The Spanish City of Valencia enchants with its bright orange trees, colorful old town streets, modern architecture and the beautiful beaches. The third largest City in Spain has a lot to offer and a wealth of opportunities await you.
Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències
The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia is a must on the list of Valencia trips. The cultural and scientific leisure complex is located south of the Turia Park and is an adventure for the whole family. A lot museums are housed in the individual futuristic buildings, which you can visit.
Mercado Central
Just around the corner from the tourist hotspots you will find this hidden square: The Mercado de Tapinería. It’s not a market
in the real sense, but rather a cultural one
Center with some small pop-up stores, cafes and
restaurants.
Paella Valenciana
Of course you also want to get to know the Valencian kitchen better, right? The typical dishes are more rural and the main ingredients are rice, vegetables and fish. One of the most famous Spanish dishes is paella, the national dish of Valencia. The rice dish, which is traditionally prepared in a large pan over an open fire, typically consists of rice, rabbit or chicken and snails
Malvarrosa Beach
One of the great things about Valencia is that it’s right on Spain’s Mediterranean coast.
The climate in Valencia is therefore very pleasant, especially in spring and autumn. There are three beaches:
- Playa de las Arenas
- Playa de la Platacona
- Playa de Malvarrosa
Catedral
Right in the heart of the old town of Valencia, between Plaza de la Reina and Plaza de la Virgen, is the magnificent cathedral. This impressive church was built in the 13th century on the remains of an 8th-century mosque, and this mosque itself stood on the ruins of a Roman temple. Here, once again, Valencia’s long and checkered history is revealed.
L’Oceanogràfic
One of the most popular attractions is the largest European aquarium, L’Oceanogràfic, with almost 45,000 animals and 500 different species. On a huge area you can immerse yourself in various themed areas, such as the Mediterranean or Antarctica, and get to know the marine world better in an impressive way. In addition, a huge underwater tunnel and an underwater restaurant are further highlights.
Biopark
Biopark Valencia is a must for animal lovers and families traveling with children. The Park is divided into four large landscapes, home to 150 African animal species such as Malagasy lemurs and Nile hippos. The enclosures are based on the animals natural habitat, so you can go on a journey of discovery in the savannah or in the baobab forest. One of the highlights is the largest family of elephants in Spain.
Plaza de la Virgen
Plaza de la Virgen is one of the oldest squares as well as one of the most beautiful squares in Valencia. The graceful Fountain of Neptune in the center of the Plaza de la Virgen is the work of the Valencian sculptor Silvestre Edeta. It is illuminated at night and is a popular meeting place for the locals too
The square is surrounded by several important buildings. On the other side of the square is the Palace of the Generalitat and next to the Catedral de Valencia stands the Real Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados, the most important and also the first Baroque church in Valencia. This church is famous for its magnificent fresco on the dome ceiling, painted by Antonio Palomino in 1703.
Plaza de la Reina
Plaza de la Reina is one of the most famous squares in the city. The green areas, the cathedral in the background and the numerous restaurants on both sides make this square a lively place that cannot be missed when visiting Valencia.
If you want a different view of the city, you can climb the bell tower «El miguelete» or «Micalet» from the Cathedral, which, with its 207 steps and a height of 51 m, not only offers a view of the square but also offers on the whole city.
Iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari y San Pedro Marti
The Church of San Nicolás de Bari and San Pedro Mártir in València, in the heart of the historic center, is an authentic artistic treasure with a long history. Originally an early Christian temple, it was converted into a mosque in the 8th century, only to become a Christian parish church again after Jaume I’s conquest. The Parish Church of San Nicolás de Bari, located on one of the most beautiful streets of the old town of Valencia, Calle de Cavallers or Calle de Caballeros.
La Lonja de la Seda
La Lonja de la Seda is one of the most characteristic buildings in the city, which is also one of the most famous Gothic civil buildings in all of Europe. This building, which has been a listed building since June 4, 1931, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on December 5, 1996. The wholesale market is located in the city center – directly opposite the central market and the Templo de los Santos Juanes – and extends over a rectangular floor plan with a total area of around 1,990 square meters
mL’Albufera, naturaleza en estado puro
Take a walk along one of the six signposted routes in the nature park. Marvel at the waterfowl and vegetation and feel like a real local fisherman on Spain’s largest lake. You will surely want to come back
It is only 10 km from the city. Pure nature, fantastic sunsets, boat trips and complete relaxation. The Albufera Nature Park stretches out like an urban oasis, surrounded by rice fields and forest. A visit will show you the origins of Valencian gastronomy, because what better reason to visit than to find out exactly where paella was invented?
Marina de València
Between the city’s commercial port and its seafront promenade is the Marina de València, a superb, spacious area ideal for strolling or cycling, or enjoying the local cuisine and practicing sports on land and water.
The most iconic building is the Veles e Vents. A cultural hub with exhibitions, live music, theatre, conferences and dance. Likewise, there is a place for good gastronomy, which can be found in the Mediterranean restaurant La Marítima, the Bierstube Malabar and with unique culinary proposals in La Sucursal. There are also numerous other restaurants, first-class hotels and the Marina Beach Club in the vicinity, where the party lasts until the early hours
Jardín del Turia Park
The Jardín del Turia Gardens is one of Spain’s largest urban natural parks, a green space more than nine kilometers long that runs through the city with relaxation and sports areas and romantic corners where you can get lost. From the Parque de Cabecera to the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences), the Turia Gardens are one
Ideal place for runners, cyclists, families and nature lovers. The ancient riverbed is crowned by 18 bridges, marking centuries of history and housing some of the city’s most important museums and monuments on both banks.
Ruzafa y Ensanche
In less than a decade, the meeting of different cultures in the Ruzafa district has brought about a revolution that has affected shops and restaurants as well as cultural and leisure facilities. Life in its streets follows its own rhythm. The residents of Always live alongside new people who bring with them youthful vigor and a penchant for alternative trends. Ruzafa is the trendy district.
written by Kim Ania Kaleja
