Valencia is one of the most ancient cities on the Mediterranean coast and this year plays host to the America’s Cup.
Valencia offers a wide array of shops, cultural events and attractions, cinemas and theatres, museums, music venues and businesses.

Valencia became a modern city with the opening of the City of Arts and Sciences in 1998. It is Europe’s biggest cultural centre, which is a perfect blend of art, science and nature, and a showcase for the world-renowned, groundbreaking design of the architects Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela.

Valencia is also one of Europe’s busiest trade fair and congress cities. The Museo de las Artes y de las Ciencias comprises four areas: the Museo de las Ciencias “Príncipe Felipe” which hosts temporary and permanent exhibitions about science and cutting-edge technology. L´Hemisfèric, an eye-shaped construction which has an IMAX cinema, the Palacio de las Artes and L’Oceanogràfic.

The Cathedral – which is mainly Gothic in style – and its bell tower, the Miguelet (which stands almost 51 metres tall and has over 200 steps), are some of the city’s best- known landmarks. The climb to the top is well worth it as it boasts splendid views of Valencia. La Lonja de la Seda (a 15th-century Gothic building, the city’s former Silk Exchange, and a World Heritage Site), the IVAM (Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno) and the Museo de Bellas Artes San Pío V, are some of the city’s most important buildings.

Valencia is also known throughout the world for its signature dish, the paella, which is a perfect and balanced combination of garden produce, seafood and meat. The streets of Valencia offer a great shopping experience with unique traditional shops selling handcrafted goods as well as fans, crochet work, ceramics from Manises and clothes.