Enjoy a nice picnic in Valencia. They say that spring is in the air. This season also brings good weather, which in Valencia translates into mild and pleasant temperatures, ideal for an outdoor lunch or snack.
Here are some of the best places for picnics in Valencia (some of them are very close to our school, and are perfect for a break between your lessons or when you finish your Spanish classes).
Old Turia riverbed
The old Turia riverbed is a large urban garden, about 10 kilometres long, combining the hustle and bustle of a big city with the tranquillity of an open-air green space. In the Turia riverbed, there are plenty of areas to sit and enjoy nature.
Cabecera Park
The Parque de Cabecera is the name given to the first section of the old Turia riverbed. It is divided into several areas: the Bosque de la Ribera, the Plataforma Mirador, the Bioparc and the Parque de Atracciones.
Viveros Gardens
The Royal Gardens, also called “Viveros”, is an urban public park very close to the centre of Valencia. They are next to Avenida de Blasco Ibáñez, where one of the most important university campuses of the city is located. They are a very popular place for Valencians to visit, especially during the spring.
Marina (La Marina)
La Marina is the name given to the old port of Valencia, nowadays converted into a public space of more than one million square metres where you can spend a perfect day outdoors. In the area, you will find many places to sit, chat, enjoy the scenery and the sea breeze and, why not, eat a good sandwich.
Patacona Beach
Despite being an urban beach, Patacona is quite quiet and is a good place to have a picnic now that the good weather is here. If you are visiting Valencia for the first time, we recommend you take a walk from the Hotel las Arenas to your favourite spot in Patacona, sit in front of the sea and enjoy your lunch or snack, alone or in company.
Huerta de Valencia-Alboraya
Although this plan involves leaving the city of Valencia, Alboraya is another option you can consider. You can rent a bicycle and take a route to visit some of the most emblematic farmhouses in the area (the route goes from Ca Roc, near the Colegio Mayor Ausiàs March, to Pont del Moro (Paseo de Aragón). The route lasts about an hour, and you can stop for a break wherever you like.
Central Park
Central Park is a new green lung for Valencia. It is close to the centre (behind the Estación del Norte, in the Ruzafa and Malilla areas). It has different spots for a variety of activities, including slides, sliding platforms and a climbing wall. It also has a vegetable garden and a variety of activities.
Tips for an urban picnic in Valencia:
- Check your “basket” before leaving home. Don’t forget to bring napkins, glasses, a checkered tablecloth, a mat or a blanket if you are going to sit on the ground.
- Prepare healthy food. You can bring fruit, sandwiches, healthy snacks, etc. It is also important that the food at your picnic can be eaten with your hands.
- Hydration comes first, so make sure you pack water or other beverages in your backpack.
- Use reusable tableware to reduce the use of plastic. You can take Tupperware, metal lunch boxes and thermoses, refillable bottles, etc.
- Don’t forget the rubbish bags. Because, as well as taking care of the environment, you will have to pick up any rubbish or food you may generate.
