Valencia: A love letter

  To consider a city, whether big or small, in the light of its present structure and appearance will undoubtedly work in pragmatic terms: here is the train station, here is the market square, here the old quarter… None withstanding, beneath all the patina of commonplace elements one can find the layers of historical, artistic and, while overlooked even by its native inhabitants, the sublime dimensions that the city holds. Such is the case with Spain’s third most populous city and one of the country’s most overseen but gradually more appreciated gems.

  The city of Valencia lies on Spain’s east coast, being itself the capital of the province and autonomous community of the same name. The city’s history spans over two thousand years and this vast and rich heritage complements the modern appearance and relevance of the city in today’s globalised world. The Iberians, the Romans, the Visigoths, the Muslims, the bustling kingdoms of the late Middle Ages… All sorts of peoples throughout history have made this land their home and one cannot deny the evidence in their motives.

   Valencia’s climate is defined as a mild Mediterranean one which, ignoring the occasional showers during winter and spring, provides the ideal environment for visitors and locals alike. Added to this the luxurious beaches of la Malvarrosa or Pinedo will satisfy anyone with a craving for sun, warm sand and astonishing views of the sea. Valencia’s climate and geography has also produced another peculiar location in the form of la Albufera. It is quite a popular activity to go and visit this freshwater lagoon just outside of the city (and its adjacent nature reserve) for a unique experience in the middle of the Mediterranean pine forests of El Saler.

  Okay, I have just arrived in Valencia. My bags are unpacked and I’m not feeling tired. What could I do? From the best restaurants, whether you are looking for haute cuisine or a taste of the city’s numerous local delicacies, to the standard Spanish neighbourhood bar: your food cravings will be put at ease. Fancy a night out or a quiet evening at a characterful cocktail bar? Valencia can be proud to host a very respectably bustling night-life where every option to be found in any major European city will be open. Theatres, museums, cinemas, public events, live music, pub quizzes… Valencia’s cultural and leisure offer will not disappoint.

   Air traffic into Valencia is regular and the array of hotels, hostels and B&Bs cater to all types of budgets. The metropolitan public transport service is of prime quality: underground, urban bus service, metropolitan area buses… If you wish you can even catch a coach for just over 10 euros and you will be able to enjoy some other coastal towns further south, or Valencia’s exquisitely quaint inland villages. The entire province and beyond will be just a bus ride away. Or you can take advantage of the very efficient train service which will take you, for example, to the popular coastal town of Gandía or even to Spain’s capital city, Madrid, on the high-speed trains that depart from the Joaquín Sorolla AVE station.

  What more is there to say? As a Valencian native I speak with passion about my home town but I hold nothing back when talking about “the capital of the Turia” (after the river that flowed next to the city). As I mentioned before, Valencia is one of Spain’s hidden treasures, overshadowed by other major towns or more popular seaside resort municipalities. I am not saying that other options are not equally valid but I will leave you with this Valencian saying: Més veuen quatre ulls que dos (Four eyes see more than two). Come visit Valencia and see for yourself!

By Rafael Casaní González