Travel to Valencia

Travel to Valencia

Valencia is Spains third largest city and it is an exciting place to visit. It offers a mixture of the old and the new from Gothic buildings to trendy bars and restaurants. It is also surrounded by superb beaches that are said to be the best in Spain. Tourists love Valencia because of its pleasant weather, the old town filled with interesting sights, building and museums, the vibrant nightlife it offers and of course the beautiful beaches. There is always something to do or see in Valencia.

Transportation to Valencia

The airport at Valencia handles both national and international flights. Several airlines including British Airways, Air Europa, Ryanair, Iberia Air, Air France, Spainair and many others land at Valencias international airport. From the airport,passengers can get to the city, which isabout 8 miles away, by taxi, bus or subway. Passengers may also opt to hire a car from the airport and drive to the city themselves. Valencia is on the N220, A3 and N 335 motorways which are connected to Madrid, Barcelona and other Spanish cities. It is possible to drive from Europe to Valencia and then connect to these motorways that will lead you into Valencia. Eurolines is the most commonly used coach service that commutes between several major European cities. Rail Europe stops at many cities in Spain including Valencia. The train departs from major cities in Europe and the services are reliable and fast, however you do need to make a train change at the border due to rail gauge differences. Daily ferries commute between Ibizia and Mallorca to Valencia. There are also several other ferry services from many Spanish ports to Valencia.

What to see

The best sites to visit are located nearLa Almoina andLa Virgen Square which was the site of the old Roman Forum. The cathedral is unique because it encompasses the Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic architectural styles. It has an eight sided bell tower and should you climb to the top of the tower you will be rewarded with some spectacular views. There is a museum here and one of the most famous items it is supposed tobe home toisthe Holy Grail, the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper. The town hall is located in a huge 18th century building that is also home to two museums. Jardines del Real is a large splendid garden where visitors can picnic and stroll around the rose and sculpture gardens. Perhaps the most frequented places are the beautiful beaches of Valencia. The Playa de la Mavarrose is the citys main beach but there are several other beaches including the LAhuir Beach, Rafalcaid Beach, Miramar Beach, the beaches at Sagunto and Cullera and many other beaches. There are several museums to visit at Valencia including the Valencia Institute of Modern Art, the Museo de Bellas Artes which exhibits art by Velazques, El-Greco and the Cathedral Diocesan Museum which has 15th century paintings and several magnificent sculptures.

Day trips

The towns of Sagunto and Cullera are very charming to visit. The history of the small Sagunto, only 15 miles away from Valencia, dates back to the 5th century. The Gothic styled Church of Santa Maria is situated in the towns square. There are also several other places of interest to visit including the neo-classical Town Hall, a mediaeval castle, the old church of el-Salvador and a roman theatre. Cullera lies to the east of Spain. Here visitors can view the remains of a Moorish citadel, an ancient church and appreciate the beauty of Culleras landscape.

Activities and leisure

The pleasant climate at Valencia makes it possible for tourists to participate in numerous activities throughout the year. These include water sports such as windsurfing, fishing, sailing, scuba diving and many others. Golfing, tennis and squash, hiking, trekking, walking and cycling are also popular activities for tourists. Valencia has several flying clubs which offer hang gliding, ballooning or parachuting. However, what many tourists really come here for are the beautiful beacheson which to relax and sunbathe on the golden sands.

Safety issues

Valencia is a busy city with many tourists entering the city daily. Generally, Valencia is a safe place but there are always pick pockets and bag snatch thieves where there are tourists and Valencia is no exception. It is best to travel with travel insurance as this provides peace of mind and certainly comes in useful if something unfortunate should occur. Travellers are also encouraged to take care of their belongings and always be alert to their surroundings.