Our car hire desk at Valencia airport is clearly signposted in the arrivals hall. Once you have completed the paperwork it is only a short drive to the city centre. Valencia Joaquín Sorolla Train Station is on Calle San Vicente Martir near the old town and Bailén or Jesús Metro stations. Our office can be found outside the main concourse opposite the Correos or Post Office.
Driving in the historic heart of Valencia with its extremely narrow cobbled streets is not for the faint-hearted but the rest of the city is reasonably easy to navigate. As in all large cities traffic builds up during the morning and evening rush hours while the school holiday months of July and August are always more congested. Mountain and coastal roads away from the town will have steep gradients and hairpin bends but the views more than make up for these. Children under 12 are not allowed to travel in the front seat of Spanish vehicles.
Parking your rental vehicle in Valencia is easy for most of the year but if you are visiting during the famous Fallas festival in March it will be harder to find a space. Blue street zones have pay and display meters and there are several public car parks in the city.
A quick drive around Valencia will reveal the city's mix of old and new architecture ranging from medieval castles and towers to 20th-century Modernist and Art Deco buildings. The city is also home to the Turia Park the largest inner-city park in Europe. It was created when the River Turia was diverted from the city centre. The Holy Grail is another Valencian claim to fame. Rumour has it that a cup on display in Valencia Cathedral is this legendary relic from the Last Supper. While in the cathedral climb to the top of the Miguelete bell tower for great views of the city's roofline and distant mountains. Spend some time browsing the busy Modernist market before enjoying coffee and people-watching in one of the city's many shady plazas and a day must be spent exploring the City of Arts and Science.