Valencia is paradise on sea. Palm trees, friendly faces and paellas everywhere you go..
Travel Details
Age: 14 Months | Date: Sept 2017 | Means of transport: Car, Joolz Pushchair, Ergo Baby 360 Sling | How I got here: Drove 2hrs from Cuenca | How you can get there: 2hr train from Madrid or fly directly to Valencia Airport
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY
Av. Pío Baroja, 3, 46015 València
As much as i’m anti zoo’s i wasn’t sure how long i could deny my daughters curiosity of wild life. This has to be the most eco-friendly zoo in the world. The 25 acre, almost barrier free, open air space with waterfalls, rocks, rivers and integrated animals living together, is as close to their natural environment as can be…well without a lion jumping out and munching on body parts
You can spend the whole day here. There’s enough to keep everybody occupied. There are different playgrounds between areas for toddlers to burn off extra energy. The food is pricey but worth it for the delicious toddler friendly selection. The dining area is indoors and outdoors. There’s plenty of high chairs to go around with wonderful views of the zoo.
FOOD/ACTIVITY
Carrer del Literat Azorín, 13, 46003 València
Fancy enjoying well deserved wine time? This cafe will give you the freedom to eat and drink in peace while your toddler has a world of toys to destroy in the most Toddler friendly cafe in town. It has a clean spacious toddler play area, healthy light food, psychedelic baby changing facilities & a great selection of literature all under one roof in Russafa (Valencia’s most happening district)
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY/FOOD
Malvarossa Beach
Paseo Marítimo, Módulo 1, 46011 Valencia
We pitched up in front of Almar Restaurant
This long golden sand beach wasn’t busy in the month of September/October which was great for us. We had the chilled beach holiday we were looking forward to. The water was warm and the weather was no more than 25c so not too burning hot for our toddler who hates wearing a sun hat. There are cafes and restaurants dotted along the beach frontline but nothing over the top and touristy from what we saw but maybe because it was off season.
We pitched up on the beach opposite Almar restaurant which has an outdoor eating area and a playground next to it. We opted for a takeaway instead. Having a beach picnic was the best idea for an active toddler who can’t sit still at a table for too long. They didn’t speak English at the restaurant but were very patient with my basic Spanish. The food was delicious and satisfied the whole Family. We ordered fresh seafood and a selection of tasty tapas; garlic prawns, calamares, paella, tortilla, AND MORE
SITESEEING
Ciutat de les Arts i de les Ciències, Carrer d’Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 1B, 46013 Valencia
Give yourself a full day to explore this incredible place section by section. Its 29EUR per adult so get your monies worth. It’s huge! Maybe there’s too much walking involved for a toddler but long hours in a pushchair is also not a good idea for an active child. Make sure to have breaks in the playground area and utilise the outdoor space as much as possible. We thought the Dolphin show will entertain our toddler but there seemed to be more talking than performing going on. We also couldn’t see much from the side. It’s best to sit in the centre of the arena.
FOOD
Av. de França, 27, 46023 València
Paella was invented in Valencia so you’d be crazy not to try it while you’re in town. The original Valencia paella is made with Rabbit and beans but this restaurant offered a wide range of paella’s including a vegetarian option. We sat outside and used our pushchair as a highchair. The food was perfectly cooked, the wine was exquisite and the service was simply excellent. Great baby changing facilities and very kid friendly. We had a perfect evening here.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY
46011, Passeig de Neptú, 3, 46011 València
This beach area has a Mexican vibe about it with the tiki umbrellas spread across the beach. We paid about 10 EUR for it with a deck chair but it was worth having some shade for our toddler. There’s a wooden walk path that leads from the street to the beach, so feel free to bring you pushchair along and set up camp here for the day. There’s plenty of showers and little huts to buy refreshments
FOOD
La Otra Parte Taberna Experimental
Carrer d’Eugènia Viñes, 113, 46011 València
This quirky restaurant serves the most tasty and interesting mediterranean cuisine I had in Valencia. It’s also the most trendy spot to end up after a beach day. Luckily my Daughter was asleep once we arrived so I could really enjoy my salmon tartare, squid and chorizo dishes. I asked for the veg moussaka & falafel to go which my Daughter scuffed down for dinner instead. If my Toddler was awake we would have sat outside where she could’ve roamed around and climbed up on the side wall. Our waitress was full of smiles but I wouldn’t really recommend coming here when it’s crazy busy at 2pm. There just wasn’t enough staff to provide a relaxing service
Boss Motherhood! 