Categoria: Valencia

Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and one of the most important cities in the Mediterranean sea. Until a few years ago the place was visited only by curious travellers, but, after the America’s Cup, Valencia has become famous around the world, with obvious influences on architecture, the organization of the city, the number of tourists and the cost of hotels. As happened for the Olympics in Barcelona, this event has given new life in Valencia, creating a mix of creativity and energy that contributed to the Valencia explosión. There are several  things to do : the Cathedral (it seems that contains the Holy Grail), the City of Science and Arts (a must), the Barrio del Carmen with its student nightlife and a good  paella , (the one true paella, you will not find it  in any other part of Spain). Read the next page to find out 10 things to do and see during a weekend or a holiday in Valencia.

If you are looking for a hotel in Valencia, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 200 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com

1

The Baroque Puerta del Los Hierros, the Romanesque Puerta del Palau and the Gothic Puerta de los Apostoles are the three portals of access to the Cathedral of Valencia: a synthesis of the entire architectural history of the city.

Built in the XIII century, the Cathedral is in a  place considered ” sacred ‘in which already had risen before a Roman temple and a Muslim mosque after. The visit should start from the Miguelete, the tower dominating the cathedral and offering a panoramic view of the historic center. But what attracts tourists is the Holy Grail: the chalice that Jesus is said to have used at the Last Supper and kept inside the Cathedral.

2

The project of this huge complex, example of modern architecture, was made by  the architect Santiago Calatrava.

The City of Arts and Sciences encloses five spectacular sights inside: the Oceanogràfic, the Umbracle, the Palace of Arts, the Science Museum and the Hemisfèric. There’s a predominance of white and every element of the City of Sciences is built in a different style creating, however,  a perfect harmony of the complex. It will be impossible to visit all of the complex in a single day, but it deserves the chance to spend a few more days.

3

The Barrio del Carmen, during its long history, has had various roles: from  refuge to  barracks to a place of prostitution to medieval center of the aristocracy until being working-class neighbourhood in 1900.

Today it’s one of the most crowded places in the city, both day and night. During the morning is the shopping place, with different shops and ateliers of the famous brands, while during the night it’s the favourite place by the young people who come to relax after a day of work or study.

4

The Lonja de la Seda (Silk Market) was founded as the golden age emblem of Valencia and has been the center of commercial and cultural activities during the early sixteenth XVI century.

In 1996 it was declared World Heritage by UNESCO as one of the finest and best preserved examples of late Gothic architecture in Europe. This construction can intimidate everybody because it’s a huge structure, but can also seduce with the elegance of its ornaments. Today the Lonja houses the Cultural Accademy of Valencia.

5

In front of the magnificent building of the Lonja there is a structure made of   steel with stained-glass windows and hand-painted ceramics on the façade: it’s the Central Market, with its 959 stalls of fresh products

A mix of colors, smells and flavors in a modern jewel. The market is divided into two parts: on one side there are fruit and vegetables from the Valencian huerta (agricultural land area in the  south of Valencia); on the other side there are meats, for example the Salamanca ham, and fish, with benches that offer real ‘cascades’ of shellfish: a pleasure not only for the palate.

6

Valencia is an example of a city built on the banks of a river. The Turia river, on the one hand, favoured the urban development, on the other hand, it was the cause of many overflowing

After the last flood in 1957, the authorities decided to redirect the river’s flow, and where at the first there was his bed, now there are  the Turia Gardens:  an oasis of green and peace in the city centre. Among pine trees, oleanders and palms you can spend your free time here, taking a walk along the paths or enjoying  one of the sports facilities of the  Gardens. The main attraction of the park is a monumental sculpture of Gulliver, 70 meters long, inspired the character of Jonathan Swift. Ramps, slides and stairs  allow to “Lilliputians” (ie you), to walk on the giant’s body.

7

The Biopark in  Valencia is much more than a traditional zoo. It’s an innovative project in which the animal live in open spaces and the species are not separated, just like in nature.

The park is divided into three big areas: the African Savannah, the equatorial forests of Africa and Madagascar and the African wetlands. You can walk in these areas, observing animals in the wild but safely. Lions, leopards, giraffes, gorillas, rhinos, hippos, elephants, lemurs and many other animals are guests of the park which will add soon other animals of  Asia and South America.

8

After some decades during which the port and industrial activities had created disasters, Valencia has recovered the sea and beaches. The port area, now called Marina Real Juan Carlos I, has been redeveloped.

From the building “Veles e Vents” you can admire a beautiful view of the sea and enjoy the sun in total relax. From here you can start a nice walk on the seafront  arriving to the beaches Les Arenas and Malvarrosa with clear water awarded by the European Blue Flag. If you love nature, in a short distance there is the Albufera reserve, the largest lake in Spain. You can get there with the line 25 of the city bus, in less than an hour and for only € 1.50 per trip. There is also the Albufera Bus Turistic which allows you to explore the park in great detail, including a boat trip.

9

The paella is a typical dish of Valencia, and it’s better in street kiosks, like the one outside the Central Market.

The Valencian paella is made with chicken or rabbit, not seafood, although it’s easy to find the version with seafood and shellfish. The Valencian cuisine is typically Mediterranean, and abound with fish. If  you move inland, you can also enjoy excellent meats, while the Valencian huerta offers an abundance of fruit and vegetables. Almonds and honey are  the base of the most typical dessert: nougat. A typical drink that you can find  anywhere, especially in summer, is the horchata de chufo. Do not be fooled by the name: it is not the barley water  we use to  drink in Italy, but the powdery juice of a river tuber.

10

From  America’s Cup in 2007, the city is equipped to accommodate a large amount of tourists. You can choose among hotels, camping, hostels and apartments.

You just need to choose according to the budget that you have: from the ultra-luxury facilities to more modest hostels, there is something for all prices. The tourism in Valencia has increased during last years so you should book in time to get good accommodations at a great price. The cost of a 3 star hotel start from 50 EUR per night, in the historic downtown area. You can find luxury hotel for less than 70 Euros, especially in the port area and neighbourhoods outside the center.

If you are looking for a hotel in Valencia, we suggest you to choose among those offered by Booking.com. There are about 200 hotels with prices, pictures and comments of guests already stayed there. Go to Booking.com