Visit to Valencia from Portugal

During my traineeship in Portugal, the weather got suddenly warm, the flowers opened and the landscape announced the beginning of spring, a month that I personally like very much because I was born in spring. I decided to go for a new adventure and visit a part of Spain that I heard of it much but never really had the chance to visit before, it’s the city Valencia. I invited my friends to join me in this new adventure full of excitement to discover the third largest city in the country that combines the magical characteristics of the beach and the traditional Spanish aspect. Valencia is an attractive city that welcomes several million of tourists every year. It is famous for its historical center, for its gastronomy but also for its unmissable city of arts and sciences. The city, which is built around a park so large and amazing, also benefits from a particularly mild climate which make it very attractive to visit even in winter time. People want to visit Valencia in the best way and not miss anything of its monuments and discover the must-see attractions in Valencia as well as the best addresses in the city.

The best part is that the trip was made from Portugal , so for this we took firstly a train for 25 euros from Braga to Lisbon which host the main stations for us to go everywhere in Spain exactly like the trio I did previously I did to Sevilla. I went then after from the station of Lisbon to Valencia by bus that cost 78 euros and last like twelve hours since we will go by the borders to reach the city, we decided to do this trip by night to be able to enjoy the city in the morning.

Visiting Valencia for us was mainly an opportunity to discover a very warm city of Spain with a style very authentic and that remains one of the best ever in my opinion. The third largest city of the country that is unfortunately a bit behind the bigger touristic cities such as Paris or Amesterdam. But Valencia remains full of spectacular sights, culinary delights, and events that must be discovered, the city is famous for its culinary dish which is paella  (the best dish i ever tasted in Spain in my opinion), Valencia is a city full of suprises and magical aspects that would surprise anyone coming to visit it. Valencia is also considered as a modern city, however has a historic center that fits perfectly with the new buildings, Castles and historical towers shine with modern architecture and art buildings, among which poeple will find many shops, restaurants and cafes. We arrived in 7 of the morning after a long and amazing trip as we tasted many flaviours of discovery, tiredness and curiosity that let us sleep a bit and dream a lot about this wonderful city to discover. In addition, this city is full of surprises, In the other hand, because of its size and the huge choice we have for every budget, there is something for everyone and it is an ideal destination for an economical holiday as it is so much cheaper than many people expect, people must also know that Valencia has the most wide park which is the famous Turia Park, that we had really great times to discover it as one of our best leisure activity. We considered that the city is really an open air museum where culture and history mix together in an amazing combination, with the most glory and satisfaction of the tourists and also for their greatest happiness. The first place we went to discover happily was the Place of Virgin as it was the main place of the city.

1- PLaza of the virgin

Once arriving by bus and finding our hostel to spend the weekend, we went happily in the street to discove the main avenues and streets of the city, we began our trip by a visit of the essential of Valencia and by its main place: The Plaza de la Virgen. We discovered that the Plaza of the Virgen is one of the most beautiful squares in Valencia. It is surrounded by the basilica of the virgin, the cathedral of Valencia or the municipal library. In the center of the square is localised the fountain of Turia. We were surprised to disover the architecture of such a place so detailed and with conserved shape, The square is charasteric of the city so we searched for a cool place where we could have a drink or even to eat while admiring the main city streets. The Plaza of the Virgen is located in the heart of Valencia's historic center. In the center exist the fountain of Turia that we took in many pictures and that was surrounded by the Plaza de la Almoina very famous also of being amazingly beautiful,  we could then discover the different restaurants to have lunch in one of them and discover some culinary specilaties. The fountain is really wonderful to see and gives an amazing and beautiful landscape to the main part of the city, we were crossing the Turia Gardens and reached the place of very beautiful Towers. By passing the cathedral, we found ourselves reaching the plaza de la Reina that is also one the main avenues and characteristics of Valencia. During our walking through the streets we there admiring the offering to the Virgin where each group walks in town before bringing flowers that will decorate the Virgin. Just behind the basilica we discovered the Plaza de la Almoina in proximity to the archeological center that we wanted to discover and to visit after the main avenues.

