The most beautiful sights in Valencia
Valencia is home to around 800,000 people, making it the third-largest city in Spain. When choosing a vacation apartment or private holiday home, it primarily depends on how you want to spend your vacation. The old town is one of the most popular areas. If you rent accommodation there, you are in the middle of the action and close to cultural sights and museums.
If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, choose a vacation apartment on the outskirts of the city. From there, you can reach the center by metro in 20 minutes. The impressive city center stretches between the oldest quarter of the city, the Barrio del Carmen, in the north, and the beautiful Art Nouveau train station Estación del Norte in the south. Next to the train station is the bullring Plaza de Toros. The Avinguda del Marqués de Sotelo street leads north towards Plaza del Ayuntamiento. This central square has Art Nouveau buildings from the founding period and a fountain. The old town hall, which houses a museum of city history, is located here. Head northwest to get to Plaça del Mercat, the most beautiful Art Nouveau market hall in Spain. The old silk exchange (Lonja de la Seda) north of the square is a beautiful sight. The exchange was built at the end of the 15th century in the late Gothic style. The silk exchange is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tall columns in the exchange hall are definitely worth a look.
You can reach Valencia's landmark, the Cathedral of Santa Maria, via the Plaça de la Reina. This Gothic-style church was built in the second half of the 13th century. The heart of the old town is Plaza de la Virgen, which traces its origins back to the Roman Forum. The water court met here during the Moorish rule, publicly settling disputes concerning water distribution in their public sessions. Heading north, you'll find one of the city's two surviving large gates, the Torres dels Serrans, through the Barrio del Carmen. This oldest neighborhood, El Carmen, has undergone a transformation after the destruction caused by the Spanish Civil War and decades of neglect. A stroll through the narrow streets is definitely worthwhile.
The City of Arts and Sciences
When you rent a private villa with a pool or an apartment in Spain, you can expect Mediterranean hospitality like no other. In the middle of the city, there is a botanical garden, an oasis of calm where you can relax beautifully. The Science Park is definitely a highlight that you shouldn't miss. In the Ciudad of Arts and Sciences, you will find numerous attractions and an aquarium that you should plan at least half a day for. Located on the Costa Azahar, you can expect a combination of tourism, authenticity, and modernity.
Whether it's a villa with a sea view or an apartment with WiFi, with cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Moraira, Mallorca, Calpe, or the region of Valencia, Spain offers destinations that guarantee an unforgettable stay.
Families are warmly welcomed in Spain
Traveling with children is great. A vacation apartment by the sea or a vacation home is perfect for discovering Valencia together. In Altea, a charming coastal town in the autonomous Valencian community in Spain's Alicante province, there are many accommodations perfect for a beach vacation in Valencia. The city offers a thousand ways to make both you and your children's wishes come true. Experience the real Africa in Bioparc Valencia, a park where you can encounter animals without cages.
Valencia, known as the pearl of the Costa de Azahar, offers many beautiful destinations for the whole family. For example, the Jardines del Turia is a green oasis ideal for sports activities, cycling, and walks. With a rental car, you can also reach other attractions in the Valencia province, such as on the Costa Blanca. This coastline in the Spanish province of Alicante extends from Pilar de la Horadada in the south to Dénia in the north. Here you will find many beaches perfect for swimming and water sports activities. In Benissa, there is a boat rental where you can admire the beauty of the region from the sea with your family.
Culinary specialties in Valencia
What would a vacation in Spain be without trying the typical Spanish paella? Paella Valenciana is a world-famous dish that originated in the city. The classic paella contains chicken or rabbit meat, while the Paella de marisco contains fish. The vegetarian version, Paella de verdudas, is also widespread. Typically, paella is eaten at lunchtime or before 5:00 PM. A Spanish restaurant will serve it with Agua de Valencia, a cocktail made from Cava and orange juice. Finish with Llet merengada, a dessert made from milk flavored with cinnamon and lemon. Valencian cuisine is inherently Mediterranean and is based on the richness of regional products. The interior, gardens, and sea produce high-quality products.
If you want to cook a typical Spanish dish in your private vacation apartment on the beach, your vacation home in the city, or your modern villa, you will find the right ingredients at markets such as the Mercat Central.
Art & Culture in Valencia
If you rent a private vacation apartment or a holiday home (Casa) with a pool for a city break in Valencia, a visit to the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i de les Ciències) is an absolute must. This leisure and cultural complex is a symbol of modern Valencia, located southwest of the old town, in the former riverbed of the Rio Turia. The cultural palace Palacio de les Artes Reina Sofía (Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia) is located at the northern entrance. Behind the Puente de Monteolivete bridge is the impressive cinema El Hemisféric. Nearby, you'll find the Science Museum (Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe). In this museum, modern scientific discoveries are presented in an interesting way over 40,000 square meters. The museum is also perfect for children. The buildings were designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava.
The marine park El Oceanográfico (L’Oceanogràfic) in the south has many aquariums, penguins, whales, and dolphins. Europe's largest aquarium is home to seven different marine habitats where you can marvel at about 45,000 specimens from 500 species, such as belugas, seals, sharks, penguins, walruses, dolphins, and sea lions. The Hemisfèric, a digital 3D cinema, features a huge 900-meter-long concave screen. Educational documentaries suitable for all ages are shown here every day. The Prince Felipe Museum of Natural Sciences offers interactive exhibitions on natural sciences and technology.
If you are a music lover, the opera house Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía is the perfect place for you. From October to November, you can expect a program that includes concerts, operas, ballet, and Zarzuela. You can visit the building outside performance times by appointment. The Umbracle, a freely accessible garden of over 17,000 square meters, invites you to take extensive walks through a Mediterranean plant world. Along the paths are contemporary sculptures. A structure by the famous Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava is the L’Assut d’Or bridge. This bridge crosses the former riverbed of the Turia between the Natural Science Museum and the Ágora.
There are many ways to get to Valencia
The best way to get to your private vacation rental or vacation home with a private pool in Valencia is by plane. There are direct flights to the fascinating metropolis from many cities. The airport is located about ten kilometers northwest of the city center. From there, you can take the Metro directly to your accommodation. Of course, you can also reach Valencia by train via the main train station or by car. Since the city is located by the sea, you also have the option of arriving by boat. There are ferry connections from the Balearic Islands and Italy, where you can take your car on the ship.