Valencia, as European Green Capital, has firmly cemented itself as a leading sustainable destination in the Mediterranean. In 2024, four green routes were created, covering the Turia Garden, the old town, the periurban orchard and the Mediterranean and a combined route for quick visits. The city is making strides in sustainability with initiatives like the first cycle neighbourhood in Ruzafa, L’Albufera’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve candidacy and the electrification of its public bus fleet. It has also installed fire cannons in the Devesa of the Albufera Natural Park and developed the largest urban photovoltaic plant in Europe. These initiatives are transforming Valencia into a benchmark for quality of life and sustainability. Recently, Valencia has been considered the best city to live in the world, according to Forbes magazine.
Roig Arena, Valencia’s new event venue
The Roig Arena, a 47,000 m² multi-purpose venue in the city of Valencia, will open its doors in the second half of 2025 with a capacity for 20,000 spectators. It will be home to the Valencia Basket Club and will host sporting events, concerts and top-level shows, such as concerts by Camilo, Joaquín Sabina and Quevedo, for which tickets are already on sale.
The Jubilee Year of the Holy Grail has arrived
The city of Valencia celebrates the Jubilee Year of the Holy Grail from October 2025, positioning itself as the epicenter of religious tourism. The Cathedral, which holds this relic recognised by the Vatican as the chalice of the Last Supper, will be a key place for pilgrims seeking plenary indulgence. Every Friday, a guided tour from the Town Hall Square traces the traces of the Chalice in the city, telling stories of its search and showing works by artists inspired by the relic. This event is an opportunity to connect with the spiritual significance and cultural splendour that marked the arrival of this relic in Valencia.
New hotel openings in the city
The Novotel Valencia Lavant will open its doors in the first quarter of 2025, offering a modern and sophisticated experience with nine meeting rooms. Its rooftop bar with panoramic views will make it an ideal place for events or to relax after discovering the charms of Valencia. This new hotel will join the recently opened Estimar hotels, located in the heart of the city and on the beach in Pobla de Farnals.
The city of Valencia, the world cradle of chess
In 1475, three Valencian poets described the move of the queen for the first time in the poem Scachs d’amor, laying the foundations of modern chess. Two decades later, a Valencian author spread the new rules throughout Europe thanks to the printing press. To commemorate the 550th anniversary of this milestone, Valencia will hold the Valencia International Open Valencia Cradle of Chess from 5 to 13 July at the Polytechnic University, with grandmasters and participants from all over the world. The programme will include tournaments, guided tours and workshops, highlighting the historical impact of the city on chess.
The Church of Santos Juanes recovers its Baroque splendour
After more than four years of restoration by the Hortensia Herrero Foundation, the Church of Santos Juanes will recover its Baroque splendour. An interdisciplinary team has worked on the recovery of the fresco paintings by Antonio Palomino, sculptures, stucco, gilding and the conservation of the structure, including the façades. More than 30 specialists use advanced technologies such as bio-cleaning, laser and ultrasound. Visitors can observe the restoration in real-time and learn about the stages of the process through an exhibition.
17 new references of the Valencian Mediterranean pantry
The city of Valencia has established itself as a gastronomic destination of reference thanks to its rich Mediterranean larder, based on fresh, local produce such as fruit and vegetables from the city’s surrounding orchards, rice from L’Albufera Natural Park and fish from the Mediterranean. This unique combination of ingredients drives a healthy cuisine that reflects tradition, innovation and sustainability, essential characteristics of Valencian gastronomy. Recently, the We’re Smart Green Guide has recognised Valencia’s sustainable gastronomy, adding eight new restaurants to its list, bringing the total number of recommended establishments to 17, such as Ricard Camarena Restaurant, ranked among the best vegetable restaurants in the world, or La Salita, with chef Begoña Rodrigo as the best vegetable chef in Europe. Likewise, the Valencian restaurant Fierro has been awarded the Discovery Award in Spain.
A unique encounter of beluga whales in Europe
Plombir and Miranda, beluga whales transferred from the Nemo dolphinarium in Ukraine in June 2024, have adapted to their new home and will soon join Yulka and Kylu at the aquarium. Valencia’s Oceanogràfic thus offers the unique opportunity to see four of these magnificent cetaceans in one place, something that cannot be experienced in any other aquarium in Europe. A visit will not only be an unforgettable moment for those who wish to enjoy the beauty of these animals, but also a milestone for the conservation of marine fauna.
Masterpieces from the BBVA Collection arrive at the Museum of Fine Arts
From 13 November, the Museum of Fine Arts in Valencia will host the exhibition ‘Classics and Moderns’, which will include works by artists such as Murillo, Van Dyck, Goya, Sorolla and Zuloaga. This exhibition will present 90 pieces selected from the vast artistic collection of the Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), which houses around 9,000 works. The exhibition will be structured into four sections: ‘The Arts at the Service of Power’, ‘Portraiture’, ‘The Triumph of Genres’ and ‘The Paths of Modernity’. Each of them will offer a unique perspective on European art, highlighting figurative realism as a fundamental pillar of classical art since the 16th century.
A new museum to discover the city’s seafaring identity
The emblematic Casa dels Bous, built in 1880 to serve as a corral for the oxen that transported the fishermen’s boats to the shore, will be transformed into the Museu de la Mar and will open its doors at the end of the year. Located in the El Cabañal neighbourhood, this new cultural space will allow visitors to explore Valencia’s rich maritime heritage, with a special focus on the traditional trades of the sea, which are deeply linked to the identity of the city’s Poblados Marítimos.