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Valencia

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CONTENTS Introduction 3

Discover Valencia neighbourhood by neighbourhood 4

Ciutat Vella: the historic district, full of life

Ruzafa neighbourhood: young and cosmopolitan Seaside neighbourhoods Culture 6

Museums The City of Arts and Sciences Tasting Valencia 7

Valencia throughout the seasons 8

Summer Autumn Winter Spring Beaches and nature 10

Valencia with the family 10

The hidden city 11

Parks and gardens Secret museums Monuments Valencia'srooftops Experience Valencia's nightlife 12

Tours and walks 12

What to visit near Valencia 13

Huerta de Valencia Region El Puig Monastery Sagunto Valencia Wine Route Manises How to get there 14

Train Airport Car GettingaroundinValencia VALENCIA TOURIST OFFICE

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INTRODUCTION

Valencia is a place you're bound to love.Washed by the Mediterranean, it is the capital of the Region of Valencia and is famous for its beaches and exceptionalclimate.

History,traditionandthefutureawaityouinthiscityfullofcontrasts.Discovertracesoftheremotepastintheoldtowncentreandbeamazedbyitsavant-gardebuildings.Thepossibilitiesareendless.

` SILK EXCHANGE

HereyouwillfindoneofEurope'slarg-estcentresforthedisseminationofsci-ence and culture: the City of Arts and Sciences. You will be amazed by theavant-garde architecture of the stun-ning Hemisfèric building and by the Oceanogràfic, the largest aquarium in Europe. By contrast, in the streets of theold towncentre,knownasCiutat Vella,youwillfindWorldHeritageSitessuch as the Silk Exchange.

Valenciahasastunningnaturalenviron-ment. The mild Mediterranean climate invites you to enjoy the sea all yearround. Its urban beaches are perfect for sunbathing, swimming and enjoy-ingadrinkatoneofthelivelyterraces.If you are looking for peace and quiet, getawaytooneofitsunspoilt stretch-es of sand and lie down amongst thedunes.Togetawayfromitall,justtake

awalkinoneofthegreenspacesrun-ning along the former course of the Tu-riaRiver or breathe in thepure air ofthe Albufera Nature Reserve,with itsbeautifullandscapeofbeachesandricefields.

Valencia's cuisine will seduce yoursenses. In the area around the port and Las Arenas and La Malvarrosa beach-esyouwillfindgreat restaurantswithseaviewswhereyoucantryValencia'smost international dish: paella. If you prefersomethingmoreinnovative,youcan treat yourself in a signature restau-rant.

Join us in exploring Valencia, a fascinat-ing city full of light, and let yourself be captivatedbytheMediterraneanchar-acterof itspeoplewhowillmakeyoufeel right at home.

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Valencia'scultural,naturalandgastronomicheritageisimmense.Discoverthisona tour of its neighbourhoods.

CIUTAT VELLA: THE HISTORIC DIS-TRICT, FULL OF LIFE

Soakupthehistorywhileenjoyingthevery lively atmosphere. Wander the narrow streets of El Carmen neigh-bourhood and have a drink at one ofits terraces. This neighbourhood is the heart of nightlife and culture in the city centre.Within its historic town wallsare such magical places as the Torres de Serranos towers and the Botanical Gardens. For shopping go to La Seu, Valencia's oldest district. Most of the shops are to be found on the streets of La Paz and Poeta Querol, or in Plaza del Ayuntam-iento square.If you like crafts, try Plaza Redonda market, in the La Xerea neighbourhood, andcomeawaywithsomesouvenirs.

VALENCIA

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a PLAZA DEL AYUNTAMIENTO SQUARE

DISCOVER VALENCIA NEIGHBOURHOOD BY NEIGHBOURHOOD

a CIUTADELLA DE VALÈNCIA

DISCOVER VALENCIA NEIGHBOURHOOD BY NEIGHBOURHOOD

a BOTANICAL GARDENS

a CENTRAL MARKET

a SERRANO TOWERS

The Mercado Centralmarketgives itsname to another of the neighbour-hoods in the old Ciutat Vella district. HereyouwillfindproducefromValen-cia'svegetablefields.Ifyouwishtosam-plethesevegetablescooked,reserveatable at one of the area's charming res-taurants.Toworkupanappetite,visitthe Cathedral or the Silk Exchange.San Francisco, the biggest neighbour-hood in the old district, has one of the city'smajorculturalattractions:theTe-atro Principal theatre.

