Five reasons for this are its all-year-long, near-perfect climate, magnificent beaches along the Costa Blanca, famous southern hospitality, one of the world’s truly great gastronomies and a cultural and artistic tradition that dates back several millennia. On the right you’ll find several more:
A Golfers paradise
European Golf pros discovered La Costa Blanca a long time ago. Americans are just now catching up. There are currently over 15 professional championship courses located less than a 40 minute drive from Valencia. Many have been designed by top Spanish golf professionals such as Sergio Suarez and Severiano Ballesteros. It’s no wonder that Golf alone attracts over half a million visitors to the region of Valencia every year.
Soccer
Valencia’s professional Futbol Club Team is known in Spain and Europe for its great players and training facilities. The Mestalla Futbol Stadium is considered a historic landmark in Valencia. In 1957 when the city experienced a massive flood which covered most of the city, the stadium served as a safe haven for over 20,000 temporary displaced Valencianos. For this reason and many more, the city honors and supports their local team with fanatical appreciation, and in turn the team provides them every year with an exciting season.
Sailing in the favorite venue for the America’s Cup
Valencia and La Costa Blanca is considered to one of the best places to go sailing in Europe. Or anywhere else, for that matter. Is it any wonder that Valencia was chosen to host the last two America’s Cup twice in a row ?
An unparalleled selection of water sports
The Costa Blanca offers water lovers a variety of water sports unmatched in Spain. Fishing and scuba diving. Windsurfing and jet-skiing plus catamaran rides. Rowing, canoeing and kayaking. Water parks, safari parks and aquariums. Or just kicking back, and sun bathing on one of the most inviting soft sand beaches along the Spanish Riviera.
It’s famous for other outdoor sports as well
You have an almost endless list of options: From mountain climbing to hiking along hundreds of footpaths that run through unspoiled natural areas. From canoeing to hiking. From hand-gliding to ultra-light flying. From hot-air ballooning to bungee jumping.
Fiestas and Carnivals
When it comes to throwing a Fiesta, the people of Valencia aren’t to be outdone. Valencia’s famous Las Fallas festival, is without a doubt the most joyful and showy celebration in all of Spain. And no matter when you’re planning on visiting Spain’s great festival city, there’s bound to be a Fiesta, Romeria or celebration going on. The people of Valencia never miss an opportunity to celebrate life !
A dozen World-class Museums
A myriad of museums grace this city. Valencia, along with Madrid and Barcelona, is part of Spain’s new Artistic Renaissance. Besides the famed Valencian Institute of Modern Art (IVAM) which houses one of the largest collections of Spanish masters, or the avant-garde Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences), where you’ll find several museums specializing in various artistic disciplines, such as the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum or the Universal Oceanographic Park.
Valencia is also home to the Spain’s Ceramics Museum, which traces the art of ceramic, from prehistoric Greek and Roman ceramics to pieces by master Picasso, and to complete the experience it is housed in the beautiful historic 18th century mansion of the Marques de Dos Aguas.
An Ecological Wonderland
In the area surrounding Valencia, you’ll find some of the most spectacular caves and geological formations in Spain. You can visit an extraordinary collection of waterfalls, springs and sources in Callosa d’En Sarrià. And you can explore some of Europe’s most phenomenal wetlands as well as several Marine Reserves. Just outside of Valencia you can visit the natural park of La Albufera a favorite destination for ecological experts.
Beautiful Mountainous Seascapes and the Mediterranean Countryside
Valencia is not just defined by the sea, but by the mountains, some soaring to 1,500 meters, that overlook it, creating impressive cliffs and secluded coves. Just west of Valencia, you can experience the real Mediterranean countryside: mountains and valleys dotted with oaks, pines and carob trees, historical remains of by-gone civilizations and picturesque terraced farmland devoted to vineyards, almonds, olives, cherries and loquats. You won’t find such a variety culinary traditions, crafts and festivals anywhere else on the Continent.