My time abroad in Valencia has been completely eye-opening and I’ve loved every minute of it. Valencia has great weather, amazing beaches, delicious food and tons of unique history. Everything from the people to the public transport has been truly amazing and I’m beyond thankful I got to spend my semester abroad here. Although, I will say Valencia is full of surprises and in this blog I will walk you through some of the things that caught me off guard when arriving in Valencia.
Drinking/Smoking Culture
Socializing at Bars and Cafés is a crucial part of Valencia/Spain. Bars and cafés very much play a central role in Valencia’s social life. Locals and visitors alike gather in these establishments to relax, chat with friends, and enjoy a wide variety of beverages. It is even common to find bars/cafes next to playgrounds so the parents can enjoy a drink while their kids play. The cervecerias/cafes are occupied at almost all hours of the day, and it was strange to me at first, but the longer I stay the more I understand and appreciate it. Cheap drinks/coffee, a light meal and a cigarette seems to be an integral part of the Valencian diet. Valencia has a lot of designated outdoor smoking areas in bars, cafés, and restaurants. These areas provide smokers with spaces to indulge in their habit while maintaining a respectful environment for non-smokers. Smoking in Valencia is often viewed as a social activity, with people gathering in outdoor areas to enjoy a cigarette or a cigar while engaging in conversation. It’s common to see groups of friends or colleagues stepping outside together for a smoke break during social events or after a meal.
Hours of Operation
The next biggest surprise I faced when arriving in Spain was the hours of operations of businesses and restaurants. When me and my roommates got off the plane it was around 4pm on a Wednesday and we were shocked how hard it was to find an open restaurant. It seemed like every business and restaurant was closed at the busiest parts of the day. I quickly learned that the busy hours in Spain are often much later(8-9pm) and dinner is commonly ate at around 10pm. Around our apartment,for example, the most common hours of operation for our favorite restaurants are 13:30-16:00/20:30-00:00 (1:30-4pm/8:30-12pm) and a lot are often closed on Sunday. I was aware of the Siesta as the Spanish siesta is a well-known tradition in the country, however, it has definitely changed over time. Much fewer Spaniards can commute home for a midday nap nowadays, but it remains common for many shops to close during lunchtime, typically from 2 pm to 4 or 4- 8pm. However, there are still major chain stores that usually stay open throughout the day without interruption. Although almost nothing in Valencia is open on Sunday which can be very surprising when coming from a country like the United States, where everything is always open. Most Spaniards use Sunday to relax, eat, and spend time with family, however, the true reason for the closure is Spain’s trading laws that limit the option for businesses to open on Sunday.
Nightlife
Valencia’s nightlife continued to surprise me during my stay. It was so different from the United States, and so different from what I expected. My friend’s favorite nightclubs often didn’t even open until midnight, and did not get going until 1 or 2 in the morning. So much so that we usually got in for free with discounts for entry before 1 AM. The nightlife in Valencia is no joke and definitely takes a little bit of getting used to if you’re not from here. The museum of arts and sciences even turns into a club at night where the whole venue transforms into a popular location to party early into the morning. Valencia also has numerous festivals and street/ beach parties that add another layer of fun to the city. For example, San Juan night, where it is a typical tradition to gather at the beach in the evening with family and friends. People bring their own food and drinks, enjoy dinner around a bonfire on the sand, and watch fireworks. At midnight, a common practice is to go into the sea and jump over seven waves for good luck, making a wish while doing so. Some individuals choose to jump over the fire seven times and make a wish after midnight. Ultimately the highlight of San Juan, and most Valencian festivals, is having a great time and sharing the celebration with loved ones.
Public Transport
Valencia has some of the best public transport I’ve ever had the pleasure of using. There is a plentiful amount of options, from the tram, train, metro and bus. All of which are on-time, extremely clean and very efficient for getting from one place to another. Valencia’s public transport allows you to go to the beach, the city center, and wherever your heart desires with the simple swipe of a card. It is not uncommon for Valencian public transport to stay open later on days of festivals, popular club nights or events so that Valencian residents have a safe mode of transportation after a night out.
Lack of Spicy Food
It is a common misconception that Spanish cuisine is spicy. Unlike some other cuisines, traditional Spanish food is not known for its spiciness. Spanish dishes typically rely more on flavors derived from quality ingredients like fresh herbs, olive oil, garlic, and a variety of seasonings rather than heat from spicy peppers.
However, it’s worth noting that Spain does have some regions, such as certain areas of Andalusia, where spicy flavors are more prevalent. In these regions, you may find dishes that incorporate spicy ingredients like paprika or chili peppers. Additionally, international cuisines and fusion restaurants in Spain may offer spicy options to cater to diverse tastes.
Parking
This point isn’t as significant as the rest but it is definitely still something I found alarming. One of the first things I noticed when arriving in Valencia was the strange parking. Because the streets are so small, it’s not uncommon for cars to park halfway on the street and halfway on the sidewalk. This can result in fines, however, it is very uncommon that they get towed as the towing process takes a very long time and therefore is not of much help. I was later informed by my supervisor that on football game days there are no rules or regulations and you can park Anywhere, I mean literally anywhere. On game days you will see the sidewalks flooded with cars, parks with cars parked inside, trees with cars under them, and pretty much everywhere they can fit a car. It is absolutely mind blowing to witness in real life and is so chaotic that you can’t help but love it.
Cops
The cops/police here were very surprising as well. One of my first days in Valencia I attended a football match and watched from outside the stadium. We saw many cops on duty smoking cigarettes and even found some drinking inside the bars we attended in their uniforms which was very unexpected. There were people talking to cops with open-beers in hand on the street which was shocking and is something that you almost never see happen in America. I was also shocked by how few cars I’ve seen being pulled over, since arriving I’ve only seen one cop pull a car over. Whereas back in the states you see multiple on each road. The cops here do not really use sirens as far as I can tell which was surprising, they often drive around with lights flashing but no loud sirens blasting. This became apparent to me when I was crossing the street with headphones in and I looked to my right and a cop with flashing lights was right next to me trying to pass.
Greeting
This point is a minor one but still something that took me by surprise when first arriving in Valencia. The Spanish greeting is very different from what I was used to and threw me for a loop the first time I was introduced to it. My first experience with it caught me so off guard that I ended up ruining it completely. When entering the office, there was a member sitting down that I had not met. She began to stand up and start walking directly at me which was super strange in my head. Once I realized she wasn’t moving out of the way and was in fact headed straight for me I dumbfoundedly stepped back and put out my hand to shake and greet her. Obviously, she looked extremely confused and glanced around the room as if in her head saying “what is this American boy doing?”. The rest of the office began laughing and then informed me what the Spanish greeting entails, to which I felt extremely silly. The Spanish greeting consists of two kisses on the cheek which to me seemed exceptionally personal for someone I had never met. However, you will eventually get used to it and learn to appreciate the kind gesture. This is on brand for Spain as their concept of personal space differs heavily from other parts of the world, where it is more respected.
