València: City, Coast and l'Albufera
Accommodation in València
València combines Gothic architecture, the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias complex, the Jardín del Turia, the coast and the natural area of l'Albufera.
Gothic Heritage, Art and Fallas
The Lonja de la Seda de Valencia is a masterpiece of European Gothic architecture and Valencia's outstanding Gothic monument. It was built largely between 1482 and 1492 under the direction of stonemason Pere Compte. Its four main sections are the tower, the Consulado del Mar Hall, the Orange Garden and the Hall of Columns.
Valencia Cathedral houses the Holy Chalice, a vessel from the 1st century AD that, according to tradition, Jesus used to institute the Eucharist. The IVAM's exhibition programme focuses on researching and communicating the movements of contemporary art.
Valencia's Fallas are celebrated on 19 March by burning huge papier-mâché figures.
Urban Park and Architecture along the Turia
The Jardín del Turia is Valencia's most important urban park. Along its route, it includes sights such as museums, monuments, bridges and sculptures. An adapted and accessible route through the former riverbed of the Turia is promoted for the Jardín del Turia.
The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias extends for almost two kilometres along the former riverbed of the Turia. Its various centres host conferences, exhibitions, film screenings, guided tours and workshops on science, technology, nature and art.
l'Albufera: Nature, Boats and Cuisine
The l'Albufera de Valencia Nature Park is included on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance and is designated as a ZEPA area for the special protection of birds. Around 300 bird species have been identified in the Albufera, including approximately 90 species with European protection priority status.
The Racó de l'Olla visitor centre includes its own 50-hectare nature reserve. Traditional guided boat trips depart from several points along the shore of the Albufera. Traditional dishes from the Albufera include Valencian paella made with rice grown in the area, as well as all i pebre with eel.
Beach and Wildlife
Bioparc Valencia recreates various wild habitats in a naturalistic way and offers animal presentations, screenings about zoo animals and reading sessions. Playa de la Malvarrosa is one of Valencia's best-known beaches and has fine, golden sand.
Mobility and Choosing Your Base
Valencia's main tourist areas can be explored on foot. Metro lines 3 and 5 connect the airport with Valencia; the journey takes approximately 20 minutes. Bus routes 24 and 25, as well as the Albufera Bus Turistic, provide access to the l'Albufera Nature Park. If you would like to combine sightseeing with an excursion into nature, you can weigh up your accommodation base according to your preferred daily rhythm and the connections you plan to use.
For further research, you can also visit El Saler, El Palmar and Les Gavines.
For the higher-level travel overview: Valencia.
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