2- Plaza de la Reina

Our second destination was the Plaza de la Reina that is characterized by its unique beautiful garden with a tower that resembles a mosque since the city was previously under muslim control, it seemed to us a so nice place to walk in it, to play with a domestic pet like a cat or a dog, it also a nice place to go out for a drink and to sleep under the tree shadows. We could also search well in the different corners of the square, and we could find many quality restaurants offering Spanish and local specialties to discover and to taste. It is advised to eat where the gastronomy is all Spanish to be able to discover the most delicious dishes. In general, the more crowded people exist inside a restaurant, the more likely it is a cool place to discover its gastronomy and to eat well. We had the chance to discover the gastronomic and different specialties of Valencia and mainly the delicious paella. The best restaurants that offers this traditional dish exist near the beach including the main beach of the city called Malvarrosa.

3- The cathedral of Valencia

We also walked through the city main streets to discover a huge architectural masterpiece located in the heart of the city that is the cathedral of Valencia that has a particular shape and a unique architecture, unlike most cathedrals the Valencia cathedral is a bit hidden in the middle of other buildings which makes it more amazing to discover. Its conserved state allows people to admire more its state and Its bell tower is also located outside of the cathedral. Like many cathedrals in Spain (like the cathedral of Sevilla for example) the cathedral of Valencia was built on the bases of an old mosque. The cathedral is a mixture of styles and we could distinguish very well the gothic side that largely prevails. It was restored in a gothic style. Visiting the cathedral from the inside is a must as its very cheap and the entry cost only 5 € with an audio guide in French and English provided. In addition, people can discover many chapels and beautiful paintings. Some stained glass still testify of the Muslim history of the cathedral. We could therefore get used to the local lifestyle and take time to admire the historic sites of the old city. One of the most famous characteristics of this amazing city Valencia is oranges and the streets that are filled with orange trees that will give poeple some shade. However, do not try to eat the fruit because it does not taste good (not on these trees). Near the Plaza of the cathedral, there is the Palacio de la Generalitat that dates from the previous centuries. In the center of the square exists the fountain of the Turia, which symbolizes the rivers, vital for this agricultural region of Spain.

4-The colon market

We wanted to leave some time to discover the main market of the city exactly like the market Boqueria of Barcelona, this large, modern building is not only an architectural work of art, but also a place to learn more about the way of life and everyday life of Valencians. The market is divided into sections according to the type of food, such as fish, meat, fruits and vegetables, etc. A real cocktail of colors and smells that would test all our senses. We could taste some Spanish fruits and drink natural jus especially in the large number of shops, bars and restaurants located in the surroundings of the Central Market of Valencia especially that all this food have opened our appetite. It is an authentic view of the Valencian life where we were emerged. This beautifully designed old market is typical of the beautiful local architecture. Elegant and refined, it is also useful. Indeed, we did not find many supermarkets in Valencia, and we quickly realize that locals come to buy their food in this market. It is not intended for tourists at all so it was an amazing experience we had. If poeple have the chance to visit Valencia in a hotel or apartment with a kitchen, it is advised to cook all alone with the good flavors the city offers by asking the advice of locals expecially or the valencian poeple Its also advised to visit the Central Bars to taste the tapas especially, which use in general the food from the market and offers a menu that is not too expensive. The market is surprising by its architecture. A huge building built of brick and richly ornamented metal. A visit to the Colón market is a visit that is advised to do during a stay in Valencia. It was recently fully restored and rehabilitated to become one of the best living areas of the neighborhood. The Colón market is also a home to many restaurants, bars and shops where people can taste the local food, It is very pleasant to enjoy the market terraces in the late afternoon, once the heat has fallen. The Colón market is located in the district of Eixample, a district built during the extension of the city. This market is originally a covered market in the image of the central market and we could admire the proposed fresh and quality products. Also the fact that it is not so much expensive made our trip turn into a culinary discovery mainly, Over the years and with the opening of many stores, the market lost of its interest, but it is really advised to discover it.

