🌞 Valencia & Barcelona: A Whirlwind Adventure in Spain! 🌞
Hey everyone! Get ready to dive into our epic 4-day, 3-night adventure in the vibrant cities of Valencia and Barcelona, Spain! This itinerary is PERFECT for students and budget travelers looking to maximize a weekend getaway – we're talking around 400 euros per person!
🚍 Getting Around: Bus Life!
We kicked off our trip from Marseille, France, and embraced the bus life! Total cost: approximately 100 euros per person. We used Flixbus for the Marseille-Valencia and Barcelona-Marseille legs and snagged Alsa tickets for Valencia to Barcelona. Quick note: we only needed our health pass checked upon returning to France. Since we booked just a week ahead, we prioritized timing over the absolute cheapest fares. Our secret weapon? Night buses! Hop on, catch some Zzz's, and wake up in a new city! 😀
🐥 Our Itinerary: Valencia & Barcelona in a Flash!
Day 1️⃣: Valencia - City of Arts & Beach Vibes
- Morning: Arrived at 7:30 AM outside Valencia's city center. A refreshing 20-minute walk through the stunning Jardí del Túria (Turia Gardens) took us right into the heart of the action. With just a small suitcase and backpack, we were ready to explore!
- Mid-day: Breakfast, strolling through Plaça de la Mare de Déu, a peek at the city hall, and a wander around the bustling Mercat Central in the historic quarter. Check-in time at our Airbnb (right across from the market – prime location for about 45 euros/night! 😂).
- Afternoon: La Ciutat de las Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences) – a MUST-SEE! First, we grabbed a metro pass for 6 euros/person/day (4 euros for the pass + 2 euros for the card 🥵). This iconic complex is a feast for the eyes! We explored the area and spent a solid two hours at the incredible Oceanogràfic aquarium.
- Evening: Think you've seen beaches? Valencia's coastline is like a slice of Vietnam, but with a *bit* more litter. Still, the warm water and wide, sandy beach were a treat. We capped off the day with delicious Paella (seafood version, yum!) at a beachfront restaurant. A late-night taxi ride back to our Airbnb gave us a glimpse of the illuminated Bullring and Estació de Nord (North Station).
Day 2️⃣: Valencia (Again!) + Barcelona at Night
- Morning: Checked out of our Airbnb, grabbed breakfast, and stashed our luggage at Lock and be Free (8 euros for a suitcase and backpack – peace of mind with an attendant!). Cheaper options are available at Estació de Nord.
- Afternoon: More exploring of Valencia's charming city center. Wide streets, beautiful buildings, and plenty of churches caught our eye. We wandered through the historic quarter, visited Llotja de la Seda (Silk Exchange – free entry!), and climbed Torres de Quart for panoramic views.
- Late-Afternoon: A visit to the Museo Nacional de Cerámica y Artes Suntuarias González Martí (National Ceramics Museum) - FREE on Saturday afternoons and Sundays! The building itself is a work of art, and the exhibits (especially the traditional Valencian kitchen) are fascinating.
- Evening: Off to Barcelona! Arrived at 8 PM, checked into our budget-friendly & super clean hotel, Acta Antibes (75 euros/night), near the bus station. Barcelona gave us Vietnam vibes with the number of scooters! We rented electric scooters for a true Barcelona experience (pricey but SO worth it!). Ended the night with a disappointing (sadly nameless) Vietnamese pho and crashed for the night.
Day 3️⃣: Barcelona - Gaudi & Harbor Views!
- Morning: Coffee and croissants at Starbucks overlooking the Sagrada Familia! Discovered a picturesque, tree-lined street nearby for the perfect photo op (and everyone else joined in, too! :)).
- All Day: Explored Barcelona on our electric scooters! Antoni Gaudí's architecture is unlike anything else, though it's no secret his masterpieces come with hefty entrance fees (20+ euros!). We admired the Sagrada Familia from every angle, especially from the picturesque spot by the pond.
- Afternoon: Casa Vicens, Gaudi's first house, was our next stop! Then we hopped on the metro to Poble Espanyol, a unique village showcasing Spanish architecture, culture, and art. Lunch wasn't a highlight, and some shops were closed because it was Sunday. We snagged student tickets for 10.5 euros (or 11.2 euros online with a 20% discount) and enjoyed the Fiesta exhibit.
- Evening: Scooter ride back to the old town, a stroll to the harbor, sunset watching (there's even a sign that says "watch the sunset at the harbor" 😂), and a seafood feast at La Paradeta. Fresh, affordable seafood – be prepared to wait in line!
Day 4️⃣: Barcelona - Farewell Tour!
- Morning: Checked out of our hotel (free luggage storage!), grabbed delicious croissant jambon for breakfast, and scootered to Casa Milà.
- Mid-day: Down to Casa Batlló (our FAVORITE building in Barcelona!), wandered through shops like Zara and Mango, explored the bustling La Rambla street, and indulged in treats at La Boqueria market (amazing jambon, fruit, and juices for 2-5 euros).
- Afternoon: Back to the old town to visit Santa Eulalia Cathedral, Plaça del Rei, El Pont del Bisbe, and the Arc de Triomf.
- Evening: Grabbed our luggage and devoured a buffet dinner at Kyoka, an Asian restaurant (16.5 euros per person, drinks and dessert extra) right across from the bus station – super convenient before our night bus back to Marseille!
Voilà! That's a wrap on our 4-day, 3-night (plus 2 nights on the bus) adventure! Wishing you all an amazing summer! 👌
#SpanishAdventure #Spain #Barcelona #Valencia #Travel
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