VALENCIA STAG AND HEN WEEKENDS

Valencia stag and hen weekends

Valencia: The Mediterranean's Trendiest City?

If there has ever been a case of a city pulling it socks up in record time then the calcetines of the 21st century are tight around Valenciano shins. Spain's third largest city, a once-languishing coastal port, has dusted itself down, built some of the finest modern architecture in the world and become the host venue for the America's Cup and the European Formula One Grand Prix, not to mention twice UEFA Champions finalists Valencia CF. Below you can read our Guide to Vivacious Valencia...


Flights to Valencia	Valencia by Night	Where to Stay	Valencia by Day	Valencia

Valencia City Guide

Those of us who loved the old, rather run down Valencia have not been dissapointed by all the modernisation however, as favourite areas like the Carmen, Russafa and Cabanyal still sparkle with history and display the special charm and character of Old Valencia. This city has always been party-mad, its club scene a mecca for Spain's party animals, and there's no change there. The city that invented the paella, washed down with crisp cool rosé wine offers maybe the ideal mix of city sophistication and chilled out beach life. Don't say this to a Valenciano , but you might just compare it to a less bustling, and less expensive, Barcelona: a little sister now strutting the stage with confidence and elegance. Read our City Guide below to glean all you'll need for a sortie to Vivacious Valencia:

Valencia City v Valencia Beach and Marina

When planning your stag or hen trip to Valencia, remember that Valencia is a large bustling city with a wonderful beach area, but not a beach holiday resort! In fact the area around the Marina, Port and the Beaches of Malvarrosa, Patacona and Arenas is now one of Valencia's trendiest with an array of bars at the Marina, and restaurants. This is the area where the America's Cup and Formula One European Grand Prix are held. Most of the nightlife, shopping and tourist sights, however, are about 4 km from the beaches, at Plaza Canovas, Gran Via and El Carmen, in the city centre, which nestles in the bend of the Turia river (now re-channeled with the former river-bed turned into a marvellous park). For beach life by day choose the beach area of course but be aware that most of the nightlife is a metro, bus or cab ride away!

Top Tips for Valencia Beach

Eating: Valencia is the home of the Paella, and the best place of all to eat this delicious and spectacular rice dish is somewhere along the seafront at Valencia beach: we recommend the traditional, almost legendary Valenciano favourite La Pepica (Paseo Neptuno, 6 and 8) or the trendier more laid-back El Surf (Paseo Maritimo, 8). If you venture as far as Patacona Beach (northernmost of the main Valencia city beaches), try Llevant -(Paseo Maritimo La Patacona, 1) - another classic beach restaurant also serving great seafood at reasonable prices. Remember restaurants with outdoor terraces fill up especially at lunch times, so ask us about getting you a table reservation!

Bars: here also a wide range. Firm favourites amongst our groups for beachcombing (and talent-spotting!) are: Vivir Sin Dormir, Destino 56 or latino hotspot Terraza A Babor (all of them on Paseo Neptuno). For those craving a real pint, well-poured, the Irish bar San Patricio (Paseo Maritimo, 11)

Clubs: some of Valencia's best late-night clubbing is to be found along the beach promenade in summer, especially Luna Rossa (Eugenia Viñes, 151) and the trendiest spot with maybe the best dancefloor vibe, Las Animas

Also try: the beach market for clothes and accessories, and the volleyball nets available to anybody who comes early enough to reserve them!

We hope the map below will help you get your bearings!

Book Valencia Accommodation with the Spain Event

Select the type of accommodation you would like to book, then ask us for a quote:

Central Apartments

2 or 3-Star Hotels

4-Star Hotels

Valencia Accommodation

Valencia has no shortage of city centre accommodation, ranging from budget options to the top 5-star Deluxe offerings. Ask us to recommend and book apartments or hotels to suit all budgets.

Tip: Choose your own Central Apartments a comfortable and relaxed place of your own in central Valencia. We offer group-friendly apartments, guaranteed to keep you within walking distance of all the sights, nightlife and shopping!

Book Valencia Daytime Activities with The Spain Event

Select from our list of daytime activities, then ask us for a quote:

Outdoor Ko Karting	Kiteboarding at the beach	Flamenco Masterclass
Paintball	Sea Kayaking	Salsa Masterclass
Baby Bull Running	Wonderful Water Park	Luxury Spa
Own Football Match Pitch Hire	Bicycle Tour and Beach	Horse Riding
Football Match v Local Team	Sightseeing Bus Trip	Belly Dancing Class
Catamaran Cruise with Drinks	Boat Hire

Valencia by Day

For a short trip to Valencia there are three must-see areas: the Old Town with its Cathedral and medieval architecture and Roman ruins; the Beach and Port area for some rays and a swim in the sea, and the striking modern architecture at Artes y Ciencias. For shopping, you'll find the best high street stores and boutiques on Calle Colón and streets nearby with some interesting gift and curiosity shops in the Old Town's narrow streets. Don't miss the Mercat Central, one of Europe's largest food markets, and when all else fails, head for El Corte Inglés!