RUZAFA NEIGHBOURHOOD: YOUNG AND COSMOPOLITAN

This multicultural neighbourhood, fullof contrasts, is in vogue. Go out fordinner,dancing,toanexhibition...eve-rything is possible in "Valencia's Soho". Ruzafa Market is at the heart of this neighbourhood. Stroll around its stalls and let yourself be captivated by itscoloursandflavours.Youwillfindres-taurants, bars, taverns and terraceswithsomethingtosuitalltastes.Take a look at San Valero y San Vicente Mártir ChurchandyouwillunderstandwhytheycallitRuzafaCathedral.

SEASIDE NEIGHBOURHOODS

The city's seafaring spirit is concentrat-ed in these neighbourhoods. Valencia's urban beaches are grouped together here, with many restaurants, perfectplacestotrypaellaorfreshfish.Enjoy one of Valencia's gems: the El Cabañalneighbourhood.Youwill lovestrollingpastitscolourfullytiledhousefronts, and visiting its fresh producemarket.

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CULTURE

Valencia has museums to suit all tastes and the incredible City of Arts and Sci-ences,oneofthemostspectacularmodernartbuildingsintheworld.

MUSEUMS

San Pío V Museum of Fine Arts

Hereyoucanseeworksbygreatpaint-ers such as Velázquez, Hieronymus BoschandGoya.Itscollectionsofme-dievalpaintersandpaintersoftheVa-lencian school, such as Ribera and So-rolla, are outstanding.History Museum

Immerse yourself in Valencia's historical past through its archaeological, pho-tographic and virtual collections. Thebuilding that houses the museum used tobeawaterdeposit.

"Fallas" Museum

Las Fallas is Valencia's most important festival.Thismuseumhousestheninots indultats,thatis,thesometimesgiganticpapiermâché figures from the festivalthatweresavedfromthefireasbeingthe best of their year.Valencia Institute of Modern Art (IVAM)

Enjoy itspermanentcollectionsofJu-lio González and Ignacio Pinazo and its temporaryexhibitionsofpainting,pho-tography and modern art.González Martí National Museum of Ceramics and Sumptuary Arts

Explore its extensive collectionof ce-ramics from Manises, Paterna and Al-cora.ThereareinterestingChineseandJapanese pieces, aswell as pieces byartistssuchasPicasso.

VALENCIA

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Sleep with sharks, see the earth

from above or go inside a DNA

structure. These are some of the

possibilities at the City of Arts

and Sciences.

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CITY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Designed by the architect from Va-lencia, Santiago Calatrava, it is one of Europe's largest centres for the dis-semination of science and culture. It comprises several buildings with amaz-ing avant-garde architecture.

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CULTURE

If you cross the l'Umbracle, an enor-mous green spacewith sculptures bycontemporaryartists,youwillcometoa colossal transparent glass structure – the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum. Followingitsmotto,"Forbiddennottotouch", itoffersvarious interactiveex-hibitions.In L'Oceanogràfic, the largest aquarium in Europe, you can listen to the sounds

of the sea, be surrounded by sharks, or walkamongstpenguins.InthestunningHemisfèric cinema, in the form of an eye, youcanwatchIMAXfilmsthatwillrevealthemysteriesoftheuniversetoyou.The complex is completed by the Palau de les Arts auditorium, a building de-signed in the form of an immense sculpturethatisavenueforopera.

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TASTING VALENCIA Savour a plate of paella and a good wineasyou're caressedby theMedi-terranean breeze. By the port and Las Arenas and La Malvarrosa beaches youwillfindfantasticrestaurantsover-looking the sea. In the Albufera area, you should try all i pebre (garlic and paprika) – a potato, paprika,garlicandeelstew–orsuquet de peix,atypicalfishcasserolewithdif-ferenttypesoffishandalightsauce.Don't forget to taste horchata, a deli-cious drinkmade from tiger nuts, ac-companied by fartons, which are softpastriessprinkledwithsugar.

Something more innovative? Lookfor one of the signature Mediterra-nean cuisine restaurants. Some haveMichelin stars.Market cuisine is very popular in Va-lencia. The Central Market, a modern-istgem,offersproducefromValencia'svegetable fields and the sea. Strollarounditstraditionalstallsanddelica-tessens and admire the light shining through its domes and stained glass windows. The historic Colón Market will surpriseyouwith its offer of cui-sine. Enjoy a gourmet tapa or try its tastingsorworkshops.

VALENCIA THROUGHOUT THE SEASONSWheneveryouchoosetovisitValencia,youwillfindendlessactivitiestoenjoy.Herearejustafew.

