About Valencia

The city of Valencia has many attractions making it one of the best locations for congresses, tourists and trade in Europe. Valencia is the third largest city in Spain - after Madrid and Barcelona - with a population of around 1.000.000 inhabitants. The city is situated on the banks of the Turia, on the east coast of the Iberian Peninsula, fronting the Gulf of Valencia on the Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to its privileged location in the Mediterranean and a dynamic economy and cultural life, Valencia is enjoying growing prominence amongst other large European cities. It is renowned as both a city of science as well as a city of fine arts. It is a highly popular destination for tourists visiting Spain. Valencia has an amazing array of ancient and historical places for the tourist to visit. Its historic centre is one of the largest in Spain; this heritage of ancient monuments, views and cultural attractions makes Valencia one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Major monuments include Valencia Cathedral, the Torres de Serranos, the Torres de Quart, the Llotja de la Seda (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996), and the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences), an entertainment-based cultural and architectural complex designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela.

The Museu de Belles Arts de València houses a large collection of paintings from the 14th to the 18th centuries, including works by Velázquez, El Greco, and Goya, as well as an important series of engravings by Piranesi. The Institut Valencià d'Art Modern (Valencian Institute of Modern Art) houses both permanent collections and temporary exhibitions of contemporary art and photography.

For those travelling with children, Oceanographic and Bio Park have not to be missed!

Climate

The average daily temperature in Valencia in September is 22°C (72°F), which can reach an average high of 24°C (75°F), and drop to an average minimum temperature of 17°C (63°F).
Valencia sees on average 8 hours of sunshine per day in September.
The average temperature of the sea in Valencia in September is 24°C (75°F).
With the temperatures beginning to wane from September on, this month may be on of your last chances to fully enjoy one of Valencia's many beautiful beaches in the optimum weather. The warm sea is perfect for taking a swim or enjoying the water sports that are on offer on Valencia's golden shores.

Valencia's beaches

Just 15 minutes away from the centre of Valencia, which is privileged to be both a city and a beach destination, you'll find the beaches of Las Arenas, Malvarrosa and El Cabañal – Blue Flag beaches (just 15 minutes by metro from the Technical University of Valencia) that have been awarded certifications such as the Q for Tourist Quality .

Furthermore, Valencia's wildest beaches lie just 10 km away, preserved in their natural state and surrounded by sand dunes and thick vegetation, such as the beach of El Saler or those in the heart of the Albufera natural park.

Lying on the sand and enjoying the sun, diving into the refreshing waters of the Mediterranean, playing volleyball, taking a pedal boat out to sea, working out in one of the fitness areas, eating an ice-cream or taking a sailing course are just some of the activities you can enjoy on Valencia's endless beaches. In addition to all this you can have a drink in one of the fashionable bars when the sun goes down, dance till dawn in the most exclusive clubs, dine on the best cuisine while you gaze at the sea from a restaurant terrace, enjoy a beer, some tapas and a paella at one of the beach bars, take a catamaran or boat ride or relax with a spa session at one of the coastal hotels.

More Information

For information about tourism in Valencia, please consult Turisvalencia, created and published by the Valencia Tourism Foundation.
A free virtual tourist guide can be downloaded here
Information about a tourist card can be found here