Explore Turia Garden in Valencia
The Turia Garden is one of Valencia's most remarkable urban achievements, a nine-kilometer-long park that runs through the heart of the city along the former bed of the Turia River. After a devastating flood in 1957, the river was rerouted, and locals successfully campaigned to transform the dry riverbed into a stunning green corridor rather than a highway, as originally planned.
Today the Turia Garden is the ultimate outdoor playground for both locals and visitors. The park is perfect for walking, cycling, jogging, or simply relaxing on the grass. It is beautifully landscaped with fountains, rose gardens, children's play areas, and sports facilities that make it feel like a different world from the busy city streets above.
One of the greatest things about exploring the Turia Garden is the incredible landmarks you pass along the way. At one end sits the magnificent City of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic complex of museums, an opera house, and a planetarium designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. It is one of the most photographed sights in Spain and absolutely worth a visit.
The garden also passes by the historic old town, several bridges of architectural note, and the charming neighborhood of El Carmen above. Whether you rent a bike and cycle the full length or simply dip in and out at various points, the Turia Garden is the most enjoyable and scenic way to experience the diversity of Valencia in one continuous green journey.