Valencia, Spain
Some things to do in Valencia
The Independent Guide to Valencia, Spain Valencia City Guide, Tourist Guide, Tourist Information
Valencia City Guide
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Valencia Tourist Guide
Valencia was founded in 138 BC by the Romans.
If you visit Valencia, you should know that most people have lunch around 2:00 pm and dinner around 10:pm, with "cocktail hour" around 9:30 pm.
A popular drink that you can get on the street is orxata (horchata.)
Horchata in Spain is made of water, sugar and tigernut (chufa,) while in Latin America it is a rice-based beverage.
But don't worry, no tigers were injured in the making of this drink -- tigernut is actually a plant called cyperus esculentus.
Horchata is therefore perfect for vegetarians, vegans and people with nut alergies.
Many bars make it (look for signs that say, "Hay Horchata") and you can find it at street stalls selling cold drinks.
Another popular drink i Valencia is "Agua de Valenica" which is made up of freshly squeezed Valencia orange juice, sparkling wine or champagne, Cointreau and sugar.
Saint Mary of Valencia Cathedral
Sacred Destinations: Valencia Cathedral
Valencia Cathedral was founded in the 13th century and incorporates a number of architectural styles and artistic treasures - including the Holy Grail!
El Miguelete
The bell tower El Miguelete is located just south of the cathedral.
It was begun in the 14th century and finished in the 15th, and was built in the Gothic style.
Its name, "El Miguelete," comes from the name of its biggest bell "Miguel", made in 1532 and weighing more than ten tons.
You can climb the 207 steps of the enormous spiral staircase up to the summit from where you can enjoy amazing views of the city and the sea.
Plaza de la Virgen
To the north of the cathedral is the Plaza de la Virgen.
This was once the site of the forum of Roman Valencia.
On the eastern side of the plaza is the Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados, and on the western side is the seat of government for the Valencia region, the Palau de la Generalitat.
There are cafes with outside seating, and in the middle is a fountain which represents the irrigation of the Turia River.
The Water Court (Tribunal de las Aguas)
This event takes place on Thursdays in the Plaza de la Virgen.
This event is the oldest democratic institution in Europe that has survived to our days, spanning a whole millenium.
With the proceedings purely oral, and nothing written down, the members, who are all elected, are equal to each other and sit in a circle, resolve all irrigation disputes once a week, in a swift and down-to-earth manner following common sense.
If there are no disputes to take care of, the members will sit down, and then stand up and leave, so be sure to get there on time.
If you are a few minutes late you will miss it all.
The Bullring
This large impressive structure was built in the style of a Roman arena, with Doric (traditional Greek) ornament, and has been the center of Valencia's bullfighting for almost 150 years.
Ocasionally, a circus, fair or concert will be held here when there are no bullfights.
When there are no performances, the only access to the 52 meter diameter bullfighting ring inside is through the Bullfighting Museum (see below.)
The Bullfighting Museum
A stuffed bull, some bullfighter's costumes and a lot of essays about twentieth century bullfighting written in Spanish.
But at least it gives you access to the bullring.
The Train Station
Next to the bullring is the train station, a neo-gothic building built in 1917.
It offers a glimpse into the local culture with the typically Valencian mosaics and ceramics, on the themes of the Valencian countryside, that it contains.
City of Arts and Sciences (La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias)
There are four buildings in this complex: L'Hemisferic, a Laserium, Planetarium and IMAX cinema; the Science Museum where you are encouraged to touch; L' Oceanographic, a giant marine park and aquarium; and the Palau de les Arts, an Opera House.
Beaches
Visit one of the beaches at Valencia: Las Arenas; La Malvarrosa; or Alboraya.
Americas Cup
Valencia hosted the America's Cup yacht races in 2007, and will be the host in 2009 for two America's Cup "pre-regattas."
Should the pending litigation concerning the future of the 33rd America's Cup be resolved in favour of the multi-challenger event as proposed by the Defender, Alinghi and the Challenger of Record, Club Náutico Español de Vela, these two regattas will be part of the 33rd America's Cup, with the Match scheduled for 2010.
La Claca
La Claca
Calle San Vicente Mártir, 3 - 46007, Valencia
A cosmopolitan nightlife spot popular with the foreigners, expats and internationally minded locals in Valencia.
There is a small arty area to sit down and a larger bar / dance floor that gets very lively and social.
It is a relaxed and welcoming place and so everyone has a good time here and the atmosphere is quite relaxed.
They have live bands every now and again and at other times you can expect a more refined mixture of pop-rock from today to the past decades.
La Claca offers a flamenco experience on Sundays from 8:30 pm to 10: pm.
Las Fallas
Several hundred enormous sculptural compositions, surrounded by fireworks, carnivals, traditional dress, music and nightlife for 4 days, before they all go up in flames.
Las Fallas is known as one of the craziest things in Europe.
On the 15th of March the fallas get planted throughout the city and Valencia explodes with the party.
La Tomatina Tomato Fight in Bunyol
About 40 miles to the west of Valencia is the town of Buñol, and every year on the last Wednesday in August is the Tomato Fight.
This occurs between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, and is the highlight of the festival.
