VALENCIA

 

Valencia offers a combination of AVANT-GARDE STYLE, CULTURE and MEDITERRANEAN SPIRIT, bound to captivate any visitor. There are thousands of things to discover, but we would like to suggest reasons why you just have to come and see it for yourself.

1. IEEE SENSORS 2014.
IEEE SENSORS 2014 is intended to provide a forum for research scientists, engineers, and practitioners throughout the world to present their latest research findings, ideas, and applications in the area of sensors and sensing technology. IEEE SENSORS 2014 will include keynote addresses and invited presentations by eminent scientists.

2. 300 days of sunshine.
A mild climate with 300 days of sunshine per year and an average temperature of 19º C make Valencia an ideal destination at any time of year.

3. Mediterranean cuisine.
A rich and varied cuisine whose key ingredient is rice prepared in a variety of ways, with paella as the signature dish.

4. Beaches.
In Valencia, you have seven kilometres of beaches on which to find your perfect spot. Choose from city beaches, which you can get to by metro or tram, or more unspoilt beaches, such as El Saler in the Albufera Natural Park.

5. Lifestyle.
In Valencia, thousands of people soak up the sun all year round at an outdoor bar or café, while having a few tapas and a glass of wine or cold beer. And at night… there are lots of different kinds of scene in the various nightlife areas, from the hotspots in the old town, to those by the sea or in the student areas.

6. Festivals and traditions.
In Valencia there is always something to celebrate. Its most important festivals include Las Fallas, when the city is filled with gigantic sculptures that are burned to mark the arrival of springtime.

7. Green Spaces.
Valencia converted the former bed of the River Turia, which used to run through the city, into an enormous 9 km long park. Today it is a green lung in which to walk, cycle, play sport, go to cafés, etc. Valencia also has a unique and fascinating nature area: the Albufera Natural Park.

8. 2000 years of history.
Valencia contains influences from Roman, Visigoth, Moorish and Medieval cultures. This is evident in many of its iconic monuments and buildings, such as the Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site), La Almoina, the Serranos and Quart Towers and the Cathedral.

9. Cutting-edge architecture.
Great 21st century buildings, such as the City of Arts and Sciences designed by Santiago Calatrava, The Conference Centre by Norman Foster and the Veles e Vents building by David Chipperfield, have all helped to make Valencia a landmark of architecture and a symbol of European avant-garde.

10. Unique nooks and crannies.
Valencia will fascinate you with its charming little spots that do not appear in guidebooks but that you will discover during your visit. The mansion houses and plazas of the Barrio del Carmen, the Plaza Redonda, the Santa Catalina Church - in whose square you will find the narrowest building in Europe - the frescos in the San Nicolás Church, the clock of the Santos Juanes Church, San Vicente’s baptismal font in the San Esteban parish church or the alligator over the door of the El Patriarca Church are just some examples of the hundreds of surprises that Valencia has in store for you.

---

Things to Do

LANGUAGE
There are two official languages in Valencia: Spanish and Catalan (also called ‘Valencian’ in the Valencian Community).

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.

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.

Now you can go shopping in Valencia any day of the year. Although normal shop opening hours are from 10 am to 8.30 pm, you will find malls and shops in tourist areas that are open every day, including Sundays and public holidays (except 1 and 6 January, 1 May and 25 December). The areas where shops are open every day of the week are:

- Jardín del Turia: from Nou d'Octubre bridge to Astilleros bridge.
- Valencia city centre: Ciutat Vella and Ensanche areas.
- Els Orriols: around Ciudad de Valencia stadium.

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.

WEATHER
Valencia enjoys a mild temperate Mediterranean climate. The average annual temperature is 17ºC with warm summers and very mild winters, rarely below 10ºC. There is only light rainfall mainly in autumn and the beginning of spring.

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.

CREDIT CARDS
Most hotels, restaurants and shops in Valencia accept the main credit cards such as American Express, VISA, Mastercard, 4B, Access and Diners Club.

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.

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.

VISAS
The documentation required to travel to Spain varies according to the country of origin.

If you are a citizen of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein: you will need a valid passport or ID card. Additionally, in the case of a minor travelling with an ID document, this must be accompanied by written permission from the parents.

The maximum stay in Spain is 90 days.
There are a number of countries whose citizens are required to have a valid current visa in order to enter Spain. You can find a list of these countries. Citizens of these countries can also travel to Spain if they have a residence permit or a long-term visa issued by another country in the European Union (with the exception of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus), Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein.

Citizens of all other countries must be in possession of documents which justify the object and the conditions of their stay, and be in possession of sufficient economic resources for their maintenance throughout the period they are intending to remain in Spain. The documents they are required to present will vary according to the motive of the trip. You can check these on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation .

It is advisable to take out travel insurance for your trip.

Given that conditions may vary, we suggest that you contact the Spanish Embassy or Consulate to verify these requirements before you start your trip.