Magic Day In València: Majestic Cathedrals To Fantastic Markets

Spending a day in Valencia sampling Coffee, Cathedral & Culture

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Our recent trip to València started with a drive north from Denia along the AP-7. Despite being a confident driver, Valencia’s traffic and tight turns tested my experience. Drivers need to keep their wits about them, and here’s a top tip: make sure Google Maps is your co-pilot. We aimed for the Glorieta-Paz car park, just a short walk from the old town. There was a slightly embarrassing moment, when we missed the underground entrance on the first pass and spent another 15 minutes looping back through the city.

Recommended Preparation for the Trip to València

You’ll need a good pair of walking shoes. I picked up some Skechers while in Spain, though the jury’s still out on those. More on that in a later post. One of the most underrated travel investments, however, is a decent bag. The market’s flooded with options, and while a cheap one might seem like a bargain, it won’t feel so clever when the zip breaks. For me, The North Face gets the vote every time.

Valencia’s streets are often straddled by tall buildings, which means landmarks aren’t always visible from afar. I’d highly recommend using Google Maps or Apple Maps for navigation, and downloading Google Translate with the Spanish language pack before you go. It’s also worth carrying a bottle of water. Shops are plentiful, but if you wander off the beaten track in the height of summer, you’ll be glad you planned ahead. For payments, I rely on Monzo when travelling abroad, it keeps my main account safe and lets me pay easily in either pounds or euros.

The Bat That Watches Over València

Before I dive into churros and cathedrals, here's a bit of history about the city. The bat is Valencia’s symbol. Legend has it that when King James I of Aragon reconquered the city from the Moors in 1238, a bat flew over his banner. Some versions even say it landed on his tent the night before battle. Either way, the bat stuck, today it proudly tops the city’s coat of arms, street signs and even Valencia CF’s badge.

King James I added the Balearic Islands and Valencia to his realm and thus initiated the Catalan-Aragonese expansion in the Mediterranean that was to reach its zenith in the last decades of the 14th century.

Coffee, Cathedral & Culture

Our day properly began with café con leche and a light breakfast at a cosy café tucked between cobbled streets. From there, we strolled to the Catedral de València, an awe-inspiring mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles. Built on the site of a former mosque, which itself was built over a Roman temple to Jupiter, the cathedral is a layered story of Valencia’s history. Catedral de València claims to house what many believe could be the Holy Grail—the chalice used by Jesus at the Last Supper.

Catedral de València claims to house what many believe could be the Holy Grail—the chalice used by Jesus at the Last Supper.

We had to queue for around 15 minutes to gain entry, which cost €10 per adult. Inside, you’ll find what many claim to be the Holy Grail, a chalice said to date back to the time of Christ. Whether you believe the tale or not, the atmosphere alone is worth the visit. The architecture is stunning, and I kept comparing the detail with St Paul's Cathedral, London.

Valencia Cathedral holds Pilgrim Masses for the Holy Chalice on Sundays at 12:00 PM and Thursdays at 8:00 PM (20:00). These Masses are presided over by the Cardinal and are a key event for those visiting the cathedral to see the Holy Chalice. 

✈️ Boarding Pass Members Only Beyond This Point

That’s the free leg of today’s journey — coffee, cathedral and a flying bat of history. If you’re enjoying the ride, why not upgrade your ticket?

Paid members get the full tour:

• A wander through Valencia’s old town streets
• Europe’s largest fresh market (and my first sip of horchata)
• Tapas, beers and a sneaky hamburguesa
• A pilgrimage to the Mestalla
• A peek inside the city’s stunning train station
• And the green escape of Cabecera Park

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