Landing in Valencia for the first time felt like stumbling into a sunlit art studio built for remote workers. I’d read about the paella, the orange trees and the City of Arts and Sciences—but what really hooked me was how this Spanish gem embraced plant-based dining and digital life. As a software engineer and nomad who craves both reliable Wi-Fi and fresh green juices, Valencia became my surprise favorite European stop. In this journal entry, I’ll share why it works, where to eat vegan tapas, and the secret cafés where I settled in with my laptop.

Why Valencia Feels Like Home for Nomads

With over 100 coworking spaces, miles of bike lanes, and a grid of street markets bursting with produce, Valencia checks so many boxes for the modern traveler. I found the metro and buses remarkably punctual, and renting a Valenbisi bike pass for €13 a month was the best €13 I’ve ever spent—nothing beats cycling along the Turia Gardens track with an iced matcha latte in hand. Morning temperatures hover around 18–22 °C in spring, perfect for sunrise coding sessions at rooftop cafés overlooking the old city. Free Wi-Fi spots are sprinkled throughout El Carmen and Ruzafa neighborhoods; I’d often grab a cortado and settle into a corner for a solid 3-hour sprint.

Plant-Powered Plates: Valencia’s Vegan Gems

Traditional horchata and fartons are everywhere, but I was on the hunt for creative vegan cuisine. My top discoveries:

• Roots&Friends in Carmen: A minimalist space serving mushroom-pulled “pork” tacos with smoky alioli—one of the best vegan bites I’ve had in Europe. 🌮
• Copenhagen Market: A futuristic street-food hall near the port where I could sample organic oat lattes, gluten-free patatas bravas, and jackfruit kebabs all under one roof.
• La Más Bonita at Malvarrosa Beach: They bake a dreamy vegan carrot cake and serve it with freshly pressed orange juice. Perfect spot for a midday break after a saltwater dip.

For breakfast, I fell in love with the avocado-tofu scramble at Hol·à Vegan, and their lavender-espresso cupcakes could convert any coffee skeptic. Don’t leave without trying a vegan “all‐i‐oli” bocadillo at the Central Market—it’s 100% plant-based but feels indulgent.

Work and Wander: Co-Working & Wi-Fi Spots

My daily routine usually looked like this:

1. Early walk through Jardín del Turia to clear my mind—orange blossoms in April fill the air with a zesty perfume. 🍊
2. Second breakfast (a soy cappuccino) at Dulce de Leche—their back patio is a quiet oasis with strong signal strength.
3. Three-hour work block at The Nest by Homm (the official site) or at Wayco Ruzafa. Both spaces felt like living rooms with high-speed internet and friendly locals.
4. Lunch break under the orange trees at Plaza de la Reina—packed my own plant-based meal or grabbed vegan empanadas from street vendors.
5. Afternoon check-ins and code reviews from La Finestra, a library-style café with standing desks and big windows.

If you need a super-quiet spot, I recommend the Valencia Public Library near the Turia. It’s free, open until 9 pm, and plugs are plentiful.

Secret Strolls: Hidden Corners and Urban Gardens

When I needed a break from screens, I explored alleys and tucked-away parks. A few favorites:

• Jardines de Viveros: A rose garden often overlooked by tourists. I’d bring an audiobook and find a shaded bench under bougainvillea vines.
• El Alborxí: An old textile factory turned creative squat in Ruzafa, alive with street art. Great for afternoon photography—many of my shots are on @curiocity.lens.
• Casa-Museo Benlliure: A quieter museum house with a courtyard of citrus trees—entry is only €3 and it’s perfect for sketching ideas between work sprints.

My favorite ritual was to end the day sipping a vegan smoothie bowl at Yerbabuena, then wandering toward the beach promenade as the sun dipped behind the port cranes.

Conclusion

Valencia surprised me at every turn: from its electric coworking hubs to its pioneering vegan kitchens. It’s a city that effortlessly balances old-world charm with a digital-nomad’s needs—affordable living, welcoming communities, and endless orange groves for midday bike rides. Whether you’re debugging code over an oat latte or chasing street-art murals in an abandoned factory, Valencia offers warmth, inspiration, and more plant-based plates than you ever imagined. My time here reminded me that the best travel stories come from blending work, culture, and deliciously unexpected moments. Stay curious, and see you on the next Wi-Fi hunt! 🍊🌿