Travel Talk with Ed Finn

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Saturday, 26 September 2026 - 18 minutes

Valencia and sustainable tourism

Valencia has positioned itself as one of Spain’s leading destinations for sustainable tourism. It was European Green Capital 2024, recognising its work around green spaces, sustainable mobility, biodiversity, food systems and reducing the environmental impact of tourism. Valencia has also been pioneering in measuring and certifying the carbon and water footprint of its tourism activity.

One of the great stories is that sustainability here isn't just about protecting the countryside — it has actually changed the way the city works.

The city centre has increasingly been pedestrianised, with public spaces redesigned to give more room to people rather than cars. The surrounding streets and plazas have been transformed as part of the city's wider urban strategy.

Cycling — one of Valencia's big attractions

Valencia is exceptionally well suited to cycling because it is flat, compact and has an extensive cycling network. Visit Valencia currently highlights more than 200 km of cycle paths, while the historic centre has also introduced cycling-priority streets.

The star cycling experience is the Turia Gardens, following the old riverbed through the heart of the city.

There are some fantastic routes:

• Turia Gardens / Green River Route — around 9 km through the old riverbed.
• City-centre cycling through the historic quarter.
• City of Arts and Sciences to the Marina.
• Valencia to l'Albufera.
• The 78-km Vuelta a l'Albufera circular route through rice fields, woodland and villages for more serious cyclists.
• The official Orchard, Sea & l'Albufera Green Route is approximately 25 km and can be done by bike.

It's a brilliant story for radio because you can genuinely explore a major European city without needing a car.

The Túria / NaTúria story

The transformation of the old River Túria riverbed is one of Valencia's most extraordinary urban stories.

Following the devastating 1957 flood, the river was diverted away from the city and the former riverbed was transformed into a huge linear park — the Turia Gardens. It now stretches through the city and connects major attractions, green spaces, sports facilities and cultural sites.

There is also NaTúria, the city's environmental education and awareness project based in the Túria riverbed. Its purpose is to reconnect people with the urban environment, sustainability and Valencia's relationship with the surrounding huerta, l'Albufera and Mediterranean.

So the story is fantastic: a river that once threatened the city has effectively become its green spine.

L'Albufera Natural Park

This is an essential part of the Valencia story.  'Albufera is a huge freshwater lagoon and wetland just 10 km from Valencia, surrounded by rice fields and important wildlife habitats.  It is particularly important because it connects nature, agriculture, food and tourism.

You can:

• Take a traditional boat trip on the lagoon.
• Cycle through the rice fields.
• Walk the nature trails.
• Watch the birdlife.
• Explore El Palmar.
• See where the rice used in Valencia's cuisine is grown.
• Finish with the famous Albufera sunset.

And, crucially, this is where the story of paella begins.

The rice fields around l'Albufera are directly connected to Valencia's culinary identity, and local restaurants serve traditional dishes including paella and all i pebre, traditionally made with eel.

The futuristic Valencia

This is where Valencia becomes completely different from the historic Spain people might expect.

The City of Arts and Sciences

The extraordinary complex designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela is the city's architectural calling card.

Make sure to mention:

1. Hemisfèric — the huge eye-shaped IMAX/cinema and planetarium.
2. Museu de les Ciències — the spectacular science museum.
3. L'Umbracle — the huge landscaped open-air walkway.
4. Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía — the enormous opera house.
5. L'Oceanogràfic — the vast marine complex and one of Europe's largest aquariums.
6. Assut de l'Or Bridge — the striking white cable-stayed bridge.
7. Ágora — the dramatic enclosed event space.

Then move towards the waterfront:

8. La Marina de València
9. Veles e Vents — the striking contemporary building overlooking the marina.

And there is a wonderful contrast with the historic city:

10. Hortensia Herrero Art Centre, another major contemporary cultural addition to the city. Spain's official tourism site highlights it alongside Valencia's historic architecture and the City of Arts and Sciences.

THE FOOD

Paella

Obviously, paella is the star.

But the story should be that authentic Valencian paella isn't simply a generic Spanish dish — Valencia is its home, and the rice-growing landscape of l'Albufera is central to its history.

Also look out for:

• Paella Valenciana
• Arroz dishes
• All i pebre — particularly around l'Albufera
• Fresh Mediterranean seafood
• Local vegetables from the huerta
• Horchata made from tiger nuts
• Fartons
• Valencian oranges

Agua de Valencia

And then there is the wonderfully named Agua de Valencia — a cocktail made with cava, fresh orange juice, vodka and gin.

That's a very good Travel Talk moment!

TOP 10 THINGS TO SEE & DO IN VALENCIA

1. City of Arts and Sciences
Walk around the extraordinary futuristic complex and visit the Oceanogràfic.

2. Cycle the Turia Gardens
The old riverbed is now one of Europe's great urban parks.

3. Visit l'Albufera
Boat trip, wetlands, rice fields, wildlife and that famous sunset.

4. Eat authentic Valencian paella
Ideally in the traditional surroundings of l'Albufera or by the Mediterranean.

5. Explore the historic centre
Valencia Cathedral, Miguelete, Plaza de la Reina and Plaza de la Virgen.

6. Visit La Lonja de la Seda
The extraordinary Gothic Silk Exchange and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

7. Central Market
One of the city's great food experiences — see the local produce that feeds Valencia.

8. Explore the Marina and beaches
Combine the modern waterfront with Malvarrosa and El Cabanyal.

9. Experience the city's food culture
Horchata, fartons, seafood, local produce, rice dishes and Agua de Valencia.

10. Take the sustainable route to l'Albufera
Hire a bike and connect the city, huerta, rice fields, coast and wetlands — effectively experiencing Valencia's whole sustainability story in one journey.

GETTING THERE

Valencia has its own international airport, Valencia Airport (VLC), with direct flights from Dublin with Ryanair from €29.99 each way.
Flying direct from Dublin in around two hours and forty minutes. www.ryanair.com

From the airport, the Metrovalencia network provides a straightforward connection into the city, while buses and taxis are also available.

Once you're there, you really don't need a car. Valencia's compact centre, metro/tram network, buses and extensive cycling infrastructure make it easy to get around sustainably. Spain's official tourism site also highlights the Tourist Card, which can include public transport for 24, 48 or 72 hours.

WHERE TO STAY

For a Travel Talk audience, I'd break it down by experience:

Historic centre

Stay around Ciutat Vella if you want to walk everywhere, with the cathedral, markets, restaurants and old streets right outside.

Ruzafa

Great for a more contemporary, foodie atmosphere, with cafés, restaurants and nightlife.

City of Arts & Sciences

Good choice if architecture and the futuristic side of Valencia are the priority.

Beach / Marina

Ideal for combining city sightseeing with the Mediterranean, beaches and waterfront restaurants.

Value for money

One of Valencia's attractions is that you can create very different levels of trip without necessarily needing the prices associated with some of Europe's bigger city breaks.

There are hostels and simple city accommodation through to four- and five-star hotels, while public transport, cycling and the city's walkability can help keep day-to-day costs under control.

And you can eat extremely well at different price levels because of the city's strong local food culture.

Official tourism websites

• Visit Valencia – official tourist board
• Spain's official tourism website – Valencia
• Spain.info – Sustainable Valencia

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