A–Z Travel Tips
A
Accommodation (see also Recommended hotels click here)
Spanish hotels are awarded one to five stars according to their facilities – a system that tells you nothing about quality, views or the history of the building, let alone intrinsic personality. Hostels (hostales, denoted by the letter H outside) and pensiones (boarding houses, denoted by the letter P) are more modest types of hotel with fewer facilities. Both are graded with one to three stars. The letter R suffixed to a hotel or hostel sign means residencia and indicates that there is no restaurant.
Valencia’s best hotels get booked up quickly for trade fairs and the Fallas festival in March. In general, prices are quoted per room and breakfast is rarely included. Value added tax (IVA) may or may not be included so it is best to confirm this. When checking in you will be asked to surrender your passport for a short period while the details are copied from it.
I’d like a double/single room. Quisiera una habitación doble/individual
with/without bath/shower double bed con/sin baño/ducha cama de matrimonio
What’s the rate per night? ¿Cuál es el precio por noche?
Is breakfast included? ¿Está incluído el desayuno?
Valencia’s international airport is at Manises (tel: 902 404 704 91 321 1000), 8.5km (5 miles) from the city centre. You can get to the centre by Aero-Bus (every 20 minutes 6am–10pm; €2.50). There are stops on Avenida del Cid (by the police station) and Calle Ángel Guimerá (junction with Calle Juan Llorens). Alternatively, you can take a slower line 150 bus (€1.45, concessions for families, journey takes about 40 min., operates Mon–Sat), metro lines 3 or 5 to the centre; line 5 goes all the way to the port via a tram link (for more information, click here). Taxis line up outside the arrivals hall and charge around €20 for the ride into the centre.
B
Beaches
Valencia’s warm climate means that the many long, sandy beaches accessible from the city can be enjoyed for several months of the year. They get busy during the holiday period of July and August (especially the latter), and at weekends in June and early September.
The Playa de Las Arenas and Playa de la Malvarrosa together comprise the city’s main beach, which is easy to reach from the city centre by buses 95, 99, 32, 31, 1, 2 and 19, the tramway (line 4) or metro (lines 6, 8).
The two most popular beaches to the north of Valencia are La Pobla de Farnals and Port Saplaya, both within easy reach by car. To the south the principal beaches are Playa de Pinedo (6km/4 miles from Valencia) and Playa del Saler (12km/7.5 miles), which are reached by taking the motorway to the town of El Saler and then the coast road, CV-500. There is also a bus service there.
Valencia is an ideal city for cycling around, being flat with a warm, dry climate, and an excellent network of cycle lanes. The local transport company (www.metrovalencia.com) provides information on 18 ‘Bicimetro’ cycle routes that can be accessed using the metro. The city’s public bike system is called Valenbisi (www.valenbisi.com) and offers a simple, efficient and comfortable way to move around. Otherwise, bicycles can be hired from the following:
Cyclobikes Valencia Turia gardens, next to the Gulliver Park, tel: 64 600 67 99, www.cyclotourbike.com; also hires two- and four-seater, pedal-powered cars.
Orange Bikes c/Guillem Sorolla 1, tel: 96 391 75 51, www.orangebikes.net.
Do You Bike Calle del Mar 14, tel: 96 315 55 51, www.doyoubike.com.
Valencia Guías Calle Turia 67; tel: 96 385 17 40, www.valenciaguias.com. Guided bicycle tours around the city.
Budgeting for your trip
Transport to Valencia. For Europeans, Valencia is a short and direct scheduled flight away from many major cities. Budget operators have made flying within Europe much more competitive; however, if you are travelling from beyond Europe the flight will be a considerably greater proportion of your overall budget.
Accommodation. Hotels in Valencia are quite expensive, but many offer special off-peak deals. A cheaper, though less convenient, option is to stay outside Valencia. It is always wise to book ahead.
