Valencia
City of the Arts & Sciences
Las Fallas
Las Fallas is a yearly festival in Valencia that celebrates the coming of Spring. Typically held in early March, the tradition centers around fire, art and culture. Each year, Fallas, which are neighborhood groups, build enormous wooden structures in the heart of the city, and the area is flooded with parades, celebrations, and other festivities. At the end of the festival, the huge effigys, known as ninots, are burned to the ground. Check out more of Las Fallas below.
Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències
The City of Arts & Sciences is a large complex of futuristic buildings, pools and other architectural curiosities in the city of Valencia. It is one of the 12 Treasures of Spain and sits at the end of a dry river bed that’s been turned into a sunken park. The complex hosts museums, performance centers, and much much more. Fans of Westworld (TV), Brave New World (TV) and Bill & Ted Face the Music may recognize some of the buildings below as they’ve been featured as “futuristic” settings in each.
Valencia Oranges
Fun Fact: Valencia Oranges are not from Valencia! They were actually developed in the USA. However most streets in Valencia are lined with orange trees. Before you grab one and start snacking though, a few things to consider.
The oranges of Valencia are notoriously bitter. Think lemons rather than traditional orange.
Oranges are great at absorbing pollution. So the orange trees that line city streets are picking up all that car exhaust, industrial smog and cigarette smoke.
The bitter orange trees tend to have more aroma, hence the wonderful smell that wafts through the parks and streets of Valencia. Don’t pick the fruit so everyone can enjoy the ambiance!
