We are launching a new section in the Boutique Hotels Spain blog, “Boutique Weekend” these are weekend plans that we will be proposing regularly to allow you to get to know the different regions of Spain through its landscapes, cuisine and regional festivals.
We begin with the Fallas of Valencia, which take place from the 15th to 19th March. No persuasion needed, just pack your suitcase to visit the city of “flowers, light and colour”.
If you want to experience the true hustle and bustle of Fallas, here are our suggestions that you can’t afford to miss:
Things to do
1. Fallas tour: We recommend you take a morning tour of the best Fallas monuments, which are classified as “Special Section Fallas” The Fallas are monumental works of art where satirical scenes are captured that recall events that have occurred throughout the year, criticism of politicians, society in general or Valencian customs. There are guided tours that you can contract to enjoy this experience even more.
2. The Mascletà: The Mascletà is a pyrotechnic spectacle lasting 5 to 7 minutes, which brings together a mixture of noise, smoke and color in a kind of catharsis that triggers euphoria and applause. Thousands of people congregate every day at 2:00p.m.in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento in Valencia, from 1st to 19th March. If you want to enjoy this experience in a VIP way and without the crowds, we recommend choosing the option of renting a balcony with catering, a service that exists exclusively during these dates.
3. The Offering: On March 17 and 18, all the Fallas commissions make a pilgrimage to the Virgen de los Desamparados (patron saint of Valencia) which concludes with the offering of a bouquet of flowers. With these flowers a beautiful mantle is made that covers and dresses the Virgin, it can be visited for several days in the Plaza de la Virgen. It is worth seeing the whole parade with the bands and the falleras dressed with their beautiful and elaborate regional dress.
4. The switching on of the lights: In these dates, the streets of the city are adorned with lights. But it is true that there are 4 streets that compete to be the best in this tradition: the Falla of Calle Sueca-Literato Azorín, the Falla of Calle Cuba-Puerto Rico, the Falla of Calle Cuba-Literato Azorín. Enjoy the show that fuses the combination of lights and music into a colossal architecture, which becomes something quite magical.
5. La Nit del Foc or The night of fire: During the nights of Fallas, you can enjoy other pyrotechnic fireworks display, similar to the afternoon mascletàs. They take place in the old river bed of the River Turia, in the Paseo de la Alameda. The most special of them is that of the night of the 18th, it begins at 1:30 am, with the premise that the Fallas are about to conclude.
6. La Cremà or The burning: This is the final act of the festivities. On the night of the 19th, all the Fallas are burned to put an end to the current year’s Fallas and at the same time to start a new fallero cycle. It is a cause of both sadness and happiness at the same time. Valencia becomes a show of fire and flames in each neighborhood, from 10:00 pm for the children’s Fallas, until 00:00 in the morning for the larger Fallas.
Where to eat?
There are a couple of things you should try if you go to Valencia:
1. A good hot chocolate with buñelos (small donut shaped treats) or churros to warm you up in the morning and get some energy. And if on the contrary you want to refresh yourself, because in the month of March in Valencia it starts to get hot, horchata is the typical drink here accompanied with fartones, it is sweet and fresh, ideal for a snack. Most famously served at the Horchatería Santa Catalina decorated with ceramics from Manises, a café with more than 200 years of tradition of serving these local delicacies.
2. For lunch, we recommend the typical dish of Valencia, paella. Although in the city centre you will find restaurants where they serve this dish, we recommend you go to El Palmar, a typical rice producing area on the shores of the Albufera lake. At the L’Establiment Restaurant you will enjoy spectacular views as well as wonderfully delicious food.
Where to stay?
During these days the city does not rest either day or night, therefore, we recommend you to stay in a quiet and relaxed place on the outskirts of Valencia. Among our hotels is El Secanet, a few kilometers from the city. A place surrounded by nature in a unique environment, and where Gemma and Salva, your hosts, will give you a unique and exclusive stay. Let yourself be conquered by Gemma’s cuisine, designed to activate the senses.