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Valencia, Eastern Spain City Break Travel Guide

Plaza de la Virgen (The Virgin’s Square)
This was the Roman forum in ancient times,(the Roman market and political centre) now there is the cascading fountain of rivers. The figure of the laying man symbolising the river Turia. There are eight women surrounding him symbolising the eight channels that flow from the river Turia. It is beautiful and calm place to sit, have a drink and people watch whilst listening to the sounds of flowing water. The place has a relaxing atmosphere! Look what you are walking on. The pavement is made from marble. It is very attractive and unusual but it can be slippery when wet.

Valencia, Cathedral - Plaza de la Virgin
Another of the highlights of Valencia is its Cathedral. Some centuries ago, It used to be a mosque, but when El Cid conquered the city, it became a Roman Catholic cathedral. Later the city was re-conquered by the Muslims as part of the Arab Moorish invasion of Spain and the South of France. The cathedral again became a mosque. Later, when the Christian King Jaume I, re-conquered Valencia it reverted to a Christian cathedral. The Miguelete bell tower (El Miguelete) is a hexagonal Gothic tower towering over Plaza de la Reina. The main bell in the tower was blessed back in 1418. To enter the tower, go via the main entrance to the Cathedral and turn left. Pay a small amount (around 1.50 euro) and then climb up the 207 steps to the top. Although not many steps, the climb is a little taxing as it is a spiral staircase with quite high steps The climb is well worth it for the great views from the top, and you can get up close to the famous bell. Cover you ears when it chimes! The nearest Metro is Colon

Real Basilica de Ntra Senora - Plaza de la Virgin
This is the pink rectangular building with the dome roof next to the cathedral on the plaza de la virgin. I am not interested in church architecture but the Royal Basilica of our lady has real wow power. I had to sit down and just taking the richly decorated interior.

González Martí National Ceramics Museum
The frontage of this Museum is impressive. Go and have a look even if you are not the slightest bit interested in pottery. The unique Baroque-style alabaster facade of the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas is outstanding. The museum itself is not huge and an hour or so is enough. It houses famous works dating from the 13th century and does not only include ceramics. It is near St Michaels Square on Calle Poeta Querol 2

Valencia Paella
Paella Paella is big in Valencia. This is the city where paella was invented. The locals say that paella eaten out side the city is not authentic traditional paella. The dish was considered peasants food. It was normally made with a little bit of whatever was on hand or left over. Today, it is one of Spain’s most popular dishes. Paella takes its name from the Valencian word for name of the dish in which it is cooked. “La Paella” is a circular and shallow pan with two round handles and a flat base traditionally made of iron. Rice was introduced to Spain by the Muslim Arab Moors as a commercial crop. It became part of the local traditional dishes. The farmers of Valencia would use the paella pan to cook rice with readily available ingredients from the countryside like tomatoes, Onions and Snails. On special occasions Rabbit or Duck might be included, and the better off could afford Chicken. Those that lived near the sea added fish and other seafood. By the end of the nineteenth century “paella Valencia” had become famous. Paella is really a Sunday dish eaten when the whole family is together. It is best cooked outside over an open wood fire and this is how it is often done. In Spain, grandmothers can still be found making it in the back garden for the family on a special occasion. In some restaurants the further you sit away from the bar the more expensive your meal will be. Sitting around a street table outside the café can be expensive. Check the menu for additional costs. Check your bill as service charges are normally included so you do not have to leave a tip.

Spanish Drinks
If the heat and thirst get you down, there's nothing better than an original milk like drink called Horchata to pick you up. For a mid-afternoon snack, order some fartons ,similar to long thin quasants, to dunk in this cool, refreshing drink. Horchata is made from 'chufa' (it's a root). It is sometimes called tiger nut but is like crushed almond. Arabs brought chufa from Egypt around 700 BC. Valencia horchata is different from the Mexican horchata which is made from rice. If you drive outside the city centre you may see small fields planted with what looks like dark green grass. That is Chufa being grown. Try Churros con chocolate (sweet dough strips that you dip in hot chocolate). Orange juice is a popular drink in Valencia. The word ‘naranja’ means orange. The Muslim Arab Moors introduced them to Spain and started to cultivate them on the rich farm lands around Valencia. Valencia is known as orange country. Fresh juice is relative cheap and most of time served with some sugar because the juice can be really sharp 'Café de Valencia' is something we had in the coffee house at the 'Mercado de colon'. Café fuerte , licor de naranja y limon - A strong coffee with orange and lemon liqueur. It is served in two different layers since the coffee and the liqueur don't mix very well. It is one of those taste you either like or hate. Agua de Valencia (Valencia Water alcoholic drink) is made from orange juice, champagne and vodka. The good pub areas are in the Malvarrosa, Cánovas or the Barri del Carme. Start with some Agua de Valencia, but go easy at first if you want to last the whole night.

