València

Tradition and innovation

The city of the sun and capital of the Turia is as traditional as it is innovative, nautical as it is rural, and diverse, with so many ways to discover what it has to offer.

You cannot miss it

Discover it through practices that have survived time, such as the Court of The Waters held every Thursday at the foot of the Cathedral after the bells of El Miguelete are played, with an explosion of colours and the fires of the Fallas. Traditions recognised internationally by Unesco as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

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Explore its historic and contemporary neighbourhoods. In the Plaza de la Virgen, the heart of the "Ciutat Vella", you will begin to see some of the treasures of the characteristic Valencian Gothic style, such as the Cathedral, the Palace of the Generalitat, the interior room of endless coiled columns, crowned by beautiful vaults of the Silk Market and the frescoes of the church of San Nicolás de Bari.

In addition to enjoying its architectural beauty, you will smell and savour the city, in the modernist Central Market. Full of fresh and typical Valencian products, where you can enjoy the 'esmorzaret' like the people of Valencia do (morning snack between breakfast and lunch), which will leave you satisfied until lunch.

Give yourself a treat

If you follow the ancient riverbed through the Turia gardens, you will come across some of the best monuments to see the entire city, the Serranos and Quart Towers, gates of the ancient medieval wall. In its surroundings, walking through the neighbourhood of Carmen, Calle Moret will surprise you with its graffiti art, and if you want to take a good selfie, stand under the arch of Portal de la Valldigna before crossing from Christian to Muslim Valencia or vice versa.

The Turia will also take you to the City of Arts and Science, where fantasy becomes a reality. This futuristic architectural ensemble reflected in large water sheets and designed by Calatrava, offers artistic options, such as the Paseo de las Esculturas or the Reina Sofía Palace of Arts and Science, as well as the Hemispheric or the Oceanographic museums.

If you wish to enjoy nature, La Albufera is a unique space, with its rice fields, and what a better plan than to taste the star ingredient of paella than on the shores of the Mediterranean.

Seasonal plans
 

• In the maritime towns of València you have everything for a dreamy summer, history, culture, tradition, architectural treasures, innovation and of course fine sandy beaches.
  

• These neighbourhoods, such as Grao or Cabañal are packed with streets parallel to the sea with colourful houses and restored buildings for cultural use, such as the Atarazanas or the Ice Factory. Stop by Mercabañal to taste the delicious tomatoes of El Perelló that are only harvested during the summer season, among many other delicacies.

• Strolling through the Malvarrosa you will see the same tones and light as those that inspired Sorolla to paint his best paintings or the sunrises enjoyed by Blasco Ibáñez from his home.

• In addition, from La Marina and its impressive Veles e Vents, not only the architecture and beauty of the environment come together, but also an amazing leisure offer, from "Shark Festival", in which you can enjoy a film while floating on your lilo, to concerts and fireworks, such as the "Night at sea" of the July Fair. This festival extends until August and fills the streets, squares, beaches and gardens with music, horse riding, magic shows and pyrotechnics. The end is even better, a carnation battle through the city's boulevards.

If you have not yet tasted the Valencian delights, autumn is a good time to do so, when the Valencian Community Day is celebrated, the first days of October you will not only be allowed to visit the Palace of the Generalitat, but also learn the popular dances, take a good horchata and take a sweet treat, such as the 'Mocador' marzipans.