A tourist has slammed the Spanish city of Valencia as a “tourist scam after tourist scam” after being targeted by scammers just hours after arriving in the city
A holidaymaker has shared their frustration after falling victim to multiple scams during a trip to Valencia, Spain. The tourist took to Reddit to vent about their experience in the city, describing it as “tourist scam after tourist scam”.
Valencia is Spain’s third most populated municipality and the capital of its own autonomous community. It draws around 2.3 million international tourists each year, according to the Valencia Tourism Agency.
However, some of the city’s busiest tourist spots are also hotbeds for scams, it has been claimed. The disgruntled traveller wrote on Reddit in 2022: “Yesterday I arrived in Valencia. I love the architecture and the style of the city, but why is it that every time as a tourist you get f****d over?
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“I am 20 years old and had to save up a whole while to get to visit here. And in just being four hours on site, three times I got or almost got scammed.”
They went on to detail their experiences: “Problem one is the tourist menus…Me and my girlfriend ordered two cocktails, after a while we started speaking to other Dutch customers, and when we both got the check, for the exact same amount of drinks, we got different prices?”
“When I go to a [club], I get charged €7 per shot, when the card only said €3.”
A tourist has shared their experience of being hassled by sellers and street performers for money in Valencia, despite acknowledging the city’s beauty. “Not good first impressions even though this is a beautiful city,” they commented.
Valencia is indeed a stunning city, and with some savviness, you can dodge the common tourist traps, reports the Express. Valencia Property experts have highlighted some hotspots for scams, including the Central Market, Torres Serranos and The Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
When it comes to visiting the Central Market, one expert from Valencia Property advised: “One of the best places in Valencia can be one of the worst for tourist hordes.
Make sure to go early to avoid tourists and don’t try to have a coffee at Camarena’s bar in the market because locals don’t do that.
“They will go to the old man bars around for a decent coffee at half the price and without the queues.”
Similarly, when visiting The Plaza del Ayuntamiento, they suggest straying just 100 metres away from the town hall in any direction. “You can find better cafes, better prices and fewer tourists,” they recommended.
