The city of Valencia has a bit of everything – fantastic parks and public spaces, beaches, museums, galleries, fine architecture, great food, friendly people and superb nightlife. Whilst Barcelona and Madrid may take the headlines, Valencia has its own intensity and story to tell.
One of the key features of the city is that the old town is partly bordered by a park which occupies what was previously a riverbed, reclaimed after flooding in the 1950s. This winding green space takes you from the Bioparc Valencia and Parque de Cabecera at one end of the city centre all the way down to the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia and the epic Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, which features remarkable buildings such as L'Umbracle and L'Oceanogràfic.
Explore the old town on foot, or by jumping on and off the metro which serves the city. Discover historic streets and plazas featuring traditional bodegas, mercados and taverns, alongside hip new bars, restaurants and galleries. Or hit Malvarrosa Beach to the east of the city, which extends down to Arenas Beach to the south.
At El Saler beach, about 13km to the south of the city adjacent to La Albufera Natural Park, you can try delicious paella made from locally grown rice and locally sourced fish. Head inland to explore Valencia’s fertile terrain, where villages and towns are traditionally boosted by local agriculture, or travel down the coast to the south around Denia and Xàbia for more secluded beaches, or venture into the city of Alicante for more action.
Enjoy your stay!!