Meals. Restaurant prices are not cheap, though with favourable exchange rates, even top-rated restaurants may be surprisingly affordable compared to many European capitals. The menú del día, a fixed-price midday meal, is an excellent bargain available in most restaurants, even fancy ones. Spanish wines are reasonably priced.
Local Transport. The sights in the city centre are mostly within walking distance of each other, making public transport use often unnecessary. Public transport in Valencia is inexpensive and even taxis are an affordable way to get around.
Museums. Many of Valencia’s museums and galleries charge for admission. Note that many institutions are free on Sundays and closed on Mondays. See also Valencia Tourist Card.
Valencia Tourist Card. This card permits the holder to travel free on public transport (including the airport route) and gives discounts on entry to museums and other tourist sights, entertainment venues, shops and restaurants. It is available in one-, two- or three-day forms for €15, €20 and €25 respectively (there is also a 7-day card without transport for €10), from tourist information offices, bus stations, hotels, tobacconists, and on-line (with a 10 percent discount). For more details, tel: 90 070 18 18; or go to www.valenciatouristcard.com.
C
Camping
Valencia’s climate makes camping quite easy for most of the year. There are three campsites to the south of the city, close to the sea and the Albufera nature reserve: Camping Coll-Vert, Playa de Pinedo, Carretera del Riu, 486, tel: 96 183 00 36, www.collvertcamping.com; Camping Devesa Gardens, Carretera del Saler, km 13, tel: 96 161 11 36, www.devesagardens.com; and Camping Puzol, Camí riu Turia 3, Playa de Puzol, tel: 96 142 15 27, www.campingpuzol.com.
Car hire
You won’t need a car to move around the city because the transport system is so good and, besides, finding a parking space is often tricky. But if you decide to make trips beyond the urban area you’ll find your own transport will give you more flexibility.
The Enterprise Rent a Car (www.enterprise.com) has an office at Valencia airport (tel: 961 52 27 13), as do other major international car-hire companies, including Avis (tel: 902 110 195, www.avis.es); Hertz (tel: 96 152 37 91); and Europcar (tel: 902 50 30 10, www.europcar.es).
To hire a car you must be over 21 and have had your driving licence for at least a year – citizens of the EU can use their normal licences; other nationals need an international one.
I’d like to hire a car tomorrow/for one day/a week Quisiera alquilar un coche para mañana/por un día/una semana
Please include full insurance. Haga el favor de incluir el seguro a todo riesgo.
unleaded petrol gasolina sin plomo
Fill it up. Lleno, por favor.
Climate
Valencia receives sunshine for most of the year, and has an average annual temperature of 17ºC (63ºF). The best seasons to visit are spring and autumn, although sometimes there is light rainfall in both. Summers can be hot and humid, but winters are mild, with a temperature which rarely falls below 10ºC (50ºF).
Clothing
Valencians like to dress up. Although men are expected to wear jackets in elegant restaurants, smart-casual clothes will do most of the time. In the summer not many people go to restaurants wearing shorts unless the restaurant happens to be right on the beach. Women visiting churches should show respect by not wearing shorts or clothing that’s too revealing. You will need a warm jacket from November to March, or a sweater and raincoat.
Crime and safety
Valencia is one of the safest towns in Spain, but caution should be practised at all times as in any big city, especially in crowded metros or bars. Areas around the harbour or the Malvarrosa neighbourhood can be dangerous at night and it is advisable to avoid small, unlit streets and parks everywhere after dark.
Otherwise precautions are: never leave your bags unattended; don’t carry too much money with you; wear your camera strapped to your body; and photocopy your personal documents and leave the originals in your hotel’s safe, along with your valuables. Don’t leave anything on display inside your car.
If you are the victim of a robbery, go to the nearest police station (comisaría) and make a report (denuncia); you will need it for your insurance claim. For the local police, call 092.
I want to report a theft. Quiero denunciar un robo.
My ticket/wallet/passport has been stolen. Me han robado mi billete/cartera/pasaporte.
