FAST FACTS

Valencia is about 350 kilometers from Madrid (which lies on the west) and Barcelonia (which lies on the North). It lies at the mouth of the Turia River, in the Gulf of Valencia. This excellent location has made the city play a prominent role in Spain’s history, not only for its economic contributions but as the entry port of people from different lands. After all, it is Spain’s multi-ethnic population that helped give its culture such diversity and richness.

About 800,000 people live in this beautiful city. The people are warm and friendly, and while they speak Spanish, quite a few can speak English. It is a popular place to buy property, and many foreigners have settled down there. The excellent weather, and the breathtaking view, have made it a true seaside paradise.

CLIMATE

As with any spot in the Mediterranean, Valencia is blessed with a sunny tropical climate. The winters are very mild, which make it a popular retreat for people looking for a respite from December’s harsh cold and bleary gray skies. However, summers get to be quite dry. Spring brings a lot of rain, and fall can be wet as well, but it fortunately spared from very strong storms. In July and August, the temperature average a comfortable 25 degrees Centigrade.

TRANSPORTATION

It is easy to go around alencia. There is the Norte Railway Station, found at the center of the city. It is networked to Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Alicante, Port Bou (French border), Zaragoza, and Bilbao, You can get schedules of the trains from the Spanish Railway Service.

FESTIVALS

The city’s biggest festival is Las Fallas, which falls on March 12th to March 19th. During this time, gigantic papier-mache art sculptures are made, and then displayed on the town squares. They often make social or political statements. On the last day of the festival, the sculptures are burned in a ritual the people have dubbed “la nit del foc”.

SHOPPING

True to its historical prominence as a center of trade, Valencia offers many opportunities to shop. Check out the Covered Market, located at al Mercado Central de Valencia. You’ll find not only great bargains but an interest architectural juxtaposition: find 8000 square meters of market space, enclosed by modern steel and glass building, but decorated with traditional Valencian ceramic tiles. Valencia also played a role in silk trade, which is continued in the Silk Exchange, the Llotja de a Seda.

You can buy several specialty crafts. One of them is ceramics, often gaily painted. Also look for the word artifacts, and objects made of handwoven
vegetable fibers. You can also buy high quality rice, but it would be difficult for tourists to bring this all across Europe.

SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS

You can see a lot of things in Valencia. Some of its favorite tourist attractions is the City of Arts and Sciences, where you’ll find a planetarium and imax theater, not to mention the Prince Felipe Museum of the Sciences (Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe). Here you are encouraged to take a hands-on approach to learning, building items to see scientific principles at work. Children will enjoy the L’Oceanografic, which may be the largest aquarium in Europe. Outside sits a beautiful garden,. called Umbracle. For an even more spectacular collection of flora, visit the Botanical Gardens, which has over 40,000 plant species, and is considered to be one of Europe’s finest.

There are many museums, too, testament to the country’s great culture. Check out the Bull fight Art Museum, the El Museo de Bellas Artas de Valencia (second only to Madrid’s Prado) and the Valencian Institute of Modern Art.

Be sure to visit the Cathedral, built in th 13th century. It bears a mix of Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque element.