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
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
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
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.
