Explore Valencia's Markets and Culture on a City Walk

Explore Valencia's Markets and Culture on a City Walk|| 🍊Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, known for its rich history, culture, and modern architecture. Today, we'll focus on some lesser-known attractions that are perfect for a city walk. Although this is a one-day tour, there's so much to cover that we'll have to save the cathedral and silk exchange for another post. Stay tuned for more surprises! 🍊Central Market (Mercado Central) (Images 4-10) One of the largest indoor markets in Europe, built in 1928, located in Valencia's old town, near the Silk Exchange. The market offers a variety of local specialties, including cheese, ham, spices, nuts, saffron, and traditional foods. Open Monday to Saturday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm (closes early in the afternoon, so it's best to visit in the morning). Don't miss trying Valencia oranges or a glass of horchata. By the way, you can pay by card inside the market, but small cash is more convenient. Also, many stalls don't allow photography, so be mindful! 🍊Valencian Paella (Paella Valenciana) (Image 2) Valencia is considered the birthplace of paella. It's said that the first paella was a dish made by farmers using a pot to cook ingredients like rabbit, chicken, beans, and rice. We chose a local street-side shop recommended by locals with a Google rating of 4.8. The taste is very authentic and worth trying. (Image 2) 🍊Horchata with Fartons (Image 2) Valencia was occupied by the Arabs in the 8th century, and their five-century rule left a lasting impact. Horchata is a gift from Arab culture. It tastes similar to soy milk and fried dough sticks in northern China, but it's sweet. (Image 2) 🍊Continue north to El Carmen, also part of Valencia's old town, where you'll find many modern art graffiti works. (Images 14-18) There's a local rumor that these graffiti works were created by anonymous artists at night to awaken people's thoughts on the conflict between history and modernity. The graffiti is scattered throughout the streets and alleys, so you can wander around and discover hidden art pieces. This area is also known for its nightlife, so it's not recommended for solo female travelers at night for safety reasons. 🍊Every corner of Valencia has a story to tell, whether it's historical relics, legends, or daily life, allowing you to feel the cultural depth and human charm of this city.