Why choose Valencia?
The university city with a safe environment
Valencia is the third largest city in Spain with a population of approximately 800,000 inhabitants in its metropolitan area, a university population of approximately 140,000 students of which 30,000 are foreigners.
The city has been characterized by safety in all areas, excellent health services and absolute respect for diversity, regardless of place of origin or culture. The safe and respectful atmosphere makes it possible to walk the streets at any time of day or night.
The city of Valencia
Valencia is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city on the western Mediterranean coast. Once the capital of its own kingdom, it is now a regional capital and Spain’s third largest city with about 800,000 inhabitants (more than one million in the metropolitan area).
With a rich history spanning more than two millennia, the city was founded by the Romans in 138 BC, taken by the Visigoths after the fall of the Roman Empire, and greatly prospered under the Moors between 711 and 1238 AD. On October 9th 1238 the Christian king Jaume I (James the 1st) conquered the city. Each civilisation has left its mark, and Valencians are proud of their rich and multi-cultural historic and cultural heritage. The Old Town includes, among many superb ancient construction masterpieces, a 13th century cathedral (‘La Seu’) with an amazing panoramic roof tower (‘El Micalet/Miguelete’), a splendid gothic 15th century silk trade building (‘La Llotja/Lonja’), and two well-preserved old city wall gates (‘Torres de Serrans/Serranos’ and ‘Torres de Quart’).
Notwithstanding its ancient roots, the city is looking to the future and has recently experienced one of Europe’s most exciting urban development projects. Extensive investments have been made, including a futuristic City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències) near the port area, a renovated Recreational Port area (Marina Real Juan Carlos I) full of restaurants and vibrant nightlife, and a cutting-edge eco-friendly ultra-modern zoological garden (Bioparc), among other cityscape landmarks. Within the City of Arts and Sciences, a huge aquarium (Oceanogràfic), where you can walk through under-water tunnels surrounded by sharks, and an outstanding Opera House (Palau de les Arts), which delivers world-class performances, deserve special mention.
Valencia’s mild climate and ‘joie de vivre’ spirit are additional reasons to come for a stay. Its warm atmosphere is always inviting and hospitable. Ready to be enjoyed. Valencia means museums and culture, cinema and theatre, music and nightlife, beach and outdoor activities, commerce and business… It is a centre for industrial design and avant-garde movements. Valencia is a city that never sleeps, with an extensive cultural line-up. No visit to Valencia would be complete without a taste of its ample Mediterranean cuisine based on local ingredients which offer seasonal tastes thanks to a year-round fertile ‘huerta’ (vegetable orchards), and exquisite fresh fish and shellfish. The star of local products is rice, served in an infinity of manners, among which the internationally acclaimed (genuine) Valencian paella stands out. Valencian wines also perfectly match local dishes. Definitely, traditional Valencian cuisine is a five-star pleasure!
During your stay in Valencia, you may also wish to enjoy the peace and quiet of several exceptional nature sites. Between the sea and the rice fields, blessed by the Albufera lake and the Devesa seaside forest, the Albufera Nature Park is a paradise for migratory birds and a recreation area where city residents like to go to unwind and relax. Located along the coast South of town, and between the Albufera lake and broad sandy beaches, sunrise (from the sea) and sunset (from the lake) can be both enjoyed any day of the year. There are pleasant recreation areas where people come to enjoy the sun and the sea.
For panorama photos of the splendours of Valencia, and by courtesy of Prof. Salvador del Saz, click here.
For further details about the city, the Region of Valencia (Comunitat Valenciana) and Spain, you can visit the following sites (in English):
Turismo Valencia Convention Bureau (tourist info on Valencia city)
Agencia Valenciana de Turismo (tourist info on Valencia Region)
Tourspain (tourist info on Spain, government official website)
How to reach the city of Valencia?
by plane
Getting to Valencia is easy and convenient. There are direct flights from most major European cities, and from all over the world via Madrid or Barcelona. (Plane-train connections via Madrid, Barcelona or Alicante might also be an interesting option; see the ‘arriving by train’ section below.)
The airport is about 10 km from the city centre and conference venue area. We recommend to arrive to your hotel either by taxi or by metro (underground).
