< Previous20visitvalencia.comWant to try your hand at making a Valencian paella? Here's the recipeShare a paellaPaella is much more than a delicious dish. It is a social occasion in which to get together with friends or family around the table and, spoon in hand, have a laugh, chat or fight over the socarrat, those tasty grains of scorched rice that are stuck to the bottom.21#VisitValenciaExperiencesWant to see what the Fallas look like?Experience the FallasIf you can, visit Valencia between March 15th and 19th to experience Las Fallas in all their intensity: the impressive fallero monuments, the passion of the Offering, the smell of gunpowder and fritters in the streets, the cremà (grand finale) ... If not, you can always visit the Fallero Museum or the Museum of Fallero Artists.22visitvalencia.comOther experiences you can't missCheck out these unique and singular plansA sunset boat ride in l'AlbuferaShopping in the Central MarketAn opera or concert at the Palau de les ArtsA bike ride in the Turia GardenClimbing to the top of the Miguelete to see Valencia from aboveExperiences23#VisitValencia24visitvalencia.comHERITAGEThree of Valencia's most popular attractions have been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage SiteWorld HeritageHeritage25#VisitValenciaNotice the gargoyles and corbels on the façade. You'll find a few surprises.OUR TIPLonja de la Seda/Silk Market This magnificent example of civil Gothic architecture, located opposite the Central Market, was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. It is the finest remnant of Valencia's Golden Age (15th century), when the city was the center of the global silk trade. Its Trading Hall (or Hall of Columns), supported by 24 elegant helical columns, is stunning.360º virtual visit26visitvalencia.comThe Water TribunalEurope's oldest legal institution, declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009, has met to regulate the proper use of irrigation water in Valencia's farmland since the time of the Arabs. Eight representatives of the canals that supply water from the Turia River meet on Thursdays (except holidays) at noon at the Apostles' Gate of the Cathedral. During the session (in Valencian language), people are invited to file complaints, which are settled right there in public.The sessions are usually short and very crowded, so you should get there at least half an hour early.OUR TIPMore informationHeritage27#VisitValenciaThe FallasValencia's most international festival was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016 in recognition of its creativity and the preservation of deep-rooted traditions. It is held from March 15 to 19, the feast of St. Joseph, patron saint of carpenters, and it commemorates the bonfires that were lit using old furniture to welcome spring. Nowadays, the spectacular cremà (grand finale), with more than 800 bonfires throughout the city, puts an end to a full schedule of public events, concerts, offerings, music, lighting, fireworks shows and much more.360º virtual visit28visitvalencia.comWhat are the Fallas?The fallas (or fallero monuments), from which the festival gets its name, are gigantic sets of sculptures made of wood and papier-mâché that are placed in squares and streets throughout the city, and then burned in impressive bonfires on the night of March 19. Not only are they spectacularly large and beautiful, but they convey a message, often critical, on current issues. Look at one up close and you will find countless individual figures called ninots, which may look familiar since they represent celebrities or politicians, and that tell their own story. Every year one of these ninots is spared the flames by popular vote and is saved for posterity in the Fallero Museum.Don't miss the delicious pumpkin fritters, the authentic taste of the Fallas.OUR TIPHeritage29#VisitValenciaEarly February to March 15 Ninot Exhibition Choose the ninot you want spared from the flames, on public display at the Science Museum.Last Sunday in FebruaryLa CridaThe Grand Marshal of the Fallas makes the official announcement, inviting everyone to the Fallas.March 15La PlantàThe day when the finishing touches are put on all the fallas in the streets of the city.March 18The Night of FireThe biggest pyrotechnic show, preamble to the grand finale of the FallasMarch 19La CremàThe climax, the most emotional event of the Fallas, when the monuments are consumed by the flames. The fires are started in stages between 8 and 11 p.m.Other key dates to rememberMore information and full scheduleFallasde ValenciaMascletàs daily at 2 p.m. from March 1 to 19 in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.Fireworks castles at night, from March 15 to 18 in the Turia Garden.Flower offering: On March 17 and 18, thousands of Valencians dressed in traditional attire bring flowers to the Virgin of the Forsaken, creating a colorful cloak over the gigantic image of the patron saint of Valencia that is set up in the Plaza de la Virgen.Spectacular lighting in some streets, most notably in the Ruzafa neighborhood.Band music, food stalls and a great party atmosphere in the streets.Although the biggest allure of the Fallas is wandering the streets and admiring these monuments up close, there are many other components of the celebration you won't want to miss:Next >