Virtual explorers and trip planners alike, explore Valencia with this interactive guide. Get the essentials to plan your trip, whether you're able to spend just 1 day or visit for 2 weeks.
Learn about its uniqueness and history. Get the basics. Know when to go. Then...
Go deeper. Unlock the Inspired Guides series to discover delicious regional cuisine, beautiful architecture, and unique places:
• "A Foodie's Dream" delves into local cuisine and uncovers favorite restaurants and cafes.
• "Heritage Walks" leads you through historic neighborhoods to experience provocative beauty and antiquity.
• "Culture Tours" takes you beyond the historic center to experience more modern attractions and natural features.
Click places and links to access more info, stories, and tours.
These digital guidebooks give you a visual sense of this place and are intended for you to make your own. Explore at your own pace within your available timeframe. Work forward or backward. Visit all of the sites or just those that call to you. Skip around or simply glance on the way to your next meal.
ABOUT
✔️ Basics
❓ When to Go
COME + GO
✈️ Airport
🚆 Train Stations
🚊 Metro
GUIDEBOOK PREVIEW
• "A Foodie's Dream: Valencia & the Region"
• "Heritage Walks: Parts of Old Valencia"
• "Culture Tours: Beyond Old Valencia"
READ MORE
Pro tip: Get familiar with both Spanish and Valencian names in this bilingual city where English is not the prevalent language.
As a designer and avid traveler, I built AMG Inspired to design quality architecture and support sustainable tourism, defined as “tourism that respects both local people and the traveler, cultural heritage and the environment.”
Be sure to tag @amginspired in your photos.
Valencia oozes relaxed charm, though not ostentatiously, which of course only adds to its allure.
Previously left behind by Franco, the 20th-century Spanish dictator, Valencia gradually emerged from abandonment and obscurity, out from the shadow of Madrid and Barcelona. As the capital of a once-prominent region, this unpretentious city proudly displays its unique qualities with a restored sense of hope.
Valencia is Spain's third-largest city and regional capital of Comunidad Valenciana on the east coast of the Iberian Peninsula. This city has evolved over two millennia to become a prime agricultural zone with layers of rich history given its ideal location along the Mediterranean's Balearic Sea.
Fortunately, Valencia preserves its character and history with a blend of Moorish, Gothic, and Baroque architecture in its historic center contrasted by a local Art Nouveau style and the ultra-sleek modern works from internationally-renowned local architect Santiago Calatrava in the surrounding river greenbelt called La Turia Gardens.
Various festivals and traditions celebrated frequently throughout the year honor Valencia’s heritage and spirit. Ceremonies and exhibitions spread throughout the city with fairs and parades.
Valencia's 19 districts are divided into 88 barrios (neighborhoods) that radiate out from the 1st district of Ciutat Vella at the core. The Old City, as the name "Ciutat Vella" translates in the local language, is comprised of 6 barrios: El Carme, La Seu, El Mercat, La Xerea, Sant Francesc, and El Pilar (mostly residential).
Turia Gardens bisects the north and south city. Surrounding it is the modern-day expansion. Beyond that is a protected agricultural zone and the Mediterranean’s Balearic Sea.
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Basics
🇪🇸 Region: Comunidad Valenciana; Province of Valencia
💬 Language: Spanish and Valenciano (Catalan)
💶 Currency: Euro €
🪙 Tips: none expected, although it's typical to round up with cash
✈️ Airport: Valencia Airport (VLC)
🚆 Train stations: Estació del Nord (at old center); València Joaquín Sorolla (high speed)
🚊 Metro/Tram: passes at any metro station (single-ride or 10-journey)
🚲 Bikes/Scooters: popular forms of transportation, especially around Turia Gardens (greenbelt)
🚶🏽Walkable & Safe: flat terrain with pedestrian-friendly streets; like anywhere, be aware of pickpockets, particularly in tourist areas and public transit areas, and don’t leave phones or purses sitting out
When to Go
🌺 Ideal March-May
Lighter crowds & pleasant weather—
Spring Festivals: Las Fallas (mid-March); Holy Week at Easter time (usually April); Festival of Our Lady of the Forsaken (May);
🌦️ Mild Oct-March
Mild temperatures, rainy at times, some short museum/restaurant hours—
Fall/Winter Festivals: National Valencian Community Day (Oct); Christmas/New Year celebrations (Dec-Jan)
☀️ Hot Summers
Sunny, humid, and more crowded—
Summer Festivals: Corpus Christi (June); Feria de Julio (July); La Tomatina (August)
This apartment is well-located in Sant Francesc on the edge of Ciutat Vella near shopping and Mercat de Colón.
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COME + GO
We flew into Valencia from SFO through Zurich and took the metro to our apartment. We later took the train from València Nord to Barcelona. To fly or take the train to Valencia, use any of these 3 main service hubs:
Often simply called Manises for its location, Aeroport de València is only about 10 km (6 miles) from the center and is quickly reachable by car in 15-20 minutes, by Metro (25 min), or even by bicycle (40 min).
