Reasons to travel to Valencia in 2023
Valencia never stops. The city is increasingly accessible and sustainable, and it improves its cultural and leisure activities year after year. That’s why there are always new reasons to visit.
Valencia celebrates the year of Sorolla
2023 marks the hundred-year anniversary of the death of Joaquín Sorolla, the painter who so masterfully captured the light of the Mediterranean in his paintings. There’s no better time to admire his work and follow in his footsteps in the city of his birth. The Valencia Museum of Fine Arts has a permanent collection by the artist, with works such as “Grupa valenciana” and “Figuras de casacas jugando en un jardín”. This year it will also host the immersive exhibition “Sorolla through light”. You can also take a tour of the places associated with the painter, including his birthplace, next to the church of Santa Catalina where he was baptized; the Centro del Carmen, former school of Fine Arts where he was trained; the Centro Cultural Bancaja, which usually dedicates temporary exhibitions to him; and Malvarrosa Beach, which inspired some of his most famous scenes. The company Turiart offers guided tours of Sorolla‘s Valencia on the first Sunday of each month, and you can taste dishes inspired by his work in the Vertical restaurant. It’s time to discover the light and places that inspired the artist.
European Green Capital 2024
Valencia’s commitment to sustainability has already earned it several international awards. The most recent was the European Commission’s designation as Green Capital for 2024, for having implemented projects to reduce the environmental impact and improve the quality of life. The creation and protection of green spaces, such as the Albufera Natural Park, the peri-urban farmland and the Turia Garden, combine with sustainable mobility initiatives, proper urban waste management and the pedestrianization of public spaces.
One of the best ways to explore Valencia is on foot or by bike, getting lost in the narrow streets of the historic center or strolling through its parks and boulevards. This year, visitors can enjoy more than 30,000 m2 of new pedestrian areas, with Plaza de la Reina joining the existing areas in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento and the Plaza del Mercado, between the Central Market and La Lonja. These are ideal spaces to enjoy the atmosphere and the nearby historic monuments and buildings.
Cycling is another healthy and sustainable option for exploring Valencia and its surroundings. And now it’s easier than ever thanks to the extensive network of cycle paths and the construction of a new green ring for cyclists and pedestrians around the city. Half of this 56-kilometer circular route connecting the farmland with the sea is already open, and new sections will be added in 2023. It lets visitors tour many natural parks, including the Turia and the Albufera.
Gulliver the giant returns to the Turia Garden
Kids are in luck as the popular Gulliver Park is back and fully restored in the Turia Garden. Once again, they will be able to slide down the jacket of the giant Gulliver, climb up his beard and run between his legs. In addition to improving the lighting and safety of the facilities, a ramp system has also been installed to make the playground accessible to everyone, as well as new garden areas. And inside the space of the figure, a new play area has been built so that children who are not yet able to climb on Gulliver can also enjoy this unique experience. A short distance away is the City of Arts and Sciences, which in 2023 celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Oceanográfic and the 25th anniversary of the Hemisferic, to round out a perfect day with the family.
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