has anyone been to Valencia?

i still haven't decided whether i'll explore Madrid or go in the Andalucia region (which i really have a big interest in). anyway are there hostels in Valencia? it looks like a nice place, is there plenty to see & do? how about nightlife? i like museums, shopping and people watching and eating, lol.

VannieNY, I believe you'll find some postings about "hostales" in Valencia in the "Hostels & Other Lodgings" forum.

Have you conducted a SEARCH using VALENCIA as your keyword here in this forum? It might turn up some useful, previous threads. Anyone have any new, fresh information about Valencia for VannieNY?

Saludos, MadridMan

thanks MM, i was going to do that but i've actually had work to do in the last few hours, i'll do a search when i get home. i've done a search online and i think i'm likking Valencia more and more. it doesn't seem to be a big tourist area although there's lots to see, which i like, lol.

Hey there,

Valencia's really great. I've been twice, but in the spring and summer. As it's right on the water, I'd recommend going in the warmer weather. The beach is relatively clean and very wide, and there are museums, churches and plenty of things to see. If you really want an experience, go during Fallas (March or April) - you won't believe your eyes, and you'll have a ton of fun. good luck!

Hi Vanny,

I've been to Valencia and I thought it was a really nice place. Not as much to do as in Madrid, but still a really nice town and a really nice and interesting park to the west of town.

Unfortunately, we didn't stay at a hostal there. When I got off of the train, I searched the hostals by the train station, and they were pretty run down. We stayed at a very nice 3 star hotel, that wasn't far from the train station. It cost about 80 euros a night, which, considering how nice the hotel was, was a bargain.

thanks for the tips guys, if i find anythinh else out, i'll post it as well.

another question, i did a search on www.hostels.com and it had 2 names for the location: Valencia & Valencia de Alcantar? does anyone know the difference? are these 2 places near each other?

I can't answer you question about the two Valencias but keep in mind that the name "Valencia" is three things: 1) the name of the Province, 2) the name of "la comunidad", & 3) the name of the city.

There are two hostels ("hostales") and one youth hostel ("albergue juvenil") in Valencia City which have websites. You can find their links @ http://www.SpainHostels.com/links/Valencia/Valencia/Valencia/

Saludos, MadridMan

Nooooooo... Valencia is far away feom Valencia de Alcántara. You are looking for Valencia, only Valencia.

The Hostal Castelar used to be my favorite, but they sold out (they looked over the main Plaza), there is another very good hostal, Hostal Moratin, on Calle Moratin, which is off of Calle de las Barcas, right behind the Plaza del Ayuntmiento - it is well kept and moderatly priced. If you are adventurous try the Hostal del Cid tucked away in the gothic quarter, it is quite special, lol. The Cid is low priced but neat and clean, it is in the middle of everything - I chuckle because it's location is very colorful. When are you planning to go?
Gazpacho is correct in that there is not as much to do in Valencia as in Madrid, but the nightlife is great. Go to C/ Caballeros at night (between C/ Quart and Plaza de la Virgen), also try the nightclub area centered on Calle Juan Llorens, it all begins to perc at around 11pm. There are several interesting museums, and there are several private collections open to the public, there are three or four theaters, and the people watching is great. For restaurants, try 'El Rall" - you will need a reservation - or Bar Rausell on C/ Angel Guimera. For tapas, try Tasca Angel, but be prepared to hover at the door until the owner finds you a place to perch (it is well worth the wait).

Thnaks guys.
Deibid- where is Valencia de Alca...? how far is it from Valencia?
Guia- I've checked out the Hostal Moratin on another site and i'll check out El Cid. i'll be going to Spain in September. i'm just looking at options right now, i haven't made up my mind yet but i really want to go to El Prado in Madrid. i might make Valencia a 1-2 day trip.

Well, I am not deibid, but Valencia de Alcantara is about 500 miles away from Valencia. While Valencia is on the Mediterranean coast, East of Spain, Valencia de Alcantara is in Extremadura, a few kilometers away from the Portuguese border, West of Spain. VdeA is a small beautiful village that had a wonderful forestal environment. Unfortunately, two summers ago there was a big fire that burned out many square miles at both sides of the border in that region.

thanks Torrales!

I spent a few days in the city of Valencia, and it was NOT the most interesting part of Spain. The best part was, the HOLY GRAIL is located in the local Cathedral. That was cool. Other than that, I'd rather have devoted the time to Andalucia. Have a great trip!....Jake

Go to Valencia either during "Las Fallas" in March, the festival where they celebrate St. Joseph. The villages construct huge burnable effigies that represent the region or political floats. The floats then parade through the town and get judged. The best ones are sacrificed by burning. It's a pretty wild week of partying.

During Las Fallas, people throw huge firecrackers into crowds. I would be aware of one's surroundings. During the time I went a few years ago, it rained, so the festival wasn't as crowded.

See this website:
http://www.cyberspain.com/life/fallas.htm

Another time to go to Valencia is in Aug.-Sept. during "La Tomatina". In Bunol, they cover the little tiny town in plastic so that thousands of people can have a huge tomato fight. Women should be careful when attending this event because it gets pretty wild and they will have their clothes torn off!

For La Tomatina, I wore swimming goggles and a bathing suit underneath my throw away tee shirt and shorts since you can't really hold on to anything during the tomato fight. It gets really, really slick. Those with tomato sensitivity should not attend. Imagine having tomato juice on your skin for 6 hours before you get to wash off on the outside showers! Do not wear any jewelry! Some of my girlfriends who were ill-prepared had their tops ripped off, but luckily, we were with classmates who were gentlemanly enough to offer their shirts to them.

See this website:
http://www.cyberspain.com/life/tomatina.htm

Don't forget to eat homemade paella there! The best in the world! Stay away from the restaurants that cater to tourists where they serve frozen/"ready made" paella. One of my fondest memories is sitting at an outside cafe and seeing the owners of the restaurant walk back from across the street where they have been cooking paella in a 6 by 8 foot paella pan that needed four people to carry.

Enjoy!

Valencia I love it! Plenty of things to do and so spanish! go to the Carmen in the city centre, plenty of bars and restaurants!
I am back here in Valencia since last month and I LOVE IT