Experience the Community of Valencia's famous festivals

The Community of Valencia is relatively unknown to tourists, and unless you've visited at least once before, there's far more to this place than 'Fallas' and 'Tomatinas' (traditional regional celebrations).
  • Community of Valencia, Spain
    © Tono Balaguer / 123RF
  • Community of Valencia, Spain
    © Stesha Popozoglo / 123RF
Amy Adejokun
Amy Adejokun Expert destination Spain

Despite the continuing appeal of the Fallas de Valencia and the Tomatina de Buñol, this is one region with far more to offer besides; from landscapes to culture, this part of Spain boasts a plethora of aromas, colours, flavours and sensations to seduce even the most demanding of visitors.

Community of Valencia: the key figures

Surface area : 23258.0 km2

Population : 5029000 inhabitants

  • The city's cultural and historical wealth
  • The nearby beaches
  • The City of Arts and Sciences
  • The Paseo de la Alameda
  • The views of the industrial port from the beach
  • The lack of architectural harmony in certain parts

Community of Valencia: what to visit?

Landscapes and activities

  • The Levanta sierras, The Sierras of the Levante, Landscapes and activities, Community of Valencia
    The Sierras of the Levante
  • Chera-Sot de Chera Natural Park, Landscapes and activities, Community of Valencia
    Chera-Sot de Chera Natural Park
  • From San Antonio to Cabo Blanco , Spain
    From San Antonio to Cabo Blanco
  • The Marina Juan Carlos I, La marina Real Juan Carlos I, Landscapes and activities, Community of Valencia
    La marina Real Juan Carlos I
  • The Marina Juan Carlos I, La marina Real Juan Carlos I, Landscapes and activities, Community of Valencia

Coasts

  • The Costa Blanca , Spain
    The Costa Blanca
  • The beaches of Valencia , Spain
    The beaches of Valencia
  • The Costa Azahar , The Azahar coast , Spain
    The Costa Azahar
  • The Costa Azahar , The Azahar coast , Spain

The fauna and flora

  • Albufera and the La Mata lagoons, The Albufera and the La Mata Lagoons, The fauna and flora, Community of Valencia
    The Albufera and the La Mata Lagoons
  • , The Reatillo River and Parque del Tejo park, The fauna and flora, Community of Valencia
    The Reatillo River and Parque del Tejo park
  • A Tawny Owl, Montgó Natural Park, The fauna and flora, Community of Valencia
    Montgó Natural Park
  • A gorilla at Bioparc Valencia, Le Biopark, The fauna and flora, Community of Valencia
    Le Biopark
  • The Turia Gardens, Les jardins de la Turia, The fauna and flora, Community of Valencia
    Les jardins de la Turia
  • The aquarium, L'Océanographic, The fauna and flora, Community of Valencia
    L'Océanographic
  • The aquarium, L'Océanographic, The fauna and flora, Community of Valencia

Arts and culture

  • The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Arts and culture, Community of Valencia
    The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia
  • , Valencia Museum of Fine Arts, Arts and culture, Community of Valencia
    Valencia Museum of Fine Arts
  • , The five venues of the Castellón Cultural Centre, Arts and culture, Community of Valencia
    The five venues of the Castellón Cultural Centre
  • The Prince Felipe Science Museum, Le musée des Sciences Principe Felipe, Arts and culture, Community of Valencia
    Le musée des Sciences Principe Felipe
  • The National Ceramics Museum, Le Musée National de la Céramique, Arts and culture, Community of Valencia
    Le Musée National de la Céramique
  • Le musée d'Art Contemporain (l'IVAM) , Spain
    Le musée d'Art Contemporain (l'IVAM)
  • Le musée d'Art Contemporain (l'IVAM) , Spain

Enogastronomy

  • Le Marché Colon , Spain
    Le Marché Colon
  • Le Marché Central , Spain
    Le Marché Central
  • Horchata, l'Horchata de Chufa, Enogastronomy, Community of Valencia
    l'Horchata de Chufa
  • Horchata, l'Horchata de Chufa, Enogastronomy, Community of Valencia

Monuments

  • La cathédrale de Valence , Spain
    La cathédrale de Valence
  • La Bourse de la Soie , Spain
    La Bourse de la Soie
  • La Bourse de la Soie , Spain

Community of Valencia: what to buy?

