Valencia is located on the Mediterranean Sea approximately four hours’ drive to the south of Barcelona and three hours to the east of Madrid. With an estimated population of the city of Valencia of around 800,000, and a population in the metropolitan area of 1.75 million, Valencia is the third largest city in Spain.
Valencia is known for Las Fallas, which is a famous local festival held in March, traditional Valencian ceramics, traditional dresses and the new City of Arts and Sciences build in a very interesting architecture. There are a number of Catholic fiestas throughout the year, and the Holy week celebrations in Valencia are considered the most colorful in Spain.
Being located by the sea, there are some great beaches not only close to Valencia, but also within the city itself. The beaches of La Malvarrosa and Levante offer a wide variety of places to dine and enjoy a quiet evening by the sea. The Barrio del Carmen neighborhood is in the old center. The area has many outdoor cafes and trendy shops and there is an interesting mix of people.
In Valencia one can find remains from remote periods as far back as 138 BC. The Cathedral of Valencia stands in the same place where the first temple of the Roman city was erected, and later, an Arab mosque. Built between 1262 and 1426, the many expansions and alterations it has gone through have left their mark on this interesting building. The Gothic bell tower of the Cathedral, the Miguelete, rises to a height of 50.85 meters. The effort it takes to climb all 207 steps to the top of the tower are more than rewarded by the splendid view of the city that it presents.
In the Plaza de la Virgen, the Basilica of La Virgen de los Desamparados stands out, along with the nearby Royal Convent of Santo Domingo, built by the dominican order in the 13th century. In the historic quarter of Valencia it is possible to find other churches of interest, such as Santa Catalina, San Nicolás and San Martín. From the ancient medieval walls, two old gates remain: the Torres de Serranos and the Torres de Quart. The Palau de la Generalitat is a Gothic-style structure buit in the 15th century and later extended in the 17th and 20th centuries. The building stands out because of its large Renaissance tower that leads to the Plaza de la Virgin.
Probably the most remarkable building is the Lonja de la Seda (the Silk Exchange), an elegant Gothic structure built towards the end of the 15th century. This ancient trading place holds authentic treasures in its interior, such as the monumental Salón de las Columnas, the Torreón Central and the Sala de Juntas del Consulado del Mar.
Valencia is famous for is vibrant nightlife. The more alternative/bohemian bars and nightclubs are concentrated in the Carmen, while the student nightlife is found around Blasco Ibáñez and Benimaclet, the more mainstream nightlife has its clusters in the areas of Cánovas and Joan Llorens. In the summer, there is also nightlife on the beach and the Port.