D
Driving
When driving in Spain you must be over 18 and carry with you the following documents: your passport, a valid driving licence, registration papers and a Green Card (international insurance certificate for non-EU countries) or a national insurance certificate (EU member states).
Road conditions. Outside of the morning and evening rush hours, Valencia’s roads aren’t too congested for a big city. However, there are big traffic jams on entry roads into the city on Sunday evenings and after holiday weekends.
Motorways. Valencia city and province are well served by main roads and motorways. The A7 motorway coming from the north (Catalonia) and going towards the south (Alicante) is a toll road (autopista). The motorway that goes to the west (Madrid) is toll-free (autovía).
Rules and regulations. You should display a nationality sticker on your car. Most fines for traffic offences are payable on the spot. Driving is on the right and overtaking (passing) is on the left. Give right of way to vehicles coming from the right (unless your road is marked as having priority). The use of front and rear seat belts is compulsory.
Speed limits in Spain for cars are 120km/h (75mph) on motorways, 100km/h (62mph) on broad main roads (two lanes each way), 90km/h (56mph) on other main roads, 50km/h (31mph), or as marked, in densely populated areas.
driving licence carnet de conducir
car registration papers permiso de circulación
Can I park here? ¿Se puede aparcar aquí?
Are we on the right road for…?¿Es ésta la carretera hacia…?
Where does this road lead? ¿Adónde va esta carretera?
Fill the tank please Llénelo, por favor,
top grade con super.
petrol gasolina
unleaded petrol gasolina sin plomo
diesel gasoléo
Please check the oil/tyres/battery Por favor, controle el aceite/los neumáticos/la batería.
I’ve broken down Mi coche se ha estropeado.
There’s been an accident Ha habido un accidente.
Always carry your driving licence and/or international driving permit with you. As the police can demand to see your passport at any time, it is also a good idea to carry a photocopy of its important pages.
Spanish law requires that your car should carry a reflective safety jacket in the event of a roadside emergency and a warning triangle. Seat belts are compulsory and children under the age of 12 or measuring less than 135cm in height can travel on the front seat if they are in a child restraint system adapted to their size and weight.
Breakdowns. Spanish garages are efficient and spare parts are readily available for most common makes of car. If you are an affiliated member of the RAC, you may call on the services of the Real Automóvil Club de España, tel: 900 112 222 (roadside assistance), which has its Valencia headquarters at Gran Vía Marqués de Turia 79, tel: 96 334 55 22.
Road signs. Some of the street names and signs are in Valencian. Most essential road signs, however, use the standard European pictographs. The translations below could be useful:
¡alto! stop!
aparcamiento parking
autopista (de peaje/peatge) (toll) motorway (expressway)
ceda el paso give way (yield)
curva peligrosa dangerous bend
despacio slow
desviación diversion (detour)
estacionamiento prohibido no parking
obras roadworks
¡pare! stop!
peatones pedestrians
peligro danger
salida exit (from motorway)
E
Electricity
The standard is 220-volt. Sockets take round, two-pin plugs. Transformers and adapters can be bought in most hardware shops. Visitors from North America will need a transformer unless they have dual-voltage travel appliances.
Embassies and consulates
All embassies are in the national capital, Madrid.
Australia: Paseo de la Castellana 259D, tel: 91 353 6600; www.spain.embassy.gov.au
Canada: Paseo de la Castellana 259D, tel: 91 382 8400; www.canadainternational.gc.ca
Ireland: Paseo de la Castellana 46–4, tel: 91 436 4093; www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/Spain/
New Zealand: Pinar 7, 3rd floor, tel: 91 523 0226; www.nzembassy.com/spain
South Africa: Calle de Claudio Coello 91–6, tel: 91 436 3780; www.dirco.gov.za/madrid/en/
UK: Paseo de la Castellana 259D, tel: 91 714 6300; www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-madrid
US: Calle de Serrano 75, tel: 91 587 2200; https://es.usembassy.gov/
US honorary consulate in Valencia; Doctor Romagosa 1 (2nd floor), tel: 96 351 69 73
Emergencies
National Police (policía nacional), in and outside Valencia: 091
Local police (policía local): 092
Fire (bomberos): 080
Emergencies (emergencias): 112
Guardia civíl (outside the city): 062
Fire! ¡Fuego!