Bats - The symbol of Valencia
You can see Bat images on buildings, manhole covers, and on the local football team shirts. It is the symbol for Valencia. You can see them when it turns dark flying between the trees.

The two towers of Torres de Quart
Torres de Quart is located to the west, at the end of Calle Quart, facing towards Madrid. The towers are riddled with canon ball hits after suffering heavy damage in the 19th century from artillery fire by Napoleon's troops. Built in the 15th century these towers were one of the main gateways to the city. Although they were initially integrated in the Medieval city walls. They can be found on the street called Guillem de Castro. During the 18th century a payment of lime was demanded from everyone who passed through. It was used as a military prison and a munitions storeroom. For some time it was used as a prison for women. At the moment it houses a museum.

The Botanical Garden (Near Torre de Quart)
This garden was part of the University. It enabled students to study medicinal plants. In 1802 the garden found it's present location and in 1991 the whole garden got restored. You enter the garden from the street 'quart', via a modern building built round a tree. They have a great collection of palm trees and a big area with cactuses. Children like the little greenhouse filled with carnivore plants. The garden is full of shade and an ideal place to walk on very hot days. The entrance fee is very low. It is near the 'torres de quart'

The two towers of Torre de Serranos.
These fortified towers to the north of the old town were built in 14th century on Roman foundations and were part of the cities medieval fortified wall. It was once the main exit from the city to the north and Barcelona.

Colegio de San Pio V - Fine Arts Museum (Near Torre de Serranos)
Colegio de San Pio V - Fine Arts Museum (Near Torre de Serranos) In this beautiful building with a blue dome covered with tiles in a typical Valencian style, is located by the river bank, near the Serrano Towers is the Fine Arts Museum of Valencia. It has many pieces of art dating from the 14th to the 20th centuries. By the side of the building there is an attractive garden where you can have a quiet walk surrounded by huge trees brought directly from South America in the years that followed the Spanish Discovery of the continent.

Plaza Redonda (The round Square
) Located just off Plaza Santa Catalina at the junction with la Plaza Lope de Vega is the Plaza Redonda. (Nearest metro station is Colon) It is an unusual small round square. (Yes I know that sounds stupid in English) It is a little tricky to find. You enter this interesting square by one of several arches. In the very centre of the square is a small fountain. Around the inside there are small shops selling souvenirs, local crafts, ceramics, haberdashery and clothing. All the buildings surrounding it are actually round. Look at the beautiful tiles that decorate the outside of the stalls. On Sunday the square is home to a pet bird market. The permanent shops are closed. At night the homeless people move in to sleep.

Plaza del Mercado - Mercado Central - The Central Market
This gigantic food hall is open every day except Sunday. It was built in 1928. and is a huge glass and metal structure. It has nearly 1,000 stalls in a fine restored art nouveau building. The outside is covered in traditional Andaluz tiles. All around the outside you will find makeshift market stalls with people selling anything from socks to souvenirs. These market stalls cover the streets right down to Plaza Redondo (they are also there on Sunday morning whilst the main market is closed. The main market’s opening hours are: Monday to Tuesday from 08:00 to 14:30, Friday from 08:00 to 20:30, Saturday from 08:00 to 15:00.

Plaza del Mercado - La Lonja de la Seda of Valencia. The Silk Exchange
Go into this building and look up. It has spectacular spiral-shaped columns holding up the roof. Have a close look at stone decorations round the doors and the gargoyles. There is one where the devil is sticking the end of a pair of bellows up a sheep’s bottom that is being held by a woman. Very strange! This merchant hall took more then 50 years to build and was finally finished in 1533. It is an amazing piece of late gothic Valencian architecture. It's original function was a silk exchange, a trading hall for the Valencian silk merchants. The textile and silk industries were very important in Valencia during the XVII and XVIII centuries. Walk through to the patio garden full of orange trees and look to your left at the exquisite tower and crenulated wall. Dishonest merchants were imprisoned in the tower.

