Valencia, Spain

16 Facts about Valencia

• 1. Valencia is the third largest city in Spain.
• 2. The name Valencia came from the word ”Valentia” which means valor, bravery, strength in English. It was named according to the Roman practice of recognizing the valor of former Roman soldiers after a war.
• 3. Valencia’s port is the biggest on the Mediterranean western coast. It is handling 20% of Spain’s exports. This port has more than 15,000 employees who provide services to more than 7,500 ships every year.
• 4. The weather in Valencia can be hot. The record maximum temperature in this city is 42 degree Celsius. But this autumn it is very comfy around 20 - 25 degrees.
• 5. In Valencia, there are two official languages spoken. They are Valencian and Spanish.
• 6. The Valencia Cathedral is situated in the center of the ancient Roman city where some believe the temple of Diana stood. Although there are several styles of construction, this cathedral is basically a Gothic building.
• 7. Valencia attracts many visitors yearly because of thriving culture, eating and nightlife scenes. Valencia is best known for its trade and culture, cinema, theater, museums, magic, business, and more.
• 8. Valencia is the only city in Spain which have two American football teams in LNFA Serie A, the national first division: Valencia Firebats and Valencia Giants.
• 9. Valencia is the real home of Paella.
• 10. The mighty River Turia that fed Valencia since ancient Iberian times, Transformed from floods to Europe's largest urban park.
• 11. You can’t visit Valencia without seeing the City of Arts and Sciences. This ultra-modern scientific and cultural complex – known in Spanish as la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias – is the largest in Europe, and its striking buildings are fast becoming symbols of the city.
• 12. Oranges! The Valencia area is famed for its abundance of sweet oranges, and it’s no coincidence that Valencia CF usually play their away games wearing an orange shirt. Orange is the colour of the region of Valencia, and the orange is a symbol of the city.
• 13. Maybe it seems like that the leading of Spain is Madrid or Barcelona? Nut no, that's not so. Valencia is a leading economic centre in Spain! The city produces textiles, metals, chemicals, toys, automobiles, agricultural and horticultural products, and ceramic tiles (azulejos) which are exported to other Spanish and foreign cities around the World.
• 14. The City of Arts & Science is a large complex of several stunning buildings, one of which – Oceanografic – is the largest aquarium in Europe!
• 15. Valencia was the capital of Spain for a short period of time during Joseph Bonaparte's rule and during the Spanish Civil War.
• 16. You probably think that the leading economy in Spain is Madrid or Barcelona? No, they are not. Valencia is a leading economic centre in Spain! The city produces textiles, metals, chemicals, toys, automobiles, agricultural and horticultural products, and ceramic tiles (azulejos) which are exported to other Spanish and foreign cities around the World.

The airport is easily accessible

There is only one airport serving Valencia, and it's thankfully quick, easy and cheap to make your way from there to the city centre as it's only 8 kms away.

You can either take:

• Metro lines 3 or 5 for around 20 minutes, exiting at Xativa or Colon. This costs €3.90, but is included within the unlimited transport on the Valencia Tourist Card.
• The Aero-Bus leaves every 15 minutes from outside the terminal. The cheaper city bus (Number 150) also runs to the city centre, with more stops along the way than the Aero-Bus, but costs only €1.50 per person.