Destinations > Spain > Comunidad Valenciana

Comunitat Valenciana
(Comunidad Valenciana)

This coastal region south of Catalunya is known for Valencia oranges along with vibrant city's including Alicante and Valencia. This region is also home to the Costa Blanca, a hideous resort development centred around Benidorm.

In many aspects Valencia is a continuation of Catalunya and Catalan is widely spoken, particularly in rural areas.

Alicante (Alacant)

Despite it's close proximity to the package tour resorts on the Costa Blanca, Alicante is a pleasant city with great nightlife and relaxing tree-lined boulevards.

Alicante's main attraction is the 16th century Castillo de Santa Bárbara with its prominent position overlooking the city.

Practical Information

Alicante Tourist Information Centre

Explanada de España 2, Alicante

Tel (96) 520 00 00

Accommodation

Residència Juvenil La Florida

Avenida de Orihuela 59, 03007 Alicante
Tel 96 511 30 44

Valencia

Spain's third largest city doesn't have a lot of attractions, but it's a great place to soak up Spanish culture and enjoy a vibrant nightlife. Although it's not packed with tourist sights, there are a couple of good museums including the Museo de Bellas Artes and the Ciudad de las Artes de las Ciencias. Other attractions include the cathedral which claims to be home to the holy grail, the Ayuntamiento and the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas.

While you're here, try some paella in it's home city and if you're visiting in March make sure you take part in the festivities of the city's major festival - Las Fallas de San José.

Like Barcelona, Valencia is a bilingual city with a large Catalan speaking minority.

Practical Information

Valencia Tourist Information Centre

Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Valencia

Tel (96) 351 04 17

Coming & Going

Valencia is well connected to the rest of the country. Train travel is generally the best way to get here with frequent trains to Alicante, Barcelona and Madrid departing from Estación del Norte on Calle de Játiva.

The bus station is located on Avinida Menéndez Pidal around 2km from the city centre. There are frequent buses to Alicante, Barcelona and Madrid.

There are frequent ferries operated by Trasmediterránea (website www.trasmediterranea.es) between Valencia and the Balearic Islands departing from the estación marítima at the harbour.

Local Transport

Valencia has a comprehensive public transport network comprising buses, suburban trains and a metro.

The metro (website www.metrovalencia.com) is the easiest way to get around and is comprised of three lines (lines 1, 3 and 4). Single tickets cost €1.10. There are two different 10-trip tickets; the Bono-Metro costs €5.40 and is good for 10 metro trips and the B-10 ticket is €6.30 and is good for 10 metro trips (and allows a bus tranfer). A day passs for both the metro and buses costs €3, a monthly pass is €32.

The suburban train network (Cercanias/Rodalies; website www.renfe.es/cercanias/valencia/index_horarios.html) may be handy if you're travelling to the suburbs and surrounding districts.

Single tickets on the suburban train network start at €1.05 with return tickets starting at €1.45 for trips within one zone. Prices vary according to a six zone network. Monthly tickets are available starting at €20.80 for one zone.

Accommodation

Alberg Juvenil Cuitat de València

Balmes 17, 46001 Valencia
Metro Àngel Gimerá
Tel 96 392 51 00

Alberg Juvenil La Paz

Avinguda del Puerto 69, 46023 Valencia
Metro Amistat Bus 1, 2, 3, 4
Tel 96 361 74 59

Center Valencia Backpackers' Hostel

Calle de Samaniego 18, 46003 Valencia
Metro Pont de Fusta
Tel 963 914 832

Hôme Backpackers

Plaza de Vicente Iborra, 46003 Valencia
Tel 96 391 37 97

Hôme Youth Hostel

Calle de la Lonja 4, 46001 Valencia
Tel 96 391 62 29

Indigo Youth Hostel

Calle de Guillem de Castro 64, 46001 Valencia
Metro Àngel Gimerá, Xativa
Tel 963 153 988

Purple Nest Hostel

Plaza de Tetuán 5, 46003 Valencia
Metro Alameda, Colón
Tel 96 353 25 61

Red Nest Hostel

Calle de La Paz 36, 46003 Valencia
Metro Alameda, Colón
Tel 963 427 168

Russafa Youth Hostel

Calle del Padre Perera 5, 46006 Valencia
Tel 963 289 460