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- TRAVEL
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- Europe
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- Iberia
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- Spain
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- Valencian Community
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- Valencia
GARDEN OF SPAIN
Valencia is Spain’s regional capital in Comunidad Valenciana on the east coast of the Iberian Peninsula. This city has evolved over the centuries with layers of rich history given its prime location along the Mediterranean’s Balearic Sea.
As a result, Valencia blends the Moorish, Gothic, and Baroque architecture of its historic center with ultra-sleek modern by architect Santiago Calatrava within a surrounding river greenbelt called La Turia Gardens.
- 🇪🇸 Regional Capital of the Valencian Community
- 💶 Currency: Euro
- 💬 Languages: Spanish and Valencian Catalan
- 🚊 Tram and Metro passes: any metro station (single-ride or 10-journey pass)
- 🚲 Bikes are popular forms of transportation, especially around Turia Gardens (greenbelt)
- 🚶🏽Valencia is walkable and ranked a safe city, but as anywhere, be aware of pickpockets, particularly in tourist areas and public transit areas; don’t leave phones or purses sitting out
Rail
- Renfe trains takes around 3-1/2 hours between Barcelona and Valencia (Estació Nord);
while high-speed AVE trains (also run by Renfe) take just over 1-1/2 hours to travel between Madrid and Valencia (Estació Joaquin Sorolla)—helpful tourist transport info site HERE - Rail Europe is a great source for making necessary train reservations—more travel information can be found in my post on an earlier trip: Northwestern Europe
- Our Eurail passes covered our train travel between cities and villages within our selected countries on the continent
- For local transport throughout Valencia, we purchased 10-journey tram/metro passes from the metro station office—information guide HERE
- Metro maps were stored on our phones for quick reference, such as this one for Valencia:
A Gothic Treasure: The Valencia Silk Exchange, La Lonja de la Seda
Light streams between a forest of spiral stone columns. Each support twists upward, branching into a delicate web of ribbed groin vaults overhead. This airy—seemingly weightless—volume exalts Valencia’s commercial hub, unique to its time. The History of This Temple of Trade When Pere Compte (renowned master builder from Girona) began construction of this trade center…
The Luster of Valencia: Revealng Spain’s Third-Largest City (Part 3 of 3): Quality + Balance
As my family’s Valencian soccer trip came to an end, we reflected that true prosperity flourishes in their balanced way of life. The people displayed pride in artistry and quality. Integrity is in the details. Small businesses and local vendors matter more than chain stores. Celebration and relaxation are shared by all. Compact Quality and…
The Luster of Valencia: Revealng Spain’s Third-Largest City (Part 2 of 3): Artistry + Progress
As Valencia progresses into the 21st century, this city built over two millennia works to maintain her heritage. Quality development balances artful modern construction with soul-protecting historic preservation. The Wisdom in Artistry & Soulful Progress We were first introduced to Valencia through La Turia Gardens. This river of green space flows around the old city,…
The Luster of Valencia: Revealng Spain’s Third-Largest City (Part 1 of 3): Her Allure
Valencia doesn’t seem to realize how beguiling she is, which only adds to her charm. As the capital of a once-prominent region, this unpretentious city proudly showed us a restoring sense of hope through her unique qualities. Valencia Reveals Her Allure Previously left behind by Franco, the 20th century Spanish dictator, Valencia gradually emerges from…