Paella's birthplace, old and ultra-modern
Valencia mixes a well-kept historic centre with bold modern design. The City of Arts and Sciences, a gleaming complex by Santiago Calatrava, sits in the Turia Gardens, a park built in a diverted riverbed that runs through the city. In the old town, the cathedral, the silk exchange of La Lonja and the Mercado Central are the highlights. Paella was born in the rice fields of the nearby Albufera lagoon, and the city beaches are a short tram ride away. In March, the Fallas festival fills the streets with fire.