Valencia
Spain · Country profile
Valencia is the third city of Spain, the great capital of the Mediterranean coast that mixes a thousand years of history, the golden beaches of the Levante and one of the most extraordinary futuristic ensembles of modern architecture in the world. The old town of the city holds the enormous cathedral with its contested holy grail, the silk exchange, a world heritage, and the winding lanes and the plazas of the historic quarters, while the futuristic city of the arts and the sciences, the great white complex of the architect, rises from the dry riverbed at the edge of the centre. The beaches of the city, the paella of its fields, the festivals of the fallas and the vibrant nightlife give the whole thing a lively, sun-soaked energy. Historic, futuristic and utterly Mediterranean, Valencia is one of the most complete cities in Europe.
About Valencia
Valencia is a city in Spain. The city's documented population is around 800,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Euro (EUR) and Spanish is spoken; the dialling code is +34. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Valencia Airport.
The Silk Exchange, the Grail and the Streets of the Old Town
Valencia is a complete, confident Mediterranean city that bridges the old and the futuristic with unusual ease. The historic centre with its cathedral, its plazas and its lanes holds the ancient world, while the city of the arts and the sciences, the great architectural ensemble in the dry riverbed, is the emblem of the forward-looking present. The beaches of the city, the green of the old riverbed park and the markets of the centre give the everyday life its Mediterranean quality. It is a city of the good food, the good weather and the good life, and its paella, its festivals and its sun make it one of the most enjoyable stays of the whole country.
The Paella, the Horchata and the Festivals of the Spring
The climate is Mediterranean, with the summers hot and the winters mild and the year round pleasant; the spring brings the famous festival of the fallas with its processions and its burning of the monuments. The cathedral, the silk exchange and the central market are the essential sights, and the city of the arts and the sciences needs its own half-day. The beaches of the city and the reclaimed riverbed park are the great green and blue lungs. The euro is the currency, the cards are universal and the city is safe and walkable. The paella of the region, the authentic version of the dish, and the horchata of the city are the essential local tastes.
The City of the Arts, the Riverbed Park and the Beaches of the Levante
The city of the arts and the sciences, the great white futuristic complex of the architect in the old riverbed, is the emblem of modern Valencia, with its opera house, its oceanographic park and its science museum. The old town with the cathedral, the silk exchange and the central market, one of the great modernista markets of Spain, holds the history and the everyday food life of the city. The green of the old riverbed, converted into a long, lush park that runs through the city, is the great walk, and the beaches of the city with their promenades are the blue edge of the trip. The paella of the region, the festivals of the spring and the lively bars and the nightlife of the city complete the picture.
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- Country
- Spain
- Population
- 800,000
- Coordinates
- 39.4893, -0.4816
- Capital
- Madrid
- Region
- Europe
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +34
- Country code
- ES
Entry requirements for Spain
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Spain for tourism.
Getting to Valencia
Airports we list for Valencia:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in Spain
Other cities we cover in Spain:
Frequently asked questions
Is Valencia the capital of Spain?
No — the capital of Spain is Madrid.
What currency do I need in Valencia?
The local currency is the Euro (EUR). Languages spoken in Spain include Spanish.
What is the dialling code for Spain?
The international dialling code for Spain is +34.
Which airport should I fly into for Valencia?
Valencia Airport (VLC) is the airport we list for Valencia.
How far is Valencia from the nearest airport?
Valencia is about 285 km from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit Spain?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda and Argentina currently enter Spain visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Valencia? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.