Valencia

Plaça de la Reina, s/n· Cheap

It was the site of a Roman temple, then a Visigothic cathedral, and then a Moorish grand mosque. It is now the seat of the archbishropic of Valencia.

· Free

A botanic garden landscaped with plants native to Valencia. The park also has the Jardí d'Astronomia (Jardín de la Astronomía / Astronomy Garden) and the Passeig de l'Art (Paseo del Arte / Art Promenade), which has permanent and temporary…

· Cheap

A science museum designed to resemble a whale skeleton, it has interactive exhibits on three floors.

A multi-use covered plaza, designed for sporting events, concerts, and special exhibits.

The focus of this side chapel is a chalice of agate, the top of which is believed by the devout to be none other than the Holy Grail. Of the handful of similar chalices with the same claim, this is deemed by many scholars to be the most…

The striking cable-stayed bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava and completed in 2008, crosses the dry Túria riverbed. At 125 m high, the bridge tower is the highest point in Valencia.

· Free

The city has been celebrating Corpus Christi since the late 13th century, and holding feast day processions since 1355. The main procession, known as the Cavalcada del Convit (Spanish: Cabalgata del Convite) begins at 12:00 and follows an…

Mestalla

Designed by José María de Paredes and opened in 1987, this is considered to be one of Europe's most important concert halls. The building is marked by an enormous glass greenhouse-like structure which also serves as the main entrance.

City of Arts and Sciences

This opera/concert house has four halls and covers an area of 37,000m². A schedule of events can be found here.

This annual public holiday has been celebrated since 1338 and commemorates the date in 1238 when King James I of Aragón entered the city, freeing it from Moorish rule.

The day is devoted to celebrating the Virgen de los Desamparados, Valencia's patron saint. After a formal mass at 08:00 in the Plaça de la Virgen, a ceremonial procession transfers the effigy of the Virgin from the royal chapel to the…

last Friday before the Battala de Flors; parade begins at 23:00

This energetic festival began in medieval Catalonia and is celebrated throughout the Catalán/Valencian-speaking region. Participants dress as devils with pitchforks and dance through the streets to drums, setting off fireworks and…

A stew made of eel, a snake like fish typical from the Albufera, a lagoon near Valencia. You can drive to El Palmar and taste it there. Delicious, but a very special taste.

This paella-like dish, with short noodles and fish, was invented in Gandía and can be usually found in paella restaurants. It deserves a try too.

Also cooked in fish stock, this rice dish is black because it contains squid ink, as well as squid or cuttlefish, peppers, and paprika.

A side dish of rice cooked in fish stock, usually served with alioli.

A kind of milk-based soft ice cream with a cinnamon-lemon taste.

Plaça de Vicent Iborra, s/n· Moderate

In town centre and specialised in backpackers and groups. The cheapest one in Valencia, and claims to be the 'best'. Free Wi-Fi and bed linens, wheelchair accessible, nonsmoking rooms, free Wi-Fi. Towels

Benimàmet, near the Les Carolines metro stop· Cheap

On the northern outskirts of the city, the hotel has nonsmoking rooms, an onsite restaurant and bar, and free Wi-Fi. Pets permitted on request, free nearby parking.

Plaça de Tetuán, 5· Pricey

A good budget hostel in Valencia hostel in the city centre. Has free Wi-Fi, family room, rooftop terrace and barbecue, and bar.

Carrer de la Pau, 36· Pricey

A good budget hostel Valencia in the city centre. Has a large kitchen free lockers, free bed linen, and free Wi-Fi; towels

Carrer dels Cadirers, 11· Pricey

11 rooms (double, triple, quadruple) with balconies, aesthetically decorated, no en-suite bathrooms, in a quiet alleyway.

Plaça del Temple, 6· Moderate

Has nonsmoking rooms, free Wi-Fi, and a 24-hr front desk.