Where can you sleep?
You will find the best accommodation options to stay in this region, both in the coastal areas as much as in the inland ones. Options of all kinds and for all likings, one possibility would be staying at the historical center, where you can discover places like the quartier of El Carmen where the youngsters and the not so young ones, will have tons of fun, and stay awake into the small hours.
If you would rather get up early in the morning and start your day exploring the city after breakfast, there is no better place to do it than in Ciutat Vella, one of the most beautiful shopping streets of the city.
Other great options to visit in the city are the towns along the Mediterranean, or the inland small towns and villages surrounded by the vastness of the fields.
What to do in the area?
If the city of Valencia is known for something, is for being home to one of Spain's most famous examples of Modern architecture, the Museo de la Ciudad y las Artes de Valencia, by the banks of the river Turia, and where discovering its many rooms will be a fantastic and unique experience.
You will also find buildings such as the Catedral de Valencia, built during the time of king Jaime I, in the 12th century, mainly built in the Gothic style, although it is also influenced by many others. Dating from a bit later is the Basílica de la Virgen, built in the Baroque style.
Another example of Gothic style and one of the most beautiful ones in the city is the Lonja de la Seda, where you will find in its interior a civil an artistic heritage, and where every sunday is held a street market where you will be able to exchange old coins and stamps, amongst many other things.
What typical foods are recommended?
The Mediterranean diet is very present in the majority of local recipes that you will be able to sample in the city, and being most of them watered with Spain's most exquisite liquid gold: olive oil. Another very typical dish here is the 'paella valenciana' which is usually accompanied by local vegetable produce, meats such as rabbit, or delicious prawns. Oven-baked is also another very common, traditional way of elaborating rice, mixed with chickpeas, potatoes and several pork, raw meats with it.
For a later snack, you will see there is nothing like a refreshing 'horchata', Valencia's most famous and delicious beverage. To go with it, how about some 'coca llanda', 'mona de Pascua', or 'fartons'.
Where are the festivities?
There is no question that Valencia's most popular, world-renown festivities; the Fallas, held between the 15th and 19th of August. Apart from allowing you to enjoy of endless nights of fun, the best part of this celebration is when people start burning the iconic cardboard dolls that are made during the whole year, and which humour each of them an aspect or trait of all parts of Spain.
During Easter, the Poblados Marítimos hold a total of 32 religious parades, celebrated with so much fervour and devotion that five of the brotherhoods or 'cofradías' in charge of it have received royal acknowledgement. The Fiestas de San Vicente Ferrer are also celebrated here, honouring and asking its patron to help children grow up fast and healthy.
During summer, the festivities of San Jaime o Julio are celebrated, and occasion that has been held since 1871 in order to attract foreign visitors to Valencia, and show them the wonders of this province. Finally, the last Sunday of July is also an important date, when the Batalla de las Flores is celebrated.
