Spain – Valencia

New Sustainable Tourism or Ecotourism Initiatives

Rewilding Valencia: The City Becomes an Urban Oasis
València continues to expand its green spaces in 2026 with several rewilding projects. A disused plot will be transformed into the Jardín Trini Simó, a Mediterranean-style space of over 8,000 square meters that will recreate the traditional Valencian agricultural landscape, including the cultivation of heritage vegetable varieties. At the foot of the Torres de Serranos, a section of the Turia Garden will become a haven for pollinating insects. In the Orriols neighborhood, 25 urban gardens will be created to promote urban farming and community bonding. In addition, more than 60 green spaces will be enhanced with native plants, ponds, and shelters for birds and bats. With European funding and expert collaboration, Valencia is transforming into a greener, healthier city more connected with its natural surroundings.

New or Noteworthy Cultural Events

In 2026, Valencia expands its cultural offering with the opening of two must-see museums: the Espai Manolo Valdés in the Central Park, where 30 large-format sculptures will interact with nature, and the Sorolla Museum in the Palacio de las Comunicaciones in the heart of the city, which will also feature an innovative multisensory Fallas room. These new spaces join the recently opened El Paleontológic, an interactive museum that houses one of the best fossil collections in Europe.

XII Gay Games: Sports, Diversity and Inclusion in Valencia

From June 27 to July 4, 2026, Valencia will become a global epicenter for equality and sports with the XII Gay Games. With over 3,000 participants and 37 disciplines open to all genders—including local sports such as Colpbol and Pelota Valenciana—the city celebrates inclusion, achievement, and participation. This international event offers not only sports competitions, but also cultural and social activities, reinforcing Valencia’s image as an open, modern, and proudly diverse city.

Third Jubilee Year of the Holy Chalice: Valencian History and Splendor

València is preparing to showcase one of Christianity’s most revered relics and to demonstrate that only a city with the greatest economic, artistic, and social splendor of the Mediterranean in the 15th century could have become home to such a coveted treasure. Starting in October 2025, during the Third Jubilee Year of the Holy Chalice, the city will highlight the heritage of Valencia’s Golden Age and invite visitors to discover the Chalice’s legacy on a two-hour guided tour departing every Friday from the tourist office in Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

The Church of Santos Juanes Shines Again

After more than four years of restoration, the Church of Santos Juanes (1692) has regained its Baroque splendor. Frescoes by Antonio Palomino, sculptures, stuccoes, and gilding have been meticulously restored, bringing back the temple’s original majesty. This architectural and artistic gem now enhances the city’s cultural offerings, providing a historical tour that blends devotion, art, and heritage. A must-visit to appreciate Valencia’s cultural richness.

Roig Arena: Valencia’s New Cultural and Sports Hub

The Roig Arena has transformed Valencia’s cultural and sports life. With the capacity to welcome over one million visitors annually, it hosts concerts, events, and Valencia Basket games, and is expected to generate over €150 million in economic impact. It also features a public restaurant area open daily and a covered parking lot with 1,000 spaces. With a €400 million investment from Valencian entrepreneur Juan Roig, this new venue—one of the world’s best arenas—has become a modern urban icon redefining entertainment in the city.

New Transport Connections

Valencia adds a new direct connection with the UK. Starting March 2026, Wizz Air will connect London Luton with Valencia.

Anniversaries and Recognitions

10th Anniversary of the Fallas as UNESCO Heritage
In 2026, Valencia celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Fallas being declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The 2026 Fallas Municipales at Plaza del Ayuntamiento will adopt a new conceptual approach with universal messages. The main monument, “Hope”, is a tribute to peace featuring a giant ninot of Charlie Chaplin, made of sustainable materials like wood, cardboard, and plant-based polystyrene. The children’s falla will focus on sustainable urban mobility in a highly educational way.

ALICANTE City & Beach

Below are some of the most notable initiatives, updates, and events taking place in Alicante in 2026, as well as some relevant developments from 2025.

