The conference will take place in Valencia, Spain. Valencia is a major city on Spain’s eastern coast, along the Mediterranean Sea and the third-largest city in Spain and is the capital of the Valencian Community. Valencia is well known for its long coastline with numerous beaches (the most iconic is Playa de la Malvarrosa with a wide stretch of golden sand just north of the city centre with a lively promenade), as well as La Albufera, Spain’s largest lake and one of the most significant wetland ecosystems on the Iberian Peninsula.
Credit: visitvalencia (Playa de la Malvarrosa)
Valencia is a Mediterranean city that blends a historic old town with bold, contemporary architecture in other areas. One of its most striking features and with a short distance from the historic centre is the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias) designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, whose innovative design creates a powerful visual impact. It includes the Oceanogràfic, Europe’s largest aquarium, and is famous for its striking, futuristic architecture.
Credit: Emilio García (City of Arts and Sciences)
The city stands out for its contrasts, honouring its rich and long-standing past while also embracing modern social and technological progress.
Valencia is a city best explored on foot. The historic centre of Valencia, known as Ciutat Vella, is a vibrant maze of narrow streets, lively plazas, and centuries-old monuments. It blends Roman, Islamic, Gothic and Baroque influences, with highlights such as Plaza de la Reina, Plaza de la Virgen and Valencia Cathedral with the Miguelete Tower, which offers great views after climbing its 207 steps. Nearby are the Silk Exchange (La Lonja de la Seda), a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its orange-tree courtyard, the Central Market, Europe’s largest fresh food market, and landmarks such as the National Ceramic Museum and the Quart and Serrano Towers. The city also features museums like the IVAM (Institut Valencià d’Art Modern) and colourful street art.
Valencia Cathedral, officially the Metropolitan Cathedral–Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, is a striking monument that reflects the city’s layered history. Built between the 13th and 15th centuries on the site of a former mosque. The cathedral is famous for housing the Holy Chalice, believed by many to be the Holy Grail. Its bell tower, El Miguelete, is one of Valencia’s most iconic landmarks and offers panoramic views of the historic center.
Credit: Ben Morris from unplash (Cathedral)
El Miguelete, the Gothic bell tower of Valencia Cathedral, was built between 1381 and 1429 in Valencian Gothic style with an octagonal shape and about 63m tall. The name comes from its main bell, Micalet, and visitors can climb its 207-step spiral staircase for panoramic views of the city.
Credit: Daniel Kružík (Miguelete Tower)
La Lonja de la Seda (the Silk Exchange) is a masterpiece of late Gothic civil architecture and a symbol of the city’s historic prosperity as a Mediterranean trading hub. Built between 1482 and 1548, it was originally a marketplace for Valencia’s thriving silk trade, which was a cornerstone of the city’s economy during the 15th and 16th centuries. The building is famous for its ornate stone carvings, twisted columns, and spacious central hall known as the Sala de Contratación, where merchants conducted business under a vaulted ceiling that resembles an intricate forest canopy. The exterior features decorative turrets, gargoyles, and a richly adorned façade reflecting both Gothic and Renaissance influences. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, La Lonja de la Seda stands today as a monument to Valencia’s commercial history and architectural brilliance, often admired for its elegance, grandeur, and harmony of proportions.
Credit: Emilio García (La Lonja de la Seda)
The Central Market of Valencia (Mercado Central) is one of the largest and most vibrant fresh food markets in Europe, combining modernist architecture with centuries of trading tradition. Opened in 1928 on the site of a former medieval market, it showcases Valencian Art Nouveau style, with ornate iron, glass, and ceramic details, colourful stained-glass skylights, and elaborate tiling. Inside, the market is a bustling hub of daily life, with over 1,000 stalls offering fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, spices, and local delicacies, including Valencia’s famous oranges and horchata ingredients. The Central Market is considered both a gastronomic paradise and an architectural landmark, blending functionality and beauty in a way that epitomizes Valencia’s historic charm.
Credit: Diego Delso (Central Market of Valencia)
Credit: Miguel Hermoso Cuesta (Central Market of Valencia)
Valencia is a welcoming and inclusive city, easy to enjoy for both locals and visitors. The influence of the many cultures and civilizations that once arrived on the shores of Valencia can still be seen in the city’s monuments and streets. Commerce and industry exist alongside leisure and arts, creating a dynamic urban life. Valencia is a lively city with a strong cultural scene, offering festivals, concerts, performances, and exhibitions throughout the entire year. Valencia brings together historic traditions and cultural heritage with distinctive architecture, a vibrant food scene, lively nightlife, and long stretches of white sandy beaches.
Useful resources:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/spain/valencia-and-murcia/valencia
https://www.visitvalencia.com/en