Valencia Holidays, Valencia Hotels and Valencia Flights:

Valencia is Spain’s third largest city located in the middle of a fertile plain of orange groves and market gardens. It is known for its exuberant outdoor living and nightlife. In March, Valencia stages one of Spain's most spectacular fiestas - Las Fallas - in which giant papier-mache sculptures are burned in the streets. After being conquered by the Moors [who seized it back from Spanish national hero El Cid], Valencia was finally taken by James I of Aragon in 1238. Thereafter it became one of the Mediterranean’s major cities, with considerable influence over the development of Spain – for example, it was Valencian merchants who funded Queen Isabella’s sponsorship of the historic voyage undertaken by Christopher Columbus in 1492.

The city’s busy port of El Grao and holiday beaches are away from the city centre, which is surrounded by extensive suburbs. But the heart of the old city still beats within its bustling modern counterpart, offering plenty of original character centred on the Plaza de la Reina, which used to be the town square. The fine Cathedral [completed in the 15th century] is mainly Gothic. The octagonal bell tower is a city landmark, offering the best view of Valencia for those who brave its 207 steps. There are numerous splendid churches and the Longa de la Seda [silk exchange] of 1498 is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It too, boasts a good viewing tower [only 144 steps!]. The winding streets of the Barrio del Carmen contain many ancient buildings, and it remains a lively centre of everyday Valencian life.

There is also much to like about the Valencia that grew up outside the old city walls [now demolished], with its broad avenues and striking modern architecture, notably the amazing City of Arts and Sciences by celebrated local architect Santiago Calatrava that attracts four million visitors annually. But before leaving this thoroughly modern place, spare a thought for local teacher Cayetano Ripoll. He was the infamous Spanish Inquisition’s last victim, executed here in 1826 for … being a freemason.

Location of Valencia:
Halfway down Spain's Mediterranean east coast, 190 miles southeast of Madrid, 223 miles southwest of Barcelona, 104 miles north of Alicante and 7 miles east of Manises airport.

Serving Airports:
Valencia [VLC]
Flight time from the UK: approximately 2 hours.

Valencia Temperature Chart :

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temp °C	10	13	13	14	18	21	25	25	22	18	16	12

Average daily temperature °C

Beaches in Valencia:
The long, narrow, sandy beaches of Las Arenas and Malvarosa to the north; sandy beaches and dunes at El Saler, 9 miles to the south. Beach bars and restaurants provide sunbeds and parasols on the main town beaches. Although crowded in peak periods, beaches remain clean, well tended and are supervised.

Shopping in Valencia:
Wide, cosmopolitan choice with many department stores, small shopping centres and select boutiques. Pedestrianised shopping streets around Colon; numerous ethnic-style shops around Russafa. Sunday morning market at Plaza Redonda.

Eating out in Valencia:
Wide selection, especially fresh seafood and paella (thanks to the surrounding rice fields). Many seafood restaurants on the promenade at Las Arenas; a la carte restaurants are scattered around the Gothic quarter behind the cathedral. Oriental restaurants in the Russafa area, 1 mile south of the main station. Burger bars and pizza parlours throughout the shopping district, with many street cafes open until the early hours. Cafes and open-air bars along the Turia Gardens. Bunyols – deep-fried doughnuts dipped in thick hot chocolate – are a local speciality. Most restaurants tend to be busy from 10 pm onwards.

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Disclaimer:
By its very nature much of the information in our destination guides is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they are relying with the relevant authorities. Corona Holidays [UK] Limited cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.

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