Valencia is the birthplace of paella and makes a unique variation with chicken, rabbit, white beans, and snails. It is also the home of horchata, the Valencian version of coffee. Ernest Hemingway ate at La Pepica, one of Valencia’s most famous restaurants. The city’s dining scene centers on tapas and seafood, as well as tapas bars like La Huertana. The city’s fartons are an iconic dish and are a popular snack.
Las Fallas
If you’re visiting Valencia this autumn, don’t miss the flamboyant celebration of Las Fallas. The city is full of people dressed up as demons and goblins, waving sparkler cannons and dancing on top of fire-breathing mechanical dragons. The festival also features 24-hour street parties, paella competitions, and traditional music. There are even bullfights and brass band performances. Nightly fireworks and firecracker explosions light up the sky.
If you’re staying in Valencia during the fallas, you’ll need to plan ahead. There are many roads and bus routes blocked. It’s best to stay near a metro station so you can easily get around the city. You’ll also want to stay in a central neighborhood, such as El Carmen. Other areas of the city include Eixample, Ruzafa, and Canovas. Just be aware that the center of Valencia is the most noisy and crowded. Bring earplugs to block out the noise.
A highlight of the festival is the planta de la falla, where giant statues are unveiled. The event culminates in the parade through the city streets. The Fallera Mayor Infantil and Fallera Queen are chosen by a jury. This festival lasts a week, and the last day is on St. Joseph’s Day.
La Lonja de la Seda
The late Gothic-style civil building, La Lonja de la Seda, is one of the main tourist attractions of Valencia. Located on the city’s outskirts, this building is a prime example of late Valencian architecture. It is one of the city’s most iconic and most photographed structures.
La Lonja de la Seda is a beautiful example of Valencian architecture, and its complex has many parts. One of the most important parts of the complex is the Contract Hall, which was the place where the city’s most influential merchants made deals. Today, it is a revered symbol of commerce in Valencia.
The Lonja de la Seda is free to visit on Sundays and public holidays. You can also use a Valencia Tourist Card to get unlimited public transport throughout the city. Another great benefit of the Tourist Card is access to a large underground parking garage. It’s also a good idea to purchase tickets ahead of time to avoid the long lines.
Plaza Redonda
You will find several places to eat and drink in Valencia, but one of the best is the Plaza Redonda, which is an interior square with four entrances and a circular plan. Here, you can find a wide variety of local crafts and typical foods. You can also find several bars and restaurants, or “tapas” bars, which specialize in traditional Spanish dishes.
One of the most striking aspects of the Plaza Redonda is the circular shape of its buildings, which is lined with orange trees. It is surrounded by imposing buildings, including the Colegio del Patriarca (Real Colegio Seminario del Corpus Christi). You’ll also find La Nau, an elegant Renaissance palace that now houses the exhibition center of the University of Valencia.
The exterior of the building was constructed of brick and plaster. Wooden beams were covered in peach-orange plaster. The horizonal windows on the upper floors had wrought iron railings. The facades were topped with a decorative cornice and the roof sloped towards the plaza.
Central Market
In Valencia’s historic city centre, the Central Market building is home to 900 stalls selling a variety of foods. The building was completed in 1928 after 14 years of construction. It has an elegant, modernist style and is home to a wonderful aroma. In addition to selling food, the market also has restaurants and bars. Tourists love to stop by the Central Market bar.
If you’re looking for an authentic Spanish experience, Valencia’s Central Market is one of the best in Europe. You’ll find everything from seafood to seafood and a whole world of flavours and spices in a market covering 8,000 square meters. Visitors can sample a huge variety of products from various vendors, and many of the stall holders are eager to share their secrets and culinary experiences with you.
A guided tour of the market is a great way to experience the city’s rich heritage. During your visit, you’ll also have the chance to sample local food, including Valencian paella, a delicious dish made with rabbit. The market is also a great place to buy souvenirs. You can purchase silverware, handmade jewellery, leather goods, and ironmongery. You can also find stands selling Spanish tapas and fresh orange juice.
