Las Fallas for only one night? Short report added.

One night of Las Fallas is certainly much better than zero nights of Las Fallas,
but you have to weigh that against 5 days of Barcelona vs. 6 days of Barcelona, too :-)

Note that the end of Las Fallas is much different than the beginning -- the first couple of days are full of processions and girls in flowery dresses carrying flowers and proud families, and the last day is full of ruido and ruido and funny dioramas on fire. And blitz visitors from everywhere :-)

One transit tip -- don't depend on your phone for transit directions in Valencia during Las Fallas because temporary route changes and stops will be in effect, look for relevant brochures/flyers/helpers.

I think that would be fine. Valencia isn't full of sites, plus things would be hard to get to because the streets will be full of people.

I've been to Valencia twice, both times during Las Fallas and for 4-5 days each, but I was meeting far-flung friends. If not for that, 30 hours would have sufficed.

Ok, all good to know. I was looking at mid-week, which I hoped might not be at the crazier end of the week but maybe more activity than the beginning (and also hotels get way more expensive at the end).

I found a place close to the main square, which seemed like it ought to be easy walking distance but may not be as simple because of closed streets. If I can see on my phone where we are versus where we need to be heading, then we can maybe figure out how to get there even with detours. I guess we’ll see!

Glad you two think one night is worth it! I can see winding up in Barcelona again in the future, but maybe not at this time of year - which makes me worry less about shorting Barcelona in favor of Las Fallas.

Earlier in the festival there aren't as many crowds (they get bigger every day). Otherwise, each day is about the same. Because of street closures, I had to walk to and from the train station to my hotel (a couple blocks past the Plaça de l'Ajuntament/main square) - about 10 minutes. There are two train stations in Valencia. Nord is the one closer to the center. Joaquin Sorolla is about another 10 minutes away, but there's a shuttle bus between them. If I'd known ahead of time how close it was I wouldn't have wasted so much time trying to get a taxi at the station LOL

It is definitely worth going. Valencia is beautiful, lots of modernista architecture - don't miss the market, it's a gem. I took the TI general walking tour and it was excellent. You can walk around all day and half the night and enjoy the fallas. There are fireworks every night - I only went once.

Ah, thanks for chiming in, Chani! I was hoping I would hear from you, as well as Avi and Liz (since I had read back through past forum posts). And again, I am glad you seem to think one night is worth the trip.

I remember listening to you and Avi discuss the difference in the TI tours in one online meeting - first time I had ever heard of Las Fallas and long before I had Barcelona anywhere in my thoughts. :) I will definitely check out the good tour. :) Also good to know about the bus on to Joaquin Sorolla from Nord because I think the train back to Barcelona leaves from there (or at least the one I was looking at). We will only have a small bag/backpack for overnight, though.

I currently have a night reserved for Wed. and a separate reservation for Thursday but will obviously need to cancel one of them. Both places are near the Plaça de l'Ajuntament and a 10-12 min walk or less from Nord. One night gives me the ability to be there for as much of 2 days as I want - either Wed. & Thurs. or Thurs. & Fri.

But if there’s no real difference between Thursday and Friday events, then I guess I will have to decide based on other factors. I think I will be perfectly happy to miss the final day’s activities. Plus I will need Saturday for Covid testing - and maybe a bit of relaxing back in Barcelona before flying home on Sunday early. :)

Short report for anyone researching in the future. :)

My friend and I ended up arriving in Valencia about 7:00 on Thursday evening and we caught the 7:15 train back to Barcelona on Friday evening. This turned out to be a highlight of our week and we were both so glad we made the effort!

The Fallas are hard to describe but so fun. Our apartment was north of the main square (normally a 10-15 min walk) and it ended up taking us an hour extra to walk it since we kept detouring a block or two to see more on the way from the station. There were lots of people out and about - a real carnival atmosphere!

After finally getting to the apt and checking in digitally, we headed out for dinner and started encountering the processions of bands and beautiful costumed children, girls, families processing the streets. At first we just followed the sounds. :) At some point we came upon part of the route and just stood and watched for an hour at least. After that, we popped in to an Italian restaurant on a main street (prices weren’t inflated for the festival) and enjoyed dinner and wine before heading off to late bed.