Metro Lines 3 and 5 run from the airport, Aeroport de València, to the center. Metro (subway and tram) lines surround the old historic center which only takes about a half-hour to walk across.
Joaquín Sorolla primarily serves high-speed trains to cities like Madrid. As one of two main train stations in València, don't confused it with Estació del Nord, which is closest to the center and most easily accessed by Metro.
Metro (subway and tram) lines surround the old historic center which only takes about a half-hour to walk across. To catch a train at València Joaquín Sorolla, take Lines 1, 2, and 7 to Jesús, then it's a 5-minute walk to that station.
An early 20th-century Art Nouveau train station, Estació del Nord (North) is most easily accessed by Metro and is closest to the center. Beware that València Joaquín Sorolla is the other main station that primarily serves high-speed trains to cities like Madrid.
Metro (subway and tram) lines surround the old historic center which only takes about a half-hour to walk across. To catch the train, take Lines 3, 5, and 9 to Xàtiva, which stops right out in front of Valencia Nord.
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Metro
Subway and tram lines that surround the walkable historic center took us to the beach and Mestalla Stadium. The 4 closest stops to Ciutat Vella (the old city) are Àngel Guimerà, Xàtiva, Colón, and Alameda.
Although parking is available, this very walkable city makes it easy to go without a car, which may actually be a hindrance in the center’s narrow streets and pedestrian-only zones. Even if you do drive in, leave the car parked. The greenbelt running through Valencia is particularly bike- and scooter-friendly.
So try using only the alt modes of transport. We did… happily.
Along the Platja de Cabanyal boardwalk, the seaside restaurant of La Paz serves up traditional Valencian paella. Like most tourists, we enjoyed the seafood paella with a pitcher of sangria, but the local version is made with chicken, rabbit, snails and beans.
Stroll the narrow medieval streets of Barrio del Carmen, the old quarter between the two medieval tower gates where you can still see remnants of the Moorish wall. Visit the museums or walk from plaza to plaza to casually peruse street art. Nightlife here is vibrant among its many restaurants, cafes and tapas bars.
In the heart of Ciutat Vella, the neighborhood of La Seu is aptly named for the cathedral that proudly stands between two large plazas and among numerous other churches and smaller plazas.
The streets and plazas are magical at night. We spent many evenings strolling through the Cathedral district, warmly lit to highlight its architecture and monuments.
Valencia's fertile land and seaport have fostered agriculture and trade, and this neighborhood has long been the prime hub of commerce. Since the time of the Moors, the area around the Market has served as a buzzing marketplace and trade center.
The spacious neighborhood of Sant Francesc centers around the huge City Hall plaza on the south end of Ciutat Vella. Much of it feels grand and commercial. Many hotels are found here. Among the grandeur are great restaurants and quaint streets.
The “city” is an ultramodern arts and sciences complex surrounded by streams and pools designed by world-renowned local architect Santiago Calatrava at the far eastern end of the Turia greenbelt and includes 6 main sites.
- Palau de les Arts (2005): opera house, music hall and performing arts center;
- Hemisfèric (1998): large hall with IMAX cinema and laser and planetary digital projections shows;
- Museu de las Cièncias (2000): science museum with interactive exhibitions and scientific activities;
- Umbracle (2000): gardened esplanade and exhibition zone over shops and parking beneath;
- Àgora (2009): performance, event and exhibition hall;
- Oceanogràfic (2003): Europe’s largest aquarium
Ciao, I'm Ali Giaudrone, the creator of AMG Inspired (see website link), crafting Inspired Guides. Tap into my insight. As an avid traveler, I dive deeply into places of the world, valuing experiences over checking boxes.
My Inspired Guides are informative interactive digital guidebooks offering you traveler tips gained through my hours of research, travel experiences, and talking with locals.
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As a designer, I've traveled throughout Europe and the Western world to learn about architectural products and methods. Now as an expert luxury traveler, I share culturally enriching experiences that aren't necessarily opulent or expensive but are focused on quality and authenticity. The best way to understand the world is to experience the unique aspects of places with an open mind and heart.
I want to inspire others to experience the beauty and food of places I discover through my travels and research. Let my stories and photos spark your own journey. Then connect with me to help make your travel dreams come true.
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Architectural Designer | Writer | Photographer | Travel Creator
My travel and work experience in architectural design and hospitality have deepened my appreciation for detail and quality. I built AMG Inspired to create quality architecture and support sustainable tourism defined as “tourism that respects both local people and the traveler, cultural heritage and the environment.”
Join me as I find cool places, great food, and interesting features. Check out my library. Let me know if you'd like me to create a custom guide for you with recommendations and/or itineraries focused on your needs, desires, and length of trip.
