Milena Gresswell
Costa Blanca & Valencia Recommendations
Chef Macuine, Valencia
Local down to earth restaurant and good value
Blasco Ibanez 24, Valencia
Tel 963 615 556 / 963 621 588
Comments:
"Spacious, with air-conditioning and very friendly. Children always welcomed. Really good food at 8,50 euros for Menu del dia. Also the only non-tourist restaurant to serve food before the Valencian 2 pm lunch start. Useful when with hungry kids that won't wait. Near the Viveros park and next to Facultats metro stop" (MG, March 2011)
Piscina Valencia
'Piscina Valencia' is a municipal swimming pool close to the center of the city and by the River Turia park. They run swimming courses after school for ages 3+.
Very professional, well run and well priced too. Also do babies swimming lessons from age 1 to 3. They are either in the mornings or after school.
Calle Arquitecto Mora 2 , Valencia 46010 tel. 96 360 47 08 piscinavalencia@grupo-jbl.com
Playa la Malvarrosa, Valencia
The beach goes for miles. Both sea and beach are very clean and even in high season don't feel cramped at all. There's playgrounds all the way along the promenade and the beach itself. There's also cycle lanes, beach volleyball, medical points, showers and of course plenty of cafes and restaurants. And if all that is not enough, there's a giant playground at the end of the beach, in the beginning of the marina. Well connected by public transport. Bus 19 (from city center), 31 and 32. Metro line 5.
Los Viveros Park (Jardines del Real)
One of the oldest parks in the city. Beautifully landscaped, it has a few playgrounds, a miniature cycling city, a Natural Sciences Museum and a cafe. It's connected with the River Turia park and easily accessible.
Calle San Pio V, Valencia 46010 Tel. 96 352 54 78
River Turia Park, Valencia
it's a 9 km long park along the bed of river Turia that was diverted away from city center after the big flood of 1957. You can walk the full length of it, the landscape is varied all the way along and is full of children playgrounds at various points.
You can also cycle or run if you wish. Towards the sea end is the architecturally amazing 'City of Arts and Science'. Just before that is a giant sculpture of Gulliver acting as a huge climbing frame and slide for children.
Clarks shoe shop, Valencia
Clarks shoe shop has a kids section and they are happy to measure kids feet (as opposed to most other shops where they just guess the size!).
Calle Ruzafa 4, Valencia 46004, tel. 963 513 571
Baby Deli kids activities, Valencia
Baby Deli is a shop(toys and organic baby food), cafe and also holds various baby&toddler groups for ages 0+
Calle Conde de Salvatierra 39 tel. 963 940 998
www.babydeli.com
Mother, baby & Toddler group, Valencia
An informal playgroup for mums and babies & toddlers up to the age of 3. One of the very few in Valencia. Nice bright room with lots of toys and great company.Held every Thursday 10.30 till 12.00. Price 3.50 euros per family.
The Learning Bus, Avda.Baleares N.73 tel.96 330 66 74, mob. 671 995 515, email info@thelearningbus.es
www.thelearningbus.es
La Ola Fresca
La Ola Fresca - a small cafe in the suburb Benimaclet run by a friendly English lady.
Calle Musico Magenti 11 Valencia 46020 tel. 610 026 305
www.laolafresca.com
Comments:
"She does lunches and lovely chocolate brownies. A box of toys and kids more than welcome is a definite plus" (MC, Feb 2011)
My Little Republic
A cafe in the centre of Valencia next to Mercat Colon. Nice bright cafe with toys corner and baby changing facilities. Part of it is a toy shop and special presents. Also do children workshops and birthday celebrations.
Their website has all sorts of other children related information.
Calle Cirilo Amoros 76, Valencia Tel. 96 394 1379
www.pequeheroes.com
La Ola Fresca Playgroup, Valencia
A song and story playgroup in english. Run by a friendly English lady in her small cafe. Thursdays 17:30h Also runs language exchange evening English - Spanish on Wednesdays from 20:30h Calle Musico Magenti 11 Valencia 46020 tel. 610 026 305
www.laolafresca.com
