Valencian Treats

Where to stay, eat, play, and shop in Spain’s hottest small city.

Hospes Palau de la Mar
Packing a one-two punch of location and luxury, Hospes Palau de la Mar is just steps from both the Old Town and Turia Gardens. The 66-room hotel spans two former palace buildings, its Old World shell imbued with a sleek modern flair that’s soothing and airy yet decidedly masculine, with bright open spaces accented by deep wood tones. Hospes.com/Hotel-Valencia-Palau-Mar

Mercado Central (Central Market)
One of Europe’s oldest and largest markets, Mercado Central has occupied its current dazzling art nouveau home for the last 80 years. Inside this Valencian treasure you’ll find an eye-popping array of the area’s freshest fish, flesh, fruit, and flowers, more than a thousand stalls’ worth in all. MercadoCentralValencia.es

La Lola
With its prime El Carmen location, its fab red-and-white mod decor, and its fantastic Spanish nouvelle cuisine, La Lola is one of Valencia’s trendiest eateries. Start on the alleyway patio with a refreshing Agua de Valencia (the signature local cocktail of cava, orange juice, vodka, gin, and sugar), then move inside for eclectic delights like calamari skewers and fish hamburger, all fresh from Mercado Central. LaLolaRestaurante.com

Deseo 54
Kick off your night out at one of the many lively mixed pubs in El Carmen, then walk off that big dinner on your way over to the far side of Turia Gardens for the city’s most happening gay disco, Deseo 54 (open Thursday to Sunday only; on other nights your best bet is So and Go, just a few blocks away). Deseo54.com