During your time in Valencia put the district of Benicalap on your travel itinerary. This largely residential area comprises two neighborhoods, Benicalap and Ciutat Fallera, which feature a small selection of attractions for the entire family.
For outdoor fun spend a few hours in the Parque de Benicalap, one of the largest green spaces in Valencia. This location was once covered with an orange grove but now has a children’s play area, sports fields, a relaxation zone with ornamental fountains, a forum for cultural activities, an outdoor swimming pool, an active water zone and a children’s water park. The water areas contain slides, waterfalls and a splash bucket, among other aquatic attractions. The pool has an admission charge but offers free access on weekend afternoons.
If you enjoy cycling, get some exercise on the bike path and along some of Benicalap neighborhood’s avenues.
Go just north of the park to Ciutat Fallera, which is principally an industrial neighborhood. In many of its workshops, falleras statues are created. These are papier-mâché figures of celebrities, politicians and other notable personalities that are paraded through the streets during the Fallas. This festival is the city’s largest celebration, a 5-day fiesta in March in honor of St. Joseph. Some of the dolls reach several stories in height and are burned on huge bonfires.
To learn more about this annual street party visit the Museo del Artista Fallero. Browse the extensive collection of photos of previous Fallas fiestas. Look at technical drawings of the floats and gain insights into the history and evolution of the dolls. The highlight of the museum is the display of figures that have been saved from the bonfires by the Guild of Falleros Artists. Note the skill and talent that go into creating the lifelike faces. Also on display are other works by Fallas artists.
The district of Benicalap is about 2 miles (3 kilometers) north of Valencia’s city center. Get here easily by public transportation.
