Explore Valencia

Discover what to see/do in Valencia

About Valencia

EENA has chosen the beautiful city of Valencia to host our 2024 Conference and Exhibition.

Valencia (València in Catalan/Valencian), is a charming old city and the capital of the Valencian Community. With just over 800,000 inhabitants in 2020, it is Spain’s third-largest city and, after Barcelona, the most significant cultural centre along the Spanish Mediterranean coast. It is the capital of the autonomous Valencian Community, and is known for tourism and cuisine. Visitors flock to the city for its paella, ultramodern architecture, and good beaches.

It is the third Spanish city in terms of importance and population, and the 15th in the European Union, with 810,064 inhabitants in the city proper and 1,832,270 in the Metropolitan Area (INE 2008). It is on the Mediterranean Sea approximately four hours to the south of Barcelona and three hours to the east of Madrid.

Valencia is famous for its Fallas Festival in March, for being the birthplace of paella, for hosting the “2007 & 2010 America’s Cup”, and for the massive architectural project by Santiago Calatrava called The City of Arts and Sciences.

Mobility in town

Public city bus/metro

The public city bus network makes it easy to travel within the city. EMT runs buses to virtually every part of the city, both day and night. A single ticket costs €1.50 (no transfers), payable to the bus driver on entry.

Travellers visiting for a short period may want to consider purchasing a Valencia Tourist Card, a one-, two- or three-day pass which allows for unlimited travel on all metro and bus lines, including to/from the airport, over a period of 24 hours (€15), 48 hours (€20), or 72 hours (€25). The card also includes free admission to public museums and monuments, discounted admission for other tourist attractions, and additional discounts at some shops and restaurants. The card can be purchased at any tourist office, including at the airport, or purchased online for a discount and picked up on arrival at a tourist office.

Public cycle system

Renting a bike is an increasingly popular way for visitors to explore this essentially flat city. Since 2010 the city offers public bicycle rentals at over 250 locations around the city (and growing). This service is called Valenbisi. For 14€ you get access to unlimited use of the bikes during 7 days, first half hour is free, then 1€ every 30 minutes extra. You can purchase the ticket at any terminal at the stations.

Currency

The Euro is the official currency of Spain. Currency exchange can be made in most banks and post offices as well as in train stations, airports and exchange offices near major tourist sites.

Stunning places to visit

Don’t miss the opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful cities in Europe

City of Arts and Science (Ciutat de les Artes i les Ciències)

This ultra-modern architectural complex on the former Turia riverbed was designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava and Spanish-Mexican architect Félix Candela.

It is located towards the southern end of the Jardines del Turia. It consists of the Palau des Artes, Hemisferic, Palau des Ciencias and the Agora. Curious to the stories behind all the buildings of the Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias? Book a guided walking tour at Tours Valencia. Visit at night to marvel at the incredible lighting of the buildings.

L'Oceanografic

The largest oceanarium in Europe, and the second-largest in the world, has seven sections devoted to different ecological zones. The building was designed by Félix Candela to resemble a water lily. Highlights include a dolphinarium, a walk-through shark tunnel, a shark tank (open for public diving), and spherical bird aviary. There are several restaurants on-site, and with so many attractions it’s easy to make this into an all-day affair.

Valencia Cathedral (The Seu)

A curious cathedral with doors from three distinct architectural periods. The building as a whole, though mostly Gothic, has collected over the centuries some Renaissance, Baroque and Neo-Classical elements. A trip up the Micalet tower (formerly Moorish, but now “Christianized”) provides a pleasing view of the city. At the back side of the altar, right in the middle of the ambulatory is the mummified hand of San Vincente Martir, the first martyr (Protomartyr) of Spain and the patron saint of Valencia and Lisbon.