Located on Spain’s eastern coast and with a population of over a million people, Valencia is the third-largest city in the country. Its beaches, the well-known “Fallas” celebrations and gastronomy attract lots of tourists all year. The city is immersed in history: there are cultural and artistic details, hidden in every corner, that begin with the Romans and continues to the present-day, creating a unique mix.
Valencia is the capital city of the Valencian Community, and is located in a central position having the other 2 biggest cities of the area at the north (Castellón) and the south (Alicante). There are many things that give Valencia its strong cultural identity. The city is bilingual with 2 official languages, Spanish and Valencian. The city’s gastronomy is appreciated all over the world, with its most famous dish being “Paella”. This delicious recipe is prepared in many regions all over Spain, but has its origins in Valencia. Fallas is one of the most important festivities in Spain and attracts thousands of international tourists every year. Its architecture includes great examples of innovative design, such as the City of Arts and Sciences; but also urban art – as lots of graffiti decorate the streets of Valencia. The climate is Mediterranean so the weather is mostly warm and sunny, with pleasant summers and mild winters.
It is one of the biggest parks in Spain with a length of 10 km approximately, situated where the river Turia crossed the city. You can find many people running, playing or having a walk there! You can also cycle around the city since there is a bike-renting system called Valenbisi. It allows you to move around the city by taking available bicycles from different points across the city!
Valencia also has a more modern area, built by architect Santiago Calatrava. It consists of several places, namely: the Hemisfèric, the Museum of Science, the Umbracle, the Palace of Arts Reina Sofia, the Oceanogràfic…
This plaza is situated in Ciutat Vella and has an irregular shape. It is surrounded by Basilica Virgen de Los Desamparados and by the Cathedral, and it has a beautiful fountain that represents the river Turia.
El Micalet is also a very well-known attraction in this area. Go upstairs and count the steps! Once at the top, enjoy the nice views of Plaza de la Reina and more!
Fallas was declared a cultural heritage by UNESCO. In March, many people go to experience the “mascletà” in Plaza del Ayuntamiento, with amazing fireworks, and also visit several fallas in the city. These are beautiful and colorful monuments built to reflect scenes and controversial topics from our society.
Take a look at these artistic wonders while having hot chocolate and buñuelos. You will be in the middle of a huge party for several days if you visit!
The Cabanyal is one of the most charming neighborhoods you can visit in Valencia, and it is right near the beach! Visitors can have a walk in the port area and find people surfing, playing volleyball, or sunbathing. However, el Cabanyal is a residential area rather than a tourist attraction – it is the old fisherman’s quarter.
Many streets in Valencia are famous for being decorated with colorful ceramic tiles, especially in el Cabanyal. Calle de la Reina is a great example! Also, there is a great food market in this area where you can buy seasonal and fresh products.
The Central Market is a collection of modernist architecture, and an agora with more than 100 stalls offering fresh products, especially oranges, tomatoes, and beans, but also cheese, spices, nuts, olives, drinks, or fish! You can even stop at the traditional bar located inside, run by chef Ricard Camarena for lots of tapas, assorted dishes, and more!
We all know about Paella as a typical dish if we think about Spain. Did you know it is Valencian? Apart from this delicious rice, some other foods can be tried in this charming city: “horchata” is a sweet local drink made of tiger nuts. Also, Valencia has the best oranges – try fresh orange juice with coffee and toast with tomato on top and you will be having the typical Valencian breakfast. And what about “all i pebre” or “esgarradet”? You will have to find out on your own since the vegetables and fish taste great too!
This is an emblematic building and one of the most famous civil gothic monuments in Europe. It was declared a National Historic and Artistic Monument in 1931 and was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.
The Lonja is located in the center of the city – in front of the Central Market. At the end of the 13th century, as a result of the prosperity in València at the time, the old Lonja became insufficient and they decided to build a new Exchange.
The first stone was laid in 1492, although the construction started a year later. Pere Compte, a Valencian engineer, and the architect was the principal figure involved in its construction. There are three clearly defined sections and a garden or “orange patio”. The Columnario or Sala de Contratación is divided into three longitudinal and five transversal naves with eight columns that support the domed ceiling. Its height of 17.40 meters gives the columns a special sense of size and proportion. The Taula de Canvis, set up in 1407, was located in this room by the municipal council and gained great prestige for its solvency and banking operations. The Taula or Table used for the transactions, as well as the first Bill of Exchange written in Spain, are kept in the València Municipal archive. The Torreón is the second section of the building while on the ground floor there is a small chapel dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The two upper floors were used as a prison for those who reneged on their debts.