Help! ¡Socorro!
Stop! ¡Deténgase!
Call the police/an ambulance Llame a la policía/una ambulancia
Where is the nearest hospital? ¿Dónde está el hospital más próximo?
G
Getting there
By air. Extended in 2012, Valencia’s airport (for more information, click here) receives direct scheduled flights from airports across Spain and Europe. Flights from the rest of the world go via Madrid and Barcelona. Spain’s national carrier is Iberia (tel: 90 111 15 00, www.iberia.es). The low-cost carriers with flights to and from Valencia are Ryanair (www.ryanair.com), and easyJet (www.easyjet.com).
By sea. Valencia port (www.valenciaport.com) has ferry lines to the Balearic Islands operated by Trasmediterránea Estación Marítima (tel: 90 245 46 45, www.trasmediterranea.es) and Balearia (tel: 902 160 180, www.balearia.com).
By rail. Valencia is linked by rail with the main Spanish cities and with European cities via Barcelona. There are daily trains to Madrid, Seville, Alicante, Barcelona, Port Bou (the French border), Zaragoza and Bilbao. Spain’s train company, RENFE (tel: 912 320 320 in Spain, tel: 91 774 40 40 international, www.renfe.es), operates two stations in Valencia: Estación del Norte (the main one) and Estación del Cabañal, near the seafront. Terminal of the high-speed AVE (Joaquín Sorolla station) trains is located about 800 metres south of the Estación del Norte.
By car. The region’s principal routes, the A7 motorway (toll) and the N340 (north) and N332 (south) run along the coast. The latter two tend to be congested with lorries and they pass through many small towns, making the motorway by far the best option if you can afford it.
A toll-free motorway, the A3, connects Valencia with Madrid. Other major roads are the A23 to Teruel and Zaragoza and the A35 (south) motorway to Xàtiva, becoming the A31 to Albacete.
By coach (long-distance bus). Valencia’s coach/bus station, the Estación de Autobuses (Avenida Menéndez Pidal, tel: 96 346 62 66), is next door to the Nuevo Centro shopping centre on the north bank of the Turia riverbed. It has coach links with the main Valencian and Spanish cities, and some European cities via Barcelona. From the coach station, you can take a local bus or the metro to get to the city centre.
Guides and tours
Guided tours. There are guided tours of the historical centre of Valencia in English Mon–Sat from 10.30am to noon starting at the fountain in Plaza de la Virgen (2 hours 15 minutes; adults: €17; children 8–16: €8, under 8 go free; for details see www.visitvalencia.com), tailored tours of the city, including visits to the opera and wineries, are organised by Valencia Guías; tel: 963 851 740, www.valenciaguias.com.
Bus turistic. This tourist bus takes three interesting routes, two around the city (Route A: Historic Valencia, Route B: Maritime Valencia); the third one out to La Albufera. You can get on and off it at any stop, and recorded commentary is in English and other languages. Buses leave from the Plaza de la Reina (see details at www.visitvalencia.com). Tickets are valid 24 or 48 hours and cost €16–30 (adults); €9/11 (7-16 years) and can be bought on the bus or online as well as at tourist information offices.
We’d like an English-speaking guide. Queremos un guía que hable inglés.
I need an English interpreter. Necesito un intérprete de inglés.
H
Health and medical care
Residents of the European Union should carry with them the European Health Insurance Card or EHIC, available from post offices or online at www.ehic.org.uk, which entitles them to free medical treatment (with some exceptions) within the EU.
Be careful not to overdo the sunbathing in the first couple of days. Falling asleep on the beach is a common cause. Take the sun in short doses for at least the first few days, using a high-factor sunscreen; and drink plenty of bottled water (agua mineral) to avoid dehydration.
