The Best Erasmus Guide to Valencia

Valencia is one of the favourite locations of Erasmus students bound for Spain. Each year, the most coastal area of the peninsula happily welcomes hundreds of international students who choose the Iberian South-East as the place to spend one of the most special years of their lives. Why Valencia? Many choose it because it is a small city and you don’t have to battle with transport and getting around. Others choose it purely because of the nightlife and the university vibes. If this has been your destination, by chance or conviction, pay attention to the following essential facts about living there:

A city at the seafront to spend your year abroad

One of the best things about Valencia is how close it is to the sea. There is no better way to spend a day in Valencia than to head to the Natural Park at Albufera. The best part of this place is a spectacular corner in which you can find a lagoon known as the ‘Mirror of the Sun’. It is here where young people tend to meet up to enjoy the warm summer weather and relax by the water. One of the other big attractions is the beach itself that we bumped into on a walk through the city.

The City of Arts and Sciences and the Museum of Oceanography

The modernism in Valencia is clear in the City of Arts and Sciences and you will see this on your Erasmus in Valencia. It was created by the architect Santiago Calatrava and the unique exterior design has been filmed by Disney to feature in its futuristic film ‘Tomorrowland’. Amongst the buildings that form the city, the most notable is the Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe, inspired by the skeleton of a dinosaur and the Oceanogràfic, the largest aquarium in Europe. A dream place for science students and inquisitive people like you.

Food and Drink on your Erasmus in Valencia

One of the great pleasures of Valencia is its cuisine. What visitor could leave Valencia without having tried paella? This delicious, completely Valencian dish, consists of rice, seafood and other molluscs and is one of the most famous dishes in the city. Put it with a little bit of wine and it is exquisite. You won’t try another plate of Paella like it in all of Spain. Here you can find many variations: vegetable, seafood, mixed, chicken, etc. They will leave you licking your fingers! Likewise, breakfast and merienda (afternoon snack) are accompanied by a traditional drink made from tiger nuts and milk: horchata. The top horchata makers (or horchateros) are purely Valencian. What’s more, they are paired with a sweet and solid treat: A stretched piece of sweet bread topped with powdered sugar, made especially to be eaten with this cold drink.

Living in Valencia

El Carmen – Centro. The name of the suburb is inevitably associated with the nightlife and cultural heart of the city centre as well as with a youthful vibe. In this area, students coexist with natives, artists and others. The recreational and cultural opportunities are endless, although its high prices and tourism cannot be overlooked. Ciutat Vela: here you can admire large Valencian monuments such as the Lonja de la Seda (the Silk Market) or the Palau de la Generalitat (The headquarters of the Valencian government). It is beautiful and safer to stay here, but that said it is also one of the most expensive areas in the city. Ruzafa: do you like modernism? Ruzafa is one of the suburbs that has become more fashionable in recent years. It is central and its prices are lower due to it being less well known. Nevertheless, it is abundant in entertainment opportunities. It is here that many of the best restaurants in the city and multiple bars are situated. The Port and the Royal Marina: if what you want in Valencia is to live near the sea and the port, then this is your zone. There is an atmosphere here too thanks to its bars, restaurants and clubs that offer exceptional views, overlooking the beach Las Arenas and the Royal Marina.

Going to Gandía on your Erasmus in Valencia

Were you searching for the craziest entertainment? Valencia has the only Spanish coastal area in which a reality show was filmed based on young party makers: Gandía. This beach, completely overcrowded in summer and desolate in winter, is a totally student-orientated place. During the autumn and winter months it is just students that fill it. If you’re looking for tranquillity, its university will allow you to study with the sea breeze as the only companion you need.

A few Nooks and Crannies for Specific Leisure Activities when you’re on Erasmus in Valencia – El Café de las Horas (Calle Conde de Almodovar 1) has a relaxed atmosphere. It is ideal for tasting homemade teas, their own invented cocktails or a jug of the renowned Valencian Water. The café is multipurpose; as well as serving drinks there is room for live music, literature and dramatic arts.  Ubik Café (calle Literato Azorín, 13) has activities scheduled almost every day. They are as diverse as concerts, massage workshops or literary presentations. Upper Club (Gran Vía del Marqués del Turia, 40) from Monday to Thursday you can find concerts, monologues, language classes, repeat showings of important matches…  Café Berlin (Calle Cádiz, 22) with a modest façade and a small lit sign in red letters, this café could go unnoticed in the array of restaurants and cafes of Valencia if it wasn’t for the fact it opens its doors to local artists to showcase their talent, converting itself into a temporary exhibition room. L’Umbracle Terraza (Avenida del Saler, 5,) in this space, art, music and Avant-garde architecture intermingle. You can enjoy the excellent views whilst having a drink in one of its chill-out zones.