Blue sky over a sunny square with palm trees and historic buildings.

The picture shows a sunny, lively square with palm trees, a Gothic cathedral, a striking tower and other historic buildings. In the centre is a fountain with a large statue surrounded by bubbling water.

Valencia

Published: 05 December 2024, 14:00

City of light, paella and orange trees

There are many good reasons for travelling to Spain's third largest city. The Mediterranean metropolis attracts visitors with around 300 days of sunshine a year and charming beaches right on its doorstep. Valencia enchants visitors with its glowing orange trees, the green riverbed of the Turia and the magnificent Silk Exchange. Art treasures from Gothic to Art Nouveau and the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences make a lasting impression. The old town of El Carmen, with its pretty squares and medieval alleyways, is largely car-free, so you can let yourself drift undisturbed. Valencia is also the birthplace of paella, one of the most famous Spanish dishes, which is best savoured in the old market hall. Whether just a weekend or a whole week - Valencia offers a perfect mix of culture, pleasure and relaxation by the sea.

Numbers, data, facts

Time difference: none
Population: 850,000
Official language: Spanish
Currency: Euro (EUR)

Beautiful places in Valencia

Futuristic, dome-shaped buildings in a large water basin. The modern, white structures stand out against the sky.

La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias is the city of arts and sciences and includes an opera house, a museum, an aquarium and a planetarium. © travelview/stock.adobe.com

Façade of a cathedral with a large rose window above the entrance. The round arches of a neighbouring building can be seen next to it. In front of the cathedral, there are people on a square with a marble floor.

The cathedral, known as La Seu, combines different architectural styles such as Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance. From the top of the tower, you have a view of the city. © REDMASON/stock.adobe.com

Narrow street lined with multi-storey older buildings with balconies. Some of the balconies are decorated with plants. A historic church tower can be seen in the background.

The lively El Carmen neighbourhood is characterised by narrow alleyways with bars, cafés and galleries. If you like strolling, the old town district is the place to be. © lunamarina/stock.adobe.com

Wide, open city view with a large square in the foreground lined with palm trees and lanterns. The square leads to a park area with green trees and lawns.

The Jardín del Turia city park stretches for several kilometres along a former riverbed. There are gardens, sports fields, walking paths and a zoo. © ttinu/stock.adobe.com

Historic market hall building with red bricks, ornate towers and a large archway with mosaic decoration. Modern buildings can be seen on the left and a steel and glass construction of a market hall on the right.

Valencia's Mercado de Colón, a modernist masterpiece by Francisco Mora, combines magnificent architecture with restaurants, flower stalls and lively events. © rudiernst/stock.adobe.com

Coast and ancient castles - the region around Valencia

A coastline full of light and sun, pretty suburbs in the surrounding hills, nature parks, quiet mountain villages and old towns and castles - Valencia is embedded in a beautiful hinterland. Whether on the coast or in the hinterland - Spain shows its most beautiful side here.

How about a trip along the Costa del Azahar, the coast of orange blossom? Lemons and oranges ripen in the sun-drenched Huerta de Valencia, the plantations around Valencia. Or how about a boat trip across the large lagoon in the Albufera Nature Park, a paradise for birds? Those who love old castles and historic towns should make their way to Xàtiva, Peñíscola and Sagunto. The Requena-Utiel wine-growing region and numerous hiking trails invite you to explore the beautiful natural surroundings.

Five exciting excursion destinations

Large lake at sunset. In the foreground, thin wooden poles protrude from the water while birds fly overhead. Distant hills can be seen on the horizon.

The Albufera Nature Park, which is known for its lagoon and diverse birdlife, is located near Valencia. Boat trips and walks are possible here. © Jorge Fuentes/stock.adobe.com

A bird's eye view of a town with a large church in the centre, surrounded by densely built houses. In the foreground is a hilly landscape with trees. In the background is a wide plain.

Sagunto is one of the oldest towns in the province of Valencia and is known for its Roman heritage, the pretty old town, an amphitheatre and castle ruins on a mountain. © Jack F./stock.adobe.com

Coastal town with a curved sandy beach from a bird's eye view. The town consists of many white houses. Hills with more houses can be seen in the background. The sea has clear, turquoise-coloured waves.

Off to Peñíscola! The coastal town, north of Valencia, offers a medieval castle and an old town centre on a spectacular peninsula. The beach is great for swimming. © steftach/stock.adobe.com

Imposing castle complex that extends over a rocky hill. The castle walls are lined with towers. Wooded hills and valleys can be seen in the background.

What looks like the Great Wall of China at first glance is actually Xàtiva Castle. It sits majestically on Monte Vernissa and offers a breathtaking view. © Jobove/stock.adobe.com

Beige-coloured, medieval castle with a large terrace surrounded by a wall and a small bell tower. A wide coastal landscape with the sea and a village can be seen in the background.

The town of Cullera is located on the Costa del Azahar, south of Valencia, and offers beautiful beaches, an impressive castle and a lighthouse. © Jobove/stock.adobe.com