Valencia is one of the most important tourist destinations in the Spanish east coast.

In the last two decades Valencia has undergone an amazing transformation. Flagship projects such as the gardens, Jardín del Turia; the IVAM (Valencia Institute of Modern Art); the concert hall, Palau de la Música, and the conference centre, Palau de Congresos; the metro; the Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias (City of the Arts and Sciences), and the park, Parque de Cabecera, have all helped the people of Valencia identify with their city and are attracting ever-larger numbers of tourists. These projects, along with its infrastructures and services – the trade fair centre, Feria Valencia, and the port and airport – and its quality public facilities have made Valencia what it is today; a modern city embracing the future with optimism, firmly established as it is in a prominent position both in Spain and in Europe.

This beautiful Mediterranean city enjoys a mild temperate climate and offers a wealth of gastronomical delights, festivals and cultural events.

General information. Founded by the Romans in the year 138 B.C. Valencia has accumulated enormous wealth from all the cultures which have resided here over the centuries ( Muslims, Goths …) . Stroll through Valencia and feel the plurality and evolution of a city where prosperous historical tradition and recent and innovative architecture stand side by side.
The historic centre with its religious temples, Gothic Barroque and Modernist monuments, the varied and renowned museums, the architectural projects such as the city of Arts and Science, and the Conference Palace are but a few of the many attractions which Valencia has to offer its visitors. Valencia is one of the main industrial centres on the Mediterranean. It has also become a European Congress Centre as well as an important focal point for international business and trade fairs. Valencia is a cosmopolitan city and is ideal for commerce and cultural exchange. Heavily influenced by the sea since its foundation, the city of Valencia’s maritime links are as strong now as they have ever been.
Thanks to this close relationship with the sea, its expertise in staging important events and the unstinting efforts of central, regional and local government, Valencia has been selected ahead of 65 other cities around the world as the host of the 32nd America’s Cup. In hosting this international event in Spring 2007 Valencia will become an exceptional vantage point overlooking the Mediterranean, affording visitors an unrivalled view of the action.
This beautiful Mediterranean city enjoys a mild temperate climate and offers a wealth of gastronomical delights, festivals and cultural events. Browse through the site and find out everything you need to know about your stay.

Language. There are two official languages in Valencia: "Valenciano", used in the Valencian Community, and Spanish, Spain's official language.

Time zone. People generally eat later than in other European countries: breakfast (7:30 and 10:00 a.m.) is similar to the continental style. Restaurants serve lunch between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., and dinner from 8:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.

Postal services. The Central Post and Telegraph Office (Plaza del Ayuntamiento, 24) is open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and between 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
Telephone: 96 310 27 30. Stamps are also available in all tobacconists ("Estancos").

Weather. Valencia enjoys a mild temperate Mediterranean climate. The average annual temperature is seventeen celcius with warm summers and very mild winters, rarely below ten celcius. There is only light rainfall mainly in autumn and the beginning of spring.

Tipping. Tips are included in all prices and bills, so tipping is not considered obligatory. However, if the service received is considered satisfactory, especially in bars and restaurants, a tip is often left.

Holidays
- New Year Day: 1st January
- San Vicente Mártir: 22nd January
- San José: 19th March
- San Vicente Ferrer: 5th April, moved to the Monday following Easter
- Good Friday and Easter Monday: (dates change every year)
- Labour Day: 1st May
- Sant Dionís: 9th October, Valencian Community National Day
- All Saints: 1st of November
- The Day of the Constitution: 6th of December
- The Feast of the Immaculate Conception: 8th of December.

Banks. Most banks are open from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Only a few branches open on Saturday mornings. There are 24-hour automatic tellers around the city, and most (Servired, 4B, etc.) offer international services.

Electricity. Standard electrical voltage in Valencia is 220-240 V AC, 50 Hz. A transformer and an adapter are necessary to use North American electrical appliances whose plugs have two square pins. Adapters are available in most hardware stores.

Valencia on the web

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