If you are looking for a great city for your next getaway, Valencia, the European Green Capital 2024, is your next destination. Here you will find lots of sun, low pollution and a pioneer city in sustainability. Valencia has been the first city to measure and certify the carbon footprint of its tourist activity, in view of reducing it. Do you want to get to know Valencia in a sustainable way? Read on.
Discover the city by reducing emissions
Thanks to the city's climate and relief, you can explore every corner of the city on foot. But if you need to make a longer journey, Valencia has sustainable transport such as the metro and public bus, as well as a bicycle hire system and the option of sharing an electric vehicle.
With the València Tourist Card you can travel around the city and the surrounding area by bus, metro and tram, getting around in a cheap and sustainable way. Did you know that Valencia has more than 200 km of bike lanes? Cycle around the city discovering its greenest side, or rent a 100% electric car if you prefer. Exploring Valencia without polluting!
Sustainable activities
In Valencia you will find different routes and guided tours on foot and by bike to discover the city's treasures. The Street Art Tour will take you to the large murals that decorate the city, but you can also book a tour of Muslim Valencia and even a route to find out how the Holy Grail arrived in Valencia Cathedral. The city also has a large number of green spaces, the most important of which, the Turia Garden, is divided into sections and crosses the city from west to east, a must-visit for any nature lover. The Central Park or the Botanical Garden will allow you to lose yourself in natural surroundings without having to leave the city.
Markets with zero-kilometre products, such as the Central Market or the Mossen Sorell Market, will allow you to get to know the local produce of small traders and the local shops in the area. And if you are looking for crafts, fashion or jewellery, Valencia offers a wide range of opportunities to meet local craftspeople: from Made in Valencia markets to guided tours. Las Cestas street or the Colon area are just some of the places where you can spend an afternoon of sustainable shopping.
Culture and beaches
You can't leave Valencia without visiting La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences), two kilometres where science, nature and art coexist in what has become a symbol of the city.
And let's not forget its beaches! 25 kilometres of coastline from which to observe the Mediterranean Sea and practice sports such as sailing and windsurfing. Did you know that six of Valencia's beaches hold the Blue Flag award? You cannot come to Valencia and not walk along its white sand while gazing at the crystal-clear sea.
Discover the area around Valencia
Near the city you can also enjoy other sustainable activities, such as hiking, canyoning, astronomy... But we recommend starting with a short visit to l'Albufera, just 10 kilometres from the city. There you can enjoy boat rides, hiking routes and typical Valenciangastronomy. You can get there by public transport or you can set off pedalling from Valencia, thanks to the bike lane parallel to the road. You can even take the Vuelta a l'Albufera, a 78-kilometre circular route through the rice fields, the forest and the villages around the lake.
The Valle del Cabriel Biosphere Reserve and the Alto Turia Biosphere Reserve are just over an hour from the city and are incredible places to lose yourself in nature and to partake in sports such as rock climbing or horse riding, as well as taking a guided tour to get to know the incredible fauna of the area.Gaze at the clear sky and lose yourself among the stars, a privilege that you can experience in the Alto Turia and Tierra Bobal district, two starlight destinations for a stargazing getaway. As you can see, Valencia has a lot to offer if you are looking for a sustainable tourist destination, where you can enjoy everything the city has to offer in a sustainable way.
