For Its 300 days of sunshine
Valencia offers 300 days of sun per year with an average temperature of almost 18ºC. The perfect climate to discover the city, while walking under blue skies and stopping now and again at a sunny terrace. A plan so simple that you’ll love!
For its Mediterranean cuisine
Although paella is an international dish, it is very likely that you have never tasted one as good as those found here. So don’t leave without ordering an authentic Valencian paella and discovering everything our gastronomy has to offer: rice dishes in all their combinations, traditional fish and seafood stews, excellent wines, horchata (with fartons for dipping, of course) and spectacular citrus fruits. Does your mouth water just reading about it? Don’t miss the València Cuina Oberta Restaurant Week, the most important gastronomic event in the city.
For Its beaches
What more could you ask from a city with 300 days of sunshine? Beaches, of course—and with Blue Flags to make them even better! That’s right: in Valencia you have 7 kilometres of beach to choose from, whether you prefer the lively urban beaches, with all services and a great atmosphere, or the tranquillity of the wild beaches of the l'Albufera Natural Park.
For its lifestyle
Valencians love the sun as much as the moon. That’s why during the day we make the most of the good weather by enjoying “terraceo” with a beer and something to snack on. And when night falls, the fun moves to the wide variety of venues that give Valencia’s nightlife its well-deserved reputation. What’s more, if the night goes on for a while, it’s always a good idea to enjoy a good “almorzaret” before heading off to rest.
For its festivals and traditions
Noise, music, fireworks, colour and creativity are the stars of our festivals. And in Valencia there is always something to celebrate! From 15 to 19 March, the city throws itself into the celebration of Las Fallas (declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO), although there are other festivities you shouldn’t miss either: the Semana Santa Marinera, the Transfer of the Virgen de los Desamparados, the Valencian Corpus and the July Fair. Make sure to mark them all in your calendar!
For its green spaces
Valencia is full of surprises, like the one you’ll discover when you look out over the river that runs through the city and realise it is actually a lush 9-kilometre garden dedicated to leisure and sport. The old Turia Riverbed is a meeting point for Valencians and visitors alike, who enjoy it from morning until night. Another of our most representative and fascinating natural spaces is the l'Albufera Natural Park, just 10 km from the city centre, where you can enjoy a spectacular sunset—made even better with a boat ride.
For its 2,000 years of history
Founded in 138 BC by the Romans, Valencia is a superposition of Roman, Visigothic, Muslim and medieval cultures. Evidence of this can be seen in emblematic monuments such as the Silk Exchange (La Lonja de la Seda), declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, La Almoina, the Serranos and Quart Towers, and the Cathedral. Beyond its architecture, the Water Tribunal (Tribunal de las Aguas), founded in the year 1000 and recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is a living vestige of the past that can be witnessed every Thursday at 12:00 beneath the Apostles’ Gate of Valencia Cathedral.
For being a symbol of avant-garde architecture
Valencia is a city in constant evolution. A city that proudly showcases its historic past while embracing the great architectural works of the 21st century. If you are interested in architecture, pay special attention to the City of Arts and Sciences by Santiago Calatrava, the Congress Palace by Norman Foster and the Veles e Vents building by David Chipperfield. Other avant-garde spaces you should visit include the MUVIM, Feria València, the Palau de la Música and the IVAM.
For its unique corners
Valencia is much more than what you find in guidebooks. So grab your camera and keep your eyes wide open to discover corners such as Plaza Redonda, the Church of Santa Catalina—whose square is home to the narrowest building in Europe—the frescoes of the Church of San Nicolás, the clock that presides over the Church of Santos Juanes, the baptismal font of Saint Vincent in the parish of San Esteban, or the alligator above the door of the Church of the Patriarch. Your photos are sure to be a hit on Instagram!