El Carmen forms part of Valencia’s old city. It is a district with historical importance and its age is made apparent by the historical buildings, old churches, and its narrow winding streets. Some of the recommended visits in el Carmen are Torres de Quart and Torres de Serranos, as well as the Museum of Ethnology. This neighborhood has lots of charming narrow streets with cozy cafés and bars too.
This market is one of the most emblematic modernist buildings you can find in Valencia. Built-in 1914, it is an open area and also an important restoration project. Some trencadís give color to the entrance, which looks beautiful. The market is a usual meeting point and you can find stalls, cafés and interesting bars on both floors. Ruzafa (or Russafa) is nowadays Valencia’s alternative “barrio” because it is a good spot for culture, food, and art. There are many bars and cool cafés to be explored. Visitors may have a look at Ruzafa’s market too if they want to try and buy good quality ingredients.
This bullring has a neoclassic design and it was built between 1850 and 1860. It is almost 18 meters high and 52 meters if we measure the diameter. There are four levels, decorated with an array of differing brick arches and wooden balustrades. Inside there are 24 rows in the stands. The main events take place during las Fallas and the July Fair, with music concerts and shows among those.
The Train Station is located in the center of the city, next to the Bullring and close to Plaza del Ayuntamiento, where the City Hall is. The façade is filled with oranges and orange blossoms, inspired by the agriculture in this area. The construction is a modernist one, mixing elements like “trencadís”, pieces of glass, and ceramic – beautiful decorations!
The following free-time activities are included in the price of our courses in Valencia:
From the Clock building, a former maritime station, we will see the inner dock of the port, the origin of the old commercial port. Today all the activity of both goods and passengers has been transferred to the outer dikes and has been ceded in this space for the leisure of citizens and visitors. The marina, the building of Veles i Vents, home of America’s Cup; the Modernist sheds…
We continue the visit going into the marine neighborhood of Grao, with the church of Santa Maria del Mar, and the medieval Atarazanas (if we go with time, you can enter normally for free). We will enter the Museum of the Semana Santa Marinera. (On Saturdays it closes at 19.00 H) We will arrive at Calle de la Reina to see the tile modernist houses that the fishermen built.
We will end up on the beach, at the height of the Playa de las Arenas. Those who stay can be recommended a restaurant for dinner or a terrace where to have a drink
Duration: 2H
Starting time (to be confirmed): PM 16.30 H / 17.30 H
Meeting point: Tourist Office of the Port (Next to the building of the Clock). Otherwise, Balneario las Arenas.
We will take a photo tour around the City of Arts and Sciences complex, looking for the most striking panoramic perspectives.
We will enter the Fallero Museum where you can see Ninots Indultats, that is, the figures that by their originality or detail have been saved from being burned, from the origins of Fallas to the present day. The ideal setting for getting to know the Fallas festival, traditions, customs, monuments, and its history.
Duration: 2H
Starting time (to be confirmed): PM 16.00
Meeting point: Museo Fallero / CAC
We will visit the BBAA Museum, one of the most recognized art galleries in the country that should not be missed. Especially for the Gothic style, the style that prevailed in Valencia in the golden century, when the city was among the richest in Europe thanks to the trade of silk and other luxury products.
In addition, the museum has artworks that will allow us to make a chronological tour, by the hand of artists as well-known as Bosch, Goya, El Greco, or Velazquez, until the beginning of the 20th century with the rooms dedicated to Sorolla and his contemporaries.
We will end the visit with a walk through the near, although a bit hidden, Monforte Gardens, the last romantic garden. A haven of peace full of flowers, ancient trees, and classical sculptures, very close to the city center.
Duration: 2H
Starting time (to be confirmed): PM 17.30 / 18:00
Meeting point: Museo BBAA
All our courses in Valencia will take place either in the Morning (9:00 13:45) or in the Afternoon (14:00 – 18:45) depending on classroom and trainer availability.
Our courses in Valencia are in: Pg. de Russafa, 11 – 7, 46002 València
