Valencian Community

The Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain located in the east, south-east of the Iberian Peninsula. It is bordered to the north by Catalonia and Aragon, to the west with Castilla-La Mancha and Aragon, and to the south with the Region of Murcia. In the Valencian territory there are also: the archipelago of the Columbretes Islands, the island of Tabarca and other smaller islands and islets near the coast; and the Rincón de Ademuz, a separate enclave from the rest of the Valencian territory. The name of Valencian Community comes from its main city, Valencia. In his turn, the Valencia town’s name comes from the Latin Valentia, a name that the Romans gave it when they found it.
In the Valencian Community they speak two languages: Valencian and Castilian (Spanish official language).

Coast and beaches
The Valencian Community has more than 500 km of coastline that gives the region beautiful landscapes such as the cliffs of the Sierra de Irta or Villajoyosa with wetlands, swamps and lagoons. Thanks also to the Mediterranean climate the region has mild temperatures throughout most of the year.
Among the most beautiful beaches of Valencia are:

  • Les Urques
  • Platja de l’Almadrava
  • Playa Mareny de Vilxes (Mareny Blau)
  • Playa Cap Blanc
  • Racó
  • Playa Dorada
  • Playa de Les Marines
  • Arenetes (Les Rotes)
  • Cala Advocat
  • Cala Capitán

Protected natural areas
In the territory of Maestrazgo there is the highest mountain of the Valencian Community, Peñagolosa. Actually in the territory of Rincón de Ademuz there is an even more high mountain, Cerro Calderón.
The Valencian Community is characterized by great diversity of rocks, the Mediterranean climate and biodiversity of parks and nature reserves. The Valencian territory offers many paths for those wishing to go hiking or to do other outdoor activities.
Some trails run alongside the sea, others penetrate into the mountains, in both cases you have the opportunity to know the richness of the natural heritage of the Valencian community.
The trails are classified into three categories: (GR) is for routes exceeding 50 km; (PR) for routes between 10 and 50 km; (SL) for routes of less than ten km.

Outdoor sports activities: climbing and cycling
The Valencian Community offers numerous opportunities for climbing enthusiasts: Chulilla in the province of Valencia, Montanejos in the province of Castellón, or Sella in the province of Alicante, are some of the main climbing areas of the Valencian Community. In other areas like Dos Aguas, Embalse de Loriguilla, Peppoli and Pepinno, Fantasma, Fuente del Chorrico-Tous and Roca Figueral, there are the so-called hobnailed routes, to climb the mountain using the metal steps and the appropriate chords for the safety .
For those wishing to discouver the Valencian Community by byke, in addition to the Vias Verdes (Green Streets) (old railway lines in disuse), there are other paths that penetrate into the heart of Valencian forest and nature. CR means cycling route.
Among the Green Streets are:

  • Via Verde de Denia;
  • Via Verde de Alcoy;
  • Via Verde del Maigmó;
  • Via Verde de Torrevieja;
  • Via Verde de Ibi;
  • Via Verde del Xixarra;
  • Via Verde del Serpis;
  • Via Verde de Ojos Negros;
  • Via Verde del Mar;
  • Via Xurra;
  • Via Verde de la Safor.

Other paths are connected with BTT centres, centres of free access for mountain bikers, with a network of marked paths and a number of additional support services to cyclists.
The routes curls through unpaved paths and are classified by color according to the difficulty.

CITIES OF THE VALENCIAN COMMUNITY TO VISIT:

Read more about the cities of the the Valencian Community to visit

  • Alicante: The city enjoys a mild climate almost all the year, and it is surrounded by an impressive natural landscape with Mount Benacantil, on which stands the castle of Santa Barbara, Mount Tossal, on which there is the castle of San Fernando, and the beaches of its coastline.
  • Castellón de la Plana: Castellón de la Plana has a mild climate throughout most of the year. The Columbretes islands belong to its jurisdiction, four islets of volcanic origin that welcome endangered species, and they are a destination for people who like underwater activities, due to the transparency of its waters, the beauty of its seabed and the great variety of species animals and plants that live there.
  • Valencia: a modern metropolis made up of skyscrapers and buildings that break the traditional architectural rules, whose primitive appearance dates back to the first centuries BC, when it was just a luxury ceramic trade route, around which the first community of Iberian peoples settled. READ MORE ABOUT VALENCIA

Art and culture
The Lonja de la Seda de Valencia (1482-1498) is a brilliant example of Gothic style as well as a world heritage of Spain. It was built as a symbol of commercial prosperity to attract traders in a difficult period for the economy, due to the discovery of the Americas, and the shift of trade from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. The set of buildings that make up the Lonja were built for the silk trade since then it has been increasingly used for commercial activities.
Among the Valencian painters, famous in history, there are: Juan de Juanes, José Ribera, Francisco Ribalta, Joaquín Sorolla.
Among the most important museums:

In Valencia:

  • Valencian Institute of Modern Art;
  • Valencian Museum of Illustration and Modernity;
  • Museum of Fine Arts

In Castellón:

  • Museum of Fine Arts
  • Folk Museum of Contemporary Art

Alicante: Museum of Fine Arts Gravina.

Festivals of International Tourist Interest
In the Valencian Community there are many folk festivals, some of them are famous internationally and they are:

  • Las Fallas in Valencia: festivals celebrated from 15th to 19th of March in Valencia and in other urban centres of the Valencian Community.
  • Moors and Christians of Alcoy: festivities to commemorate the battles that took place during the reconquest, when the Christian kingdoms resumed the domains occupied by the Mohammedans. The festivities took place 21-24 April.
  • The entry of bulls and horses of Segorbe: this festival takes place throughout the week of the second Saturday in September, at 2 p.m., and consists in accompanying the bulls in the square for the corrida.
  • The Tomatina of Buñol: is celebrated on the last Wednesday of August, in the week of festivities of Buñol and it consists to throw tomatoes with each other.
  • The festival dels enfarinats de Ibi: is celebrated on December 28 in Ibi, it is a particular battle with flour, vegetables and firecrackers.

Gastronomy
The traditional Valencian cuisine is primarily based on rice: paella, baked rice, black rice, rice with crust.
The Mediterranean climate favors the cultivation of oranges and many other vegetables.
Among the sweets there is nougat, polvorones, the Arnadí, the peladillas and an important tradition of chocolate.
Among the most typical drinks there are: Horchata, coffee liqueur and herbero, a herbal liqueur.

How to arrive to Valencian Community:

  • By plane: Alicante and Valencia airport.
  • By ship: Port of Valencia and Alicante
  • By train: railway station in Valencia, Alicante.
  • By bus:
  • By car:
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