Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages. As the third largest city in Spain, Valencia is often overshadowed by Barcelona and Madrid. But if you're on a romantic holiday in Spain, you'll want to head straight to this seaside city to get your fill of culture, food, nature and love. We believe in the sexiness of long-term relationships, and we arrived in Valencia ready to romance.
Bike ride along the park that used to be a river with Valencia Bikes. You can take a three-hour guided tour with a stop for tapas for just 25 Euros or rent the bike for the day for 15 Euros. The terrain is flat, so just about anyone can enjoy this ride through a beautiful park and historic town center. Go to the beach , which is just two miles from the city center and easily accessible by the metro.
The beach is wide and clean, and you'll enjoy access to several eateries along the boardwalk. It's also a romantic place to watch a sunrise if you happen to stay at one of the hotels on the beach. The wind has a tendency to kick up in the late afternoon, so to avoid turning into a "croqueta" with sand all over your wet body, plan your beach time for before 4 p.
Stroll through old town. Every Thursday, you can watch the thousand-year tradition of the Water Court , where a judge queries for irrigation disputes among the farmers in the Plaza de Virgen. You can also sample tapas, shop or wander around the old town gates together. Visit Alfubera Parc. This large nature park just outside the city boasts a large lake and is surrounded by rice fields that's where you get your paella! You can take a tour on a traditional wooden boat and watch the migratory patterns of dozens of birds.
It's a lovely way to spend the late morning, and you can follow up with a paella lunch because Valencians do not eat paella for dinner at Restaurant Le Mateu. We snuck into the kitchen to watch the cook make six different paellas at one time, and it was impressive. You'll love the food and wine at this nice and reasonably-priced restaurant. Le Mateu is just a short walk from the boat slip at Alfubera Parc. Visit the Bioparc. This African-themed zoo has compatible animals living together in the same zones.
