☀️ SUN, SEA & SANGRIA — VALENCIA DELIVERED
Valencia had been on our list for a while, and it didn’t disappoint. Four days of sunshine, sangria, and seriously good food. We stayed at Hotel Olympia, which was a solid base — just a short roll to the metro and under 20 minutes into the city centre.
We grabbed the Valencia Tourist Card (€25 for 72 hours) which covered metro, buses, trams, and even local trains. Big win for budget and ease.
🛏️ HOTEL OLYMPIA: ACCESSIBLE ENOUGH
The wheelchair-accessible room was spacious and practical. Twin beds needed a DIY push to become a double (standard). The walk-in shower had an adjustable seat, but the glass panel made it awkward to get comfy — workaround required.
Entrance-wise: one tiny step to the non-automated door, but the revolving door was level access. You’ll need to hit the button to slow it down — felt like hacking the system.
The lift was a squeeze with my power attachment, but staff were brilliant and let me store it on the ground floor. Helpful without hovering.
🚇 GETTING AROUND: EASY DOES IT
Valencia’s public transport was refreshingly accessible. Most metro stations had level entrances and lifts — only two exceptions, which didn’t affect us. Buses were smooth and easy to use.
Beaches had wooden slats that reached halfway down, making it doable in a wheelchair. Some even had shaded platforms for disabled visitors — thoughtful touch.
🍤 FOOD & DRINK: BACKSTREET GEMS
We didn’t over-plan meals — just wandered and followed our noses. Beachside spots mostly served snacks and drinks, so for proper meals, we headed into the backstreets. That’s where the magic happened.
Highlights:
Traditional Valencian paella
Gambas pil-pil
Iberian ham (pricey, but worth it)
Horchata de Chufa — creamy, cold, and plant-based. I wasn’t a fan, but Gina loved it.
And the coffee? Unreal. Spain’s little cafés never miss. Sitting outside with a strong brew and watching the world go by — top-tier joy.
🧪 SCIENCE MUSEUM: HOT BUT WORTH IT
outside. Inside was interesting, but it was a scorcher and there was no air con. Felt like roasting in a futuristic oven.
Accessibility:
Level access throughout
Accessible toilets
Small, slow lifts — expect a wait
Some exhibits tricky to view from a lower height
🛍️ CENTRAL MARKET: FOODIE HEAVEN
Valencia’s Central Market was a sensory overload in the best way. Mostly food-focused, with loads of Spanish delicacies.
Must-try:
Iberian ham
Local cheeses
Horchata
Fresh pastries and produce
Definitely worth a visit — go hungry.
🌇 FINAL THOUGHTS: VALENCIA WAS A VIBE
Valencia balances accessibility with beauty. Sure, there were a few hiccups — tiny lifts, awkward shower setups — but nothing that stopped us from enjoying ourselves.
The food, the transport, the chilled atmosphere — it all made for a memorable trip. If you’re a wheelchair user thinking of visiting, Valencia is doable and delightful.
Just bring your suncream, your appetite, and your curiosity.
Hopefully this blog post gave you a bit more of an idea of what to expect if you are travelling to Edinburgh as a wheelchair user and put some of your worries to rest. But if you do have any other questions feel free to drop me a message on Instagram and I will try and answer them as best I can @n_q_p_c.