Confirmed Sporting Events for 2026:

• Alicante City & Beach International Beach Soccer Tournament
• Aguas de Alicante Half Marathon
• Mediterránea Triathlon (Alicante)
• Survivor Race (Alicante)
• 2nd Elche–Alicante Marathon
• European Women’s Volleyball League
• Alicante Open Water Swimming League
• Start of the 15th edition of The Ocean Race from the Port of Alicante (January 2027)

New or Renovated Hotels:

• New hotel: B&B HOTEL Alicante Aeropuerto
• Renovated hotel: INNSiDE by Meliá Alicante Porta Maris

New Transport Connections:

The Alicante-Elche Airport significantly expanded its connections in 2025, including a new route to Athens (Greece) with EasyJet, which inaugurated a new base there. For 2026, Luxair will begin flights to Luxembourg starting April 1st, and Wizz Air will launch a new summer route to Bratislava.

Cruises:

In 2026, 114 cruise ships are expected to arrive at the Port of Alicante, including ships from MSC Cruises and two new cruise lines, bringing an estimated 300,000 cruise passengers to the city.

Music Festivals and Concerts:

While the 2026 event line-up has not yet been fully released, Alicante has established itself as a music destination, and the following festivals are expected to return:

• Área 12 and Spring Festival (Recinto Rabasa)
• Plaza Alicante (Plaza de Toros)
• El Muelle Live (Muelles 12, Port of Alicante)

Exhibitions:

The city’s museums and exhibition centers will host a variety of shows throughout the year. Notably, the MARQ Archaeological Museum continues to offer internationally renowned exhibitions, attracting many visitors.

Sustainable Tourism or Ecotourism Initiatives:

The Department of Environmental Sustainability of the Alicante City Council promotes ecotourism through a network of urban trails totaling nearly 50 km. These include routes through natural areas, forest parks, and urban environmental trails, offering a combination of physical activity and nature learning. Designed as eco-routes, the trails highlight Alicante’s unique features—its coastline, green areas, nearby mountains, and privileged climate. The network is intended for both locals and visitors seeking a sustainable tourism alternative. The newest trail added is the Monte Tossal Route.
More information:

• Monte Tossal: Sendero del Tossal

VALENCIA Turisme

Birdwatching in the inland area, sustainable tourism experiences.

This is a programme that includes birdwatching experiences for all audiences, carried out throughout 2025 in inland municipalities of the province of Valencia (especially in municipalities at risk of depopulation or with highly rural environments).

The experiences are part of the FEM POBLE – Tourism against Depopulation project, promoted by the Valencia Provincial Council, with the aim of attracting flows of visitors and tourists as a stimulus for endogenous development and sustainable tourism in the inland areas of the province.

The goal of Birdwatching in the Inland Area is to attract visitors to these inland municipalities by using birdwatching as a resource, allowing visitors to discover natural, historical, and cultural heritage through guided tours of key points of interest in each location. Each experience also includes a tasting of traditional products made in the locality.

The programme has been developed by companies belonging to the Birding Guides Association of the Valencian Community in nine municipalities of the province.

In the first half of 2026, with the aim of enhancing the ecosystem services of the destination—associated with water-related resources and areas of high environmental quality with low levels of pollutants—the installation and/or improvement of birdwatching observatories in wetlands is planned. These will promote sustainable birdwatching and will be located in strategic points to enjoy local fauna and flora in wetland areas of the province of Valencia (funded by Next Generation EU – Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan – financed by the European Union).

Gastronomy as essence, the tourist identity of the Province of Valencia

The province of Valencia treasures a unique gastronomic heritage, born from the land, the Mediterranean, and a culinary culture passed down through generations. Its cuisine is a destination in itself: it connects travellers with the territory, its people, and a lifestyle where flavour, tradition, and innovation come together.

Gastronomy has become one of the main reasons to travel. In this context, focusing on gastronomy means investing in sustainable, experiential tourism with high added value for the province of Valencia.

Valencia, a Gastronomic Destination with its Own Identity

We want the province of Valencia to be recognised—within Spain and abroad—as an essential gastronomic destination.

To achieve this, we are developing a promotional strategy combining local identity with international outreach, bringing our cuisine and hallmark products to key markets:

Destination presentations featuring gastronomy as the ambassador of the province of Valencia.

Active participation in gastronomic events and fairs that showcase the culinary strength of our territory.

Showcookings and sensory experiences at tourism fairs and gastronomic events, aimed at captivating professionals, media, and travellers through local products and culinary talent.

The catalogue of tourism experiences of the province of Valencia presented at WTM includes a total of 49 unique gastronomic experiences designed to build visitor loyalty.