Tip: Walk about! Valencia's fascinating nooks and crannies are best discovered on foot. Start off at the Cathedral in the Old Town, and make sure you see La lonja, The Mercat Central and take a walk aroud old river bed to the breathtaking Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias.

Book Valencia Night-time Activities with The Spain Event

Select your night-time activities, then ask us for a quote:

Stag Fiesta Dinner	Hen Fiesta Dinner	Wine Tasting
Cards Night	Tapas Bar Tour	Bar Crawl
Dancing Club	Cocktail Tasting Workshop

Valencia Bars, Clubs and Nightlife

Valencia's city centre is full of bars and restaurants packed with locals and out-of-towners at weekends. The best areas to eat or drink are in El Carmen (Old Town) streets near Calle Caballeros and the area near Plaza Canovas. There are clubs all over the city centre and on summer nights, down near the Port and the Beach. Ask us about reservations!

For dinner and clubbing in Valencia, don't miss one of Spain's coolest spots: Laydown Valencia restaurant club. Eat great food and have cocktails reclining (Roman orgy style!) on large coformtable and cool beds, while the djs spin a great selection of house music and the live acts get you warmed up for the serious dancing after dinner. With waiter-service straight to your divan you couldn't want a more luxurious venue for your hen or stag do. You can also boogie late at sister club Mya. Not to be missed!

Tip: Like the rest of Spain, Valencia nightlife happens very very late. Dinner begins at 10 pm, so don't expect the bar scene to pick up till midnight, and there's no point in hitting a club till about 3 am. Relax, adjust your body clock, pace yourself and go with the flow. A siesta about 6 o'clock helps!

Flights to Valencia

It’s easy to get a flight to Valencia airport from UK, Irish, European and US airports. Try these sites:

www.easyjet.com	Bristol, London, Gatwick, Stansted
www.ryanair.com	Stansted, Dublin, East Midlands, Liverpool
www.britishairways.com	Birmingham, London, Heathrow, London Gatwick
www.iberia.com	Birmingham, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Dublin

Tip: Book airport transfers in advance. Avoid the chaos, hassle and potential rip-off of scrambling for taxis when your group arrives in Valencia. Book a coach transfer with us, and you’ll have a smooth arrival, and the friendly face of one of our reps there to meet you, and make sure you get the start-up information and pointers you need when arriving in a big city.

Book Valencia airport transfers with The Spain Event

Click on the link below for more information:

Valencia Airport Transfers

Book Valencia Restaurants with The Spain Event

Valencia Restaurant Bookings

Need a booking? If your group is organising a trip to Valencia and looking for restaurant recommendations and a table booking, leave it to us. For groups aleady booking accommodation or activities we will recommed a tried and trusted group-friendly place and set up the booking for you free of charge. Let us recommend something to suit your culinary taste and budget from a list of great places, where you can try tapas, paella, great steaks, vegetarian, Italian, eclectic, Asian...Valencia is full of great eating options, both traditional and modern.

Tip: Remember that eating, like most things, happens late in Spain. Weekend lunches are ulikely to get going till 1400 or 1500 (have an aperitif beforehand!) and dinner usually starts about 2200 (although many restaurants now open for dinner as "early" as 2000!). If in doubt, plan to eat late!

Getting Around Valencia

Walking

The main areas of interest are centred around The Old Town and the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (Metro: Xativa, on lines 3 and 5). In this area you’ll find all of the city centres attractions and nightlife. As most hotels and accommodation are within walking distance of this area, you should have no problems finding your way home on foot!

Taxi

A quick and easy option, though traffic is congested at rush hours (from 8 to 9 a.m. and from 15 to 18 p.m.)

A short ride will cost a minimum of EUR 3-6.

Bus

The main bus service within Valencia, EMT (Valencia Local Transport Company) is frequent and cheap. Number 91 by day and Number 7 by night take you to some of the best hidden spots in the city, and this is a good way to get to teh beach at Malvarrosa and Las Arenas. Stops display a city map with bus routes. Web information at: www.emtvalencia.es/portal/Main

Underground ("Metro de Valencia”)

Brand new, safe, cheap and fast. Single tickets cost EUR 1.10, but better to buy a “bonometro”- a ten-ride ticket you can share - each ride take you anywhere in the city! This will save you about 50%. Web info at: www.metrovalencia.es

Tram

Another modern and fun option, especially for getting to the beach at Malvarrosa. The tram in Valencia goes from the Pont de Fusta (Wooden Bridge), near the Serrano Towers, around the main streets of the city. The end of the line is the beaches of Las Arenas and La Malvarrosa