Things to Do in Valencia

Valencia is Spain's third-largest city and sits on Spain's eastern coast, roughly 350km south of Barcelona.

The City of Arts and Sciences was completed in 2009 and cost over €1.5 billion to build, transforming a former riverbed into one of Europe's most visited architectural complexes.

Paella originated in Valencia's rural Turia region in the 15th century, traditionally made with rabbit, beans, and local short-grain rice rather than seafood.

The Turia Gardens—a 9km green ribbon park built on a diverted riverbed—is one of the world's longest urban parks and cuts straight through the city centre.

Las Fallas, Valencia's March festival, features massive papier-mâché sculptures that are ceremonially burned on the final night; it's been celebrated for over 500 years.

Valencia hosted the America's Cup sailing competition twice (2007 and 2010), spurring major waterfront development and creating the Marina Real neighbourhood.