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Valencia 

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By papagnoc - Pixabay 

Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía 

Opera house 

Hemisfèric IMAX 3D cinema

Valencia

Sitting right on the  Mediterranean Coast, Valencia is home to miles of golden sand splendid beaches, and swaying palm trees under clear blue skies. It is notable for vast plantations of orange groves.   

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Spain’s third largest city,  is also home to a mix of ultra modern and ancient architecture, creating  a totally unique city to visit.  

 

Valencia is the home of the country’s national  dish, paella – the best place in the world to eat it!                                                                   

City of the Arts and Science

The  impressive City of the Arts and Science, a futuristic complex, is  the city’s most popular tourist attraction. Designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, the project began the first stages of construction in July 1996, and was inaugurated on 16 April 1998 with the opening of L'Hemisfèric, a 3D panoramic cinema. It is a scientific and cultural leisure complex, consisting of 6 buildings and a bridge, spanning over the River Turia. The Oceanogràfic, is Europe's largest aquarium. Several of the buildings have become icons in the city.  One of Europe's most impressive centers dedicated to cultural and scientific exhibitions.                                                                                  

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 L'Umbracle in City of Arts and Sciences complex  Valencia

 By Jared Pedroza - Pixabay 
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Serranos Towers

 The largest Gothic city gateway in Europe. Valencia 

By Pixabay
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Town Hall Valencia 

By darektop69 -  Pixabay 

The Silk Exchange (La Lonja de Seda)

The famous landmark in Valencia, The Silk Exchange, a Gothic-style building declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Here,  the famous Valencian silk was traded with merchants to be sold all over Europe. The main hall, Sala de Contratacion (The Contract Hall) is a large lavishly decorated hall supported by gorgeous twisted columns. The monument  tells the story of  Valencia’s wealth at the time of the booming silk trade and it's aristocratic past.

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Silk Exchange 

By Felivet - wikimedia.org, Public Domain
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The Contract Hall, Silk Exchange 

By Felivet - wikimedia.org, Public Domain

Central Market

Next to the Silk Exchange, is the Central Market, a huge metal, glass and tiled Art Nouveau building opened in 1928. With more than 1200 stores,  selling local fresh products at the best prices in the city.  It is one of the largest and most attractive markets in Europe.

By Felivet - Own work, Public Domain 3.j

Central Market , Valencia

By Felivet - wikimedia.org, Public Domain 
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Central Market Hall, Valencia

By Diego Delso , delso.photo  wikimedia, org, CC BY-SA 3.0 

Cathedral of Valencia

The Gothic cathedral is another prized landmark. Dated from 13th to 14th centuries, the cathedral was modified  and fortified throughout the years, so has a jumble of architecture, from  Renaissance, Baroque to Neoclassical. It is said that the Holy Grail, the cup that Jesus drank from at the last supper, is kept in the Cathedral, one of the must-see attractions. 

By Felivet - Own work, Public Domain 2.j

Cathedral of Valencia 

By Felivet - wikimedia.org, Public Domain 
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Dome of the Cathedral of Valencia

By Felivet - wikimedia.org, Public Domain 

Plaza de la Virgen

Overlooking the cathedral, the Plaza de la Virgen is among the oldest and loveliest of Valencia's many plazas. The graceful Turia fountain in the middle of the square, representsing the River Turia and depicts Neptune. The plaza is host to a number of bars and cafes where you can have drink at any hour of the day and soak up the atmosphere.

By Jean-christophe Bruneau - Flickr .jpe

Plaza de la Virgen , Turia fountain  with the Cathedral in the background .

By Jean-christophe Bruneau - Flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

Port Saplaya

With its unique colourful buildings, boats, harbour and beaches, Port Saplaya  has earned the tourist nickname “Little Venice“.  The beaches, stretching as far as the eye can see, in every shade of blue, invites you for a swim and to indulge in water sports, or just relax under the shady palm.

Port Saplaya

By Mathieu Militis - Pixabay 

Alicante

Alicante, a historical Mediterranean seaport, nestled in the stunning Costa Blanca coastline,  with a medieval fortress, old quarter with cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses  and long waterfront.  A popular destination for Sea lovers , soaking in the sun and the night scene is exciting! It’s busy and buzzy all year round. 

