Top 5 Things to Do in Valencia
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Valencia has Everything you want for exploring a new city: museums, art, science, culture, food, and history. It is known for the arts and sciences, featuring old and new astounding architecture that will keep any traveler wanting to return for more. Below are a few things to enjoy when you visit this wonderful city!
City of Arts and Sciences
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One of Valencia's most popular tourist attractions, the City of the Arts and Sciences, is a must-see.
The City of the Arts and Sciences was started in July 1996 and designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela.
You will discover architecture at the forefront of a futuristic design, They feature smooth curved shapes and daring designs. Reflective pools serve as a nice compliment to the already unique designs.
The architecture of the city complex is only part of the fun, there are plenty of activities and attractions to enjoy inside. There are six major areas with activities to do related to science, nature, and art.
You could watch intriguing movies in the IMAX cinema, interact with hands-on scientific exhibits in the science museum, or walk through the 14,000 square meters of the umbracle, which contains gardens featuring Mediterranean species.
Oceanogràfic
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The Oceanogràfic is part of the City of Arts and Sciences. You can experience the largest aquarium in Europe while being underground!
The Oceanogràfic has over 500 different Mediterranean species spread out over several areas separated into different ecosystems. These ecosystems are the Mediterranean, Wetlands, Temperate and Tropical Seas, Oceans, the Antarctic, the Arctic, Islands, the Red Sea, and the Dolphinarium.
There are many activities here for both professionals and the general public. Sleeping with the sharks, beluga whales, and sealion activities are just a few available to you.
If you are craving Spanish food, go ahead and rest at the underground restaurant and appreciate the spectacular roofs designed by Félix Candela.
Central Market
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Central Market is the largest food market in Europe featuring fresh fruits, vegetables, and food products from the valencia region. The wide selection of food attracts tourists and locals alike, but the encompassing building is also part of the attraction.
The structure features iron columns, stained glass, and decorative tiles. When you step inside, you will notice a spacious interior with many food stands.
La Lonja de Seda
La lonja de Seda (the silk exchange) was part of the silk trade in the 15th and 16th centuries and is a world heritage site. The grandeur of this building makes it easy to understand the importance it had during the silk trade for the Mediterranean merchants.
It is a masterpiece of European Gothic art and a monument to the golden age of Valencia as a major trade and cultural center for Europe.
The great hall has wide open spaces for shops and features large artistic pillars reaching the ceiling.
Las Fallas festival
From the 1st to 19th of March, Las Fallas festival is a beautiful and satirical festival that marks the beginning of Spring. Las Fallas originated as an old carpenter’s tradition. They would celebrate the arrival of spring by burning their wood for holding up their lights during winter. It has slowly turned into the colorful and somewhat silly celebration it is today.
The huge cardboard Ninots with various themes are a gem to witness, although don’t be shocked when you see them burned to a crisp in Cremà.
There are many different activities to do ranging from cultural to not cultural, music, art, food, religious acts, and so much more. There are so many things to do and see it is quite difficult to put it into words; come and see for yourself!
Valencia is a wonderful city with so many things to do and is widely considered a great place to visit for an authentic Spanish cultural experience.
Today we went over five popular activities to do in Valencia: visiting the City of Arts and Sciences, appreciating the sea life at the Oceanogràfic, tasting delicious fresh produce from the central market, passing through the great hall of La longa de seda, and gazing upon the satirical Ninots. There is plenty more to see,