Valencia City Guide

Valencia is Spain’s third largest city with 800,000 inhabitants and is located to the south of Barcelona on the Mediterranean coast. There are few cities like Valencia, which are able to combine its ancient history, its roots date as far back as 138 B.C., with the most modern avant-garde buildings to be erected in the new millennium.

Valencia has indeed grown rapidly in the last few years and has become an economic and financial leader in Spain. The construction of the amazing city of Arts and Science, which attracts about 4 million people ever year, the annual Americas Cup and Formula One races, have really put the city on the World map and it has developed into an alternative city break destination to Madrid and Barcelona.

Culture, cuisine, music, theatre, rich history, museums and commerce; Valencia has it all. It’s the home of the most famous Spanish dish, Paella, which originated around the Valencia region and its yearly festival, Falles, which takes place in March, brings people from all over the world. A week of parades, puppets and bonfires, it is a spectacular, non-stop party, not to be missed.

Situated on the Mediterranean coastline, the city is skirted by an area of gently sloping foothills, beyond, which lays the wild and almost unknown inland of the Valencia mountain range, cut through by impressive river canyons in a setting dominated by pine forests and caves where prehistory cave paintings are hidden.

The coastline itself is brimming with marine traffic with three ports in the region, the city port of Valencia and the local ports of Gandía and Sagunto. If you are a sailing enthusiast then you will love Valencia, where you will find a range of modern sailing facilities. Plus it’s the perfect location to combine a city and beach break, with some of the regions magnificent wide beaches flanked by dunes, marsh and freshwater pools.

On the whole, Valencia offers an eclectic mix of new and old, traditional and international and city and beach experiences.

Valencia Facts:

Population
800.000

Average temperature
17C (warmest August 32C - coldest January 10C)

Distances to
Madrid 350 km
Barcelona 360 km
Zaragoza 310 km
Alicante 180 km
Malaga 650 km

Languages
In Valencia they speak Castellano (traditional Spanish) and a form of Catalan, which they called Valenciano. In many places you will find they speak English.

 

Vis stort kort

Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias

In English, it can be translated into City of Arts and Sciences and must be regarded as the absolute biggest attraction in Valencia. It is located near the city centre of Valencia and you can either walk or take the bus. It is divided into five different departments and they are all architectural marvels. The first is the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, which is comparable to the Opera in Sydney and is a magnificent sight. You can only visit the Opera at events. The second is L'Umbracle which is the entrance to all the glory. This is an open building of 7000 m2 with different botany and you will find a good overview of the entire city. The third is L'Hemisferic as the city's planetarium which shows various films or what about the fourth building Museo de les Cience Principe Felipe which are built with inspiration from human bones. The last one is L'Oceanografic as the city's aquarium and is divided into 9 different zones. The aquarium is unique and you may easily spend a whole day on this alone. You can see everything from sharks, dolphins and penguins. It is a must to go through underwater tunnels where you can see sharks at the closest - even their teeth can be seen.

 

Jardines de Turia
From the city centre there is access to the park which is the old river running through the city. It was drained in 1957 and today is quite unique. The park is a masterpiece of architecture and fauna of botany. This park is something to be experienced and especially on Sundays you will see the locals’ enjoy the park. In the park you can rent bicycles and it can be recommended. There is also good entertainment for children in the form of Gulliver which is the major giant transformed into a playland. At the end of the park lies Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias and we commend this approach to the city because you will get a fantastic view.

The Cathedral
The beautiful Cathedral is located in the heart of the city centre at the Plaza de la Virgen, and is well worth a visit. The cathedral is best known for allegedly exposing the cup that Jesus drank off at the last supper. But also the beautiful octagonal belfry "El Miguelete" must be experienced and there is a splendid view over the city of Valencia. The cathedral also exhibits paintings by the famous painter Goya.

 

Port
The port is about 20 minutes walking from the city centre of Valencia. But there is also plenty of public transport such as Metro and buses. The port has in recent years been given a massive boost. After Valencia was elected to host the America's Cup - the port has been redesigned and now all the sponsors of the boats for Americas Cup has offices by the harbour.
The market
Mercado Central is located in the city centre and is the city's largest market. Here you can buy everything you like of classical Spanish food - such as fish, meat, fruit and bread. It is certainly worth a visit in the morning when it buzzes with life and bustle. The building is impressive and is listed at the beginning of the 20 century and is one of Europe's oldest markets.

 

Bullfighting arena
Plaza de los Toros - as a bullfighting arena is called in Spanish - is located next to the train station in the heart of the city and is an impressive sight. It has been built between 1850-60 and we recommend a visit whether you like bullfighting or not. You get a good feeling of what is happening during bullfighting and if you have the courage to see the bullfights, it is either the Fairy in March or in July.

The beach
Next to the port you will find the beaches Malvarrosa and Las Arenas located in tandem. The beaches are beautiful and broad and bathing water is inviting. Along the beach end is also a water front with lots of restaurants and bars where you can enjoy a nice dinner or a refreshing beer in the heat.

Americas Cup
In 2007 Valencia hosted the 32nd Americas Cup which was won by the defending winner from 2003, the Swiss boat Alinghi. In 2009 Valencia will again be hosting this event and for the second time in history, held in European waters. After Valencia was chosen to host the Americas Cup was built a new port designed specifically for this event. The harbour is located 20 minutes walk from the city centre and there are good transport facilities in both buses and metro.

Formula 1
Valencia was for the first time in history host of the Formula 1 in 2008. The race was run on 24 August and it was Brazilians driver Filipe Massa won the race. The course is located in the port area which is 20 minutes walk from the city centre and Valencia have the pleasure to offer this major event the next 7 years. Each year 100,000 people expected to attend the race. In 2009 the race will be held on 23 August.

Paella
On a visit to Valencia you will have to try the famous paella from Valencia - it is one thing you have to try and enjoy. The Paella may consist of different kinds of meat, but one thing that is certain is rice. In Valencia, we can recommend a visit to one of the restaurants at the beach promenade as the best place. Here the paella is made with seafood and tastes heavenly. It takes time to cook paella and you need to be armed with patience and normally you will enjoy 1-2 before the Paella.

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