Bioparc

With no visible barriers, visitors to this 10-hectare zoo park can immerse themselves in the amazing wild habitats where lions, elephants, hippos, gorillas, and many more species live. The emphasis is on the preservation of endangered species and protecting the environment.

• Web:

  www.bioparcvalencia.es

• E-mail:

  info@bioparcvalencia.es

• Address:

  Avenida Pío Baroja 3, Valencia

• Phone:

  +34 960 66 05 26

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–6pm

Botanical Garden

The University of Valencia's Botanical Garden has its roots in the orchard that was established in the 16th century to facilitate the teaching of botany. The garden boasts an impressive collection of over 3,000 species of trees and plants from various regions of the world. Its collection of palm trees, tropical shrubs, cacti, and desert flora is particularly noteworthy.

• Web:

  www.jardibotanic.org

• E-mail:

  cicbotanic@uv.es

• Address:

  Jardí Botànic de la Universitat de València, Carrer de Quart 80, Valencia

• Phone:

  +34 963 15 68 00

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–6pm

Cathedral & Miguelete Tower

Valencia’s Cathedral is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture and the home of the Holy Grail–the only one certified by the Vatican. Its tower, the Miguelete, is a true icon of Valencia. Climb up to the top for great views of the city.

• Web:

  catedraldevalencia.es

• Address:

  Plaça de l'Almoina, Valencia

• Phone:

  +34 963 91 81 27

Central Market

Opposite La Lonja, you will find the oldest food market in Europe, housed in a fascinating building in a true Valencian style. The market is just as lively now as it was a hundred years ago as if time had stood still. This is a great place to buy some local delicacies and experience Valencia's daily life.

• Web:

  www.mercadocentralvalencia.es

• Address:

  Mercat Central de València, Plaça de la Ciutat de Bruges, Valencia

• Phone:

  +34 963 82 91 00

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 7:30am–3pm

City of Arts & Sciences

The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, or City of Arts and Sciences, is a cultural and architectural complex designed by Santiago Calatrava that has become the number one attraction in Valencia. Walking around and taking photos of the stunning buildings is a pleasure in itself, and that does not cost anything. However, it is well worth the entrance fee to explore the various exhibits inside.

• Web:

  www.cac.es/en/home.html

• Address:

  Avenida del Professor López Piñero 7, Valencia

• Phone:

  +34 961 97 46 86

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–7pm

Colon Market

One of the most beautiful examples of Modernist architecture in the city, the Colon Market is home to several cafes and restaurants, and a good place to pick up interesting crafts and gifts, particularly at the Christmas market.

• Web:

  mercadocolon.es

• E-mail:

  info@mercadocolon.es

• Address:

  Colon Market, Carrer de Jorge Juan 19, Valencia

• Phone:

  +34 963 37 11 01

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Thu 7:30am–2am, Fri & Sat 7:30am–3am

Day of the Valencian Community (9 October)

Día de la Comunidad Valenciana, which commemorates the liberation of the city from the Moors, brings along one of the most peculiar and charming Valencian traditions. In a kind of “alternative Valentine’s day”, men give their loved ones a special gift of marzipan figurines of fruits and vegetables wrapped in a silk scarf known as the mocadora.

Great Valencia Fair (July)

The whole month of July is a fiesta in Valencia. Concerts, al fresco cinema, stand-up comedy, fireworks displays, folk dances, parades, street markets… The programme of the Gran Fira (Great Valencia Fair) features more than 100 events at different locations throughout the city. Don’t miss the Battle of Flowers on the last Sunday, when brightly coloured floats and horse-drawn carriages parade through the city, with men, women, and children in lavish, traditional costumes tossing flowers out into the cheering crowds.

• Web:

  granferiavalencia.com

Las Fallas (March)

Valencia welcomes spring with its most colourful and famous festival. Gigantic papier mache monuments, known as fallas, with effigies usually representing celebrities or politicians in a satirical way, are set up on streets and squares throughout the city and burnt to a cinder in spectacular bonfires on the last day of the celebration. The Flower Offering to the Virgen de los Desamparados, when thousands of falleras and falleros in traditional costumes parade through the city, is also a sight to behold.

Moto GP Valencia

The Gran Premio de la Comunidad Valenciana is a key annual fixture in the Moto GP calendar. Thousands of motorcycling fans head to the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Cheste, about an hour from the city, to cheer on their national and international heroes.

• Web:

  www.circuitricardotormo.com/en

• E-mail:

  info@circuitricardotormo.com

• Address:

  Salida 334, A-3, Cheste, Valencia

Valencia Marathon

The Trinidad Alfonso EDP Valencia Marathon is the highlight of the annual calendar of running events that take place in Valencia, an ideal city for the practice of this sport because of its flat seaside location and mild climate.

• Web:

  www.valenciaciudaddelrunning.com/en/marathon/maraton