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Besides beaches, the Costa Blanca offers an abundance of golf courses too.  

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Alicante, view from  Santa Barbara Castle

 By armennano - Pixabay 
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Port of Alicante and the Santa Barbara Castle 

By Ruth Archer -  Pixabay 

Santa Barbara Castle

Built in the 9th century, a fortress with medieval Arab origins,  the mighty Castle of Santa Bárbara commands a glorious position on the crown of Mount Benacantil, overlooking the city. It has witnessed centuries of history in this ancient city.

Make your way up to the rooftop ramparts for spectacular views of Alicante, its bay and the vast Mediterranean stretched out at its feet.

By Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0 Castillo_de

Santa Barbara Castle

By Diego Delso delso.photo-  wikimedia, org, CC BY-SA 3.0 
By Joanbanjo - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, C

Santa Barbara Castle

By Joanbanjo - wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 4.0

Old town Santa Cruz (Casco Antiguo-Santa Cruz)

Wandering through the twisting alleyways, steep stairs between whitewashed walls and cobbled terraces lead you past the beautiful Spanish apartments adorned with flowered balconies and around each corner there is something new to see. You won’t mind getting lost in this old part of Alicante, full of atmosphere...!

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By Carolina Selles Milla -  Pixabay 

Basilica of Santa María

In the historic Santa Cruz quarter, the Basilica de Santa María is the oldest church in Alicante. Like many churches in Spain Santa María was built over a former mosque in the 13th century. At the main entrance, there’s a stunning stone carving of the Virgin Mary,  sculpture by Juan Bautista Borja.  Next, you will notice the church’s twin towers, though they may look identical but one was built in the 14th century and the other was from the 18th century.

By Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0 Basílica_de

Basilica of Santa María

By Diego Delso , delso.photo  wikimedia, org, CC BY-SA 3.0 

 Promenade Explanada (La Explanada de Espana)

Alicante’s main and most beautiful promenade. The palm lined promenade starts in the old-town and continues along the city’s seafront to the Marina. The promenade is paved with amazing mosaics that produce a stunning rolling Mediterranean waves pattern. Along the way, you will find a host of  food vendors and local artisans selling traditional crafts and products. An excellent place to find unique souvenirs and tasty treats.  Several of the city's historic attractions are also along the route, including the Town Hall and the Neo-classic Casa Carbonell. 

By Zarateman - Own work, CC0,  Paseo_de_
By Zarateman - wikimedia.org, CC0
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Town Hall

By Diego Delso , delso.photo  wikimedia, org, CC BY-SA 3.0 
By Etnacila - Own work, Public Domain Al

Casa Carbonell

A beaux arts–inspired style architecture built between

1922 & 1925.

By Etnacila - wikimedia.org, Public Domain 

Beaches

Another can’t-miss spot in Alicante are the city beaches. Not only are they extremely accessible, but the beaches in Alicante are some of the best beaches in Spain, with excellent facilities. The beaches are popular for their fine golden sand washed by very light waves, safe for swimming, dip in the lovely blue sea, soak up the beautiful sun or just laze under the sun parasols!  The popular beaches right in the city are San Juan beach (Playa de San Juan) and Postiguet beach (Playa del Postiguet).

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 San Juan Beach (Playa de San Juan)

By Zarateman - wikimedia.org, CC0

 San Juan Beach (Playa de San Juan)

By JPOK - wikimedia.org, CC0
By Carlos Quesada - Own work, CC BY-SA 4

Postiguet Beach ( Playa del Postiguet)

By Carlos Quesada - wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 4.0 

Castellón de la Plana

Despite being a coastal area, Castellón is the second most mountainous province in Spain.  The pleasing freshness of the sea breeze and the soft touch of the endless sandy beaches, luring sea lovers soaking in the sun! The capital city is 

Castelló de la Plana. 

