Valencia Vibes: 5 Jewels in the Crown
Let’s celebrate some of what the city of Valencia has to offer. It has plenty - the 3rd biggest in the country, right by the beach, and sunshine most of the year round! Of course there’s far more to it than that, but here are a few classics…
1. City of Arts and Sciences
This iconic building has become the poster image for the city. It’s an entertainment-based cultural and architectural complex which has become the main tourist attraction, inaugurated in 1998 with further buildings and features added since.
An IMAX cinema, planetarium, interactive museum, performance centres and more… all based around modern art and science (funnily enough), which will keep you busy for hours! A true ‘must-see’.
2. Beach-it-up
After all that walking around, it’s time to relax on the beach and soak up some rays. An integral part of any holiday, and if you happen to live in or be visiting Madrid (like me when I lived there) where beaches are hard to come by, it’s a fairly quick and easy buzz down on the AVE train.
La Malvarrosa is the main beach and the most central so that’s where most people head. There are also several others if you feel like venturing a little out the city.
3. Turia River & Park
The old river bed that runs through the centre of the city has now been renovated into a beautiful park. Great to walk through, perhaps when you’re finished on the beach and making your way back to the centre! Popular also with cyclists and other sporting activity, along with gardens and wildlife.
4. Paella & Fartons
No List would be complete without a couple of culinary classics. Many people view paella as the national dish of Spain… well, Valencia is where it truly originates from and where you can find some of the best on earth.
Fartons are an elongated spongy sweet, glazed with sugar and typically served with a cold drink called Horchata (made from ground tigernuts)… and perfect to dip your fartons!
5. Las Fallas
A wonderfully weird, loud and spectacular fiesta which takes place in March each year. Residents construct large and exuberant statues which are paraded and ultimately burned down. Fireworks and fun guaranteed… at one of the biggest and best known festivals in Spain.
Have you been, or do you want to go?