Accessing the beaches:
Metro Sagunto is just 3 min walk from the building's entrance and L.4 takes you directly to the wide sandy beach of Malverossa the F.1 city race circuit & America's Cup Port. Just 15-18 min traveling at only 0.61cents with 'bonometro'.
Slightly further away is the gloriously long (40km) sandy beach of El Saler - half an hour from the main bus station/Plaza Reina 0.5km walk; its duned backdrop offering charm and tranquility. Permitted nudist areas are also to be found. Great cycle paths meander along this beach for several miles.
Albufera, Valencia's largest fresh-water lake/nature reserve parallels El Saler slightly inland. 8€ Boat trips navigate through reed lined waterways so you can enjoy watching a huge array of wildlife in its natural habitat.
El Palmer is a small town encroaching into the Albufera. Eating Paella at one of the many restaurants is a must. so summer weekends are jammed with 'Valencianos' (people from Valencia); chose a weekday for better service.
Arts and Culture/Biopark etc:
Valencia, in addition to its fine galleries and museums all free Sunday entrance, offers numerous 'fiestas' throughout the year. The renowned 'Las Fallas' - is in March with tremendous firework displays and all night revelry for a week - on the last night 19th the monuments are burnt to ashes in La Crema. The main Plazas of de la Reina & de la Virgen are 10mins and the Plaza Ayuntamiento is approximately 15 min walk away.
'Moros y Cristianos' 22-24 April enactments of the regions liberation from the Moors.
'Corpus Cristi' procession 9th Sunday after Easter.
July Fair 2nd fortnight with fireworks 'Battle of the flowers' fireworks with over a million flowers thrown to the public.
October 9th Valencia commemorates James I reconquest of Valencia.
The city boasts a world class orchestra at the Palau del Musica and the new Palau del Artistes is Santiago Calatrava's architectural masterpiece.
Europe's largest Biopark, with over 1000 species is easily accessed by metro/walk 20/45 min
Shopping in Valencia:
Valencia offers quality shopping at El Cortes Ingles plus 5 'top-notch' department stores. 2 are just 10 min walk at the Nuevo centre; over 250 shops and 3 in Calle Colon. Mango and Zara shops in addition to other Spanish designers; Loewe, Adolfo Dominguez, Purification Garcia, Max Mara etc.
Visit 'Bonaire' (one of Spain's foremost shopping malls) for upwards of 80% reduction off High St prices with top brands ie; Zara, Mango, 'hip' Desigual, 'cool' Adolfo Dominguez etc, with end-of-line' and factory 'over-runs'. Pick up a choice designer item for considerably less then most up-market British malls. Enjoy a three course lunch ('menu del dia') at VIPS (Upmarket Spanish chain)for 8€ . Buses leave every 15 min- allow 45 min from main bus station. Take a local bus no 8 to station or walk 12 min. Taxi 14-16mins approximately.
Flea markets; Sunday at football stadium, Tuesday street market opposite building in addition Valencia's biggest street market -block from the train station
Ski:
Skiing at Javalambria and Valdineres in the mountains of Tereul. About 1.40 hours travelling time. Small resorts but high and boast quite reasonable red, blues and green runs about 7/8 runs at each resort. Great for a day out. You do however require a car to get to these resorts.1st Dec - late March
Golf:
Valencia's premier golf course is at El Saler. 20/25 mins by car/taxi. There is also a good range in Betera at La Calderona Spa and country club - 35 min's by metro/train then 5 mins in a taxi. Car allow 20 mins.
BIKING and WALKING
Sierra Calderona for spectaciular mountain walks (any time of year) encircling the vale of Valencia/La Huerta overlooking scented orange and almond groves from the N.E quarter over to S.E Spain's strategic Roman settlement of Sagunto (Cn be visited readily within 30/45min by train/bus) Enjoy breathtaking scenery through Pine scented glades and beyond to the Med' coastline. Easily accessed by metro line 1 to Betera from Empalme via line 4 westbound (around 40 mins) and then metro-bus from Betera to Serra (charming C17 pueblo/village) approx 30-40 mins via Naquera past grand country estates up into the mountains for the peace and amazing tranquillity. Superb and thrilling rides for keen mountain bikers. 35 mins by car - Valencianos love this neck of the woods over long weekends for its beauty and tranquility....
Other Activities:
Turia river gardens @ 350m for Biopark, city of arts and Science, Palaus etc
