Valencia

Valencia is the third-largest city in Spain, with an estimated population of 787,240 in 2026. Located on the eastern coast along the Mediterranean Sea, it is the capital of the Valencian Community and a major cultural, economic, and port center. Founded as the Roman colony Valentia Edetanorum in 138 BCE, Valencia later flourished under Moorish rule before being reconquered by James I of Aragon in 1238. During the late Middle Ages, it became one of the most prosperous cities of the Crown of Aragon.

Today, Valencia blends historic heritage with modern architecture. Notable landmarks include the Valencia Cathedral, the Silk Exchange (La Lonja de la Seda), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences. The city is also known as the birthplace of the traditional dish paella. Among the notable figures born in Valencia are novelist Vicente Blasco Ibáñez and singer and television presenter Guillermo Martín Taboada.