Valencia boasts a very rich artisanal heritage. In the village of Paterna, for example, you'll find 'socarrat' wall decorations, ceramics and green and mauve decorative pieces. The artisanal traditions of the 'Fallas', meanwhile, include handmade fans, with ivory and exotic wood mounts, and silk art. If you're looking to pick up a few souvenirs, some rather unusual items or pieces of clothing, take a stroll through the alleyways until you come across the open-air markets, which are only open in the morning. With regards to foodstuffs, you'll find the central market, the busiest and most traditional in the city, just next to the Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange). This part of the city provides an enchanting setting in which to shop and also the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the Catalan specialties and the ingredients of an authentic Valencian paella. Despite the fact that it is very popular with tourists, the locals also come here regularly, the combination of the two making for a very cheerful atmosphere.

Community of Valencia: what to eat?

The main ingredient used in traditional Valencian cuisine is rice. Having been introduced to the peninsula during the period of Arab domination, it is best-known in its paella form, which is renowned throughout the world. The exact origins of this popular dish are unknown, but one theory states that 'paella' is a Valencian word meaning 'frying pan', also stemming from the Latin 'patella'. There are many different types of paella; traditional Valencian paella generally consists of yellow rice, chicken, green beans, butter beans, 'habichuelas' (another type of green bean), escargots, tomatoes, saffron, ground red pepper and olive oil. It is cooked on a low heat in a paella pan. There are also many different types of rice, which you'll find served with seafood, mixed, in a pan, cooked in a casserole pot, etc. This region even has its own particular variant, known as 'fideua' (a typical Spanish dish consisting of vermicelli and seafood), most likely invented by a chef on a boat, who had a particularly good assortment of fish but no rice! Of course, we strongly recommend that you try this.

Community of Valencia: travel tips

Famous for its lively nightlife and busy cultural programme, the city of Valencia alone is worth the trip. If that's not really what you're looking for, though, you might prefer to visit to the monumental Gandia, take a stroll among the paddy fields and orange groves or head to the beach to round off your day.

The Community of Valencia is home to two linguistic communities, namely Castilian and Valencian. The origins of the Valencian language stem back to Catalan, but do be careful not to confuse this with the language spoken in Barcelona. The Catalan spoken in Alicante is referred to as Western Catalan.

Community of Valencia: Latest hotel reviews
  • 8.8 /10
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    Caro Hotel
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  • 8.65 /10
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    Las Arenas Balneario Resort
    Valence - Spain
    Las Arenas Balneario Resort
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  • 8.6 /10
    Rated by Easyvoyage
    Hospes Palau De La Mar
    Valence - Spain
    Hospes Palau De La Mar
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    In Valencia's city-centre, the Hospes Palau de la Mar is a boutique ...

  • 8.45 /10
    Rated by Easyvoyage
    Sercotel Sorolla Palace
    Valence - Spain
    Sercotel Sorolla Palace
    Hotel 4 Etoile(s)

    Sorolla Palace is one of the best hotels in its category in Valencia. ...

  • 8.45 /10
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    Ayre Astoria Palace
    Valence - Spain
    Ayre Astoria Palace
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    Located in Valencia's old town, in a square away from the crowds ...

  • 8.05 /10
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    Melia Valencia
    Valence - Spain
    Melia Valencia
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    Far from the old town and the sea but facing the convention centre, ...

  • 7.9 /10
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    Barcelo Valencia
    Valence - Spain
    Barcelo Valencia
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    The Barceló Valencia is ideal for those who like functional modern ...

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