El Saler to Valencia and Return by Car
 

We'll be spending two nights at the parador in El Saler and plan to drive into Valencia on the full day that we'll have in the area. I'm mobility challenged so finding a bus stop in El Saler and standing there waiting for a bus into Valencia and doing the same on the return is just not in the cards.

We're guessing that the best approach for us would be to drive into the center of the old city, somewhere between the train station and the cathedral, and leave the car in an attended parking facility. We accept that such a plan can result in some heavy traffic and high parking costs but that is part of the cost of reduced mobility. During the time the car is parked we believe we could take the sightseeing bus as well as do some walking in the area. After we've seen what we want in that area we'd probably drive out to the beach areas and, from there, return to El Saler.

Your comments on the above plan and approach as well as specific guidance re parking would be appreciated.

They have just remodeled that Parador, probably making it super sleek/modern. Unless you are a golfer, have you looked into el Sidi Saler hotel? It has free shuttle to town and back,and is a bit closer to town however, it has not been newly remodeled but has a lovely pool and direct beach access across the dunes also.

http://www.sidisaler.com/sidisaler/es/

If you do drive into town I would suggest once you get to the Science Center area to cross one of the bridges to your RIGHT, cross over the riverbed and then go right again and look for a free space along there. You can then take a taxi to town and back, allowing you not to have to walk back to your car at all.

(When coming off the highway from El Saler, do NOT go under the tunnel. Stay right.. and you will see the Science Center and the huge complex on your right. I would cross the second bridge to have more parking options. Driving into town will be, like you say, heavy traffic, frustrating and in the end more or equally expensive). Careful NOT to park in a blue zone ( close to the shopping center as that is maximum 2 hours parking).

The tourist bus is a good idea and it does stop in front of the science center also, but I think on the OTHER side where there is no free parking. I say free parking because any lot will cost approximately 3 euros/ hour.

If you insist on driving into town, the lot at Plaza de la Reina does not have a lift, so keep that in mind if you are step- challenged.

You could use the tourist bus as your taxi back to your car, in fact, and then walk through the science center property for photos and up to your car. Scope all this area out when you arrive so you are sure that is an option. Otherwise, if the tourist bus leaves you on "wrong side" of where your car is, just jump in a taxi. will probably only cost 3-4 euros if you are in the area.

If you are interested in a car tour/walking tour, restaurant date, I can look into that for you.

I'm not sure the "Valencia Beach" area is worth it for the beach. A stop to see the America's cup port with the spectacular Vels y Vents building or perhaps a catamaran cruise are nice.
If you are tired there is a beautiful 5* hotel where one can relax in style with a drink and feel you could be anywhere in the world.

Las Arenas Hotel

http://www.hotelvalencialasarenas.com/

I suggest you plan on having some type of meal at el Nou Racó. Sunset is especially nice, but depending on time of year they are not serving dinner yet! So maybe lunch. It is located on teh Albufera lake. It is not far from the Parador or Sidi Saler.

http://www.nouraco.com/

I hope you have good weather .Do not miss the Central Market.

My suggested route.
Taxi from Science center area to Mercado Central. Lot is dug up near there but inside the market is a gem. Watch your wallet and purse. Walk across the street tot La Lonja (Unesco building).

The weave around to the nearby Plaza de al Reina to sign up for tourist bus. Enjoy chocolate con churros or horchata con fartons at Santa Catalina, enjoying the tiled walls and wrought iron chairs and tables. Chocolate Valor across the plaza is also nice.

Do tourist bus, calculating disembarking near your car.

lincasanova, your incredibly, positive, information-packed response is one of the primary reasons I use this board. You're given us a ton to think about and I'll be doing just that over the next several days.

Re El Saler, the only real reason we're staying there is because we got a five-night deal which includes Hondarribia and Cuenca so we chose it to round out the package. I'm sure it will work for us (we always make things work for us).

Re parking and taking a taxi, that's the kind of thinking I was hoping for from someone. Clearly a stranger to town wouldn't have a clue as to where to execute that plan and you obviously do and have shared it so generously.

Now, back to the planning with my thanks.

I think you MAY be abel to board the tourist bus anywhere it stops, so if it is at the Lonja building when you come out, you may want to get on it then.

I have to admit though, the historic district is all on foot anyway. After the Central market, the tourist bus will loop around and show you some museums and head out to the science center. A NICE museum is Bellas Artes. Worth a stop . Find out which sala the Greco, Velazquez and Sorolla's are.

Small café and nice bathrooms.

Modern Art at the IVAM.
Have fun planning.

P.S. You will OVE the Cuenca parador!.Haven't been to the one in Hondarribia, but it should be nice.. didn't stay there this summer with their summer inflated prices.

lincasanova, I'm now searching my map sources diligently and have located the Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias on Google Earth and am trying to relate to your directions. When you suggest crossing one of the bridges to your right, then crossing over the riverbed and taking another right, would you please be so kind as to put names on these streets if you can? As I now have an exact map of that specific area your additional guidance would be appreciated.

I am paranoid about relying on taxis in strange cities. My wife and I wound up at the Reichstag in Berlin on foot, having gotten there by bus, and found ourselves in a situation at rush hour with nary an available taxi in sight. We walked several long blocks to a hotel area to get one and this old fella was plain whipped. So, I need to ask if one can legally hail a taxi in this area and if they tend to be plentiful during the day.

Also, when you say the tourist bus stops in front of the Science Center, can you please give me an idea of how close we might be able to park to that bus stop? We'll be there on a Tuesday in early October and should arrive at the Science Center around 10 a.m. or so. For what it's worth, I have a handicapped placard (blue badge) for the car.

