Valencia is not only about sun, sea, and history… it’s also something to savor. A land of farmland, sea, and tradition, this city offers one of the most authentic cuisines in the Mediterranean. From firewood-cooked Valencian paella to fishermen’s stews, traditional tapas, and wines with designation of origin, here food is made with soul.

If you’re the kind of traveler who eats, repeats, and tells the tale, here’s a selection of 10 traditional Valencian restaurants where you’ll enjoy local dishes, seasonal ingredients, and historic settings.

And since the first thing is knowing where to eat well… let’s start there:

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1. Casa Carmela – Malvarrosa Beach

Address: Carrer d’Isabel de Villena, 155, 46011 València
Phones: +34 963 710 073 / +34 696 017 989
Email: reservas@casa-carmela.com
Website: casa-carmela.com

Why go: Paellas cooked over firewood following a family recipe since 1922. On the beach, no frills—just authentic flavor and tradition.

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2. La Pepica – Malvarrosa Beach

Address: Avenida Neptuno, 6, 46011 València
Phone: +34 963 710 366
Website: lapepica.com

Why go: A century-old seaside classic. Hemingway and King Juan Carlos I dined here. Their “arroz del señoret” is living Valencian culinary history.

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3. El Racó de la Paella – Benimaclet

Address: Calle Mossen Rausell, 17, 46015 València
Phone: +34 963 488 252
Email: info@elracodelapaella.es
Website: elracodelapaella.es

Why go: Artisan paellas made to order in a 1900s house. Local essence, warm decor, and real homemade cooking.

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4. Barraca Toni Montoliu – Meliana

Address: Partida de l’Ermita, s/n, 46133 Meliana
Phone: +34 603 733 714
Email: barracatonimontoliu@gmail.com
Website: barracatonimontoliu.com

Why go: A true experience. Enjoy firewood-cooked paella in the middle of farmland, surrounded by orange trees and crops. 100% local food.

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5. La Riuà – Historic Center

Address: Carrer del Mar, 27, 46003 València
Phone: +34 963 914 571
Website: lariua.com

Why go: Homely, homemade, and 100% Valencian. Great rice selection, traditional décor, and warm service in the heart of the city.

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6. Restaurante Navarro – Central Valencia

Address: Calle Arzobispo Mayoral, 5, 46002 València
Phone: +34 963 529 623
Email: restaurante-navarro@hotmail.com
Website: restaurantenavarro.com

Why go: A locals’ favorite. Honest cuisine, excellent rice dishes, and service that makes you feel right at home.

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7. Ca Pepico – Meliana

Address: Calle Mediterrani, 1, 46133 Meliana
Phone: +34 961 491 346
Email: info@capepico.com
Website: capepico.com

Why go: Cooking with products from their own garden. Experts in Valencian dishes like esgarraet, all i pebre, and fideuà. Warm and full of character.

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8. Casa Montaña – Cabanyal

Address: Calle José Benlliure, 69, 46011 València
Phone: +34 963 672 314
Email: info@emilianobodega.com
Website: emilianobodega.com

Why go: An old tavern in a fishermen’s neighborhood. Tapas with local ingredients and exceptional wines in a place full of soul.

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9. Casa Roberto – Eixample

Address: Calle Maestro Gozalbo, 19, 46005 València
Phone: +34 963 952 335
Website: casaroberto.com

Why go: One of Valencia’s temples of rice. Impeccable paella and elegant service in one of the city’s top areas.

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10. Restaurante Levante – Benisanó

Address: Calle Mayor, 17, 46181 Benisanó
Phone: +34 962 780 136
Email: info@restaurantelevante.com
Website: restaurantelevante.com

Why go: Worth the trip outside Valencia. Absolute excellence in rice dishes and a wine cellar that enchants both connoisseurs and the curious.

Valencia is much more than just paella and the beach. It’s art, culture, nature, history, and vibrant street life. Whether you’re visiting with kids, as a couple, or with friends, here are 10 ideas to enjoy the city like a local.

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1. City of Arts and Sciences

Address: Av. del Professor López Piñero, 7, 46013 València
Website: cac.es

Why go: It’s Valencia’s modern icon. Stroll through the gardens, visit the Science Museum, watch a movie at the Hemisfèric, or get lost in the Oceanogràfic, the largest aquarium in Europe.

