Discover Valencia

Valencia is one of Spain’s most rewarding cities — and one of its most underrated. With a Mediterranean climate, seven kilometres of sandy beaches, 2,000 years of history and a food scene that gave the world paella, it is a city that surprises even the most seasoned travellers. Coming to Valencia for your dental treatment is not just a practical decision. It is an opportunity to spend a few days in a place you will want to return to.

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Sun, sea and seven kilometres of beach

Valencia’s urban beaches — Malvarrosa, Las Arenas and El Cabanyal — are awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness and facilities and are just 20 minutes from the city centre by tram. To the south, the beaches of El Saler sit within the Albufera Natural Park, surrounded by pine trees and dunes. If you visit between May and October, the weather is almost guaranteed to be perfect.

2000 years of history in one city

Walking through Valencia’s old quarter you encounter 2,000 years of layered history — Roman, Visigoth, Moorish and Medieval influences visible in the streets, monuments and buildings. The Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange), declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the finest examples of civil Gothic architecture in Europe. The Cathedral houses what many believe to be the Holy Grail. The Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart are two of the best-preserved medieval city gates in Spain.

Alongside the historic core, Valencia has invested in world-class contemporary architecture. The City of Arts and Sciences, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is one of the most photographed modern buildings in Europe. The Conference Centre by Norman Foster and the Veles e Vents building by David Chipperfield complete an extraordinary architectural landscape.

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You can also find fine examples of the Modernista architecture from the beginning of the twentieth century, as the Mercado Central (central market) or the Mercado de Colón (Colon Market) or cutting-edge architecture buildings as the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences designed by Santiago Calatrava, The Conference Centre by Norman Foster or the Veles e Vents building by David Chipperfield.

River Turia gardens

After devastating floods in 1957, the River Turia was diverted around the city. The former riverbed — nearly 9 kilometres long — was transformed into a continuous park that runs through the heart of Valencia. Today it is a green lung of gardens, cycle paths, sports facilities, playgrounds and cafes. It connects the old town to the City of Arts and Sciences and is one of the best urban parks in Europe.

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Mediterranean cuisine and the home of paella

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Valencia is the birthplace of paella, and eating it here — properly made with local rice, fresh ingredients and cooked over an open flame — is a different experience from anything you will find elsewhere. Beyond paella, the city has a vast offer of Mediterranean cuisine: fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables, citrus fruit from the surrounding orchards and a thriving restaurant scene ranging from traditional taverns to award-winning contemporary kitchens.

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Nightlife and culture

Valencia has a thriving cultural scene with world-class museums, theatres and the magnificent Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía opera house. Its nightlife is equally lively, with the neighbourhoods of El Carmen, Ruzafa and the Eixample offering bars, restaurants and music venues to suit every taste.

Las Fallas

If you visit between 15 and 19 March, you will witness Las Fallas — Valencia’s most extraordinary festival. Gigantic satirical sculptures fill the streets for a week before being burned on the final night. The daily Mascletà, a choreographed display of fireworks in the main square, draws thousands of spectators every afternoon. It is one of the most spectacular festivals in Europe and has been declared an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

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Valencia will fascinate you with its charming little spots that do not appear in guidebooks but that you will discover during your visit. The mansion houses and plazas of the Barrio del Carmen, the Plaza Redonda, the Santa Catalina Church — in whose square you will find the narrowest building in Europe — the frescos in the San Nicolás Church, the clock of the Santos Juanes Church, San Vicente’s baptismal font in the San Esteban parish church or the alligator over the door of the El Patriarca Church are just some examples of the hundreds of surprises that Valencia has for you.

Find out more at the official Visit Valencia website or the Lonely Planet guide to Valencia.

Valencia is compact, flat and easy to navigate on foot or by bike. The airport is just 8 kilometres from the city centre, connected by metro in 20 minutes. Direct flights operate from nine UK airports and Dublin year-round. You can fly out on a Friday, spend the weekend discovering the city and attending your dental appointment, and be back home by Sunday evening having saved significantly on your treatment compared to UK prices.

Ready to plan your visit? See our guide to flights from the UK and Ireland, browse hotels in Valencia, or find out how dental tourism works.

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