A 3-days itinerary to explore Spain's liveliest city

My mini guide to València, from the highlights you cannot miss to my recommendations on where to sleep and where to find the best traditional food.

3 days in València are enough to make you fall in love with this vibrant city. The ciutat vella overflows with Spanish culture and heritage like a colorful outdoor museum. And if getting lost in mysterious alleys full of enticing fragrances and music is not enough to make you feel bohemian, Agua de València, the signature cocktail of this city, surely will.

Day one

Once you get to València, drop your luggage off at the hotel, put on some light clothes and comfy shoes, and hit the streets of the ciutat vella (old town). What strikes you right away is the omnipresence of vivid colors: behind any corner you find orange trees, graffitis, pastel colored buildings and, if you happen to be in the right place at the right time, the traditional dresses of young people dancing in one of the city's many plazas.

The best season to visit València is spring. During this time of the year the weather is sunny and pleasantly warm by day and not too cold by night, so you can pack light and get around on foot. Temperatures range from 10 to 25° C.

If you're a history nerd like me and you go straight to the main church in any city you visit, the first thing to see in València is the Catedral de Santa María, situated in the heart of the ciutat vella.

The church was consecrated in 1238 and dedicated to Saint Mary by order of James 1st The Conqueror. The predominant architectural style of the cathedral is Valencian gothic. Here is preserved the only supposed Holy Chalice in the world defended as the true Holy Grail by many popes. The chalice was given to the cathedral by king Alfonso V of Aragon in 1436 and the Arabic inscriptions on it date back to the 1st century.

Day two

The Lonja de la Seda (in English Silk Exchange) is definitely the second highlight worthy of your time. The city's commercial prosperity in the 15th century, and the silk trade in particular, led to the construction of this commercial center. Built between 1482 and 1548 in Valencian gothic style, the Lonja is structured around an orange garden and counts three main spaces:

• the Sala de Contratación, the financial centre, where the merchants prepared and signed contracts

• the Tribunal del Mar, the first marine merchant tribunal of Spain

• the central tower, where the Tribunal would imprison merchants for debts

Every feature and room of the Lonja is richly decorated: be sure to check out the wooden ceilings in the Golden Room of the Tribunal del Mar and to spot all the stone carving details starring witches and demons!

If you are hungry for typical delicacies, but you rather keep on strolling around instead of sitting in a restaurant, the Mercat Central is the right place for your lunch break. The gorgeous produce displayed, make your mouth watery as soon as you enter. Even if you decide not to eat here (good luck with that), the elegant dome overtopping the market is worth stopping by for a quick picture.

València is home of two of the most delicious drinks I've ever tasted. Orchata, a refreshing high-protein beverage made with dried and sweetened tiger nuts (the fruit of a plant native of the València plains), and Agua de València, a dangerously delicious cocktail made from freshly squeezed orange juice, champagne, vodka and gin.

I am a real medieval architecture geek so when I heard there was a gothic monastery in València I had to see it. The Real Monasterio de la Santísima Trinidad was founded in 1242 as a hospital. In 1444, the Order of Saint Clare turned it into a monastery by desire of queen Mary, wife of Alfonso the Magnanimous, who wanted a spiritual retreat close to the city. The building, located southwest to the ciutat vella, is a mix of Valencian gothic and baroque and its highlight is the perfectly preserved cloister, which just screams for pictures.

Day three

The last day of our mini-break takes us outside the ciutat vella. The modern complex of the City of Arts and Science, can be reached by public transportation and contains, among others museums, the Oceanogràfic. 30 € (22 € for kids and elders) will buy you a unique experience in the second best acquarium in the world (according to Tripadvisor). Highlights include: the longest underwater tunnel in Europe, the only family of beluga whales in Europe and the largest dolphinarium in Europe.

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Where to eat

BonGust | Ciutat vella | $$ | restaurantebongust.com

This small restaurant located in the heart of the ciutat vella, a 2 minutes' walk from the cathedral, is ideal for an affordable fish-based dinner. Salmon and tuna tartare, accompanied by fresh fruit, alfalfa sprouts and wakame seaweeds are must tries. Be sure to start off the night with a glass of Agua de València. It's fresh, fruity and delicious. And pretty alcoholic. The picture of me after drinking a sip of it is pretty self-explanatory.

Tapearte Arroceria desde 1992 | Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències | $$ | restaurantetapearte.com

Located in the up and coming neighborhood hosting the City of Arts and Science, this restaurant is widely considered as one of the best places to enjoy paella in town. Rice and seafood are seasoned and cooked to perfection. Try the tapas: the chef surely knows how to combine the textures and flavors of its prime ingredients in gorgeously presented appetizers.

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Where to sleep

Tramontana Apartments | Ciutat vella | $$ | booking.com/hotel/es/getme-carmen-suites

Cozy and affordable apartments situated in the northern less busy part of the ciutat vella, a 10 minutes' walk from the cathedral. Plus: air conditioning, fresh bottles of water in the fridge, excellent welcome.

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Interactive map

Use this map to plan your itinerary and get directions to highlights, restaurants and accommodations on the go.