The city of Valencia has been occupied at different times in its history by the Visigoths, the Moors and the Aragonese. The architecture and the lay out of the city, with its ancient winding roads, reflect this rich and varied history.
Many of the ancient landmarks of the city have been restored with a view to tourism. Valencia is host to approximately 840,000 tourists each year. Part of what is most exciting about visiting Valencia is that it has a medieval city. Some of the landmarks that are not to be missed are naturally in this area. These restored landmarks include the old Towers of the medieval city the Serrano Towers and the Quart Towers. Valencia also boasts monasteries such as the San Miguel de los Reyes monastery. This monastery is home to a specialized library which is well worth a visit. The white sandy Molvarrossa Beach is a site to behold with a 4km long paseo (complete quarters) and many restaurants and bars. There is a vibrant nightlife which makes it an attraction for many young visitors. A great many clubs have opened and during the summer season, there are also a lot of activities that take place on the beach. Down the coast, one can find the orange groves of the famous Valencia oranges.
This large number of annual tourists is partly due to the fact that Valencia has begun to host numerous world events. It features many convention centers. It is a host of the America's Cup which always promises to attract visitors numbering in the hundreds of thousands. It is also hosting an urban circuit of the F1 at the beginning of 2008.
Another attraction to the city is its rich culture, which can be seen on the streets. It is the home to traditional Valencian ceramics and lavishly decorated traditional dresses. The City of Arts and Sciences is an attraction for it beautiful architecture and renowned aquarium (which is the largest in Europe). There is a famous local festival every year in March, known as Las Fallas de Valencia when the city is literally set alight with a celebration of fire. La Tomatina is a yearly tomato fight that draws large crowds. The Semana Santa celebrations are well-known throughout Spain. There are a number of gardens in Valencia that are worth visiting. One of the most beautiful is Turia Gardens, which is an integral part of the city.
It is easy for tourists to travel around Valencia as the Valencia metro is easy to follow. There are a large number of five star hotels for tourists to choose from. In fact, there are a approximately 100 hotels ranging from two stars to five stars, as well as approximately 50 hostels, over 400 guest apartments, over 30 campsites and a couple of spas. This allows the city to accommodate the large number of visitors it receives each year.