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Castellón de la Plana, lies on the Costa del Azahar by the Mediterranean Sea with gorgeously diverse landscape. The fertile orchards of the Costa Azahar with beautiful, vibrant orange groves, and in the North is hilly, bounded by the Serralada de les Palmes mountain ranges. 

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Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor is the city’s main square, and the sites of some main attractions, including the Central Market, the Town Hall, El Fadri, St. Mary Co-Cathedral and the Knights Street. It is an idyllic place to hang out and just watch life go by.

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Town Hall

By Carmen cerezo - wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 3.0

Cathedral of St. Mary

The Cathedral of St. Mary was originally built in the 12th century and rebuilt after a fire that took place hundreds of years later. This present building and its adjacent bell tower is yet another reconstruction that was built after Spanish Civil War in 1939.

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The Valencian Gothic style bell tower, standing alone, is one of the landmarks of Castellon, locally known as 'El Fadri'.

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Cathedral of St. Mary and the El Fadri

By FDV - wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 4.0
By QUIM70 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 El_Fa
By QUIM70 - wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 3.0

Independence Square

The name of the square is dedicated to the Spanish War of Independence . It is a large roundabout that links all the streets around it.

By Joanbanjo - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0.jp

Independence Square

By Joanbanjo - wikimedia.org,  CC BY-SA 3.0
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Art Nouveau Stork   House

By Kriegerkalle -wikimedia.org, Public Domain

Huerto Sogueros Square

Sculptures of regional artist Ripolles at Huerto Sogueros square. Biggest sculpture of Ripolles which are many across the city of Castellon. Colorful and very imaginative modern art.

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 Plaza Huerto Sogueros Castellón de la Plana

By  ANTO ABELLAN -  Pixabay 

Ribalta Park

Named after Spanish painter Francesc Ribalta , the charming Ribalta Park  is the only public park in the centre of Castellón de la Plana. Along the park you can see several monuments. The most outstsanding is the obelisk that commemorates the defense of Castellón in the civil war against the troops of the Carlist in 1837. The central pathway and the park in general is filled with elegant ceramic benches.

By Joanbanjo - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 1.

The Obelisk

By Joanbanjo - wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 3.0 
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By Coentor - wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 3.0

El Grau de Castellon

El Grau de Castellon, the Marina of Castellón de la Plana, the gateway to the sea located just four kilometers away from the city center, is home to beautifully relaxing beaches during the day and some upbeat nightlife for evening entertainment. There’s a casino, lots of lovely bars, restaurants and pubs open until wee hour during summer.

by sabri ismail from Pixabay.jpg
By sabri ismail - Pixabay
By Juan Emilio Prades Bel - Own work, Pl
By Juan Emilio Prades Bel -wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 3.0
By Piquito - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.jpg
By Piquito - wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 4.0
El_Grau_de_Castellón_-_By velomartinez,

El Grau de Castellón

By velomartinez - wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 3.0

Peniscola

Peniscola, a charming little seaside town near Castellón North of Valencia.  It is a fortified seaport, with a lighthouse, built on a rocky headland and joined to the mainland by only a narrow strip of land (tombolo).

 

Walking through the streets of Peniscola, is like going back in the medieval time, for it is a truly unique place where one can find all the peace and tranquillity that have been forgotten by the modern era.

 

The majestic Peniscola Castle was built by the Knights Templar in the 13th century on the previous site of an old Moorish citadel and later, became home to Pope Benedict XIII (Papa Luna), who turned it into a palace and papal library in 1411.

Perching on the highest point of the rocky headland, the castle offers stunning vista over the city.

 

Today, the castle is a prestigious cultural center that hosts numerous art exhibitions, festivals, and conferences throughout the year.

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Peniscola old town 

By gayulo - Pixabay 
El_Papa_Luna_-_panoramio.jpgBy carlos co

Statue of  Pope Luna

By carlos corzo - wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 3.0
p R1-53-0000142.jpgBy A2FRAMES - Own wor

 Houses in Peníscola

By A2FRAMES - wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Peniscola Castle

By mestdagh - wikimedia.org,  CC BY-SA 2.0
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 House decorated with seashells,   Peníscola

By sito.rm- wikimedia.org, CC BY-SA 3.0
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