A taxi from the airport to the conference venue area will cost approximately 20 euros and take about 15 or 20 minutes.
There is a fast and efficient metro (underground) service from the airport to the city. Lines 3 (red) and 5 (green) follow the same route (Eastbound) to the city centre (from where line 1 to connects to the conference venue area, located in the North-West edge the city, about 5 km. from the city centre). Single ticket (from the airport, zones AB+) fare is 4,8 euros.
by train
There are comfortable trains from Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante. There are two main train stations: ‘València-Joaquín Sorolla’, servicing high-speed trains, and ‘València-Nord’, where all the rest of trains arrive (please check the info on your ticket to make sure which is your destination station).
A taxi from either of the train stations to the conference venue area (where the recommended hotels are located) will cost approximately 15 euros and take about 15 minutes.
There is a fast and efficient metro (underground) service from either of the train stations to the conference venue area (where the recommended hotels are located)
by car
If you decide to bring (or rent) your own car, there are two major highways (motorways) leading to Valencia; one from Madrid, the A-3 (3h.15min. journey); and the AP-7 from Barcelona (3h.15m. journey) and the border with France (5h. journey).
The international airport connects the city with direct flights to more than 80 domestic and international destinations with low cost airlines such as Air Europa, Volotea, Vueling and Ryaniar.
By train, the travel time between Valencia and Madrid is 1h45 minutes and to Barcelona 3h30 minutes. There are low cost companies such as AVLO and UIGO that allow you to travel very economically.
In addition, it has maritime connections with the main cities of the Mediterranean thanks to the wide range of cruise ships departing from the city. Some of the maritime destinations are the Balearic Islands, Italy, Greece or Turkey.
Ease of getting around the city
There are two very economical and environmentally friendly options for getting around the city on a daily basis:
Public transport: you can use all public means to move around the metropolitan area: subway, bus, suburban train network and metropolitan bus (MetroBus) just by purchasing the Suma Mensual Jove card (the name of the card leads to this hyperlink: https://atmv.gva.es/es/suma). Its monthly costs are between 30 € and 46 €.
GAIAS Europa is within walking distance of Metro Alameda and the bus stop Portal del Mar Bus No. 95 and 32.
By bike: Valencia is an ideal city for cycling, with no hills and a large network of bike paths: 160 kilometers of bike lanes. VALENBISI is the concessionary company of the local city council. You can buy a long-term (annual) pass. Throughout the city there are numerous pick-up and drop-off points for bicycles. Each trip allows you to use it for 30 minutes.
How to arrive to EDEM
Option 1 (Taxi): You can order a taxi-private driver for two apps: Taxi now to order a taxi or cabify to order a private taxi. The prices are similar between the apps and it cost approximately 15 euros from the city centre.
You can download the apps in the app store:
You can download the apps in the Play Store:
¿Cómo llegar a EDEM?
Option 2 (Metro): To arrive to Edem via metro you must take the line 5 and 7 to Maritim Serreria and you have to stop at Maritim Serreria that is the last subway stop. Then you have two options. The first one is to walk to EDEM and it takes approximately 15 minutes or take a tram, the line 6 or 8 to stop in Grau- la Marina, which is very close to the venue of the event.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Time Zone
Spain follows Central European Time (CET). Interesting facts: although Greenwich meridian is close to Valencia, Spain (which before World War II observed GMT, i.e. British time) moved its official time one hour forward in 1939 (to match German time); although this was intended to be a ‘provisional’ policy, Spanish time zone has so far remained unchanged. As a result, despite its southern location, Spain enjoys (late) sunset times in June that are similar to those of more northern regions.
Climate
Valencia, with an average annual temperature of 20ºC (68ºF), enjoys mild winters and hot summers, and an average of 300 sunny days per year. Early June temperatures are typically around 24-28 degrees during the day and 16-20 degrees at night, and rainfall probability is low.
