Thinking about going away for a romantic weekend during Valentine’s Day? Valencia will not disappoint! We will give you plenty of tips for romantic activities, spots and restaurants, but first things first: accommodation.
Accommodation
Once Upon a Bike has found some of the finest, unique and luxury accommodation options that are perfect for couples, to start the romantic weekend off with.
Caro Hotel*****
Situated in the heart of the city is what we think, the most special, exclusive and unique hotel of Valencia. The five star Caro Hotel is in fact a 19th century palace, which is completely renovated. Each room is unique (designed by Francesc Rifé), combining historical features with modern design. The hotel has a bar with a quiet terrace, where you can enjoy a drink in the sun. Its restaurant, Alma del Temple, serves excellent traditional Mediterranean food with a modern twist. Furthermore it has an outdoor pool that is open all year round.
Click here for current prices, availability and more information.
SH Ingles Boutique Hotel***
Probably a little less pricey and also a great option is the SH Ingles Boutique Hotel. This boutique hotel is also situated in the centre of Valencia near the Cathedral. The hotel is housed in an impressive, 18th-century palace and its rooms are elegant and stylish, yet timeless. The rooms offer different views, in case you want a certain view you can contact the hotel and inform about the possibilities. A buffet breakfast is available and you can enjoy a drink on the terrace of the hotel café. There is an à la carte restaurant, which serves regional specialties such as Valencia’s famous paella.
Click here for current prices, availability and more information.
7 Moons B&B
7 Moons is a Bed & Breakfast located in the Eixample district, close to Valencia’s historic centre and the Turia Park. The B&B offers six rooms, combining both modern and stylish furniture. Some of the rooms have a private bathroom. There is a communal lounge area with tea and coffee facilities. Breakfast is included.
Click here for current prices, availability and more information.
Valencia Luxury Attics Ayuntamiento
Thinking an apartment would be more suitable for a romantic weekend away? The luxurious and elegant apartments of Luxury Attics Ayuntamiento are located in the historic centre of Valencia, a short walk away from Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Each apartment has a private furnished (some include a hot tub!) terrace with great views.
Click here for current prices, availability and more information.
Restaurants
For a special meal with your loved one, we have selected a few restaurants that are perfect for a romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner.
Westin Valencia
The Westin is part of an upscale hotel chain owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, an American hotel and leisure company. The building of the Westin in Valencia is an impressive structure, originally constructed in a modernist style in 1917. For Valentine’s Day the five star hotel has composed a special menu, for €90,00 per couple from 20.30 to 2.00 in the Salón La Exposición (the exhibition ballroom) accompanied by live music until 2.00. You can make a reservation through the website of the Westin.
Location
Calle de Amadeo de Saboya 16
Lambrusqueria
For a dinner by candlelight go to the Italian restaurant Lambrusqueria. Every table has a wine bottle overflowing with old wax and candles burning. For Valentine’s Day the restaurant has composed a special menu for €39,50 per person. As soon as you are walked to your table, you’ll get a glass of champagne. Don’t forget to make a reservation beforehand (reservations can only be made by calling +34 963340753)!
Location
Calle Conde de Altea 31
Palace Fesol
Have dinner in a traditional atmosphere; the Palace Fesol Restaurant was founded in 1909 and is currently run by the fourth generation of the family of the owners. The restaurant is a must for Valencian cuisine lovers. On the menu, you will find a variety of rice, meat and fish, all prepared with fresh ingredients.
Location
Calle Hernan Cortes 7
Website
Submarino L’oceanogràfic
Prefer to go for a dinner in a unique setting? At restaurant Submarino, part of the Oceanogràfic (aquarium), you’ll find yourself surrounded by numerous fish species. On the nights of 13 and 14 February Submarino offers a special Valentine Day’s menu for €50,00 per person (including nine dishes). The restaurant can be accessed without purchasing entrance tickets to the Oceanogràfic, however you can combine the two if you want! Don’t forget to make a reservation for beforehand, which can be made through the website.
Location
Calle Eduardo Primo Yufera 1B
Romantic things to do
During this time of the year the city is full of the scent of orange trees heavy with fruit and the sun is (almost) always shining, creating very pleasant weather by day in February. So head outside for tons of romantic things that you can do in Valencia! A few suggestions:
Stroll through old town – Horse and carriage ride
You most likely want to explore the city, so how about starting your romantic weekend off with a stroll through Valencia’s old town? Hand in hand of course… Visit all the historic sites, such as the Cathedral, Lonja de la Seda (the old silk market) and the Mercado Central (central market). In the narrow streets of the old town you’ll find a lot of charming little (traditional) shops and romantic restaurants. To make the sightseeing more special, you can take a romantic horse and carriage ride from Plaza de la Reina around the old town of the city.
Spend the afternoon in the Turia park – Have a Picnic
El Jardín del Turia, or the Turia park is a verdant sunken park that used to be a riverbed. After a catastrophic flood in 1957 which devastated the city of Valencia, the government decided to divert the course of the river and to create a park on the fertile soil of the old riverbed. The park extends over approximately 9 kilometers and is home to several cultural projects; the City of Arts and Sciences, the Palau de la Musica and a space between the bridges ‘Puente de las Flores’ and ‘Puente de la Exposición’ that is used for different events all year round. The park has a lot of romantic, private spots that are perfect for a picnic. Make sure you pick a spot that’s in the sun, and go between 13.30 and 16.00, when the sun is at its highest in the sky (and the sun’s rays are the strongest). Before you go, don’t forget to grab a few things at a ‘panaderia’ (bakery)!
A walk on the beach – Share a cake at La Más Bonita
If the sun is shining, then going to the beach in Valencia is always a good idea. Not so much to go sunbathing this time of the year, but to go for a walk. In the area there is a large number of restaurants and bars that serve Valencian and Spanish delicacies, like paella (rice dish with fish/vegetables/meat), Mariscos (fish) and tapas. Our suggestion however, is to walk towards La Patacona beach where you’ll find La Más Bonita. La Más Bonita is situated in a beautiful restored house right at the beach and is popular for its delicious cakes; there is one made especially for Valentine’s Day! La Más Bontita is open every day of the week from 8.00-1.30.
Visit Alfubera Parc – Share Paella
Just outside Valencia you’ll find the beautiful Albufera nature reserve, a lagoon surrounded by tall reeds. The area is filled with rice fields, native trees, a variety of birds, and authentic fishermen’s houses. Albufera is the birthplace of paella. The paella valenciana consists of white rice, green vegetables, meat (chicken and rabbit), land snails, beans and seasoning such as saffron, rosemary and occasionally lemon. What better place to enjoy this dish in its traditional setting in one of the picturesque villages around Albufera? You can get to Albufera by taking the number 25 EMT bus. It will take you to El Palmar from Valencia’s city centre in less than an hour, for just €1,50 per person (one way). Our suggestion is to go to El Palmar, where you can take a boat trip across the Albufera lagoon in a traditional boat.
Go animal spotting – Bioparc
There’s just something special about a zoo walk together among the exotic animals and surrounded by the beauty of nature. Valencia’s zoo, Bioparc, offers just that. The concept of the zoo, called ‘Zoo-imersion’ in Spanish, consists of immersing visitors into the animals’ habitat and not vice versa. It is divided into three ecosystems: Equatorial Africa, Savannah and Madagascar. Discover the wildlife of Africa; watch the elephants bathe in the elephant lake, the giraffas looking for closer contact to visitors, and sport the first baby gorilla born in Bioparc (now two years old). Bioparc is located in the ‘Parque de Cabecera’ (Cabecera Park) at the end of the old riverbed of the Turia park.