If you need a doctor in an emergency, call 112, or go to the Hospital Universitario La Fe emergency unit (Avinguda de Fernando Abril Martorell, no. 106; tel: 96 124 40 00; www.hospital-lafe.com) or the Hospital Clinico Universitario (Blasco Ibañez 17; tel: 96 197 35 00; http://clinicomalvarrosa.san.gva.es/hospital).
For non-emergencies, you may be able to solve the problem by visiting a farmacia, a chemist’s shop, indicated by a green cross sign. Pharmacists are trained to give advice on treating common ailments and sometimes can prescribe without consulting a doctor. Farmacias are open during normal shopping hours. Out of hours, there is always one designated farmacia de guardia open in a neighbourhood: its address will be posted in the window of other farmacias.
Where’s the nearest (all-night) chemist? ¿Dónde está la farmacia (de guardia) más cercana?
I need a doctor/dentist. Necesito un médico/dentista.
It hurts here. Me duele aquí.
an ambulance/hospital una ambulancia/un hospital
sunburn quemadura del sol
sunstroke insolación
a fever fiebre
an upset stomach dolor de estómago
insect bite una picadura de insecto
L
Language
Valencia has two official languages, Valencian (valenciano), which is a variant of Catalan, and Spanish, more properly called Castilian (castellano, that is, the language of Castile). Both are legally recognised by the Spanish constitution and are used daily. Many street names are in Valencian, and official papers are usually in both languages. Overleaf are some common phrases in both Valencian and Castilian.
English Valencian/Castilian
good morning/good day bon dia/buenos días
good afternoon/good evening bona tarda/buenas tardes
goodnight bona nit/buenas noches
please si us plau/por favor
thank you gràcies/gracias
you’re welcome de res/de nada
goodbye adéu/adiós
Lost property
If you lose an item of value, report the loss to the Municipal Police or the Guardia Civíl. Ask for a copy of the police report, which you will need to make an insurance claim once you are home.
I’ve lost my wallet/handbag/passport. He perdido mi cartera/bolso/pasaporte.
M
Maps
The tourist information office gives out good maps of the city centre, but if you want to visit the outskirts you will probably have to buy a more detailed map in a bookshop. Regolf (Calle de la Mar 47, tel: 96 392 23 62; www.libreriaregolf.com) is a specialist map shop. If you are thinking of walking in the countryside, you may want to buy a 1:50,000 army map.
One manifestation of the upheavals that post-Franco Valencia has been undergoing is in the changing names of streets and squares, some of which have been confusingly re-baptised. The Plaza del Ayuntamiento, for example, was previously called the Plaza del Caudillo, after the rank Franco gave himself. Sometimes locals will refer to the old name of a street or square when giving directions. Here are a few valenciano street signs:
English Valencian/Castilian
avenue avinguda/avenida
street carrer/calle
church església/iglesia
palace palau/palacio
boulevard passeig/paseo
square plaça/plaza
a street plan of… un plano de la ciudad de…
a road map of… mapa de carreteras de…
Media
Major British and continental newspapers are on sale the same day as publication in newspaper kiosks in the city centre, as well as in the train station and the airport.
There are seven main Spanish TV channels, most dedicated largely to sport, foreign films and game shows. Better-equipped hotels receive non-Spanish satellite TV channels. Travellers with short-wave radios will be able to pick up the BBC World Service and the Voice of America.
Have you got any English-language newspapers? ¿Tienen periódicos en inglés?
Money
Currency. The monetary unit of Spain is the euro (€); with one hundred cents making 1 euro. Coins: cents 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50, and euros 1 and 2. Banknotes: euros 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500.
Banking hours are usually Monday–Friday 8.30am–2.30pm. Only a few branches are open on Saturday mornings. Automatic Teller Machines (cajeros automáticos) are everywhere, and from them you can draw funds in euros against your bank account with a credit/debit card, although your bank may charge a handling fee.