Restaurants
Spanish eating habits are characterised by late hours – partly influenced by our observance of CET despite being located in the GMT time zone, so Spanish solar noon is over-moved into the (official time) afternoon. Spaniards have lunch around 14:00-15:00 and dinner around 21:00-22:00. Restaurants traditionally open from 13:30 to 16:00 for lunch and from 21:00 to 23:30 for dinner. However, restaurants in¡ tourist areas, as well as more informal bars and fast-food places tend to have longer opening hours. In many restaurants you will be able to taste our traditional paella, an ancient dish (rooted in the 15th-16th centuries), made with rice and a variety of potential ingredients (chicken, rabbit, snails, seafood, seasonal vegetables, etc.).
Banks and currency
Banks open from Monday to Friday from 8.30 or 9.00 to 14.00 or 14.30, and some banks open on or two afternoons per week. Almost every bank has a 24-hours ATM (cash machine) – in addition to department stores’ and malls’ ATMs. The currency of Spain is the Euro.
Language
Valencia has two official languages - Spanish and Valencian (local form of Catalan). You will often find signposts and street names in both (or either) language(s). Few Spaniards speak other European languages. However, English is steadily gaining popularity (especially among younger people), and you will normally find somebody who can speak English (and/or French or Italian) in airports, large hotels, etc.
Shopping hours
Traditional opening hours for shops are 10.00-14.00 and (after a long lunch break) 17.00-20.00 hours, Mondays through Saturdays. Department stores and malls, and some larger stores (typically in shopping and tourist districts), usually open from 09.00 or 10.00 to 21.00 or 22.00, and do not close for lunch.
Public transport
An extensive public transportation network covers the whole of Valencia, encompassing several metro lines (including underground and tram routes) and many bus lines. In addition to single tickets, which can be bought at metro stations, vending machines in tram stops, and on the buses, there several multi-trip, single-day and multi-day travel passes. For detailed info on fares, timetables, routes, journey planners... please check the websites of Metrovalencia (underground and tram) and EMT-Valencia (bus).
Electricity supply
Electricity is supplied at 220 V - 50 Hz AC, with standard European plugs and sockets.
Cost of living
Valencia is an affordable city to live in. Its cost of living is 30% lower than in Madrid or Barcelona.
There is the possibility of opting for a student residence, the cost of which varies from 600€ to 950€. We recommend this as the first option because it allows you to meet other students from different parts of the world, participate in leisure activities, access to a gym, enjoy food services and a healthy lifestyle, as well as generate bonds that will last over time.
Another option is to share an apartment, whose monthly cost ranges between 300€ and 450€ per room plus services.
As for food, a daily menu in a restaurant is between €8 and €10, while monthly groceries in a supermarket range between €250 and €350 per person.
Private medical insurance is around 50€ and 80€ per month, depending on each case.
Recreational activities have varied costs and will depend on the lifestyle of each student. Cinema tickets cost an average of €8, monthly gym or wellness membership costs between €20 and €40, museum admission costs €6.
| Concept | Valencia | Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price for student residences | 600€ - 950€ | 1200€ - 1900€ |
| Monthly room rental price per person in a student apartment | 200€ - 400€ | 450€ - 900€ |
| Menu of the day in a restaurant | 8 - 10€ | 10€ |
| Monthly price of Metro/Bus pass (depending on distances) | 30€ | 40€ |
| Average monthly supermarket and dining out expenditures | 250€ - 350€ | 500€ |
| Average monthly price for gyms and wellness centers | 20€ - 40€ | 25€ |
| Average cinema ticket price | 8€ | 9€ |
| Average museum ticket price | 6€ | 9€ |
| Private medical insurance | 50€ - 80€ | 60€ |
| Average monthly student expenditure | 910€ - 1.160€ | 1.460€ - 2.160€ |
| Average annual student expenditure (10 months) | 9.100€ - 11.600€ | 14.600€ - 21.600€ |
Health Insurance
To obtain a visa, it is necessary to have insurance valid for all Schengen States, covering the entire intended period of stay and any expenses that may arise from repatriation for medical reasons, emergency medical care, emergency hospital treatment or death during the stay.
The minimum coverage must be €30,000. This insurance must not have a deductible.
The insurance cannot be a travel insurance and must be valid from the beginning to the end of the trip and for a maximum of one year. It must cover 100% of medical expenses, with no waiting period or co-payment (no deductible).
We recommend that it be contracted with insurance companies established in Spain.