If the questions I ask require a lot of time on your part, please don't bother. But, if they are easy for you to answer, they will prove a big help.

Many thanks,
BigBlue

Here is map of the tourist bus , routes and stops. In October only once an hour, it seems.

http://www.valenciabusturistic.com/

I see they have changed the stops I was familiar with near the Science center. But at least you can get your tickets online


You have two options. Go past the first bridge, (puente de Assut d' l'or and I guarantee you no one who has lived here for years even knows the name of that new bridge) and on to the next one (pont de monteolivete).

I am almost certain there will be NO SIGNS. Your monuments are better markers. You will have the famous Opera house in front of you and you will turn AT it, just before it.. not past it. The rest of the science complex will be to your right shoulder, with the obvious IMAX theater metallic half eye dome below to your right.

It is Passeig de la Abereda, or Paseo de la Alameda you can park free on until about the last block. Give it a go.. and yes you should be able to find taxis with no problem. If not, there is a bus stop ( on opposite side of the street) with buses that go downtown. Just ask for "el Centro".

P.S. We have a lot of illegal car parkers. Immigrants who stand in front of open parking spaces and guide you to them. It is best to give them 50 cents or so.. no need to go over 1 E, but best to give them something. At least that is my opinion.

If you find no free parking, you can THEN cross over that first bridge( from Paseo alameda area) , that passes between the blue crazy "Agora" and the skeleton designed science center and go straight into the next plan B: Go straight to the mall "Centro Comercial El Saler" in front of you as you come off that bridge, or from el Saler, this would be the route:

... when leaving the Saler autopista, coming into Valencia, go AROUND 245º the first roundabout ( instead of straight in previous plan) and park in the Centro Comercial El Saler.

This is pay parking before 11 am.After that it is free, I believe all day, but I have not been there for awhile and it may only be 2 free hours when you buy something over 30E or so. Many people use it to go to the science center and court nearby, so they got rid of the 100% free parking. I will get you the correct info ASAP.

From here you would exit the mall on foot on to the roundabout side, and look for the tourist bus stop. You can cross the street and go toward the aquarium, ( oceanographic) or stay on mall side of street, turn left and go down a long block to that stop almost at the Opera house.

If no bus comes quickly, hail a taxi.. tons there.. and go with previous itinerary.

lincasanova, you are an absolute gem. As part of my research since my last note I've been to the web and found the tourist bus routes and schedules and I thank you as well for doing so.

Thanks very much for the detailed information which I'll look at more closely tomorrow. My wife and I have just about determined that the hassle-free and safe option would probably be to park in the pay parking complex for the Science Center et al as close to the tourist bus stop as possible. I'll continue to explore and appreciate any more suggestions you might have.

I will find out about the mall's parking fees this week. The science center has its own parking lot which we try to avoid as it is not cheap, either.

I made a mistake before. Seems the tourist bus does separate routes now .. so to get TO the Science Center you will need to board the Maritim route. It does have a stop, too, at the Las Arenas hotel I mentioned.

Seu Xerea is a restaurant I like. The chef is British/Japanese and has somewhat tame creative cooking. There is a menu of the day and it is located in the historic district a few steps from the pigeon covered fountain behind the Cathedral. I couldn't get their page to open.

ww.seuxerea.com

What a true delight you are! Thanks ever so much for all your help.

Here is a short report, not sure if any of it can enlighten you... but it can't hurt.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ncia-spain.cfm

lincasanova, thanks for your trip report. It has provided some additional enlightenment which we appreciate.

Parking at the El Saler Mall is 3E/hour. Remember you do have wth purchase a few free hours. That is why I always try to find free street parking first.

Good luck.

Again, I thank you many times.

Lincasanova, our one-day visit to Valencia was an outstanding success, thanks to your vital and helpful assistance. We drove into the Science Center area and searched valiantly on the west side of it for any parking lot at all. Finally, we spotted a vacant lot in a triangle shape right next to the El Saler highway and saw that it was "staffed" by what looked to be three generations of gypsies guiding cars into spots. We took one, paid the young woman three euros happily, and made the first Touristic bus of the day with three minutes to spare. The car was untouched when we picked it up at the end of our two complete bus tours.

Re the El Saler parador, we upgraded to a seaview room and it was worth every penny. We took both dinners there and were pleased with every aspect of our visit.

Our thanks again to you for your invaluable recommendations.

I am so glad you had a good day. Re the gypsy parking lot attendants. You are quite lucky they didn't put you in an illegal area as they many times do. Many people come back to find their cars have been towed for 250E.

Watch out next time!

So it all went smoothly.. glad you enjoyed the new parador. I hear it is beautiful, and you must have had amazing weather.I just got back from the states and also had amazing weather in Cincinnati of all places.. a shining sun and clear skies can help make a difference.

If you ever come back this way.. hope to hear from you again!

lincasanova, the gypsies had clearly found a goldmine in which they had parked probably over a hundred cars. I looked over the situation and it smelled acceptable.

Again, thanks,
BigBlue

ha ha ha!

There are illegal car parkers everywhere here. The problem is.. they direct people to illegal spaces ( sometimes they are even wearing a pretty official looking cap with some type of emblem on it), and then once they have gotten their cash.. they are out of there, leaving the unsuspecting cars to the mercy of the police who eventually find out about what is going on!!

Happy travels and good luck with your canned foie gras! (PS..this is not said sarcastically.. hope it all goes well!)

And thanks for posting back. Nice to see suggestions are taken into account and really did help you!