Pranjal Shah
27-Oct-2025
Experience the thrill, the city, and the Mediterranean, all in one week.
The engines are about to scream, the crowds are ready to roar — MotoGP is heading to València for its season finale, and it’s going to be epic. But here’s the thing: the thrill doesn’t end when the chequered flag drops. Off the track, València turns up the charm with golden beaches, buzzing bars, and a vibe that’s equal parts heritage and hedonism. Think futuristic architecture meets centuries-old cathedrals, lazy seaside afternoons, and tapas-fuelled nights. Once a Roman city and now one of Spain’s coolest coastal escapes, València is where culture, speed, and sunshine collide — the perfect pit stop after a weekend of high-octane action.
Here’s your insider guide to what to do in València after the race — from where to stay and eat, to how to explore and unwind like a local
Image Credits: visitvalencia.com
How to Reach
Flights are the most convenient mode of reaching València from India. While there are no direct connections yet, major cities such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Ahmedabad offer frequent flights to Spain with easy layovers. Round-trip fares typically range between INR 30,000 and INR 60,000. València Airport lies just 9 km from the City Centre, and with a bus departing every fifteen minutes, your journey ends as smoothly as it begins.
Things to Do in Valencia
The rich cultural heritage of València offers much to its visitors, from historical lanes to futuristic structures to arts and ceramics. The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias is a modern architectural marvel that houses museums, an opera house and an aquarium. Its gleaming white structures mirror València's innovative spirit, while the surrounding Turia Gardens embody its natural counterpart. The Old Town, Ciutat Vella, presents an equally enthralling canvas under a different facade. The narrow streets and beautiful buildings make for a scenic, leisurely stroll amidst colourful buildings standing the test of time.
Image Credits: visitvalencia.com
If the Old Town weaves tales of days bygone, the Mercado Central (Central Market) pulses with the daily chatter of the city’s current residents. It is one of Europe’s oldest and most extensive food halls, featuring aisles of fresh food stalls that offer Iberian hams, fruits, spices and fresh seafood.
When the Mediterranean calls, València’s many beaches, from the lively Malvarrosa to the quieter El Saler, offer a languid afternoon by the sea, and the tranquil Albufera Natural Park allows for boat rides through shimmering lagoons revealing the region’s rustic charm.
Art lovers, meanwhile, can indulge in the city's rich art and ceramic heritage at the Centro de Arte Hortensia Herrero, a striking contemporary art museum housed in a restored 17th-century palace; at the Museo de Bellas Artes de València, home to an impressive collection of Spanish masters including Goya and Velázquez; and at the Museo Nacional de Cerámica y Artes Suntuarias, where ornate ceramics and decorative arts celebrate the city's craftsmanship through the ages.
Image Credits: visitvalencia.com
Where to Stay
València offers stays as diverse and delightful as the city itself, from seaside sanctuaries to stately urban hideaways, all within an easy 30-minute drive to the Ricardo Tormo Circuit. For those who like to wake up to the sound of waves, the Las Arenas Balneario Resort is a classic choice, set right on the Malvarrosa beachfront. Its grand Belle Époque architecture, serene spa, and sea-facing terraces make it the city’s signature coastal escape. A short distance inland, The Westin València will envelop you in Art Deco elegance with leafy courtyards, high ceilings, and rooms that blend vintage charm with modern comfort.
Image Credits: hotelvalencialasarenas.com
Across the Turia Gardens, the SH València Palace stands as a polished, contemporary retreat with a rooftop pool and views of the Palau de la Música, perfect if you are looking for a luxurious option. For something more intimate, the Caro Hotel, situated in a 19th-century palace, offers a stay steeped in history and architecture. And in the heart of the Old Town, MYR Hotel Palau Vallier pairs neoclassical grandeur with contemporary flair, creating a haven of soft gold tones, marble details, and one of the city’s most elegant rooftop bars.
Where to Eat
Image Credits: ricardcamarena.com
For haute cuisine, Ricard Camarena Restaurant is a must: set in the restored Bombas Gens factory, the kitchen marries vegetable-forward, sustainable produce with artistic plating and has earned two Michelin stars alongside a Michelin Green Star for its ecological commitment.
But in València, all roads inevitably lead to paella, and no trip is complete without tasting the city’s most famous dish, right where it all began. Locals swear by Casa Carmela, a century-old institution by Malvarrosa Beach that still prepares paella the traditional way over a wood fire and serves it with a reverence that borders on ritual. For something rooted in Valencian soil, L’Alqueria del Pou delivers an immersive farm-to-table experience just on the doorstep of the City of Arts and Sciences.
Image Credits: casa-carmela.com
After sunset, València’s bars offer a variety of moods. Districts like El Carmen and Ruzafa come alive by night: El Carmen for old-world charm, tapas, and flamenco; Ruzafa for trendier bars, artsy décor, and creative drinks. For dessert or late-night wind-down, seek out traditional pastries at David Esteve Pastisseria, where the flowing sweetness of artisanal confections meets the heritage of Valencian pastry craft.
Image Credits: davidestevepastisseria.com
Stay on in València after the race weekend, and the city reveals a different tempo. The noise softens, the pace steadies, and the same streets that buzzed with energy take on an effortless, unhurried grace. There is pleasure in the pause, in lingering by the sea, in tracing sunlight through the old town, and in simply letting the city breathe around you. València is not only a stage for speed; it is a place that understands balance between motion and stillness, spectacle and simplicity.
Cover Credits: visitvalencia.com
