What better place for relaxation can you think of than the garden or the beach..?
Botanical Gardens:
Although Valencia Botanical Gardens date back a very long time, they did not move to their current site (Huerto de Tramoyeres) until 1802. The University of Valencia gave a great deal of wherewithal to the new gardens which increased their links with other Spanish and foreign botanical gardens and achieved great renown.
Since 1802, they have had over 3,000 different plant species and a variety of plants from extremely different climates. There are still different early 19th-century style greenhouses.
How to get there:
Beato Gaspar Bono, 6.
Tel.: 391.16.65 · fax: 392.28.23 / 46008 Valencia.
Monforte Gardens:
These 19th-century design Neoclassical gardens have a very large number of marble statues, pools, fountains, streets and summerhouses, giving the garden some very remarkable landscape effects.
How to get there:
Monforte, s/n.
Tel.: 360.48.33 / 46010 Valencia.
Jardines de los Reales Viveros (Royal Nursery Gardens):
This park's great history (of Arabic origin), its size, is gardening wealth and the profusion of sculptures and fountains, which highlight the surroundings, make these the city's most outstanding gardens.
How to get there:
San Pao V, s/n.
Tel. 96/352 54 78, Ext. 4303. 46010 Valencia.
Jardines del Viejo Cauce del Turia (Gardens of the Old Course of the River Turia):
After the floods of 1957, the course of the river Turia was artificially diverted south of the city. The old river bed therefore dried up and was turned into a series of differently-designed gardens and a new focal point for the city at the same time. Gulliver's children's park and the gardens opposite the Palacio de la Música are of special interest.
How to get there:
Puente Angel Custodio.
Tels. 393.39.91 - 393.39.92. 46006 Valencia
Beaches
Mareny Blau
Particularly fine sand makes Mareny Blau a popular place for sunbathing and playing a variety of beach sports.
Playa del Ciment
This is one of the most popular beaches in the area, probably because of the quality of the sand and easy parking.
Playa de la Malvarrosa-Las Arenas
Fine sandy beach only 3km from the centre of Valencia. Amenities include beach cleaners, showers, umbrellas and water sports equipment for hire. Good bathing conditions. Life guards and local police. Plenty of cafes and restaurants in the vicinity. Take buses 20, 21 or 22 from the centre.
Playa de Pinedo
Close to Valencia, this popular beach has all the usual amenities and good bathing conditions. It is located off motorway CV-500.
Playa de El Saler<
Popular beach with a more rustic feel and slightly stoney sand. Good bathing conditions. Lots of places to stay, camping, restaurants and recreation areas. Life guards and local police. From the El Saler motorway, take the CV-500.
Playa de La Devesa
Fine sands and good bathing conditions. Life guards and local police vigilance. Plenty of places to stay nearby, a Parador, campsites, recreational areas and food kiosks. Life guards and local police. From the El Saler motorway, take the CV-500, 16km from Valencia.
Playa de El Recati
Fine sands and good bathing conditions. Life guards and local police vigilance. Hostals, camping and restaurants. Life guards and local police. From the El Saler motorway, take the CV-500, 18km from Valencia.
El Racó<
Valencia's main beach is surrounded by apartments - which means it gets very busy. A nearby hotel offers windsurfer rental and classes. Backed by a palm-tree-lined promenade, the fine sand beach is fringed by calm water and has extensive amenities. Pleasant, but not ideal if you're in search of peace and quiet.
NATURIST BEACHES
The most popular in the area is Mareny, Sant Llorenç.
For more information on the practice of naturism in Spain, contact the Federacion Española de Naturismo, Hotel d'Entitats de la Pau, c/Pere Verges 1, planta 11, despacho 10, 08020 Barcelona, tel: 93 305 4652; www.ociototal.com/naturism; e-mail fen@naturismo.org