Estacion del Norte - The North Train Station
Most people on a city break would not consider going out of their way to look at a railway station. In Valencia you must visit the train station called ‘Estacion del Norte’. The North Station is an architectural modernist jewel, with Austrian style. It was built between 1906 and 1917 by Demetrio Ribes. On the creamy facade you can see imagery of the most typical elements of Valencian culture: oranges, barracas (Valencian traditional house), La Albufera (the lake) and women dressed in traditional Valencian dress. Inside there's the iron nave over the rail roads. Above the Station clock there is an eagle with its wings spread, sitting on a globe. This is supposed to symbolise speed. Make sure you go into the information room. It is decorated with ceramic mosaics and murals. It is very impressive. It is south of the old town next to the Bullring, along the Calle de Jativa at the junction with Av Del Marques de Sotelo. The nearest metro station is Xatira

Plaza de Toros (Bull fighting ring)
Plaza de Toros (Bull fighting ring) It is located next to the Northern Station ‘Estacion del Norte’. It is 18 metres high and has a diameter of 52 metres. Its stands have 24 metres tiers. The main bullfights take place during Fallas (March) and at the July Fair.

Plaza Ayuntamiento (Town Hall Central Square)
Plaza del Ayuntamiento is a large square in the heart of Valencia with palms and big fountain. It is a popular meeting place for locals and is bustling day and night. One part of the square is home to a flower market, with many stalls competing with their colourful bouquets. Surrounding the square are some magnificent buildings. One of these is the impressive City Hall, which has a tall facade with a tower in the centre and two cupolas at either end. The history of Valencia museum (Museo Historico Municipal) is inside the city hall building. On the other side of the square is the city's grand Post Office ‘Correos y Telegrafoso’. The central Post office building was built at the beginning of the 20th century. It’s recently restored interior stained-glass windows are outstanding. Go in and just look up.

Mercado Colon or Columbus Market
This Gaudi -inspired fantasy market building in the heart of the city was completed in 1916. Look at the picturesque tiled decoration on the outside of the building. It is surrounded by majestic art nouveau residential buildings. The market is famous for its high light green metal ceilings, stained glass art work, and tiled entrance roof. It is no longer a wholesale food market. It contains many book shops, a flower shop, trendy bars, restaurants and cafes. Try to visit it on Sunday morning as it regularly hosts big orchestral bands that give concerts for free.

Puente de los Flores - Bridge of flowers
This is the 'blooming' bridge of Valencia. Thousands of Euros are spent each year by the local government four or five times a year to painstakingly maintain this splendid sight by planting new flowers. The bridge has a wooden walkway, cycle path and access to traffic. There are many benches along its length for you to sit and ponder the beauty of the riverbed below. When I went it was packed with deep red Begonias.

Bridge Nuevo Puent
e Another monument of quite recent date is the bridge Nuevo Puente of 1995, It has the nickname of La Peineta, 'side-comb', due to its form. It is attractively lit at night. Bring your tripod to get the best photograph.

Calle Caballeros (Street of Caballeros)
This street was the biggest street in Valencia in Medieval Times. The name of the street connected with fact about first Spanish night patrol, it was in the Street of Caballeros.

Shopping in Valencia
Most of the modern shops are found north of the Bull ring. Another area is north of the City of Arts and Science at the northern end of the modern bow shaped suspension bridge called Puente del Grao. By the roundabout is the Aqua Multiespacio open air shopping centre. Most shopping malls in the UK are sealed from the elements. The Aqua shopping centre has the walls at both ends of the complex open and a roof to give shade. Opposite this complex is the very large department store called El Corte Inglés (the English Court). One expression I find very useful when shopping is ‘I would like that’ In Spanish Quiero Eso pronounced Kero Esso

City of Arts & Sciences
The highlight of any trip to Valencia must be a visit to the new ‘City of Arts & Sciences’. It has been built on the old dried up river bed. The local council wanted to build a complex that was as iconic as the Sydney opera house to help give the city an identity and improve tourism. They have succeeded. It was one of the main reasons I chose to visit Valencia. I wanted to see these beautiful stunning modern buildings. It is located to the east of the old city just before the port. It consists of spectacular looking white buildings surrounded by large pools of turquoise water. You must see the buildings during the day time and then return to see them flood lit at night. The centres attractions are based around 3 themes: art, science and nature. They cost a lot of money to build so unfortunately the ticket prices are expensive. Because of these high prices ticket touts are trying to make money from unsuspecting tourists. Do not get conned. Only buy tickets from the ticket offices. If you are approached out side and asked to buy an unwanted ticket at a reduced price don’t. It is a forgery. www.cac.es

Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia - Queen Sofia’s Palace of the Arts
This magnificent majestic building looks like a Star wars storm trooper’s helmet. It contains four concert halls for Opera, dance, theatre and music events.

