Travel in Europe

Valencia is one of the largest cities in Spain and the most populous city in the Autonomous Community of Valencia. As the third largest city in Spain and the 15th largest city in the entire European Union, Valencia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of southern Europe. Valencia has a wealth of activities and sights to keep tourists happy, including a number of famous architectural attractions, squares and gardens, cathedrals, medieval churches, and museums. While it may have once been a working industrial city, Valencia is now a vibrant modern destination for tourists from all over the world.

The rapid development of Valencia as a tourist hot spot began not too long ago in the mid 1990s. It was then that the city expanded its scope as a cultural and tourist centre, with the incorporation of a number of architectural monuments and the restoration of many old landmarks. The towers of the medieval city were restored, as were the San Miguel de los Reyes monastery and many other famous religious buildings. In addition to this, a number of modern buildings started going up all over the city, including a number of convention centres and the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences designed by world renowned local architect Santigo Calatrava.

Along with the architecture of the city, Valencia is also a tourist draw card because of its surrounding beaches and beautiful natural environment. The entire Malvarrosa beach is visited by thousands of visitors every year, as is the old Carmen Quarter and the port district. Valencia is an important tourist destination in Spain, especially for people who want to delve a little deeper than the well worn roads of Madrid and Barcelona. While the modern architecture and renovated buildings of the city remains the key attraction for many visitors, there is also a wealth of food, culture, and natural tourist attractions in Valencia to entice tourists from any corner of the globe.