The Turia Riverbed in Valencia, known as the Jardín del Turia (Turia Gardens), is one of the largest urban parks in Spain and an example of landscape and social transformation. Along almost 10 kilometers, this linear garden connects the west and east of the city, offering spaces for sports, culture, recreation, and outdoor living.
What was once a threat due to major floods is now a green lung that gives life to Valencia. Thousands of locals and visitors walk its paths daily, stop under its trees, play sports, or discover corners full of history and contemporary architecture.
The History of the Turia River in Valencia
On October 14, 1957, the city experienced the so-called Great Flood of the Turia, a flood that caused serious damage and loss of life. This episode forever changed the destiny of the river and the city. To avoid future catastrophes, it was decided to divert the Turia Riverbed to the south, leaving free the space that had crossed it for centuries.
The initial proposal was to turn this space into an urban highway, but public pressure drove a much more ambitious idea: to transform that riverbed into a large garden for public enjoyment. Thus was born the current Jardín del Turia, opened in the eighties and today considered one of the most important urban parks in Europe.
What to See in the Jardín Del Turia
Strolling through the Turia Riverbed is like entering a mosaic of landscapes and activities. Each section has its own personality and hides corners that deserve a stop.
Parque De Cabecera and Bioparc
At the western entrance of the riverbed is the Parque de Cabecera, with its large lake, green meadows, and wooded areas. It is the perfect place to start the tour, as the Bioparc Valencia is also located here, a new generation zoo that recreates African habitats and promotes the conservation of biodiversity.
Historical Bridges
Along the route, the riverbed is crossed by centuries-old bridges that are part of the city’s heritage: the Serranos Bridge, the Trinidad Bridge, and the Real Bridge are some of the most prominent. These constructions not only allow you to cross from one neighborhood to another, but also recall the history of Valencia and its inseparable relationship with the river.
Palau De La Música
Among areas of grass and gardens appears the Palau de la Música, one of the most important cultural institutions in the city. Its transparent architecture, with a large window facing the riverbed, integrates with the environment and hosts concerts by international orchestras and cultural activities of all kinds.
Gulliver Park
In the central section, children will find one of the most amazing spaces: the Gulliver Park, a gigantic reclining figure of Jonathan Swift’s famous character, converted into slides and passageways. It is an ideal place to spend an afternoon with the family.
City of Arts and Sciences
The walk culminates in the east with the City of Arts and Sciences, the complex designed by Santiago Calatrava that has become a modern icon of Valencia. The Hemisfèric, the Science Museum, the Umbracle, and the Oceanogràfic are must-sees for those visiting the city.
Sports, Leisure, and Outdoor Living
The Jardín del Turia is a meeting point for thousands of people who use it every day as a sports space. Its paths are ideal for running, cycling, or walking, while its fields and tracks host activities such as football, rugby, baseball, or skating.
But it’s not all sports: it’s also a perfect place to relax, read under a tree, organize a family picnic, or simply let yourself be carried away by the tranquility offered by a natural environment in the heart of the city.
Biodiversity and Nature in the Heart of Valencia
Although it is an urban park, the Turia Riverbed is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. Among its green areas are pines, elms, orange trees, and jacarandas, while birds such as herons, ducks, and sparrows inhabit its quieter spaces.
This balance makes the garden a space that connects citizens with nature, promoting environmental education and respect for the environment.
Why Visit the Turia Riverbed
Visiting Valencia and not touring the Jardín del Turia would be missing one of its greatest jewels. There is no shortage of reasons to discover it:
- It is the green lung of the city, with more than one million square meters of surface area.
- It combines nature, history, sports, and culture in the same space.
- It is the largest linear park in Spain and one of the largest in Europe.
- It crosses some of the most emblematic points of Valencia, from the Bioparc to the City of Arts and Sciences.
- It is a perfect place for all audiences: families, athletes, tourists, or neighbors looking to disconnect.