Changing money. Many travel agencies display a cambio sign, meaning they will change foreign currency. Most hotels will also change money, albeit at a slightly less favourable rate than at the bank. Traveller’s cheques always get a better rate than cash. Take your passport with you when changing money.
Credit cards and traveller’s cheques are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and big shops.
Where’s the nearest bank? ¿Dónde está el banco más cercano?
I want to change some pounds/dollars Quiero cambiar libras/dólares
Do you accept traveller’s cheques? ¿Acepta usted cheques deviaje?
Can I pay with this credit card?¿Puedo pagar con esta tarjeta de crédito?
O
Opening times
Shops. Usual opening hours are Monday–Saturday 10am–8.30pm. The big department stores open all day 10am–9/10pm. Shops are closed on Sundays except on special occasions such as the run-up to Christmas.
Post offices. Generally open Monday–Friday 9am–2pm and Saturday 9am–1pm.
Banks. Usually open Monday–Friday 8.30am–2.30pm.
Government offices and most businesses. Open Monday–Friday 8.30am–2pm (government institutions) and 9am–8pm (business companies).
Restaurants. Mealtimes in Spain are later than in the rest of Europe. Breakfast is served between 7.30 and 10am. Lunch is 2–3.30pm, and dinner generally 9–10.30pm.
Museums. Generally, these are open Tuesday–Saturday 10am–8pm, some close for lunch, and most are closed Monday.
Entertainment venues. Most cinemas have several showings a day between 4pm and 11pm. Some theatres offer two performances a day at 6pm and 10pm. Pubs and musical venues are open between 9pm and 3am and discos 11.30pm–5am.
P
Photography
All popular types of discs, cards and batteries are widely available. Wherever possible, ask people for their permission before you take their picture. It is forbidden to take photographs of any military bases, military or naval port areas, police or military personnel.
Police
Valencia has two kinds of police force: the national police (policía nacional), dealing with serious crime, and the local police (policía local) in charge of public order. Spain has a third police force, the civil guard (Guardia Civíl), which operates in the countryside and patrols the main roads. In Valencia, dial 092 for the local police and 091 for the national police. The main local police station is located at Avenida del Cid 37, tel: 96 208 50 92.
Where’s the nearest police station? ¿Dónde está la comisaría más cercana?
Post offices
Spanish post offices have white and yellow signs saying ‘Correos y Telégrafos’. You can send mail but not phone from them. They are usually open Monday–Friday 9am–2pm and Saturday 9am–1pm. If you just need stamps, get them from any tobacconist (estanco). Mailboxes (buzón de correos) are yellow.
Valencia’s main post office is at Plaza del Ayuntamiento 24, tel: 96 351 27 30. It is open Monday–Friday 8.30am–8.30pm and Saturday 9.30am–2pm.
Where is the (nearest) post office? ¿Dónde está la oficina de correos (más cercana)?
Have you received any mail for…? ¿Ha recibido correo para…?
A stamp for this letter/postcard, please Por favor, un sello para esta carta/tarjeta
express (special delivery) urgente
airmail via aérea
registered certificado
Public holidays
1 January Año Nuevo
6 January Epifanía (Día de Reyes)
22 January San Vicente Mártir
19 March San José (Las Fallas)
1 May Fiesta del Trabajo
15 August Asunción de Nuestra Señora (Virgen de agosto)
9 October Día de la Comunidad Valenciana
12 October Día de la Hispanidad
1 November Todos los Santos
6 December Día de la Constitución
8 December La Inmaculada Concepción
25 December Navidad
Movable dates:
Late March/April Viernes Santo
Late March/April Lunes de Pascua
Late March/April San Vicente Ferrer
R
Religion
The national religion of Spain is Roman Catholicism, and mass takes place in almost all the city’s churches. Anglican services are held on Sunday mornings at the Iglesia de Jesucristo, Calle Dos de Abril 36, tel: 96 344 43 07, http://iglesiaanglicanavalencia.org.