5-The City Of Arts And Science

We went out of the market to visit another emblematic and much amazing place where we could find relax, happiness and joyful feelings, Which is the city of arts, To visit Valencia is inevitably to visit the city of arts and sciences. In fact, Without a doubt the city of arts of Valencia is the most touristic place of the city, and this is mainly because In this city of arts and sciences, there is the Reina Sofia arts palace, which includes one of the largest opera houses in the country, the Principe Felipe science museum, can also be discovered and which is focused on the natural sciences, the history of our earth but also astronomy, it is a huge cultural complex that now revolves around six major buildings, a cinema, a science museum, a walk on a hanging garden, an aquarium, an opera. The color unit of this great architectural space is white: white clear structures covered with a white mosaic of ceramic, mixed with a blue background color reflecting the Mediterranean sky, contrast amplified by the strong sunlight of Valencia. Valencia is considered a city and a home to one of the largest complexes for scientific and cultural disclosure which is this city of arts complex Composed of surprising constructions, it is known for its amazing and modern architecture,The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia stretches for almost two kilometers in the old Turia bed. It consists of major elements such the cinema and where people can discover digital projections, Palau Auditorium of the Reina Sofía Arts dedicated to operas, and a beautiful walk punctuated by gardens), the Science Museum which offers a multitude of interactive activities and Oceanogràfic is the largest aquarium  with an astonishing architecture, with many marine species even the ones that we never saw before and the Ágora that is a multipurpose space concerts and other activities of all kinds. The centers that are part of this complex organize conferences, exhibitions, screenings, guided tours and workshops related to science, technology, nature and art, all designed to fulfill the curiosity of participants of all ages and stimulate public learning. The city of arts and sciences of Valencia welcomes each year several millions of tourists. This set of buildings with modern futuristic design aims to spread as much as possible art and science.

6-The Turia Park

After the sciences and art complex , we thought to relax a bit in the main park of the city Valencia which is The Turia Park considered as a real jewelry of Valencia. A park that will make poeple want to live in Valencia, do picnics in natural places and relax or sleep under the tree shadows while feeling the joy and the excitement of children. The park itself is one of the most beautiful ones I ever saw, knowing that I already saw many beautiful parks like the one of Marseille and Barcelona that impressed me by their beauty also. The name Turia comes from the river that runs through Valencia. At the time it crosses the city along the walls of the old city. We could meet Some local people in a restaurant while having a café that told us the real history of the park actually a significant rise in the waters of the Turia flooded most of the city of Valencia and caused many damages and the death of many people. The municipality decided therefore to divert the river for fear that a new flood will still occur. It is then an immense land that remained deserted on which different projects were imagined including the construction of a highway, It was at the beginning of that period that the construction of a public park began, a Park to be inaugurated for adults and children, we had the greatest times in admiring the park that impressed us in terms or wideness and beautiful landscapes and with its very high dimensions. Its much wide and allows every poeple the oldest and youngest to do long walks around all the park. The park is the real lung of the city and offers tourists and locals countless leisure activities with the presence of football fields, rugby, an athletics track, playgrounds for children, many sports and two of the city's main sites: the Bioparc located in the North and the City of Arts and Sciences in the South. When visiting Valencia, people must really take the time to walk through this park, sleep, bike, or even run if they're athletic. The park attracts, each year, millions of people, we discovered that the park is a nice way to get around the city and enjoy most relaxing and admired part of the city.

7-The Beach Of Valencia

We thought also to discover the beach in Valencia and many people would say that a real holiday in the sun would be incomplete without a visit to the beach, In Valencia, people can admire the long way near the beach like the way in California. To cool off the summer heat, we went to visit Valencia‘s beautiful beaches with the blue color of water typical of the Mediterranean Sea and we could rest on its long stretches of fine sand. The beach of Valencia is an amazing leisure of the city. Even if the main tourist activities of the city are not directed towards the beach, this one is being in a well separated area of the city center, it can be pleasant to go and swim in this beach to take advantage of the sun and the heat in the spring or autumn or, on the contrary, the freshness that offers the sea during the summer. The beach is very large and lined with restaurants, bars and small shops over several hundred meters. People that want a planning for a great place to spend an evening in, it is surely the beach to be able to visit Valencia in a very pleasant way, people have many options as leisure activities , for example they can buy themselves bicycles which are a unique way to do sport and in the same time maintain a great body.

Most of older people use also beaches to do sport and footing while admiring the most beautiful landscapes and breathing a so pure air, This is a solution people can choose to reach the highest relaxation levels, as the beach is really not far it is just located like fifty minutes from the center of Valencia. It is also possible to reach the beach of Valencia by metro via lines 4 and 6 stopping at stops: The Arenes station or Mediterranean. People can also use the line 5 that allows us well to reach the beach place. As the weather is in general warm it is better to forget the bus and use feet or metro lines. I had an amazing chance to take a bike and to pedal towards the large beaches which allowed me the best feelings ever. This is a way that can be used to discover also the previously mentioned attractions while doing sport in the same time such as the Gardens of Turia, and admire by this way the impressive architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences and the largest aquarium to date. This city offered to us much magical moments and we had the curiosity to discover even more about it, it represents really an amazing destination for people mixing the modern type and the conserved and emblematic historical architecture of the authentic Spain.

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