Valencia It is a Spanish city and municipality that is very attractive for tourism. Like every year, at Christmas, it is dressed in emotion, traditions and culture to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and this 2023 will be no exception.
Valencia Mediterranean Christmas, this is how the tourism website receives its visitors, so let's see what we can enjoy this special month of December in beautiful Valencia.
Valencia
First, some notes about the origin and history of this city. It was founded by the Romans in 138 BC, with the elegant name of Valence of the Edetans. After them and the Visigoths came the Muslims, bringing their rich culture with them.
James I of Aragon reconquered it by distributing the lands among nobles who had contributed to the cause. The kingdom of Valencia was formed within the Crown of Aragon, a kingdom that lasted until the XNUMXth century.
Valencia It is on the Turia River, on the coast of the peninsula, in the Gulf of Valencia. Enjoy a mediterranean climate, with warm summers and mild winters, so going at Christmas is a pleasure.
Valencia at Christmas
By this time the city is already completely decorated with garlands, flowers and lights. There is a lot of color in the streets. It all starts on December 1st, this year started with circus shows, the Amusement Fair and everything Christmas in it Palau de la Mùsica. Then, on December 20, you can hear beautiful medieval gregorian chants in the no less beautiful Cathedral of Valencia.
Another classic of Christmas in Valencia are the mangers or nativity scenes and the people visiting them. The most popular nativity scenes They are those in the Plaza de la Reina, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento or the Salón de Cristal.
Precisely in the Town Hall Square Many events take place, and it is the place that one cannot miss if you go to the city: a Ice skating rink and a nice little train leaves from here that goes around the city. The great thing is that by doing your Christmas shopping in the shops in the historic center you can get some vouchers, the Divertival, which make the Christmas activities that Valencia proposes cheaper.
The ice skating rink offers 30-minute sessions under an unforgettable Christmas blanket, and only closes on January 7. It is open from Monday to Sunday from 11 am to 11 pm and on December 24 and 31 it is open until 8 pm. Use of the rink costs between 9 or 6 euros with 1 Divertivale, and of course, skate rental is included.
In the heart of the square we can also see the traditional christmas carousel, all decorated, bright and musical. A charm for the little ones. It will operate until December 22, Monday to Friday from 11 am to 2 pm, and from 4 to 11 pm. On weekends and holidays it operates from 11 am to 11 pm.
Then, between December 23 and January 7 it will operate from Monday to Sunday from 11 am to 11 pm, and December 24 and 31 from 11 am to 8 pm. Price? 3,50 euros the trip. Another Christmas classic in Valencia is the little train that runs through its most emblematic streets, the Merchants Train. This ride costs 3 euros or 1 Divertivale.
On the other hand, like many other cities, Valencia organizes christmas markets where you can also buy gifts or just walk around. Many sell local crafts, for example Crafts Fair that this 2023 it operates in the Plaza de la Reina, between November 24 and January 7 with split hours, but be careful that on December 24 and 31 it only opens in the morning, although on January 5 it will only close at midnight .
Another place to find crafts is Craft exhibition at the Colón Market, within the market itself. In addition to gastronomy, here you can buy a little bit of everything, from leather goods, ceramics and jewelry to toys. There is also the City of Arts and Sciences, which combines gifts and gastronomic offers in its carts. And if you like those old and elegant jobs of yesteryear (luthier, carpenter), this is a good place.
Ho Ho Ho is the name of the Christmas market at the Tapinería Market, which opens its doors next December 21 and until January 5. For the known Kings Market We have to wait until next year because it opens from January 3 to 5, from 9 am to 10 pm.
In the sports area of the San Antonio Abad School the Valencia Christmas Market to feel a little bit in New York: ice skating, food trucks and much more. You have to buy tickets but really, if you want to have a good time, there are many attractions. You can buy tickets at Avenida Primado Reig 8. Prices vary: if you go after 6 pm entry is free, early entry to the late ice rink costs 8 euros and the same to the American rink.
On the other hand, from December 23 to 30 some municipal museums open their doors for free. From December 2 to 31 you can visit the Printing Market, from December 6 to January 4, a nice experience is traveling aboard the Christmas Boat in La Marina. Adults and children pay 7 euros and if the group is over 20, one euro less. At the La PlaZeta Theater from December 23 to January 6 you can enjoy the show, Onirika, the Dream Factory.
From December 25 to January 4, the València Children's and Youth Fair with music and workshops and much more. And until January 7 you have time to go to the Ateneo de Valencia and visit Titanic: the ship of dreams. You can also visit the Bioparc where Christmas is also celebrated, do the Route of the Nativity Scenes or the Christmas Tree Route or have a good time in the Alaska Circus with tickets from 15 euros.
Up to here we tell you everything you can do to enjoy the Christmas in Valencia. But you also enjoy eating and drinking, so what is the Christmas gastronomy in Valencia?
A Valencian Christmas table has lAngostino, cheese, ham, prawns, lots of Mediterranean fish, lamb and turkey, stews, nougat, sweet potato pastries and sweet potato pastries, among other things. And obviously, everything washed down with cavas and wines.