City of Arts and Sciences
A cultural and architectural complex located in Valencia, the City of Arts and Sciences is the city’s most important tourist attraction in modern times. It has been named one of the twelve treasures of Spain and is a popular tourist destination for visitors to Valencia. It features over 260 buildings, including the Valencia Cathedral and the Palacio de la Universidad.
The building is a white concrete structure, partly covered by “trencadis” – pieces of broken ceramic tile. It opened in 1998, and has recently undergone a major renovation. The complex also features the Assut d’Or Bridge, a 150-meter-high suspension bridge.
The City of Arts and Sciences was born from the idea of building a cultural center for Valencia. It is made up of six main buildings and was designed by Santiago Calatrava, a former student of Felix Candela. It includes an IMAX cinema, an aquarium, and an Agora, a multi-purpose building with guided tours.
Beaches
If you are looking for a perfect day at the beach, Valencia has many excellent choices. The city has two main beaches: Devesa del Saler and Recati. Both of them have fine golden sand and cool, clear water. They are both great spots for swimming and other water sports. The latter is particularly beautiful during the full moon. Nearby are a number of fine restaurants serving Valencian food.
For a more secluded setting, you can opt for Patacona beach, which is located just a few hundred metres from the city centre. Unlike the other two Valencia beaches, Patacona has a low volume of tourists. It is also accessible by public transport from the city center.
The city beaches of Valencia are located near the Turia Gardens and the City of Arts and Sciences. Playa de la Malvarrosa is the most popular among these, but it can be quite crowded at times. However, there are sections of the beach reserved for people with reduced mobility.
Culture
During the spring, Valencians celebrate the Fallas Festivity, a flamboyant spring festival. The festival involves building a giant falla, or effigy, made of caricature figures that comment on social issues of the day. The fallas are placed in the town square and burned at the end of the festival. This festival is held from March 14 to 19 each year and features marching bands and a fallas queen.
One of the most famous Valencian products is horchata, a sweet drink made from tiger nuts. Although the beverage is not common elsewhere in Europe, it is a staple of Valencian culture. It is usually made in the home and is available at special horchaterias. The Santa Catalina horchateria is one of the most famous ones.
Another famous Valencian product is ceramics. Ceramics have a long tradition in the region and have become an icon of Valencian culture. The city is home to the Valencia Museum of Ceramics, which is located in a stunning palace. You can also visit the Lladro ceramics center, an internationally renowned producer of high-end ceramics. You can also buy souvenir tiles from artisan shops in the Plaza Redonda.
Traditions
If you are planning a trip to Valencia, make sure to take time to experience the local traditions. This region is home to several popular festivals that range from religious to profane. These events are a unique blend of rites, rituals, gunpowder, and gardening traditions. It’s a fun way to celebrate Valencian culture and traditions.
Valencia is a city where people fall in love with the city and stay for years. Just like any city, you will learn about the rich cultural history of the city by hearing both happy and sad tales. While they are often a little sad, they will tell you that there’s a lot of depth in Valencia’s culture.
A big nativity scene can be seen at Mercat Central. The nativity scene is an iconic Valencian tradition, dating back to the times of Saint Francis of Assisi, who built the altar for Christmas mass. This tradition is so popular that it has spread to Southern France and Andorra.
Attractions
The city of Valencia is home to several historical attractions. One of these is the cathedral. The cathedral, which is the central cathedral of the city, is also home to the Holy Grail, an agate cup containing the relic of Christ. The cathedral is recognized as a real shrine by the Catholic Church. Other attractions include the Goya museum and the bell tower. The image of the Blessed Virgin is also located in the cathedral, where residents believe that it protects the city from evil spirits.
Another fascinating attraction in Valencia is the Mascleta, a massive pyrotechnic show held during the month of March. Originally, this show began with carpenters burning wood and adding old clothes and rags. Later, it evolved into a show of puppets and other spectacular displays. The spectacle has been included in UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
