보타닉 정원 (Botanico) - 발렌시아

The Botanico is right next to the old part of the city, El Carmen, both of which are separated by the impressive Torres de Quart (one of the remaining towers of the old city walls).

The Carmen is a neighbourhood that is over one thousand years old. It grew up between the two city walls, with both Muslim and Christian influences. Once an almost abandoned area it experienced a rebirth and has become one of the most hip places in town. Brimming with bars, restaurants, pubs and discotheques it is a lively place to spend your evening. Unique shops and boutiques of different styles, from vintage to modern brands abound in el Botanico y el Carmen.

The Botanic area houses the Botanical gardens, which were moved to this site in 1802. Once the encampment of Napoleon’s invading forces, today behind its old walls, with beautiful old trees and wide range of plants it provides a tranquil retreat from the sun and the city. The Botanic area is also walking distance from two of Valencia’s most exciting museums, the IVAM (the museum of modern art) and the MOVIM photographers gallery.

By the other historic tower of the city walls ‘Torre de Serranos’ you can access Valencia’s largest park “El Jardin del Turia”.

After a catastrophic flood in the late fifties, the river Turía was divided in two at the western city limits. The water has been diverted southwards along a new course that skirts the city, before meeting the Mediterranean sea. The old riverbed, now called the 'Garden of the Turia' (Jardí del Túria/Jardín del Turia) has been transformed into a sunken verdant park of trees and flower gardens, landscaped ponds and lakes. It boasts cafés, climbing frames, football pitches, a skateboard park and many other sports facilities. It allows cyclists and pedestrians to traverse much of the city without using the roads.

Towards the park's eastern end is the Gulliver Park (Parc Gulliver/Parque Gulliver), a children's adventure playground featuring a huge fiberglass model of Lemuel Gulliver tied to the ground with ropes. Gulliver's clothes form slides and ladders and the ropes that tie him are climbable. At the eastern end of the river course is the Valencian Music Palace (el Palau de la Música Valenciana). Marking the park's eastern extreme is Valencia's new City of Arts and Sciences with the Opera House and Science Museum.