Valencia is easily one of my favourite cities in the world - the people are incredibly friendly, the food is fantastic, and with great bus and train routes it's the perfect base from which to explore the rest of Spain, not to mention the rest of Europe.
- Getting there and away - Valencia airport is just 20 minutes out of town and this is what makes it such a wonderfully accessible city. If you're arriving by plane there rarely seem to be any delays at customs or with luggage claim and from the airport you can hop straight on the metro which will take you into the city (for most of the central hotels you will want to get off at Colón, Alameda or Aragon which is on the Maritim S line). The metro is cheap and easy, if you're stopping for a while I recommend the 10 journey ticket as it works out as better value for money). What's more, the metro is rarely uncomfortably crowded, and getting on at the airport (which is the final stop) it is usually almost empty. If however you don't want to brave the metro just yet, a taxi into
the centre of the city is a reasonable price, rarely costing much more than 20 euros) or there is the option of a bus or a hire car.
If you're coming in from another city in Spain, the bus station and train station are both situated within a 2 minute walk of a metro station which will then take you to most of the main areas of the city. The train station itself is situated in the city centre.
The weather in Valencia is generally lovely although like all places it has it's share of rain. However temperatures are rarely overly cold, and from February til November it's usually extremely mild, obviously in the summer months being extremely hot though, so make sure your hotel has a pool.
Value for money - shopping and food is great value for money in Valencia. However, if you go out drinking you will notice that in some places drink prices are surprisingly high. If you're on a budget check out the student areas around Blasco Ibañez for some cheaper bars and clubs.
Valencia has everything you would expect to find in a city of its size, and much more! Plenty of shopping, bars, clubs, beaches and plenty for the kids, along with heaps of museums, galleries and other tourist attractions.
- Sights - The old town has beautiful architecture to offer. The stunning cathedral which overlooks Plaze de la Reina is definitely worth a visit, and claims to house the Holy Grail! The Miquelet tower offers incredible views over the city which is great for photos and los Torres de Serrano are worthy of a visit too. Be sure to make time for a wander in the maze of narrow streets that form 'el Carmen' just off from the Cathedral - these are home to some of the most beautiful examples of graffiti art in the city, and lots of quirky little bookshops and tiny bars.
Valencia also has plenty of galleries and museums on offer, I particularly recommend the Museo de Bellas Artes and the IVAM. (the IVAM is free on a Sunday).
The modern space age structure of the City of Arts and Sciences is definitely an unmissable sight - it is home to a science museum, the Hemisferic planetarium, and aquarium, as well as a nightclub 'Umbracle' in the summer. The aquarium is particularly good for children as it has a great selection and offers an enjoyable dolphin show in which children from the audience can sometimes participate. Even if you don't want to pay to go inside, you simply must visit the city of arts and sciences, even if it's just to take photos from outside as it's magnificent, especially when illuminated at night. (impress your kids by standing one either end of the semi circular area which can be found at each end of the outside of the science museum - if you speak normally, they can hear you right at the other end).
- For the little ones - In the Turia gardens that run through the middle of the city, between the Ciudad de las artes and the Palau de música there's an enormous climbing frame made in the shape of Gulliver from Gulliver's travels that is hugely popular with the local children, and best of all, it's now free! However, in the summer make this visit early morning or in the evening, as during the midday sun the climbing frame is so hot that the slides etc. can burn the little one's legs.
-Beaches- Valencia has a city beach with a strip of restaurants and bars. However, in the summer it's usually packed. Walk a little further down though, past 'Pans' and the crowd starts to thin out. You will also then be walking through a charming beachside market where you can pick up local crafts, sunglasses, clothing, hammocks, jewellery and plenty of other things.
-Shopping- The main shopping area is the centre, Colón. However, either side of the City of Arts and Sciences there are great malls, El Saler one side and Aqua the other (next to a giant Corte Inglés department store). Next to the bus station there is also Nuevo Centro so you are guaranteed to have plenty of places to shop. The selection of shops is fantastic, Zara, Quiksilver, Pull and Bear, Bershka, are all found in the centre and in the shopping centres, where upmarket designer stores and boutiques are located in the smaller sidestreets around Colón.
-Summary-
I could write all day about how much Valencia has to offer and still have more to say. With heaps of budget airlines flying there it is definitely worth a visit. It's also got great links to surrounding areas, and local bus services will take you to some over the beaches further down the coast for just 1 euro 20! When you arrive, get yourself along to one of the 3 major tourist info centres (one is on c/ la paz and one is in Plaza de la Reina) and they will provide you with maps, bus timetables, lists of sights and activities available in Valencia and the surrounding areas. Also, don't be put off by the fact that Valencia has its own language, although most of the signs are in Valenciano as well, mostly everyone speaks Spanish and they are always eager to test out their English on tourists (although sometimes they consider themselves far more knowledgeable in English than they really are) but they are friendly and usually willing to help.
One final note: if you're planning a night out be forwarned, Valencia's nightlife is incredible but it doesn't get going until around 1am, then it's normal to party until breakfast... so don't be put off if at midnight everything still seems a wee bit quiet... in Britain that might be late but in Spain midnight is early!
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