Founded in 138 BC, the Spanish city of Valencia has more than a story to tell. In more than 2000 years of history, the city has gathered different cultures, people, and melded distant and divergent traditions inside its walls.
Passing from the control of the Roman Empire to the Moors, just to be heroically liberated; it saw the crown of Aragon and the Bourbons at its helm, as well as the long dictatorship of Francisco Franco. Its adventurous and rich history has resulted in a strong and colorful identity.
Valencians are rightly proud of their heritage, their own language (Valencian), their traditions, and their own heroes…
FOOD
Customs around eating and meal hours in Spain may differ from what most our students are used to — especially those coming from English-speaking countries. The main difference is that the main meal of the day, “La comida” is usually eaten around 2:00 PM, whereas in other parts of the world it is eaten as early as 11:30 AM. Dinner is usually eaten around 9 or 10 PM. So, if you go to a Spanish restaurant at say 12 noon, or 7pm, they are unlikely to be ready to serve you.
When time and circumstance permit, people will take a break and nap anywhere between 2:00–5:00 PM, so if you are staying in an apartment, people usually refrain from practicing their instruments or playing music loudly during these hours.
The meals are outlined below:
Meal
Timing
Typical Food
Desayuno
EN: breakfast
Run-of-the-mill breakfast, usually on the lighter side (i.e. lumberjack style breakfasts are hard to
find in Valencia)
Usually served around:
Mornings (8-11 AM)
- café con leche (coffee latte)
- tostadas con tomate (tomato toast)
- croissant
Almuerzo
EN: snack
A mid-morning snack to hold you until a mid-day
larger meal
Usually served around: 11 AM
- bocadillos (sandwich)
- pincho de tortilla (spanish tortilla with bread)
La Comida
EN: lunch
Heavier lunch, usually consisting of a few courses.
Usually served around: 2:00 PM
often a 2-3 course meal (we call it a menú), which includes a drink and a coffee to finish. This is the main meal of the day, and may be followed by a siesta (nap) whenever time and circumstances permit.
Merienda
EN: afternoon snack
Usually served around:
5:00-6:00 PM
café and snack – biscuit, cake
La Cena
EN: dinner
Usually served around:
9:00 PM
full restaurant meal, or tapas and drinks
TRANSPORTATION
Moving around in our city is easy, and very cost-effective. To begin with, Valencia is very friendly towards the use of bycicles; just make sure to review what the regulations are with regards to riding — this resource from the City of Valencia helps in understanding how to ride safely in Valencia.
Buses – The local bus service is called EMT (“Empresa Municipal de Transporte”), and have a helpful web portal through which you can find out what local bus routes are, and calculate your options. Visit their website here. You can pay cash on board (1,50€/ride), or buy an EMT card (0,85€/2-hour ride, buying multiples of 10 rides) from a tobacco shop (called “Estanco” in Spanish) and top it up.
Valenbisi – This is a short-term bike rental service that is available around the city of Valencia, and is very convenient and inexpensive. You may purchase a weekly/annual suscription, and will have access to unlimited rides under 30 min for free. More info about Valenbisi here.
Coming from Valencia Airport – The simplest way to reach MiCampus Dorms from the Airport is to take a taxi, which will cost somewhere around 30€. There’s also a very comfortable subway station just underneath the airport terminal (Cost of the ride: under 5€). These are the directions:
- TO THE CONSERVATORY (and NH Hotel): take the the subway (Lines 3 or 5, both are right) and commute with line 10, getting off at QUATRE CARRERES stop, just a couple of minutes away from the Conservatory.
- TO THE STUDENT RESIDENCE: Take line 5 to AMISTAT metro station.
SECURITY
Valencia is one of the safest cities you can visit in the world, but it doesn’t mean you don’t have to watch your belongings or be minimally cautious. Be aware of your surroundings and remember that you are conspicuous as a tourist here. Do not leave any personal belongings unattended for even a minute. Just like you’ll do anywhere else!