For details of Muslim worship contact Centro Cultural Islámico de Valencia, Arquitecto Rodriguez 17, tel: 96 360 33 30, www.webcciv.org.
The Jewish community is served by the Javurá synagogue (Calle Uruguay 59, door 13, tel: 96 380 21 29, www.lajavura.org), which is affiliated to the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and the World Council of Conservative Synagogues.
T
Telephones
Spain’s country code is 34. Valencia’s provincial area code, 96, must be dialled before all phone numbers, even for local calls.
You can make local, national and international calls from public phone booths (cabinas) in the streets, which operate with coins or cards. Instructions are given in several languages and some admit international credit cards. Phone cards (tarjetas telefónicas) can be purchased at tobacconists (estancos), post offices or newsstands.
You can also make calls at public telephone centres called locutorios which are quieter than phone boxes and more convenient than fiddling with coins, as you pay over the counter when you have finished your call. Calls from a hotel room are usually more expensive than calls from phone boxes or locutorios. If you must phone from your hotel, ask in advance how much a three-minute call will cost. Reversed charge calls (collect) made to European Union countries can be dialled directly, otherwise they must be made through the operator.
To make an international call, dial 00 + country code + phone number, omitting the initial zero. The country code for the UK is 44, for US and Canada 1, for Australia 61 and for Ireland 353.
Calls are cheaper after 10pm on weekdays, after 2pm on Saturday and all day on Sunday.
For national and international information dial 11888. You can also find phone numbers at www.paginasamarillas.es and www.paginasblancas.es. For any other information on telephoning in Spain, see www.telefonica.es.
Time zones
Spanish time coincides with that of most of Western Europe: Greenwich Mean Time plus one hour. In spring, clocks are put forward an hour, maintaining the one-hour difference.
Tipping
A service charge is normally included in hotel and restaurant bills, and tipping is not obligatory, but it is the normal practice to leave a little small change on a bar counter or restaurant table if the service was satisfactory. If you want to tip a taxi driver, 5 percent will be enough. A common Spanish way of tipping in all circumstances is to round up the bill to the nearest euro or so.
Toilets
There are not many public toilets in Valencia. Usually the most convenient option is to use those in a department store like El Corte Inglés, or in a bar or café – in the latter cases, it is polite to buy a drink.
In Spanish there are several words for toilets, the most common are servicios, aseos and lavabos.
Tourist information
The main tourist offices for the city are:
Calle de la Paz 48, tel: 96 398 64 22. Open Monday–Sat 9am– 6.50pm, Saturday 10am–1.30pm. For information about the city and the whole Valencian region.
Plaza del Ayuntamiento 1, tel: 96 352 49 08. Open Mon–Sat 9am–6.50pm, Sun 10am–1.50pm.
Estación del Norte (the main railway station), tel: 96 380 36 23.
Tourist Info-Diputación, Poeta Querol (near the Teatro Principal), tel: 96 351 49 07 for information about Valencia province.
Airport (arrivals hall), tel: 96 153 02 29.
Tourist-Info Beach, Paseo de Neptuno 2 (in front of Hotel Neptuno), Tue and Sun10am–1.50pm, Wed, Fri and Sat 10am–1.50pm and 2.50–4.50pm (open in summer only).
Valencia has a fast and reliable public transport network reaching almost everywhere a visitor would want to go. Fares are quite reasonable, too.
By bus. Valencia’s fleet of red buses is operated by EMT (Empresa Municipal de Transportes de Valencia), tel: 96 346 62 66, www.emtvalencia.es. There are 47 regular routes during the day and 12 night ones. At most bus stops there are maps of the city with all the routes marked. A single-trip bus ticket costs €1.50, but if you are going to be using buses a lot, buy a bonobus (€8.50), valid for 10 trips, from a tobacconist’s (estanco).
By metro and tramway. Valencia’s metro network is run by FGV (Ferrocarriles Generalitat Valenciana; www.fgv.es). Modern, clean and reliable, it is organised into nine lines (Nos 1–9) that link the city centre with nearby towns:
Línea 1: Llíria (northwest) and Bétera (north) to Torrent (southwest) and Villanueva de Castellón (near Xàtiva, 40km/25 miles) to the southwest.
