By rail
València Joaquín Sorolla, ~1 h 40 min from Madrid
Europe · Spain
Valencia, Spain
Paella's home, futuristic architecture and beaches
Getting there
By air
Valencia (VLC), ~8 km
Best time to visit
April to June and September to October — warm, not scorching
Don't miss
The City of Arts and Sciences
The Central Market
The Silk Exchange
The Cathedral
Things to do
The City of Arts and Sciences
Cycling the Turia gardens
Malvarrosa beach
The Fallas in March
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Bybbisch94, Christian Gebhardt · CC BY-SA 4.0
What to pack
Swimwear, light clothes
A quieter corner
The Albufera lagoon at sunset
Questions travellers ask
When should I plan a Valencia trip?
April to June or September to October, when it's warm but not scorching; the Fallas are in March. Pack swimwear and light clothes.
Is Valencia the place to eat paella?
Yes, it's paella's home, so order a paella valenciana, and try horchata too.
What are the highlights of Valencia?
The City of Arts and Sciences, the Central Market, the Silk Exchange and the Cathedral. Cycle the Turia gardens, spend time on Malvarrosa beach and see the Albufera lagoon at sunset.
Can I get to Valencia by train?
Yes, València Joaquín Sorolla is about 1 hour 40 minutes from Madrid. Flying in, Valencia (VLC) airport is about 8 km out.
About Valencia
- Coastal
Where it is
Valencia is Spain's third-largest city and the capital of the Valencian Community, on the Mediterranean coast of eastern Spain where the Turia river reaches the sea, amid the fertile farmland of the huerta.
History
Founded by the Romans in 138 BC as Valentia, the city was under Moorish rule for five centuries, apart from El Cid's brief rule from 1094, until James I of Aragon took it in 1238 and made it the capital of the Kingdom of Valencia. Silk and trade brought a 15th-century golden age, and after a flood in 1957 the Turia was diverted and its old bed turned into a long city park.
People
Valencians speak Spanish and Valencian, and both are official. In March the Fallas fill the streets with giant satirical figures that are burned on the night of St Joseph's Day, and the rice farmers and fishermen of the Albufera lagoon keep alive the traditions behind paella.
Known for
- Paella valenciana
- The Fallas festival in March
- The City of Arts and Sciences
- The Gothic Silk Exchange (La Lonja)
- Horchata made from tiger nuts
Did you know?
The Water Tribunal, a court dating from Moorish times that settles disputes over irrigation among the farmers of the huerta, still meets every Thursday outside the cathedral.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.