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MAC Valencia - Neighborhood Guide
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Schmap Valencia guide and map
If you are visiting Valencia for the first time or you've heard about this great city, the first thing that will call your attention is the incredible light that reaches every corner, the great weather lasting all year long, or the friendly nature of its people. All this is true, as is the fact that together with Barcelona, these two cities are the most important on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, and, within the last few years, Valencia has grown tremendously.

But perhaps what might surprise you even more is its incredible diversity. Moving from one area of the city to another means being surrounded by completely different urban landscapes, so much so that you might even think you're in a different city altogether.

The Centre

A good point to start a sightseeing trip through the city is without a doubt the historic centre of town. The Ayuntamiento (Town Council) and Correos (Main Post Office) buildings stand out as some impressive buildings worth visiting. If you head towards the Plaza de la Reina, this large square introduces you into an older part of town with turn-of-the-century buildings and, just beyond that, the historic Old Quarter and the Barrio del Carmen neighbourhood. Some of the buildings in this area date from the period of Arab domination of the city and others incorporate the old walls into their structure. The palaces in this part have been restored and turned into luxury restaurants or official government buildings. A walk along the narrow, cobble-stoned streets will give you a flavour for the past, combined with the modernity that the many bars, cafés and clubs of this area have to offer.

University Area

The new Town Council was built in this area as was Calatrava Bridge. The latter is an example of the innovative architecture found in Valencia. It joins the two shores of the Turia riverbed which has now been turned into a fantastic garden and recreational area running through the entire city. This area, in fact, is almost like a triangle of modernity between Alameda-Blasco Ibánez and Avenida de Aragón where you'll also find a good part of the university campus in the city. It is also where you'll find modern glass skyscrapers, some of the best restaurants, pubs and night clubs in the city, together with the best parks and gardens, such as the Jardines del Real or 'Viveros', Jardines de Monforte, or the Alameda. It is here in front of the river Turia that you will find the Palau de la Música, with its huge glass dome--the main venue in the city for concerts and all sorts of cultural events.

Cánovas

Classicism, harmony, good taste, luxury shops and restaurants, without a doubt, that is what you will find in the Cánovas area and its streets lined with turn-of-the-century buildings. This is the traditional residential area for the Valencian bourgeoisie and nowadays home to some of the best clubs and high-standard, quality restaurants in the city. Bordering on the old quarter, you'll find Colón Street, which has some of the most elegant boutiques and shops in the city, and, of course, the Corte Inglés department store.

The Beaches

We cannot end without talking about the most characteristic feature of this city, which gives it colour and life: the Mediterranean, of course. That inseparable part of our culture is very easily reached, and if you get to it by walking along the Avenida del Puerto, your efforts will be rewarded. This last avenue is lined with typical and traditional restaurants, some of them with the honour of having been visited by Hemingway on one of his visits to Valencia. Others more recently opened are a display of modern Valencian design, a city with a reputation for great creators.

The city's coast consists of three beaches: Las Arenas, La Malvarrosa and Alboraya, in addition to the Cabañal neighbourhood, where the city's fishermen once lived. If you are fit enough, try to walk along all three in just one morning. If not, just enjoy the landscape and the sea breeze while sipping on a refreshing drink in any of the open air terraces facing the sea.

This is Valencia in very general terms, but if you decide to get to know it on your own, you will discover lots of details, beautiful plazas and charming neighbourhoods that will probably have you back here again and again to try to find even more.







Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

City Centre


 Valencia
Spain
 A good point to start a sightseeing trip through the city is without a doubt the historic centre of town. The Ayuntamiento (Town council) and Correos (Main Post Office) buildings stand out as some impressive buildings worth visiting. If you head toward the Plaza de la Reina, this large square introduces you into an older part of town with turn-of-the-century buildings and just beyond that, the historic Old Quarter and the Barrio del Carmen neighbourhood. Some of the buildings in this area date from the period of Arab domination of the city and others incorporate the old walls into their structure. The palaces in this part have been restored and turned into luxury restaurants or official government buildings. A walk along the narrow streets will give you a flavour of the past, combined with the modernity that this area has to offer.

Review © 2007, Wcities
City Centre photo by Lauren Cox
Photo: Lauren Cox
City Centre photo by Priscilla Yuen
Photo: Priscilla Yuen
City Centre photo by Ilango Leonardo Srir
Photo: Ilango Leonardo Srir
City Centre photo by Chris O'Connell
Photo: Chris O'Connell
City Centre photo by Barbara Raekson
Photo: Barbara Raekson
 

 
Cánovas


 Valencia
Spain
 Classicism, harmony, good taste, luxury shops and restaurants, without a doubt, that is what you will find in the Cánovas area and its streets lined with turn-of-the-century buildings. This is the traditional residential area for the Valencian bourgeoisie, and nowadays home to some of the best clubs and high standard, quality restaurants in the city. Bordering on the old quarter, you'll find Colón street, which has some of the most elegant boutiques and shops in the city, and of course, the Corte Inglés department store.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Cánovas photo by Sergi Albir
Photo: Sergi Albir
 

 
The Beaches


 Valencia
Spain
 We cannot end without talking about the most characteristic feature of this city, which gives it colour and life: the Mediterranean, of course. That inseparable part of our culture is very easily reached, and if you get to it by walking along the Avenida del Puerto, your efforts will be rewarded. This last avenue is lined with typical and traditional restaurants, some of them with the honour of having been visited by Hemingway on one of his visits to Valencia. Others more recently opened are a display of modern Valencian design, a city with a reputation for great creators. The city's coast consists of three beaches: Las Arenas, la Malvarrosa and Alboraya, in addition to the Caba?al neighbourhood, where the city's fishermen once lived. Now, though, just enjoy the landscape and breeze while sipping a refreshing drink in any of the terraces facing the sea.

Review © 2007, Wcities
The Beaches photo by Duncan Laws
Photo: Duncan Laws
The Beaches photo by Duncan Laws
Photo: Duncan Laws
The Beaches photo by nikto
Photo: nikto
The Beaches photo by jan jernmark
Photo: jan jernmark
 

 
University Area


 Valencia
Spain
 The new Town Council was built in this area as was Calatrava bridge. The latter is an example of the innovative architecture found in Valencia. It joins the two shores of the Turia riverbed which has now been turned into a fantastic garden and recreational area running through the entire city. This area is almost like a triangle of modernity between Alameda-Blasco Ibánez and Avenida de Aragón. It is also where you'll find modern glass skyscrapers, some of the best restaurants, pubs and night clubs in the city, together with the best parks and gardens, such as the Jardines del Real o 'Viveros', Jardines de Monforte, or the Alameda. It is here in front of the river Turia that you will find the Palau de la Música, with its huge glass dome and main venue in the city for concerts and all sorts of cultural events.

Review © 2007, Wcities
University Area photo by FELIPE G
Photo: FELIPE G
 

 
Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Valencia - Neighborhood Guide"
Valencia
Valencia - Historical Background
Valencia - Where to Stay
Valencia - Dining & Drinking
Valencia - Art & Entertainment

Other nearby cities:
Zaragoza (261 miles)
Toledo (318 miles)
Barcelona (322 miles)
Madrid (325 miles)
Bilbao (470 miles)
Salamanca (484 miles)
Seville (537 miles)
Montpellier (591 miles)
Bordeaux (608 miles)
Marseille (663 miles)

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