landmark
Bioparc Valencia
Innovative Spanish zoo using immersive design to eliminate visible barriers between visitors and African wildlife.
2 km · about 5 min drive
EuropeSpainValencia
Valencia
Valencia, Spain · Europe
About Valencia
Valencia works well as a base: 5 minutes from Alboraya, 15km from Albufera Natural Park.
Valencia is in Spain, with about 820,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Alboraya, about 4 km away.
Valencia, known officially in Valencian as València, is the capital and largest city of the Valencian Community and the province of the same name in Spain. It is located on the banks of the Turia, on the east coast of the Iberian Peninsula on the Mediterranean Sea. With a population of 824,340, it is the thirdRead more
most-populous city in Spain. The urban area of Valencia has 1.6 million people while the metropolitan region has 2.5 million.
Valencia was founded as a Roman colony in 138 BC as
"Valentia Edetanorum". As an autonomous city in late antiquity, its militarization followed the onset of the threat posed by the Byzantine presence to the South, together with effective integration to the Visigothic Kingdom of Toledo in the late 6th century. Islamic rule and acculturation ensued in the 8th century, together with the introduction of new irrigation systems and crops. With the Aragonese Christian conquest in 1238, the city became the capital of the Kingdom of Valencia.
Due to trade with the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, Italian ports, and other Mediterranean locations, the city thrived in the 15th century and Valencia had become one of the largest European cities by the end of the century. The emergence of the Atlantic World affected Mediterranean trade in the global trade networks and, along with insecurity created by Barbary piracy throughout the 16th century. The 16th century had been notable for the large number of religious foundations which, according to one estimate, suggested that one third of its area had been occupied by religious buildings. The city's economic activity suffered a crisis following the expulsion of the Moriscos in 1609.
The city became a major silk manufacturing centre in the 18th century. During the Spanish Civil War, the city served as the provisional seat of the Spanish Government from 1936 to 1937.
The Port of Valencia is one of the busiest container ports in Europe and the Mediterranean. The city is ranked as a Gamma-level global city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. Valencia has numerous celebrations and traditions, such as the Falles (or Fallas), which were declared a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest of Spain in 1965 and an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in November 2016. The city was selected as the World Design Capital 2022 and the European Green Capital 2024.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Valencia?
Within an hour or so of Valencia: Bioparc Valencia (2 km), City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia (3 km), Valencia Street Circuit (4 km), Oceanogràfic Valencia (4 km).
How long does it take to drive to Valencia?
Barcelona to Valencia is about 4 hr 1 min (349 km). Madrid to Valencia is about 4 hr (357 km).
Where is Valencia?
Valencia is in Valencia, Spain, about 4 km from Alboraya.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 824,340
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Spain
- Region
- Valencia
- Timezone
- Europe/Madrid
- Coordinates
- 39.4739, -0.3797
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Spain
Guardia Civil (traffic police): 062. Two warning triangles required in vehicles.
Full driving guide for SpainTags
Worth the detour from Valencia
6 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia
Futuristic cultural complex designed by Santiago Calatrava with an aquarium, planetarium, and opera house.
3 km · about 5 min drive
racetrack
Valencia Street Circuit
A harbourside street circuit that hosted the European Grand Prix from 2008 to 2012, threading through Valencia's port area.
4 km · about 10 min drive
landmark
Oceanogràfic Valencia
Europe's largest aquarium complex within the City of Arts and Sciences, housing over 45,000 marine creatures.
4 km · about 5 min drive
national park
Albufera Natural Park
A vast freshwater lagoon and rice paddies south of Valencia, the birthplace of paella, famed for golden sunset boat trips.
15 km · about 30 min drive
racetrack
Circuit Ricardo Tormo
Valencia's amphitheatre-style circuit where nearly every seat has a view of the entire track, traditionally hosting the MotoGP season finale.
21 km · about 25 min drive
Driving in Spain
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.55/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€4.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Valencia.
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