SUMMER

If you like music, there are many fes-tivalstoenjoyintheRegionofValen-cia during the summer. Benicàssim International Festival (FIB) is one of thebiggest independentmusicfesti-valsinSpain.Low Festival and Arenal Sound also have great selections ofindie, rock and electronic music.

AUTUMN

9 October is Region of Valencia Day. Join the parades, processions and dances throughout the city.

Treat yourself in October at the Va-lencia Cuisine Open-Restaurant Week,amouth-wateringinitiativeinwhich the best restaurants offer ex-quisitesetmenusatirresistibleprices.

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VALENCIA

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WINTER

Valencia'sbiggestfestivaltakesplacein March: Las Fallas bonfire festival. Some 400 enormous figures, of astrongly satirical and critical kind, fillthestreetsinthisfestivaldeclaredtobe Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hu-manity by UNESCO.

La cremá is the most popular moment: the figures that are displayed in thestreetsareburntonthenightof19-20March.Thesmellofgunpowderfromthe mascletás (firecracker shows) iseverywhere,alongwithbandsplayingmusic and regional costume parades.

SPRING

InMayyoucanbuycraftceramicsatthe L'Escuraeta Market, in Plaza de la Reina square. Do you want to discover Valencianfolklore? Don't miss the traditionaldansà thattakesplaceontheeveningof the second Sunday in May as part of thefestivaloftheVirgin of Los Desam-parados, the patron saint of Valencia.

VALENCIA THROUGHOUT THE SEASONS

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a LAS FALLAS BONFIRE FESTIVAL

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VALENCIA WITH THE FAMILYValencia is a perfect city to enjoywith thekids. Take them on a boat ride in the Albufera Nature Reserve, see them smile at the Lead Soldier MuseumorenjoytheoutdoorsataGulliver-themedpark,fullofjumpingrampsand slides.At the City of Arts and Sciences the kids can havefunlearning:seetheanimalsthatliveinthe L'OceanogràficandinteractwithlearningactivitiesintheArts and Sciences Museum.Another great place for the family is Terra Mítica (Benidorm). Near Valencia, this theme parkoffersfunandattractionsforallages.

CITY OF ARTS AND SCIENCESPhoto: MarkBiza/123rf.com

BEACHES AND NATURE

Take a plunge at one of Valencia's beach-es. Las Arenas, La Malvarrosa and El Cabañal beaches are 15 minutes from the city centre. If you are looking for beaches in a more natural setting, ten kilometres away you will find more un-spoilt ones, surrounded by sand dunes and dense vegetation. Some of the most famous of these beaches are L'Arbre del Gos, El Saler and La Devesa.

Visit the Albufera Nature Reserve, a navigable wetland area with a great bio diversity of flora and fauna. Enter the amazing Don Juan Cave, in Jalance, with stalactites and stalagmites in un-derground spaces that have such evoc-ative names as Lake of Desires and the Devil's Grotto. Or follow the Hanging Bridges route in Chulilla and go hiking in the beautiful surroundings of the Tu-ria River canyon.

VALENCIA

EL SALER BEACH

THE HIDDEN CITY Ifyouhavemoretime,wesuggestavisit to other lesser-knownplaces inValencia.

PARKS AND GARDENS

Stroll around and relax in one of the pleasant spots in Turia Gardens, one ofthelargestcityparksinSpain,withrecreationalandsportsareas.At the historic and luxuriant El Real Gardens, Moorish in origin, you can admire the numerous sculptures and fountains.

SECRET MUSEUMS

Get pleasantly surprised by museums such as the College of the High Art of Silk. Theywillexplaintoyouthe im-portance of Valencia on the Silk Road. Thecitywasthenervecentreofsilkmanufacture from the 8th century.At the Valencia Museum of Ethnolo-gy youcanseehow Valencian society haschangedovertheyears.

Soak up the art at the Cathedral Mu-seum of Valencia, with canvases byGoya, Llanos and Almedina. If you like literature, at MalvarrosaBeachyoucanvisittheBlasco Ibáñez House-Museum, wherethisValencianwriterlived. The La Almoina Archaeo-logical Museum is a large underground spacerevealingthemostmonumentalelements of the city's Roman, Visigoth and Arab history.

MONUMENTS

Valencia is full of amazing monuments. Next to the CentralMarket youwillfindLos Santos Juanes Church, origi-nally a mosque. See Antonio Palomi-no's Baroque frescoes covering thevaultandwalls.Visit the home of illustrious 19th cen-tury figures at Cervelló Palace. The facade retains its original Neoclas sical appearance and is flanked by twotowersandbalconiesattwolevels.Tinglados del Puerto is a great place togoforawalk.Thisemblematiccom-plex of buildings is a true architectural gemandanessentialiconofthecity.

