Valencia

We loved Casa Montana- a tavern founded in 1836. Probably the best meal we had in Spain! Excellent food, wine and a fun, welcoming atmosphere. They have a room to store bikes in case you ride over.

I bought a SUMA 10 pass from a tobacco shop. Assume other passes are available at those or ticket vending machines.

I'm going to give some food recommendations but some are distinctly not local Spanish.

• Sueño Andaluz, northern part of the old city, amazing tapas especially the roast pork and bravas.
• Latte e Farina, great italian food, great vibe.
• Stupor Mundi Vino, amazing wine bar specializing in french wine.
• Bar Cremaet, great local place, order ahead for paella.
• Rausell, ditto, perhaps slightly better food.
• El mirador de Only YOU, we did the prix fix, food wasn't mind-blowing but it's a great view and nice hotel restaurant ambiance if you're looking for that.

The Plaza del Ayuntamiento is a great location. We stayed at the Venecia Plaza Centro. It is only a 2-star hotel, but the rooms with a balcony and a view of the square are fantastic value.

You might find that you will not make full use of the unlimited transit pass. The Plaza is close to the train station. The old Town center is quite small and is easily walkable. We did not take a bus or metro during our four-night stay. We rented a tandem bike for half a day to ride out to the City of Arts and Sciences

If you like lots of grilled meat and unlimited beer or wine, try the El Porteño Asador. If you want traditional Paella Valenciana, try Navarro. Both are nearby. Good luck.

I bought my SUMA card at the Valencia airport, at the kiosks near the entrance to the metro station.

Buses - you tap in at the readers at the front of the bus, possibly also in the middle of the bus.

Metro - you tap in at the entrance barriers

Trams - these are tricky. You tap in at a little reader on the platform before you board the tram.

"Don't get yourself in a jam, tap before boarding the tram!!"

If you are staying near the ayuntamiento, you are already in the old town. I think a transit pass would be unnecessary (we lived in Valencia for 10 months on Gran Via).
You are close to the cathedral, all of the old city gates are in walking distance. The Mercat Central and the Mercat Colon are easily walkable, as is the lovely train station (the newer station is a short uber/taxi ride). The UNESCO designated Loja de Seda is nearby and the El Carmen neighborhood. And a walk in the Turia is always pleasant.

Since you've bee to the "outlying areas", why do you think you need a a transportation pass? I was in Valencia for 5 days, stayed less than 5 minutes walk from the Ayuntamiento, walked everywhere in the center, and even walked to the train station with my wheelie bag.

As others have noted, it doesn’t sound like you will need the metro or bus much if at all.

Although I have walked to all the Valencia city center sites, I used the Suma 10 card to go to Manises and back, to the beaches and back, and to the City of Arts and Sciences and back. My hotel gave me a Suma 10 card left by another guest so I didn’t need to buy one. I was told that you buy or recharge the cards at a tabac or metro station.

We were there (20 years ago alas) and loved it. But, of course, it is a different experience now.
As United will be initiating direct flights in June, we are rethinking our 2027 travel plans. I would like to keep this thread alive so we can all contribute and visit before it becomes the next Lisbon. As RS has yet to broadcast its gifts (I say that as a devoted RS fan) 2027 may be the best time to see the city before it changes.

Regards,
Dennis and Elinore

I don't know if this link to a NYT story will work
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/06/travel/things-to-do-Valencia.html?unlocked_article_code=1.IlE.OY7G.TnghvQp-ULWO&smid=url-share

Dennis