| Somehow, Valencia remains somewhat of an | | | | is easily organized. |
| undiscovered destination. This fantastically | | | | Eating on the Cheap |
| cosmopolitan and variegated city mixes the chic | | | | As with almost all Spanish cities, there are two |
| appeal of Barcelona (a little to its north) with the | | | | key tips to eating on a budget in Valencia: the |
| simple pleasures of the Costa Blanca (a little to its | | | | Menu del Dia (menu of the day), and El Mercado |
| south) – and yet most travelers continue to | | | | (the market). |
| bypass it as they make their way through Spain! | | | | The first is one of the few remnants in |
| In theory and in practice, Valencia is simply a | | | | contemporary Spanish culture of Franco’s |
| backpackers dream. This is a place that rewards | | | | rule. Franco decreed that restaurants must offer |
| both sightseeing exploration and monetary | | | | a three-course lunchtime meal that would be |
| endeavor: not only are the sights excellent, but | | | | affordable to all his subjects. This set menu is still |
| the very best ones also tend to be those that | | | | in existence today, and as a result travelers can |
| come cheapest and most unexpected. | | | | veritably binge on great Valencian fare come |
| Here, then, are some budget travel tips on how | | | | lunchtime for less than €10. |
| to unlock the heart of this beautiful Spanish | | | | If the Menu del Dia is a lunchtime option only, then |
| city… | | | | El Mercado is accessible pretty much all day long. |
| Stay in a Hostel | | | | A huge market that sells a heady variety of |
| The incoming visitor will find numerous hostels | | | | meat, vegetable and fruit produce, it’s the |
| Valencia (and for that matter the rest of Spain) | | | | perfect place in which to stock up on some |
| can be proud of. Feetup Hostel – Hilux Hostel | | | | staples before heading to a Valencian plaza for a |
| is one such example. A boutique hostel (which | | | | leisurely picnic. |
| means it’s fancy, individualistic and cheap) | | | | Free Things to Do |
| located slap bang in the center of the city’s | | | | Aside from walking around the Old Quarter, which |
| beautiful Old Quarter, it remains one of the top | | | | is packed with visually astounding architecture and |
| ranked places to sleep in Valencia. | | | | coursing life, one of the best free things to do in |
| Nearby, the Red Nest Hostel is equally as good. | | | | Valencia is visit any one of the numerous |
| This is a big and happy place that’s been | | | | museums that are free to the general public. The |
| decked out in eye-catching pop art, and that | | | | Museo de Bellas Artes, the Museo de Prehistoria, |
| offers plenty of social areas for backpackers to | | | | and the Museo Historico Municipal are all excellent |
| meet, greet, and ultimately party. As with the | | | | picks. |
| Feetup Hostel, it’s also centrally located, which | | | | Another great free thing to do is head to the |
| means visitors here can cut down on | | | | Plaza de la Virgin. Arguably Valencia’s beating |
| transportation costs. | | | | heart, it is flanked by the city’s Cathedral, |
| Other excellent and uniformly affordable hostels | | | | another impressive Church, and the Roman |
| include 40 Flats and Indigo Youth Hostel. There is | | | | Museum. Entry to the sites comes at a price, but |
| also more than a hostel in Valencia, meaning a | | | | who needs to go inside when the view is as good |
| stay beside Valencia’s small stretch of coast | | | | as this from without? |