I try to do in every new country I travel to: Go to a grocery store. Sure, it might sound a little lame, but it’s honestly one of my favorite things to do! A friend and I were talking about just how much fun it is to explore and try totally different things from what we would get in the US.

Photograph of 3 pringles chips cans: One of Hot 'n Spicy, One of Emmental and one of Sour Cream and Onion.

I mean, where else are you going to find Emmental Pringles? Or authentic snacks and candies from the area?

Bonus: food makes an awesome souvenir for someone who didn’t get to go on your awesome trip! I love surprising my friends with weird/delicious/unique treats from my adventures.

Where to find these awesome things:

Click on the links below to find locations or websites for the cool stuff described above.

Thrift Store: Ropa de Ocasión
La Tasta Olletes Vegan Restaurant
Flamenco Show at El Toro y La Luna
Museum of Sciences
Orxata & Fartons (this link just gives a little background- we got ours at a stand by the Museum of Sciences; however, you can get them at almost every café)

What are your favorite unique experiences in Valencia, Spain? We’d love to read your suggestions in the comments below!