VALENCIA'S ROOFTOPS

ForafullpanoramicviewofValencia,getawaytothePico Garbí Viewpoint, in the Calderona mountains, some 30 kilometres from Valencia.

TURIA GARDENS

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TOURS AND WALKSIfyouvisitValenciaduringtheFallas festival,youcanspendawholedayseeing some of the spectacular pa-pier-mâchéfigures.Inthecentre,gotoseetheFallasfigureintheTownHall square. It is not entered in the contest but is one of the most spec-tacularfigures.Fromthereyoucango on to see several Fallas figures,close to each other.Are you interested in the Silk Road?Visit the Velluters neighbourhood, nowadays known as the El Pilarneighbourhood, and see the Silk Ex-change and the College of the High Art of Silk. In the vicinity you willdiscoverbuildingswithcenturiesofhistory that are well worth a visit,

such as El Pilar Church and the Old General Hospital of Valencia,nowapublic library.TouringValenciabybikeisveryeasy,thanks to more than 120 kilometres of bike lanes and the old Turia Ri-verbed,nowagardencrossingthecity centre. There are many possible routes. Start at the City of Arts and Sciences and go as far as the rice fieldsandthelagoonatLa Albufera, waftedbythesaltysmellofthesea.OrfollowtheVía Augusta Way, the old Roman road near the coast, as far as the Marjal dels Moros,whereyoucanwatchanunforgettablesun-set.

VALENCIA

Do you like going out at night? In Va-lencia you have a lot to choose from.

Stroll around the oldest streets in Va-lencia, in the El Carmen neighbour-hood. You are sure to find a place you like, a terrace to sit at or a restaurant to have dinner.

The most alternative places are in Ru-zafa. Find a sophisticated bar where people go for drinks after work, or dance to 80s music at a club with per-sonality.

The Marina de Valencia has the most chic atmosphere. Bars, restaurants and clubs with a feeling of luxury where you can relax next to the sea.

EXPERIENCE VALENCIA'S NIGHTLIFE

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WHAT TO VISIT NEAR VALENCIA Ifyouhavetime,youcanenjoythefollowingdestinationsclosetothecity.

HUERTA DE VALENCIA REGION

Youcanvisitthisareaonfootoron horseback. You can take part in pickingvegetables,learntocookapaella,andthenenjoyeatingit.

EL PUIG MONASTERY

Visit the Museum of Print and Gra-

phic Arts, a Renaissance-style reli-gious building with four defensivetowers.

SAGUNTO

More than 2,000 years old, the city of Sagunto boasts many places of interest. Highlights are the Roman

ruins and Sagunto Castle.

VALENCIA WINE ROUTE

The Utiel-Requena region is famous

foritswines.Discoverthevineyards

that dot its rocky landscape. Visit a

wineryandtastewinefromValencia.

MANISES

The charming city of Manises is fa-

mousfor itsceramics.Youcanvisit

the Ceramics Museum, housed in

an 18th century building decorated

withbeautifultiles, and seemonu-

ments like the Els Arcs aqueduct.

HOW TO GET THERE

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TRAIN

High-speedtrainsconnectthecitywithMadrid, Cuenca and Albacete. In addi-tion, long-distance trains connectVa-lenciawiththemainSpanishcities.

AIRPORT

ValenciaAirport,alsoknownasMani-sesAirport,connectsthecitywiththemain national and international desti-nations.

CAR

Valencia has a modern road networkmakingiteasytoreach.TheAP-7Me-diterranean motorway, which runsfromnorthtosouthalongtheLevantecoast,connectswiththeEuropeanmo-torwaynetworkandtheA-23Sagunto-SomportandA-3Madrid-Valenciamo-torways.

VALENCIAN: CO-OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

TwolanguagescoexistinValencia:Valencian, the Valencia Region's ownlanguage,andCastilianSpa-nish, the official language of theSpanish State. Most of the signs and signals are in both languages.

GETTING AROUND IN VALENCIATheurbanbuses,tramsandtheunder-ground reach all points of the city Valenciaisverygoodforgettingaroundbybicycle.Fornearbydestinations,usethe local trains.

VALENCIA

MORE INFORMATION:

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Plaza del Ayuntamiento 1, 46002 Valencia www.visitvalencia.com

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