Valencia Spain - A perfect place for the Summer Holiday

     If you are looking for a dreamy holiday in Europe with a beautiful sun – drenched coastline with the gorgeous beaches , charming villages and vibrant city life then the answer would be  Valencia a beautiful city of Spain .It is one of the most vibrant, forward thinking and cosmopolitan cities. It is the country's third largest city and has a heritage, culture and nightlife. It is also called as one of the most engaging cities of Spain.

History  - Valencia was founded as a Roman colony in 138 BC. The city is situated on the banks of the Turia, on the east coast of the Iberian peninsula, fronting the Gulf of Valencia of Mediterranean Sea. Its historic centre is one of the largest in Spain, with approximately 169 acres; this heritage of ancient monuments, diverse scenic sites and cultural attractions makes Valencia one of the country's most popular tourist destinations for Spaniards and world travellers alike.

Use This Map to figure out the Place in Valencia 

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Overview - Much of the time of a tourist in Valencia is likely to be spent in the old town - El Carmen. This area is the  home of important buildings including the cathedral, the art deco food market and the ceramics museum. It is also the place to head for a spot of Valencia's famously good shopping opportunities. And if the tourist is in the mood for a night out  , then one can enjoy the  small streets surrounding the cathedral which are jam-packed with small bars, tapas joints and clubs.

Valencia is very proud of its dedication to forward thinking architecture and cultural projects. The world famous City of Arts and Sciences has to be seen to be believed. It is a cultural centre stretching over 2 km and made up of buildings and open spaces that look like they are straight out of a science fiction film.

The city is also a great place to head if you love relaxing in the outdoors. Not only does it boast 13km of golden sandy beaches, there are also parks and gardens throughout the city offering tranquillity and beauty. The riverbed of the River Turia has been dried out and now offers 9kms of parks and botanical gardens that cut right through the heart of the city. The Valencia Bioparc is a zoo unlike any other, designed to feel as though you have been air-dropped into the heart of Africa.

Tourism Overview Video film - Good to watch 

Reaching Valencia  –

Air – Well connected from the major airports of the Europe . Airport Valencia and Murcia

Train – Renfe connects Valencia , Murcia , Cartagena with the rest of the Spain.

Buses and  Cars – well connected through roads from the major cities.

Find out more on www.renfe.es

Getting Around –

Walk – If you are staying in a conveniently located hotel , you can see most of Valencia by walking .It is always the preferred way of seeing the city and very easy in Valencia - 95% of the sights you will want to see will be within walking distance, since there aren't many outside the centre. The centre is much easier done by foot than on any kind of transport (bar bicycle) and much more enjoyable too. To  cross the centre in a straight line won't take more than 40 minutes and if you look at the map you will see how much there is to see. All you need is a little information about what to see and a tourist map.

Buses and Metros - For far of attraction like zona universitaria , beach  and far situated hotels you can use buses and metros

Bicycle - Bicycle rent is very popular with tourists in Valencia. Valencia is entirely flat and not too spread out. If you get around on the bicycle you have the best of both worlds - getting around fast enough and far enough without tiring too much and being able to stop wherever you want and appreciate the view.

Tourist Attractions –

1. Ciudad De Las Artes Y Las Ciencias -  (City of Arts and Sciences) –

It is an entertainment-based cultural and architectural complex in the city of Valencia, Spain. It is the most important modern tourist destination in the city of Valencia.

The City of Arts and Sciences is situated at the end of the former riverbed of the river Turia, which was drained and rerouted after a catastrophic flood in 1957. The old riverbed was turned into a picturesque sunken park.

The must do/watch list for “the of Art and Sciences” is –

(A). Oceangrafic  - A must watch aquarium  .

(B). The Chromosome Forest – Dedicated to the life and genonme ( a must visit place with the kids ).

(C). IMAX Theatre – Powerful projection theatre

(D). International Space Station

2. Torres de Serrans (Serrano Towers ) –

 It is one of the twelve gates that were found along the old medieval city wall in Valencia, Spain. It is considered one of Valencia's most iconic building and is one the best conserved monuments in the city.

3. Plaza del Mercado: Lonja de la Seda, Santos Juanes and Mercado Central –

The Plaza del Mercado is home to 3 buildings of interest, the Silk Market, one of the best examples of gothic civil architecture in Europe which is Patrimony of the Humanity (UNESCO), the Santos Juanes Church in baroque style and the Central Market, a colourful market in a beautiful modernist building.