Línea 2: runs from Llíria (northwest) to Torrent Avinguda (south) through the city centre.
Línea 3: the most frequently used line goes from Rafelbunyol (north) to the Airport (west).
Línea 4: Ll. Larga-Terramelar, Feria Valencia (north) and Mas del Rosari (north) to Doctor Lluch (east). This line is a modern tramway serving the city’s beaches – depart from Pont de Fusta station.
Línea 5: Marítim Serrería (east) to the Airport (west) and Torrent (southwest).
Línea 6: A tramway linking Tossal del Rei (Rascanya; north) with the seaside and Marítim Serrería (Poblados Marítimos) in the east.
Línea 7: Connects Torrent (southwest) and Marítim Serrería (east)
Línea 8: A tram line connecting Marítim Serrería (east) with the port (Marina Real Juan Carlos I).
Línea 9: Links Riba-roja de Turia (west) with Alboraya Peris Aragó (northeast).
When is the next bus/train for…? ¿A qué hora sale el próximo autobús/tren para…?
I want a ticket to… Quiero un billete para…
What’s the fare to…? ¿Cuánto es la tarifa a …?
single (one-way) ida
return (round-trip) ida y vuelta
Where can I get a taxi? ¿Dónde puedo coger un taxi?
The main interchanges are Empalme, Benimaclet, Colón, Rosas, Marítim Serrería, and Angel Guimera. Fares are from €1.50 for a single ticket and from €7.20 (one zone) for a bonometro, a ticket valid for 10 trips. For more information, see www.metrovalencia.com.
By taxi. Taxis (always white cars) are everywhere and are not too expensive. You can hail one in the street or go to a taxi rank. It may be hard to find one during the peak periods of 8–9pm and 1–2pm. A green light or a libre sign shows that a taxi is available for hire. There are two kinds of tariff: one for daytime (6am–10pm) trips within the urban area; the other for night time and journeys outside the city limits.
Taxi companies include the following: Onda-Taxi, tel: 96 347 52 52; Radio-Taxi, tel: 96 370 33 33; Valencia Taxi, tel: 96 374 02 02; Taxi Star, tel: 639 61 66 66; and Tele-Taxi, tel: 96 357 13 13.
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Visas and entry requirements
Most visitors, including citizens of all EU countries, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, require only a valid passport – not a visa or a health certificate – to enter Spain.
Visitors from South Africa should apply in advance for a Schengen visa, and passports should be valid for at least three months beyond the expiry date of your visa. If you expect to remain for longer than 90 days, a Spanish consulate or tourist office can advise you of the necessary steps to take.
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Websites and internet access
Most hotels in Valencia have internet connections and there are many areas of the city covered by WiFi (for details see https://wifispc.com/spain/galicia/valencia.html).
www.visitvalencia.com The official city’s tourist website, in various languages.
www.valencia.es The city hall’s site.
www.comunitatvalenciana.com Information on the region, including the Costa Blanca and Costa del Azahar.
www.valencia-cityguide.com A comprehensive city guide and information site on Valencia.
www.spain.info Spain’s national tourism website.
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Youth hostels
Valencia has several youth hostels including:
Albergue Juvenil Center Valencia, Calle Samaniego 18, tel: 96 391 49 15. Offers 2, 4, 6 and 8 bed accommodation.
Red Nest Hostel, Calle Paz 36, tel: 96 342 71 68
Purple Nest Hostel, Plaza de Tetuán 5, tel: 96 353 25 61
Albergue Juvenil Colegio Mayor Galileo Galilei, Av. de los Naranjos, tel: 96 335 20 00.
For more information, contact Red Española de Albergues Juveniles, Calle Marqués de Riscal 16, 28010 Madrid; tel: 91 308 46 75, www.reaj.com.