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3 days in Valencia, Spain: exploring the home of paella

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Here’s my itinerary for spending 3 days in Valencia, Spain. This beautiful Mediterranean city is best known for being the home of paella, but there’s much more to it than that. I think it’s a really underrated city break. You’ll fall in love with the scent of the orange trees that line the sunny streets, the mixture of historical and futuristic architecture, and the endless flow of unusual beverages (which I’ll explain later). Valencia has its own unique vibe, different from other Spanish cities, and is perfect for a long weekend.

I got to know the city quite well on a recent visit, so hopefully this little itinerary for 3 days in Valencia will help you to make the most of your time there. And although I’ve covered 3 days, you could cram it into 2 by cutting out the day at the end. Or you could even spread it out for a longer stay and enjoy exploring at a more leisurely pace. 

So settle down with a glass of agua de València and enjoy planning a beautiful 3 days in Valencia…

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22 things to do in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife

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Here are some of my favourite things to do in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, a city I recently got to know and really enjoyed. I love anywhere with colourful buildings, street art and photogenic palm-lined streets: Puerto de la Cruz ticks every box. It’s a popular base for tourists but you can easily escape the crowds along the promenade by heading into picturesque side streets. This is where you’ll find lots of great seafood restaurants and nice little bars. There’s also some lovely stuff to see like a botanical garden and some black-sand beaches. In this guide to the city, I’ve included where to eat/drink, what to see and do, some day trips, and some things to avoid.

Puerto de la Cruz is also an excellent base for exploring the north of Tenerife in general. The north is much less touristy and developed than the south so is definitely my preferred location when visiting the island. There are plenty of interesting and pretty towns to visit (some of which I’ve included in this guide as day trip ideas). And I have a full, in-depth guide to things to do around northern Tenerife if you want to explore further, either by bus or by hiring a car. 

Anyway, put the kettle on and read on for some lovely things to do in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife…

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32 things to do in the lush north of Tenerife: the jewel of the Canary Islands

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Things to do in Tenerife: in the north of the island | PACK THE SUITCASES

I’ve put together this guide to some of the best things to do in Tenerife if you’re staying in the north of the island. It should help you to make the most of your time there if you want to do more than just laze about on Tenerife’s (admittedly beautiful) beaches. This is all about getting to know the island further than that.

Tenerife is one of the Canary Islands, which are part of Spain. It’s just off the coast of North Africa, so has great weather. And this of course makes it a very popular holiday destination, especially if you’re after some winter sun. I’ll admit that I had a stereotype of Tenerife in my mind. My initial mental picture was of hideous high-rise hotels, beaches riddled with tourists, and Irish pubs serving English breakfasts. Of course, there will be bits like that (in the south). But omg, there is SO much more to it. If you head up to the lush green north of Tenerife, you’ll find stunning mountain scenery, whitewashed fishing villages, restaurants full of delicious Canarian food and wine, quirky student bars, and a whole wealth of culture and history. It’s brilliant. The sunshine is just a bonus on top of all the things to see and do.

If this all sounds up your street, read on for more detail on some of the best things to do in Tenerife that I’ve personally tried and tested…

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22 things to do in Córdoba, Spain: the Andalusian city of flowers

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Here are a few of the best things to do in Córdoba, Spain, which I wanted to share after my recent stay in this beautiful city of flowers. A lot of people only visit Córdoba for the day, coming from other cities in Andalusia, which is a shame because it’s worth staying over and spending some proper time there. I spent over a week there and liked having the time to get to know its whitewashed streets, striking architecture and gardens of olive and orange trees.

There’s plenty to do in Córdoba over a long weekend, from strolling its medieval streets, discovering hidden alleyways lined with colourful flowerpots, to entering the breathtaking mosque-cathedral. Even if you do only stay overnight, it’s worth it to see the Roman bridge as dusk falls, when the city starts to sparkle. Córdoba is especially magical in spring when its gorgeous floral ‘patios’ (courtyard gardens) are at their finest and locals compete in the city’s famous annual flower festival.

If this all sounds up your street, read on for more detail on things to do in Córdoba that I personally recommend…

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