Festivities and traditions of the province of Valencia: an international tourist attraction.

The Valencian character is joyful and festive, with a cycle of celebrations that takes place throughout the entire year in the province of Valencia.

LAS FALLAS, Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

From 15 to 19 March, Las Fallas take over the city of Valencia and a large number of municipalities and cities in the province (Xàtiva, Gandia, Alzira, Cullera, Carcaixent, Sagunto, Torrent…), in a true explosion of art, music, fireworks, and emotion.

Everything transforms in Valencia on the night of 15 March with the “Plantà” of more than 500 cardboard-and-wood monuments. Valencian baroque flair is reflected in traditional costumes and in the offering to the Virgin of the Forsaken. Fireworks take centre stage every day at 2 p.m. with the “mascletaes” in the Town Hall Square, complemented by nightly firework displays and daily “despertaes”. Fire marks the end of the festivities with the spectacular “Cremà”, when all Fallas monuments burn in a symphony of heat, fireworks, applause, and a few tears.

MOORS AND CHRISTIANS.

The troupes re-enact battles using musketry and fill the streets with fantasy and magical spectacle. Particularly notable are those of Bocairent (February), declared of National Tourist Interest, and those of Ontinyent (August), declared of International Tourist Interest. These festivities feature events filled with music, colour, and fireworks.

LA TOMATINA OF BUÑOL.

Celebrated on the morning of the last Wednesday of August. Originating in 1945, it now attracts more than 30,000 people from around the world who take part for about an hour in a massive tomato battle. It is declared of International Tourist Interest.

FESTES A LA MARE DE DÉU DE LA SALUT – ALGEMESÍ.

The festivities in honour of the “Mare de Déu de la Salut” in Algemesí date back to 1247. Central to the celebration is “La Muixeranga”, a sequence of human towers and symbolic figures that open a series of dances and performances that conclude just before the procession of the Virgin. They are celebrated on 7 and 8 September and are declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

CASTELLÓN

Throughout 2026, the Provincial Tourism Board of Castellón will continue strengthening the positioning of the province of Castellón as a leading destination for Sun and Beach, Gastronomy, Cycling Tourism, and Festivals.

SUN AND BEACH

The province of Castellón is a destination with 120 kilometres of exclusive beaches—exclusive in the sense of uncrowded environments that reflect environmental respect in the touristic use of coastal areas. These beaches were awarded 34 Blue Flags in 2025 and boast all necessary services. They are not overcrowded, offering very safe bathing areas thanks to shallow waters and gentle slopes.

These beaches remain the main tourist attraction for the British market. Excellent hotels, campsites and first-line apartments with more than 123,000 beds offer high-quality services, located in towns fully committed to tourism. The mild Mediterranean climate, with more than 300 days of sunshine per year, makes Castellón an attractive destination at any time of the year.

Castellón Airport offers three weekly flights to London.

GASTRONOMY

Through the “Castelló Ruta de Sabor” Product Club—with nearly 500 members including producers and representatives of the tourism sector—the province of Castellón is a national benchmark for gastronomy.

Numerous activities such as Gastronomic Days or product fairs are scheduled throughout the year, taking advantage of the optimal season for each gastronomic product. In addition, associated restaurants offer special “Castelló Ruta de Sabor” menus, and visitors can explore experiences available at www.castellorutadesabor.com/en

In October, the 4th “Castelló Ruta de Sabor” Gastronomic Festival was held in the town of Benicàssim, an event that takes place each year in a different municipality of the province. This festival brings together more than 40 producers and restaurateurs associated with the brand and offers a full programme of showcooking sessions with Michelin-starred chefs from both the province and the rest of Spain.

CYCLING

Cycling tourism in the province of Castellón is another major strategic focus for enhancing the territorial tourism offering.

Through the “Castellón Cycling” Product Club, 118 companies offer services and meet the needs of cyclists who choose Castellón as their pedalling destination. Visitors can find accommodation providers, bicycle and equipment rental companies, guided route operators, experience providers, and cycling event organisers on www.castelloncycling.com/en

Throughout 2025, cycling infrastructure has been developed to transform the province of Castellón into a complete cycling destination. This includes: electric bicycle charging stations, self-repair tools, washing stations and bike racks in more than 100 municipalities; Early Warning Systems for preventing fire, landslide, or flooding risks to ensure cyclist safety; and the expansion of both mountain and road cycling route networks.