I won’t say we got the best sleep of our lives because of the constant fireworks explosions during the night but it was fine. :) We were there for the fun! Slept in the next morning and checked out at 11 for late breakfast and more festivities. Thanks, Avi, for the recommendation of the Granier bakery chain - it made a great breakfast! (We also ate at one the day before in Barcelona a block from Sagrada Familia.)

Then it was off to the cathedral area to see the gathering of the flowers - a big wooden Madonna with slats for fresh flowers brought by procession daily. And more bands and more processions! And more explosions. Ha!

We truly enjoyed it! And for us, one night was just right, although I might opt for a few extra hours on arrival day given a choice.

Other notes: before leaving Barcelona, I tried to make reservations for paella, but the recommended restaurant closest to the center was already full. So start early on this. And be sure to give the restaurant your order ahead of time - you may not be able to order paella just upon showing up, even with a reservation.
Valencia was a beautiful city center and we did not have time for it. I could spend a happy few days here with no festival.
There were a lot of people out and about but I heard very little American English - I kind of think most people were Spanish. There were definitely other European tourists, though.

So glad you enjoyed the Fallas festival!
It really is fun. And loud. 😁

Sounds like a fun trip, glad you enjoyed!

Your descriptions make every new adventure sound so enticing!

It really WAS fun. :) But what we liked best was all the gorgeous traditional clothing, from babies in strollers all the way up to grandmothers walking with their grandchildren: boys, men, girls, women. We loved the moments and smiles when we were able in interact briefly for photos.

What a fun addition to your trip! Thanks for coming back with the update!

Thanks, Pam! Any trip is a good trip, right? 😂

I had never heard of Las Fallas, so I just looked it up. A couple of quotes:

Las Fallas de Valencia is an annual springtime festival in Valencia, Spain, which takes place from March 15 to March 19, ending on the feast day of St. Joseph. The festival's origins are rooted in Iberian pagan equinox celebrations, but much of the festival has adopted Catholic meanings in the centuries since its conception.

The most popular version says that Las Fallas comes from a centuries-old Valencian tradition in which the city's carpenters would burn old materials they didn't need on the day before the day of St. Joseph (March 19), the patron saint of carpenters.

This sounds great. And we're thinking Spain and Portugal for next year... Hmmm...

Good summary, Jane! Definitely something to tuck into the back of your brain if it’s on your way.

I'm glad you did this, and I'm glad that I did this also, a few years back. The costumes are incredible! So is the street food!

I'd like to respond to the person who said that Valencia isn't full of sights - well, yes, it is. Centuries ago it was a major trading center in the Mediterranean area, and still retains an amazing old Silk Market building, where deals were arranged. https://www.visitvalencia.com/en/what-to-do-valencia/valencian-culture/monuments-in-valencia/lonja-silk-exchange

That's just one example, but the old churches and architecture of the town support this history. And the Estacion del Norte railroad station is gorgeous Art Noveau! Absolutely worth a visit.

You've tasted Valencia oranges, right? They are growing all around, and the fragrance is wonderful.

Agreed, Julie - it looked to be a beautiful city and we only saw a minuscule part of it. I could definitely come back and spend several more days.

I am so glad you went and enjoyed it. It's true, you can't describe it or explain it. You simply have to experience it. I'm sure you'll be back in Barcelona again to enjoy more of a wonderful city.

I am in Italy now, smack dab in the middle of a 20 day trip and I can't tell you how much I long to be back in Barcelona LOL Not that I'm the least bit unhappy in Italy. So many wonderful places to experience. Too little time . . .

Ah, Chani, that is interesting. I enjoyed Barcelona a lot and am very glad I went (as always), but don’t think I will feel called to go back. Unless it is the landing spot that takes me to northern Spain - or other nearby cities I missed.

I know you are loving Italy. And 20 days is marvelous. Although I know time is probably flying by.

So many wonderful places to experience. Too little time . . .

Truer words were never spoken……. My list is long.

Just wondering how much cheap flights are to Barcelona? When did you buy them?

Tammy, they were $526 from Dallas bought right before Thanksgiving. That’s about as cheap as we ever get. It was the super cheap “no changes, no checked luggage, 2 connections each way” fare. However a cancelled leg gave us the opportunity for a great connection on the way over (1 change in Madrid) that cut a ton of time. Still had 2 changes on the way home but it wasn’t bad.

I am looking for Edinburgh for summer right now, though, and prices are through the roof.