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 for a weekend trip on a budget.
Getting There
Our journey began early with a 3:10 AM tube ride from central London to Liverpool Street, followed by the Stansted Express for £31 return (using a railcard). Despite the early start, the odd sight of people stumbling back from their nights out with takeaways in hand kept us entertained as we headed to the airport. 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. Just taking our rucksacks not only kept the cost down to £47.99 return, but also meant we didn’t have to drop off bags at Stansted, so the whole airport experience was a breeze.
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, one of Europe’s largest indoor food markets, for a quick browse. 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!
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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, just a 20-minute walk from the Old Town and next to the beautiful Jardin del Turia. The hotel room was comfortable and, at £32.50 each for the night, it did the trick. While there was no view and the room was quite compact, we didn’t need anything more, as we spent most of our time out exploring the city. 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) as a starter, followed by a delicious 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. One thing I would say about Valencia is that, while wines, beers, cocktails, and coffee shops were much cheaper than in London, if you want paella or a decent quantity of tapas, you’re looking at €30 or more per meal. We spent at least an hour wandering around the Old Town trying to find paella for €10 each, but sadly we were unsuccessful.
On Sunday morning, we grabbed a coffee and croissant (€4.40) outside the City of Arts and Sciences museum, a truly futuristic and impressive complex. 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
Next, we hopped on a €2 bus for a 20-minute ride to the marina and beach, where we spent a few hours soaking up the sun. For lunch, we had pizza and an Aperol Spritz on the beachfront for €25 each, followed by coffee and ice cream (€5). The food on the beachfront wasn’t nearly as good as in the Old Town and the prices felt a bit inflated since it was clearly a tourist hotspot. I’d recommend coming down to the beach, as it was a nice spot for a city beach, but I’d probably skip eating there and stick to the Old Town for meals.
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 Spanish white wine (€4 per glass) accompanied by a live band was the perfect way to toast the end of a wonderful weekend away. 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. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, following this guide will help you make the most of your time in Valencia.
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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