The racing calendar—both mountain and road—is extensive throughout the year, and thanks to Castellón’s excellent climate, there is practically no weekend without a competition or amateur event.

Key events for amateur cyclists include:

– Mediterranean Epic. Dates: 5–8 February 2026.

The only UCI‑certified mountain bike race in Spain. A multi‑stage race covering around 250 km across the province of Castellón, starting and finishing in Oropesa del Mar.

– Mediterranean Epic Gran Fondo. Dates: 25 April 2026.

A road cycling race with up to 220 km of route and five mountain passes, allowing participants to discover the inland areas of Castellón.

– Gigante de Piedra. Dates: June 2026

One of the most demanding MTB Marathon and Ultramarathon races in Spain.

Find more information and the full race calendar at: www.castelloncycling.es/en

FESTIVALS

Castellón is a Land of Festivals and hosts, especially during the summer, some of the leading festivals in Europe, including:

– FIB Benicàssim. Dates: 16–18 July 2026.

The benchmark indie music festival celebrates its 30th edition. For decades, it has been a meeting point for British youth wanting to enjoy music and Castellón’s climate.

– Rototom Sunsplash Benicàssim. Dates: 16–22 August 2026.

The leading reggae music festival, celebrating its 26th edition.

– Arenal Sound Burriana. Dates: 30 July–2 August 2026.

A festival with a mostly young and primarily Spanish audience.

– San San Festival Benicàssim. Dates: 2–4 April 2025.

The festival that opens the season, held around Easter to attract a diverse audience.

– Peñíscola Early Music and Baroque Festival. Dates: July 2026.

An important classical music festival set in the incomparable setting of Peñíscola’s Templar Castle.

More information at: www.turismodecastellon.com

ELCHE

Three thousand hours of sun a year on nine kilometresof fine golden sand beaches that are in an impeccable state of conservation, with all kinds of services available to enjoy the most beautiful natural areas.

Six long beaches, mainly untouched, make up the Elche coastline. In the north, on the beaches of L’Altet, Els Arenalsdel Sol and El Carabassí, the fine sand dunes are the protagonists; while in the south, the beaches of El Pinet, La Marina and Les Pesqueres-El Rebollo, have their extensive pine forests as an added plus.

In a remarkable landscape created by the dune system of the beaches of L’Altetand Els Arenalsdel Sol a complex dune genesis can be observed, which is unique in Spain. Embryonic, shifting, semi-fixed, fixed and even fossil dunes can be found here. While the existing dune system of El Carabassíbeach is partly covered by pine trees and fossil dunes of great geological interest.

Countless activities can be enjoyed in the hottest months of the year on the coastline of Elche, with beaches that have magnificent seabedsand high quality stretches of sand thanks to the environmental management of them; there are courses of snorkelling, dive, surfing, kitesurfing, SUP, sailing, boat rental, Nordic walking in water… and much more.

In the dunes of the beaches of El Pinet, La Marina and Les Pesqueres-El Rebollothe Mediterranean stone pines are the protagonists, covering a large part of the area.

In the sandier areas, sea daffodils and a wealth of dune vegetation grow, which includes the European beachgrassor marram grass and they help stabilize the dunes.

The natural environment of Elche is a unique place for thousands of birds. Some species stop here on their migratory journey and others are common residents of its wetlands, so it is an ideal area for nature lovers and bird watchers to have unforgettable experiences. Areas such as El Hondo, Las Salinas Nature Parks and the Clot de Galvanyare important reserves of flora and fauna of high ecological value.

Natural areas integrated into an agricultural environment, the “Camp d’Elx” (Elche Countryside) is closely related to the history of Elche; visits to the traditional olive oil mills and wineries, hiking, bicycle tourism routes, hot air ballooning and a vast network of restaurants that are perfect to savoura culinary experience of tasting the most traditional dishes.

The Elche’s Palm Grove, with more than 200,000 palm trees, is a unique cultural landscape, of outstanding value and universal significance. UNESCO declared the Historic Palm Grove World Heritage site on 30th November 2000, recognisingits universal value as an example of the transference of a characteristic landscape from one culture and continent to another, in this case north Africa to Europe, and also highlighting the particularly interesting irrigation system, which is still used.