Weekend In Valencia – A £250 Challenge

This Valencia complete guide explores one of Spain’s most vibrant yet underappreciated cities. Whether you’re visiting for the stunning architecture, fantastic food, or sunshine, this guide covers everything you need.

Getting There

Our journey began early with a 3:10 AM tube ride from central London to Liverpool Street. This was followed by the Stansted Express for £31 return (using a railcard). Despite the early start, watching late-night clubbers stumble home with takeaways provided unexpected entertainment. Our Ryanair flight was a bargain at just £45 return. Departing Stansted at 8:15 AM on Saturday and returning from Valencia at 11:40 PM on Sunday worked out perfectly. Moreover, just taking our rucksacks not only kept the cost down to £47.99 return, but also meant we could skip bag drop at Stansted. As a result, the entire airport experience felt smooth and stress-free.

Exploring Valencia: Your Complete Guide to the City

We arrived in sunny Valencia by lunchtime, ready to explore. The metro (line 5) from the terminal to the city center was only €5.90 for four journeys, which is definitely the most efficient way of getting around. After a 30-minute metro ride, we got off at Xativa station and made our way to the Mercat Central. This is one of Europe’s largest indoor food markets, and is a must-see. A freshly squeezed orange juice (€1) set us up perfectly for what lay ahead. Lunch was a simple yet flavourful affair. We found a Bocadillos stand where Iberian ham was carved fresh and packed into a baguette, all for just €2.50. It was divine!

If you would like a more structured half day food tour and market visit for approximately £50 each, then you can book this here.

We spent the afternoon exploring the Old Town, sipping takeaway local Valencia Turia beer (€2 per can) to stay ‘hydrated’. The stunning Cathedral was a highlight, and we couldn’t resist sampling a refreshing sangria (€8) and the local ‘Valencia Water’ cocktail (€8) in the sunshine. The Valencia Water was a punchy but palatable mix of vodka, gin, sparkling wine and fresh orange juice.

Valencia Complete Guide – Where We Stayed

We stayed at the Exe Rey Don Jaime Hotel, conveniently located just a 20-minute walk from the Old Town and right beside the beautiful Jardin del Turia. Overall, the hotel room was comfortable and, at £32.50 each for the night, offered good value. Admittedly, there was no view and the room felt quite compact. However, since we spent most of our time out exploring the city, it suited our needs perfectly. Booking just one night helped us stay within budget, made possible by flying early on Saturday.

Valencia Complete Guide – Food & Drink

In the evening, we headed for the Old Town and indulged in classic Spanish cuisine at a local restaurant, Sereno. We shared Iberian ham with eggs (€15 for two people), followed by a chicken paella (€30 for two people). The total cost of our two-course meal with water was €30. Without wine, it didn’t feel particularly cheap. That said, one thing I would say about Valencia is that, although wines, beers, cocktails, and coffee shops were much cheaper than in London, when you want paella or a decent quantity of tapas, you’re looking at €30 or more per meal.

On Sunday morning, we enjoyed a €4.40 coffee and croissant outside the stunning City of Arts and Sciences. Though we didn’t have time for the museums or the Oceanographic Aquarium, the architectural sights and surrounding park alone were well worth the visit. If you have the time to visit inside the City of Arts and Sciences complex, you find and book combo tickets for under £15 each here.

Valencia Complete Guide – Beach and Sunset Rooftop Bar

First, we took a €2 bus to the marina and beach, where we spent a few relaxing hours under the sun. After that, we enjoyed pizza and an Aperol Spritz on the beachfront, which cost €25 each. Later, we treated ourselves to a coffee and ice cream for €5 to cool down after lunch. However, despite the lovely setting, the food quality at the beachfront didn’t match what we found in the Old Town, and prices felt unreasonably high. In conclusion, while the beach is great for views and sun, it’s best to head back to the Old Town for a better meal at a fairer price.

The final highlight of our weekend was watching the sunset in the Old Town from the Atenea rooftop bar, located near Xativa metro station on line 5. The panoramic views of Valencia were stunning. Entry cost €8, and the €4 Spanish white wine with live music was the perfect way to end the weekend. We visited the Sala Joan Olivert airport lounge at Valencia Airport on the way home. The airport lounge review can be found here.

The Final Budget Breakdown

• Flights: £47.99
• Stansted Express: £31
• Accommodation: £32.50
• Food and Drink: £76.20
• Transport (Metro, Bus): £8
• Total Cost: £195.69

This Valencia complete guide proves that you don’t need a big budget to enjoy the best of the city.

If you would like to explore our ever growing list of destinations on a budget challenges, you can find them here.

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