City of Arts and Sciences

Probably the most incredible futuristic project in the world, this complex will stun absolutely anyone, with its never-seen-before factor. A set of enormous odd-shaped structures designed by Santiago Calatrava, it looks like a distant space base or an intergalactic graveyard of alien skeletons. The City of arts and Sciences is, in fact, an incredible educational / leisure complex with the biggest interactive science museum in Spain, the largest marine park in Europe, a new generation IMAX cinema and cutting-edge opera house.

El Carmen / Old Town

Valencia’s Old Town is an atmospheric maze of old Arabic streets, full of charming corners and stunning views. Time has stopped here amongst ancient buildings. All of the historical architectural styles – Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Modernist – are in abundance and in their natural environment, just a part of the scenery. By night Valencia’s Old Town comes alive with bohemian bars and characters.

Las Fallas

Las Fallas is one of the craziest urban festivals in Europe. In the middle of March over 700 huge and colourful effigies are assembled on the streets of Valencia, followed by four days of traditional cultural events, mass partying, war zone intensity of explosions all around the clock, fireworks and generally total urban mayhem and anarchy. On the last day all the effigies get burned.

Holy Grail

The Cathedral of Valencia holds the cup which is recognised all over the world as the only viable claim to be the Holy Chalice.

Turia Gardens

Nine kilometres of green belt cutting the city in half, Turia Gardens are not just a park, they are the green lifeline of this city. This garden has emerged in the old riverbed, after the course of river Turia was diverted in 1950s. It is now a river of culture, hosting fairs, events, promenades, sports grounds, leisure grounds and futuristic projects like Palau de la Musica and the City of Arts and Sciences, amongst spectacularly designed vegetation, giving Valencia its unforgettable green charm.

City Gates

Gothic Torres de Serranos stun with their monumental elegance, instantly evoking the images of El Cid who got his fame here in Valencia in 11th century. The other pair of city gates, Torres de Quart, is just as imposing and holds the scars of Napoleon’s cannon balls.

La Lonja de la Seda

For the lovers of Gothic architecture, this is just about the most spectacular example out there. Protected by UNESCO, it is considered the most elaborate and the best preserved late Gothic building in Europe.

The Port

Valencia’s Port is really worth a visit – a combination of old atmospheric docks and the futuristic lush complex built for the 32nd America’s Cup, an incredible promenade by the Mediterranean waters.

IVAM

The first exclusively modern art museum in Spain, IVAM is still a very dynamic venue and a must for the lovers of modern art. You can find out more about IVAM.

Museo de Bellas Artes

The second most important art collection in Spain after the Prado Museum in Madrid.

Valencia Tours

There is Bus Turistic which will give you a tour of the city, as well as bicycle tours and horse-cart tours.

Lladro City of Porcelain

Valencia is famous for ceramics and Lladro is the porcelain art famous all over the world. You can visit the factory, get a 3 hour tour of how the figurines are made, and see the incredible collection of Lladro.

Albufera

A very short distance from Valencia is the biggest Spanish lake – Albufera – with gorgeous scenery and great bird-watching opportunities.

Costa Blanca Beaches

Valencia’s city beach is of a top quality for a city beach, and there are numerous Blue Flag beaches around the city.

See a bull-fight

Three seasons a year, there is still a very authentic corrida in Valencia’s bullring.

Go to a football match

Valencia CF is very well known in Europe and you can watch a match on their famous home stadium – Mestalla.

Paella

Valencia is where paella was born, so don’t miss out on a chance to try the real stuff. Even the Royal Family comes down here to eat paella. The most famous restaurants are on the beachfront.

Rice Dishes

There are also many other variations on rice, such as arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish juice with seafood), arroz negro (rice in squid ink) and arroz al horno (spicy rice baked with chorizo and potatoes).

Seafood

Being a beach city, seafood is in abundance, from basic bars to state-of-the-art restaurants.

Tapas

Tapas bars are abundant, with a whole range of national tapas.

Bocadillo

A Valencian invention, this is a baguette with tapa filling, good for budget eating.

Wines

Valencia is a very rich wine region with all kinds of good-quality wines produced locally.

Horchata

Traditional local drink, this is sweet milk of tiger nuts usually eaten with dough bread sticks.

Hotels

Find a nice place to stay in town with our in Valencia with one of the main online hotel booking sites. Find Valencia Hotels.

Hostels

There are a few decent hostels and cheap accommodation options for budget travelers. Use our hostel booking system to find Valencia Hostels.

Airport

There is a very easy metro link straight from Arrivals to the centre of the city, and very cheap. Find more information of Valencia Airport.

Bus

The bus system in Valencia is very well organised and is probably the best method of transport.

There are also extensive coach links to the rest of Spain from the coach station.

Metro

Valencia has a metro too but it is more suitable for long distances, such as getting to the beach.

More information can be obtained at www.metrovalencia.com.

Taxis

Taxis are white, abundant and the taxi drivers are a gem.

Train

Train links Valencia well to the nearby towns and villages, as well as to the rest of Spain.

Language

Valenciano and Castellano. Valenciano is the official language, however it is not as hard pressed by the locals as Catalan in Barcelona. Valenciano is usually spoken in the villages and you will have no problem with Castellano in Valencia city.

Currency

Euro

Time Zone

GMT+1

Useful Links