4. La Catedral, El Miguelete and Plaza de la Virgen –

Each of the three gates of the Cathedral has a diferent style: Irons Gate (baroque), the Apostles Gate (gothic) and the Palace Gate (Romanesque). The bell tower El Miguelete where you can enjoy amazing views. And the Plaza de la Virgen sits on the site that once was the forum of Roman Valencia.

5. Museo de Bellas Artes San Pio V -

Located in a Baroque building recently renovated, The Fine Arts Museum San Pio V is one of the most outstanding painting archives in Spain, renowned for its collections of primitive Valencian painters, although there are also works by El Greco, Velázquez, Murillo, Goya, and some archeological pieces.

6. Museo Nacional de Ceramica Gonzalez Marti -

The National Ceramics Museum Gonzalez Marti is housed in a palace that dates from the 15th century and was refurbished in 1740 on rococo style with a magnificent alabaster entrance. Inside, you can find the 19th century rooms and a collection of tiles made in the Royal Ceramics Factory in Alcora.

7. Monasterio de San Miguel de los Reyes -

The Jeronime monastery of San Miguel de los Reyes was erected in the 16th century over the old abbey. The facade is in the Renaissance style and is framed by two towers with salomonic Baroque columns. The monastery also has two cloisters surrounded by arch galleries.

9. El Puerto y La Playa -

Visit the port and enjoy with the team bases, the house of America’s Cup, the superyacht pier and the port sheds. After, walk by the promenade seafront in the Las Arenas, La Malvarrosa and Alboraya beaches.

10. Jardin Botanico -

The Botanic Garden was founded in 1567 for the study of medicinal plants. In 1802 it was installed in l'Hort de Tramoyeres, where it is currently situated. The restoration that was concluded in the year 2000 allowed for the reclamation of this spectacular green space.

11. Iglesia de San Juan del Hospital -

San Juan del Hospital is one of the oldest churches in Valencia, built around 1261. The temple has a single nave covered with a pointed barrel vault. Inside, you may contemplate the magnificent chapel of Santa Barbara and others chapels with painted murals from the Gothic period.

12. Santa Catalina -

The “Iglesia y Torre de Santa Catalina”, or the church and the tower of the holy Catherine, weren’t built at the same time. The church was built in the 14th century and the tower was built in the 18th century. Visit the tower for the beautiful view.

Famous City Tours –

(A). Valencia Guias – Daily 3 to 4 hours guided walk and Bicycle Tours . Starting point Plaza de la Reina tourist office

www.vslenciaguias.com

(B) Art Valencia – 2 to 4 hours walking tour from Plaza  de la Reina tourist office in English and Spanish 

www.artvalencia.com

Festivals & Events

April

(A) Las Fallas – Firworks, music, festive bonfires and all night party. A must attend thing if you are in Spain between 12 to 19 march

 Las Fallas

(B) Fiesta de San Vicente Ferrer – Colourful parades and miracle plays performed around town on the Sunday after Easter.

May

(A) Fiesta de la Virgen – Effigy procession to the Cathedral on the second Sunday of May

(B) Dia den San Juan – From 23 to 24 June Midsummer’s day is celebrated with bonfires on the beach.

July

Feria de Julio – Performing arts, brass band competition , bullfights, fireworks and “a battle of flowers” in the second half of the july

La Tomatina - the famous tomato fight festival of Spain – At Bunol very close to Valencia. Read all about La Tomatina here http://traveller-information.blogspot.com/2012/01/la-tomatina-spain-famous-funful-tomato.html

 Night Life , Fun and Entertainment –

(A) Best Nightlife - Valencia has a colourful night life because of its large student population. The Barrio del Carmen has good collection of the most colourful bars with all kinds of entertainment elements.The other major area is around the university ; Avenidas de Aragon and Blasco Lbanez and surrounding streets have enough bars and discotecas (Clubs ) to keep you busy beyond sunrise. The area around the Mercado de Abastos is also worth checking out.

For summer New port area and Malvarrosa are also good.

(B) Black Note – Jazz Venue

(C) Jimmy Glass – Playing jazz music with dim Smokey bar ambience

Food –Some places for food – Carosal , Bar pilar , L Hamadriada , Pepita Pulgarcita

Places to visit Near Valencia –

Las Arenas – Long beach , paella restaurants

Peniscola – picture postcard old town

Bunol – La Tomatina festival

Morella – Very cold in winter and refreshingly cool in summer

Costa Blanca – Costa Blanca white coast is very famous among the tourist

Alicante – good night life

For more Information & travel plan on Valencia Please Visit the Site :-
Turisvalencia

A trip to Valencia could be ideal to soak yourself in sun bright beaches , enjoy the vibrant life of taking the kids to enjoy the amazing world of science.