Where is it and what does it have to offer?

Where is it?

Valencia is situated in the dimple of Spain's eastern border just above the sizzling Costa Blanca in one of THE sunniest spots in the country. (320 days of sun a year to be precise!) Just 2 hours away from Madrid on the fast train, 3.5 hours away from Barcelona and a tantalisingly quick 1 hour flight to any of the Balearic islands: Menorca, Mallorca and Ibiza, which I think gives me the right to claim I’m in the sweetest spot in Spain!

What does Valencia have to offer?

The land of Paella, oranges, and horchata has so many different cultural experiences to offer but the city goes way beyond just food and drinks. Valencia, first of all, has some of the most beautiful and versatile architecture I have ever seen. I still walk the streets with my jaw dropped to the floor at the stunning infrastructure that awaits around every corner. However, the city certainly isn’t just for standing in one place, I’ve never been in a culture with so many fiestas! It averages out to at least one festival a month so I’d like to thank all the Saints and Virgins for their legacy, it certainly lives on in this city. Hold on though, because it’s not all about indulging in cervezitas, chupitos and dancing the night away. Valencia is also a city of sports, running, cycling, basketball and recently we had the Ironman for the first time here! Valencia is almost completely flat so it caters to many different sports alongside the warm climate which encourages outdoor activities more than anything else.

Between 2022 and 2024, according to many outlets and organisations, Valencia has been top of the list for many favourable categories:

• Healthiest city in the world

• The best travel destination

• World Design capital

• European capital of Smart Tourism

• The best city to live in the world

• European Green Capital

Not to mention the incredible plans the city has to make to achieve climate neutrality by 2030 and reducing CO2 emissions by 80%!

Who’s there and what do they speak?

Valencia is a hugely multi-cultural city and thanks to all its recent recognitions and accolades it’s welcoming more and more cultures and according to latest statistics approximately 830,000 bodies occupy these streets. Dominating, of course, are the Valencians, who make up about 85% of the citizens, with about 12.8% coming from the rest of the world, other Europeans being the majority, followed by Latin Americans.

There are two official languages here, Spanish (Castellano) and Valenciano. Don’t worry though, your efforts on Duolingo will not go to waste as, although Valencian is taught in schools and many citizens use it as their daily language, Castellano is very much the most common language spoken in the city so keep learning it as English proficiency isn’t the strongest here. Even though, down to my personal experience I don’t think Valencians realise how much English they actually do know! I’m amazed at how they effortlessly throw in an English word now and then or ‘Spanishize’ an English verb to make it easier to say. However, the tourists I meet often complain about the lack of English so I guess it depends on your experience.

I am an advocate for trying to communicate, at least a little bit, in the language of the country you’re in and don’t worry, 9 times out of 10 you will be met with a friendly face patiently waiting for you to finish…and then they’ll often reply in English…but at least they understood you!

Valencia, overall, is a really friendly and lively city, welcoming and accepting to all!