Green Tips for Valencia: Attractions & Excursions

When planning a trip to Spain, most people think first of Madrid or Barcelona. But why not try Valencia? This over 2,000-year-old metropolis on Spain's east coast offers a genuine Mediterranean lifestyle. In this post, Beatrice shares hidden gems for Valencia and tips for hiking in the surrounding area.

For relaxed strolling, the city's winding downtown with its wonderful building facades offers many noteworthy places to visit: the impressive Art Nouveau market Mercado Colón, countless gourmet shops featuring Spanish delicacies, bustling street cafés where cheerful, animated people gather, and also secluded alleys and half-decayed buildings where you can discover art installations.

The street scene is often characterized by a typical residential neighborhood atmosphere, with a colorful mix of various people-young and old, locals and tourists. You can wander around at any time without getting bored. The best way to end the evening is to find a cozy spot to relax and enjoy the vibrant spirit of the place.

Tip: During your stroll, make sure to try a Horchata. This sweet tiger nut milk is a famous national drink in Valencia. You can test it at one of the many street stalls or at a specialized horchatería. A very popular and traditional spot is Horchatería Daniel.

Spain is known as a country where a lot of meat is consumed. If you eat few animal products or follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, you might be uncertain about whether meatless options are available when you're out and about. If you wish to eat completely vegan outside of the Spanish major cities, you might face difficulties similar to other countries. However, in Valencia, the third largest city in the country, it is not a problem to enjoy delicious meals without animal products.

On the online platform HappyCow, which helps travelers worldwide find plant-based food, there are more than 100 restaurants in Valencia offering vegan and vegetarian dishes listed.

The local population also increasingly accommodates this new food trend. According to official estimates, about 1.5% of the population is strictly vegetarian or vegan, and 10% of Spaniards prefer a predominantly plant-based diet as flexitarians.

In the small vegan café Khambú in the old town of Valencia, you can find a counterpoint to the hustle and bustle of the busy street. For vegans, this place is a real fast-food paradise: Alongside a large selection of vegan burgers, you can also get wraps, burritos, and heavenly desserts like cakes and tiramisu.

At Aloha Vegan Delights, fresh and preferably organic foods from local farmers and small producers are turned into veggie burgers, burritos, and smoothies. This tiny bistro is recognizable only by its door on the outside, and it can easily be missed. Due to the limited seating, it's advisable to take your food to go and enjoy it peacefully on the next suitable park bench.

For those who prefer to shop sustainably and plastic-free while traveling, the small zero-waste shop Biosofía in the lively nightlife district of Ruzafa is worth a visit. Here, you can immediately sense that mindfulness and appreciation for well-produced, preferably local foods are paramount. The range of different products is surprisingly large, the selection is lovingly arranged, and if you need help, the owners can assist you.

The Valencia region is a well-known holiday destination in Spain, at least in terms of the coastal areas Costa del Azahar and Costa Blanca. In contrast, the hinterland is largely unknown, and I was pleasantly surprised by its diverse impressions. Instead of just lolling on the beach, it's worthwhile to explore the mountainous landscape with turquoise natural pools and centuries-old juniper trees. If you are also interested in history, you can be captivated by the prehistoric cave paintings that are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Puebla de San Miguel Nature Park is a protected area with remarkable vegetation located in the Valencian part of the Sierra de Javalambre. Due to its elevation of about 1,800 meters and its unique climate, juniper, holm oaks, and yews grow here.

From the tiny village of Puebla de San Miguel, you can admire juniper trees in the Las Blancas Forest, some of which are between 1,500 and 2,000 years old. The approximately 11 km long route is relatively easy to walk and well marked. Information boards provide more insights into the native flora, and at the viewpoint Mirar Bueno, you can enjoy an excellent panoramic view of the valley and a large part of the region.

Tips & Useful Information: The mountainous region is about a 2-hour drive from Valencia. Hiking maps and informational material about the region can be obtained just outside the village of Puebla de San Miguel at the nature park's information center (Address: Oficina Técnica del Parque - Calle Abadía, 3).

One of my highlights in the Valencia region was the hike along the Peña Cortada Aqueduct, one of the most important Roman aqueducts in Spain. It was built in the 1st century A.D. for transporting water from the Tuéjar River. From the charming village of Chelva, a footpath leads up a short elevation to the structure, which spans the approximately 33-meter deep gorge Cueva del Gato with three arches. The structure is 36 meters long and only two meters wide - with no railings on either side. For those with a fear of heights, crossing the gorge on this narrow path can be a small challenge. But it's best to just look straight ahead and avoid looking down.

Right on the other side, a deep crevice in the rock was drilled through which the water was channeled. Once you pass through the rock crevice, you have a wide view of the surrounding mountains on the other side. After that, you can walk through the former water-carrying tunnels and canals along a rock wall.

Tips & Useful Information: The municipality of Chelva is just under an hour from Valencia and is the starting point for the hike to the aqueduct along route PR-V92. More information can be found on the Spanish website of Chelva. If you still feel like exploring after the hike, you can learn about the former Jewish, Christian, and Arab districts in Chelva's historic center by following the Path of the Three Cultures.

It's not always necessary to embark on a strenuous mountain hike to gain a new perspective. My walk from the Cuevas de la Araña along the Río Cazuma remains memorable to me primarily because of the almost paradisiacal river landscape. A sun-kissed, quiet enclave where crystal-clear natural pools follow one after another. Here, you simply want to sit, listen to the buzzing insects, dip your feet into the cold, fresh water, and wait for a few fish to venture close enough to nibble gently on your toes.

Tips & Useful Information: Information about all routes in the region can be found on the website of the municipality of Bicorp. The Cuevas de la Araña are a group of caves featuring impressive prehistoric cave paintings in the Reserva Nacional de Caza Muela de Cortes, located about 60 kilometers southwest of Valencia. If you're interested, you should also definitely visit the Eco Museo de Bicorp. There's a wonderful place to take a break at Restaurante Rural Los Botijos in Bicorp, a countryside restaurant with an associated campsite serving homemade, down-to-earth cuisine by a friendly couple.