Hidden gems in Valencia: Places locals actually love!

After living in Valencia for more than 10 years, I've collected quite a few favourite places.

Not necessarily the places you'll find on every tourist list.

I'm talking about the little wine bar you might walk straight past, the restaurant we keep recommending to our couples, the place we go for a drink, or that little spot we love showing friends when they visit Valencia.

So I thought: why keep these places to myself?

Welcome to WE KNOW A PLACE… 

A little collection of places in Valencia that we genuinely love and would happily recommend to our couples, friends and clients.

Oliví - a tiny wine bar in El Carmen

Let's start with one for my fellow wine lovers. 🍷

Tucked away in El Carmen, close to Plaza del Negrito, you'll find Oliví.

It's tiny, cosy and intimate. The kind of place you could easily walk past if you didn't know it was there.

The wine selection is fantastic, and there's something very nice about sitting down, choosing a bottle or a glass and simply taking your time.

And then there's the homemade vermouth.

Let's just say… you might come in for one drink and stay a little longer than planned. 😉

Oh, and you'll know you've found the right place when you see the big fish on the wall.

It's one of those little Valencia spots that feels like a secret, even though you're right in the middle of the old city.

Our tip: Perfect for a relaxed evening before dinner or a little stop while exploring El Carmen.

Madre - cocktails, music & a little dancing

If you're looking for somewhere to have a great cocktail and maybe a little dance, we know a place. 🍸💃🏼

Madre is in Cabanyal and has a really fun atmosphere, often with live music or a DJ.

It's the kind of place where you can start with a drink, order something to eat… and suddenly realise you've been there for much longer than planned. 😂

We love the relaxed atmosphere and the fact that it feels like somewhere you could actually spend an evening rather than just stop by for a quick drink.

Our tip: Go with your partner or a group of friends and don't make too many plans afterwards. You might stay for the music :)

IVAM - when you want to do something a little different

Valencia isn't only about beaches, tapas and beautiful streets.

If you're looking for something cultural an a little different, the Institut Valencià d'Art Modern (IVAM) is worth adding to your list.

It's one of those places we like when you want to escape the heat for a while, see something different and experience another side of Valencia.

And even if you're not normally someone who spends your holidays visiting museums, don't rule it out too quickly.

Sometimes it's nice to do something you didn't plan.

Our tip: Combine it with a walk through El Carmen afterwards and stop somewhere for a drink or something to eat.

That's one of my favourite ways to explore Valencia: no strict schedule, just see where the afternoon takes you.

Why we love sharing these places

One of the things I love about living in Valencia is that there is always another place to discover.

And after more than 10 years here, I still find new favourites.

Some places are impressive. Some are beautiful. Some have incredible food.

And some are simply places where you feel good. Those are often the ones I remember.

And because we work with couples visiting Valencia from all over the world, we get asked all the time:

“Where should we go?”

Where should we have dinner?

Where can we have a drink?

What should we do after our proposal?

Where can we go that feels a little more local?

That's actually how the idea for WE KNOW A PLACE… started.

Not as a guide to Valencia.

Just a collection of places we genuinely like and would recommend to people we know.

More places coming soon…

This is only the beginning.

I'll keep adding our favourite restaurants, wine bars, cocktail spots, hidden corners, things to do, romantic places and little discoveries around Valencia.

Because sometimes the best experiences aren't the ones you find on the first page of Google. They're the ones someone tells you about.

So if you're visiting Valencia soon, keep an eye out for:

WE KNOW A PLACE… 

And if you happen to discover one of these places, tell them Eva from Itaca sent you.

Hasta luego!