Visiting Spain in March? Be sure not to miss Las Fallas of Valencia.

Paella contests, beauty pageants, religious processions, open-air nightclubs, lively traditional music, spectacular fireworks displays, firecrackers, huge bonfires, gunpowder smell, fine flower scents, colored regional costumes… Las Fallas of Valencia is one of the most bizarre and crazy urban festivals in Europe.

This traditional 5-day celebration ends on March 19th – Saint Joseph’s day – with the parade and the destruction of ninots. Made out of papier-mâché, wax and wood, these towering sculpture statues are crafted by Valencia’s neighborhood organizations (Casal Fallers). Half satirical, half symbolical, the ninots usually allude to current events and depict Spanish and international celebrities. If you visit the Ninot Exhibition, do not forget to vote for the statue you want to be “pardoned” and saved from burning on La Cremada, Las Fallas’ final night.

During Las Fallas, bus routes can change at any time because of road closures, so getting back to your hotel may be a real challenge. For updated information on Valencia bus network, schedules and routes, visit the website of the local public transportation system EMT (available in English). If you don’t have access to the Internet during your stay in Valencia, do not hesitate to ask the hotel staff or bus drivers.

Las Fallas of Valencia is probably one of the loudest festivals ever. If you want to experience Las Fallas as the locals do, choose an accommodation in the Ciutat Vella. However, if you are on a business stay or traveling with children and pets, book a hotel in the areas of Valencia Norte, Patraix or Ruzafa - Ciudad de la Ciencias to avoid the noisy round-up of the festival. These neighborhoods of Valencia are also recommended to budget-conscious travelers, as hotels are cheaper than in the historic center.

Hotel Catalonia Excelsior (Ciutat Vella)

This Valencia hotel offers comfortable rooms in the heart of the Ciutat Vella - Valencia’s old town, a few steps from the City Hall square and a short walk from the main train station.

The Hotel Catalonia Excelsior enjoys an excellent location for experiencing Las Fallas festival and visiting Valencia’s main tourist attractions: the Cathedral, Llotja dels Mercadors, Miguelete, the baroque Palacio Marqués de Dos Aguas and the Mercado Central.

Meliá Inglés Hotel (Ciutat Vella)

Housed in a beautiful historic building dating back to the 18th Century - a former palace of the Duke and the Duchess of Cordonia, this boutique hotel enjoys a great location in Valencia, close to the National Museum of Ceramics.

The Meliá Inglés hotel offers a wide range of services intended to satisfy even the most demanding travelers. Hotel facilities include comfortable accommodations, a meeting room, a bar-cafeteria, a restaurant, and an Internet Point.

Hotel Vincci Lys (Ciutat Vella)

This modern hotel is located on a quiet pedestrian street right in the city center of Valencia, just at the start of Las Fallas parade. Decorated in an attractive and elegant style, the Hotel Vincci Lys offers comfortable and spacious rooms equipped with high tech amenities.

This beautiful hotel also boasts the Almudí restaurant, the Micalet Bar, meeting facilities, as well as a spa, where guests will find a sauna, a hot tub and massage parlor.

Eurostars Gran Valencia Hotel (Valencia Norte)

Located in the Valencia Norte area, this luxury hotel housed in an avant-garde style building is perfectly suitable for business travelers.

Boasting modern and comfortable facilities, such as a piano bar, a restaurant serving excellent traditional specialties, a fitness room, an outdoor swimming pool, a sauna and a solarium, the Eurostars Gran Valencia Hotel ensures its guests a relaxing stay in Valencia. In addition, guests can have discount entry tickets to an external spa center located beside the hotel.

Hotel Medium Valencia (Rufaza - Ciudad de las Ciencias)

This pet-friendly hotel is situated next to Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences, right in the center of the new Ciutat de la Justicia district. Its location allows quick access to the beach and Valencia’s historic center.

The Hotel Medium Valencia boasts comfortable guest rooms, a restaurant offering traditional Mediterranean cuisine, a bar, wireless Internet access, as well a banqueting and meeting facilities

Foto of Las Fallas effigies originally posted by Micora

Topic:  Top five Monday | 2 Comments
Tags:  festivals, Spain, Valencia

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