Taking a walk at the harbor is a must when visiting Valencia. Preferably when it’s not too hot, and right before sunset.

Take the Metro to El Grau station. From there it takes just a couple minutes to reach the America’s Cup port. From there, stroll over to the Veles e Vents building and then head for the newly built pier to gaze at the million euro yachts and the beach. If you time it right and the weather allows, you’ll see an amazing sunset on your walk back to the Metro station.

Here are some of the things you might see on your Valencia harbour walk:

Las Atarazanas (location) of El Grao, close to the harbor, provide a fascinating look back on medieval Valencia. They served as shipyards, for the storage and and construction of boats, and date from the late 14th century, a time in which El Grao was its own fortified city, existing separately from Valencia. The building’s structure is typical of medieval Valencian architecture, consisting of a wooden roof atop 5 large arches. Inside, another series of perpendicularly-set arches allow movement throughout the building.

Las Atarazanas are a beautifully-perserved symbol of 14th century Valencia’s maritime prominence, and were built by the ruling Moors. Today, they have been restored and serve as an cultural center.

The current exhibition in Las Atarazanas is about classic sports cars. About 40 automobiles in perfect condition from the 1930s to the 60s are on display, with models from major companies like Ferrari to elite brands such as Bugatti. The show is a must for any racing fan — assuming that there are any left over in the city from the past weekend’s F1 race — and will run until September 14th. Check out some pictures:

Location of Las Atarazanas on our Valencia Map

The first Formula 1 race in Valencia is over and since we couldn’t afford tickets (and didn’t get press passes … yeah right - Holavalencia is still too small!), we went down to the track afterward. Being a photographer, wandering around the deserted track was more exciting than watching the race on TV.

As you’ll see, they’re far from being done erasing the traces of Formula 1 left around the Harbor.

They even had a helicopter airport:

View over Valencia from Ferris Wheel from Valencia Blog on Vimeo.

Part of the Feria de Julio was a fair in the Turia riverbed, which had this gigantic Ferris Wheel. You can’t have missed it if you’ve been Valencia during the last month. But perhaps you didn’t get a chance to take a spin… Well, in that case enjoy the video and a few pictures below.

The song in the video is called Twilight Phenomena by Paper Tyger.

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The Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the largest and probably most important plaza in Valencia. Home to the city hall (ayuntamiento) and the magnificent central post office (edificio de correos), the Plaza del Ayuntamiento also serves as ground zero for Fallas.

The triangular shape of the plaza is interesting. At its southern end, where it’s widest, there’s a large cement lot which is the site of mascletàs during Fallas. All other times of the year, it serves no obvious purpose and is conspicuously empty for a huge central city plaza. Ringed around the cement lot are flower vendors, who never seem to be lacking for business.

One thing the empty lot is good for is photographs. From every direction, you can get wonderful shots: the Central Post Office to the east, the Ayuntamiento to the west and a huge fountain to the north.

Besides Fallas, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento generally serves as Valencia’s go-to meeting spot. It was here people gathered for the impromptu celebrations following Spain’s Euro 2008 victory, and it makes an excellent meeting spot for ventures in the city.

But while the plaza is impressive and useful, it is not a nice place to while away the afternoon, as is the Plaza de la Virgen, for example. Too much traffic and concrete. But you won’t be able to avoid it on a trip to the city… in Valencia, all roads lead to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

Location on our Valencia Map

Restored Mosaics - Train Station Valencia from Valencia Blog on Vimeo.

I haven’t been living long enough in Valencia to have seen this hall before they renovated it. But I can say that they did a wonderful job, and it’s really worth a visit, especially since the Estación del Norte is already on the must see list of Valencia visitors.

Location on Our Valencia Map

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Carmen, Valencia’s most trendy and artsy district, is well known for its graffiti. But you can find exhibitions of this art form throughout the city. For example, here’s some graffiti from the district of Xerea (home of the Sant Bult Procession).

I especially like Calle de Engorgo with it’s bizarre, dilapidated buildings (don’t mind the smell) :

Google just announced that they’ve updated the satellite imagery for a bunch of cities around the world, and Valencia is one of them. Of course, I immediately opened up Google Earth, to make sure that the satellites didn’t catch me sunbathing nude on our terrace.

They didn’t. And in fact, while the imagery is updated, it’s not all that new. The table on our terrace is in a position we’ve never had it, and the BioParc hasn’t yet even been completed. So, the new Google Earth images are at least 6 months old.

But, while I was flying around Valencia on Google Earth, I took the opportunity to make a few shots of some cool sights. Do you know what all these are?

© TeleAtlas 2008

Based on the coat of arms of King James of Aragon, founder of the city, the city’s symbol first took its present form in the late fourteenth century. King Pedro the Ceremonious of Aragon benevolently granted Valencia the right to use his royal arms and crown, as a tribute for the city’s support in his war against Pedro the Cruel of Castilla — a battle known as the War of the Two Pedros (really!)

Who would support Pedro the Cruel? Well chosen, Valencia!

The two crowned L’s, the most mysterious part of the shield, symbolize the loyalty (lealtad) shown by Valencia to Pedro the Ceremonious. A bat, Valencia’s well-known mascot, flies above the colors and royal crown. (Source: Wikipedia.es)

The coat of arms can be seen everywhere in the city, from the Mercado Central, to the Post Office, to the manhole coverings on the street. It’s even been engraved into the city’s cathedral. Here are a few of our favorite sightings from around the city:

It’s about time for another picture dump. Hope you like them.

Above, some tourist lost on the roof of thePatriaca!

Two of the many different mailboxes at the main post office:

I never saw something like this before, rain clouds on fire:

Marquis des dos Aquas at night:

Desert Ship:

Two more shots from we went to the coast line of Albufera:

Why - who is this big head ! This installation was part of the Digital Media 1.0 at the La Nau:

And the last one, lady at the valencia fish market located at mercado central: