Visit Valencia and Discover the Turia Gardens

Visit Valencia and Discover the Turia Gardens

When you visit Valencia, we recommend taking a long walk through the Turia Gardens. This public park covers 110 hectares, making it the largest urban garden in Spain and one of the most visited.

Valencia was built on an alluvial plain created by the River Turia and has a history stretching back more than 2,000 years. Like many cities beside a river, it owes part of its prosperity to the waterway, but it has also suffered floods throughout its history.

In October 1957, the catastrophic flood known as the Great Flood of Valencia devastated parts of the city and claimed 81 lives. To prevent further damage, the river was diverted, with construction work completed in 1969.

History of the Turia Gardens

Local residents campaigned under the slogan “The river is ours and we want it green”. Thanks to their efforts, the former riverbed became a long, green public space dedicated to leisure and recreation.

The present gardens opened in 1986 and extend for seven kilometres through lawns and fountains, from Bioparc to the City of Arts and Sciences, a major cultural and entertainment complex near the port.

More than 20 bridges, including several beautiful historic structures, cross the route. Attractions include the modern Palau de la Música, along with football, rugby and athletics facilities.

Bioparc offers an immersive, open environment with areas inspired by Madagascar and Equatorial Africa, where visitors can discover the wildlife and plants native to those regions.

Do not miss this impressive green space: it is a wonderful place to spend memorable time with family when visiting Valencia.