University of Valencia (Universitat de València)

About Valencia, Guide and Top Tourist Attractions
(Valencia, Spain)

The city of Valencia is located on the Mediterranean, about four hours to the south of Barcelona and three hours to the east of Madrid. It is famous for being the birthplace of paella, the Fallas festival, and the massive architectural project of Santiago Calatrava called The City of Arts and Sciences.

What to do in Valencia

Visitors who arrive in Valencia in March can take part in the Fallas festival. Locals build big papier mache models which are burnt at the end of the week. The festival also features a week-long fireworks display.

The city of Valencia is a great place for strolling around and enjoying the scenery. Visitors can take a walk near the old Turia river bed, which is now a park with rugby and soccer fields, an athletics track, an artificial boating lake, fountains, playgrounds, bike paths and trails that end at the City of Arts and Sciences. Everyone visiting the city should try the local paella. The dish has several versions but the authentic Valencian paella is made only with fresh ingredients on a special iron pan under a wood fire.

Tourist Attractions

The City of Arts and Sciences is a new tourist attraction in Valencia that includes a Science Museum, an IMAX cinema, a planetarium, an aquarium and an arts museum. This new development is also famous for its architecture.

The Barrio Carmen neighbourhood is located in the old city centre and it is famous for its many outdoor cafés and trendy shops. It has an interesting mix of people, from long-time residents to hippies. Seo Cathedral is an unusual cathedral with doors from three architectural periods. It has a Miguelete tower that provides an excellent view of the city. The Lonja is a UNESCO landmark. It is the building site of the ancient local silk trade. It has been recently refurbished and now has interesting displays of gargoyles.