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2. Turia Gardens

Main access: from Cabecera Park to the City of Arts
Website: visitvalencia.com – Jardín del Turia

Why go: A huge park built on the old riverbed. Perfect for walking, biking, picnicking, jogging or just relaxing. It stretches across the whole city.

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3. Fine Arts Museum of Valencia

Address: Calle San Pío V, 9, 46010 València
Website: museobellasartesvalencia.gva.es

Why go: One of Spain’s most important museums. Free admission and an excellent collection of Valencian art, including works by Sorolla and great masters like Velázquez and Goya.

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4. El Carmen District and Old Town

Area: Around Plaza de la Virgen and Calle Caballeros
Access: From Plaza del Ayuntamiento or Torres de Serranos

Why go: Streets full of history, street art, local shops, charming bars, palaces and Roman ruins. The best way to explore is to get lost without a map.

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5. Malvarrosa Beach

Access: Paseo Marítimo, tram line 6 (Les Arenes stop)

Why go: Wide, urban, and lively year-round. Ideal for sunbathing, playing beach volleyball, or enjoying rice dishes with a sea view.

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6. Bioparc Valencia

Address: Av. Pío Baroja, 3, 46015 València
Phone: +34 960 660 526
Website: bioparcvalencia.es

Why go: A new-generation zoo where animals live in natural habitats without cages. Spectacular for families.

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7. Albufera of Valencia

Access: Bus 25 from Valencia, car or bike via El Saler
Boat rides: El Palmar dock
Website: albufera.valencia

Why go: A natural lagoon south of the city where you can watch magical sunsets. Take a boat ride and enjoy authentic paella.

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8. Central Market

Address: Plaça de la Ciutat de Bruges, s/n, 46001 València
Website: mercadocentralvalencia.es

Why go: A temple of local gastronomy and a stunning modernist building. Perfect to buy Valencian products and grab a bite on the go.

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9. Valencia Marina

Area: At the end of Paseo Marítimo (La Marina de València)
Website: lamarinadevalencia.com

Why go: A modern area with restaurants, clubs, terraces, and water sports. Great for a relaxed afternoon or lively evening.

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10. Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart

Location: Ciutat Vella (north and west of the old town)
Entrance: General €2, free on Sundays

Why go: The old gateways to the city. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the historic center.

Valencia is a comfortable, safe, and well-connected city. You can explore it on foot, by bike, or using public transport with ease. Here’s a quick guide to help you get around the city like a true local:

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1. Metro and Tram (Metrovalencia)

• Main network: connects the city center with the airport, the beach, outlying neighborhoods, and key areas like the City of Arts.

• Tram: useful to reach the beach (Line 6 or Line 8).

• Schedule: from 5:00 to around 23:30 (some lines run until midnight on weekends).

• Tickets: you can buy single, return, or travel passes (see below).

• Official website: metrovalencia.es

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2. Buses (EMT Valencia)

• Extensive network: more than 60 lines connecting the whole city.

• Schedule: most run from 6:00 to 22:00. Night buses (owl services) operate on weekends.

• Ticket purchase: on the bus (only with contactless card), via the EMTicket app, or with a rechargeable card.

• Official website: emtvalencia.es

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3. Recommended Travel Cards

• SUMA: the most practical card. It’s rechargeable and valid for both metro and bus.

  • SUMA 10: 10 trips for just €8 (valid on EMT, metro and tram within zone A).

  • Available at tobacconists, newsstands, or metro machines.

• “Valencia Tourist Card”:

  • Includes unlimited travel on EMT, metro, and tram, plus discounts at museums, monuments, and restaurants.

  • Available for 24h, 48h, or 72h.

  • Can be purchased online or at tourist points.

  • Website: valenciatouristcard.com

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4. Valenbisi (public bikes)

• Over 275 stations across the city.

• Ideal for getting around the center and flat areas like Turia Gardens or Ruzafa.

• You need to register at valenbisi.es or use the app.

• They offer daily, weekly or longer subscriptions.

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5. Useful Apps

• Moovit or Google Maps: to check real-time routes.

• EMT Valencia: to check schedules, waiting times, and bus lines.

• Metrovalencia: with interactive metro and tram map.

• Valenbisi: to find stations, check availability, and unlock bikes.

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6. How to Get to the Most Popular Places