Hemisferic
The ‘Hemisferic’ is home to a planetarium, Laserium (a laser show) and an IMAX cinema. The shape of this building is like a half eye and its reflection in the pool beside it completes the second half of the eye.

Museo de las Ciencias Principe Felipe - Science museum
The ‘Museo de las Ciencias Principe Felipe’ is the hands on science museum aimed at educating school children. It is one of the largest interactive museum in Europe. Most explanations are translated into English. It is the long rectangular gaudiesque spiky building

L'Umbracle
The ‘L'Umbracle’ is located on the terrace area above the other attractions and the car park. It is an unusual arched structure that covers a garden lined with palm trees and is home to over 50 species of plants from the region

L'Oceanografic
The ‘L'Oceanografic’ is a huge modern aquarium and marine park. It is home to around 500 different species. You can walk under water and see fish, sharks, penguins, beluga whales and walruses. There are sea lions, sea birds and a dolphin show. You can get reductions on the price of tickets if you decide to buy a multi ticket for more than one complex. The most popular location is the L'Oceanografic and there are often long queues at the ticket boxes. A good tip is to buy the multi ticket at either the Hemisferic or the Science museum ticket offices where the lines are much smaller. You can reserve tickets in advance

Photo tips
The best time to take daylight photographs of the buildings of the city of arts and science is in the morning. In the afternoon as the sun sets behind tall tower blocks which cast shadows over some of the buildings. If you want to take night photographs like mine, aim to be their just as it gets dark. If you leave it any later the sky will be black rather than dark blue. You will have to keep your camera perfectly still as the exposures are long. Any movement will blur the photograph. Holding the camera in your hand will not work. I did not take my tripod so I put the camera on the floor and set the 2 second timer. The pictures turned out much better than I could have hoped.

When to go and Climate
Valencia gets very hot in the summer. The town practically closes down in August when many companies close and employees go on holiday to avoid the heat. July and August temperatures are normally 30oC 86oF or over. The town normally has 300 days of sunshine so you are unlucky if it rains. Spring and Autumn are the wettest times of the year but then it is normally a light shower. Winter temperatures can be a pleasant 20oC but the mornings and evenings are a chilly 3oC

Bioparc Valencia (Zoo)
This new animal park opened its doors in 2008. It has three themed areas Africa, the Americas and South East Asia. Each enclosure has been landscaped to match those environments. They even have a rain forest area. It is west of the old town. The nearest metro stop is Nou d’Octubre on metro lines 5 & 3. Its address is Avinguda Pío Baroja, 3

Tap Water
Valencia’s tap water is safe to drink. Bear this in mind when the waiter asked if you want some of the restaurant’s expensive bottled water with your meal.

Useful Spanish phrases
I would like that - Quiero Eso - pronounced Kero Esso
How much is this? - Cuanto es? - pronounced Qwanto es
Yes - Si - pronounced sea
No - no - pronounced noh
Please - Por favour - pronounced poor fa vor
Hello - Hola - pronounced ola
Goodbye - adiós - pronounced add e os
Sorry - Perdón - pronounced par dohn
Good Morning - Buenos dias - pronounced Bwenos dee ahs
Good Afternoon - Buenos tardes - pronounced Bwenos tar dess
Good Evening/Night - Buenos noches - pronounced Bwenos notchess
The bill please - La cuenta por favour - pronounced la Qwenta poor fa vor
Where are the toilets please? - Dónde estan los servicios por favour? - pronounced donde estan los serbeetheeos poor fa vor?
Well cooked (well done) - La carne bien cocida - pronounced La karrne beeyen kotheeda
Call..Llame a - pronounced lliame a
Call the Police - llame a la policia - pronounced lliame a la poletheea
Call an Ambulance - llame a una ambulancia - pronounced lliame a oona anboolanthea