Wrapped around the heart of Valencia like a comfort blanket, the vast Turia Park occupies the bed of a river that was diverted after disastrous floods in the 1950s. Complete with cycle lanes, extensive sports facilities, ponds, playgrounds, striking architecture and lush greenery, this is the place where Valencians can escape the claustrophobia of the city and get active. For tourists, the park offers the perfect cycle route from the medieval core of Valencia down to the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences with its extraordinary architecture and shallow lakes. On route, you'll pass under a succession of ancient stone bridges. It's just a shame the Turia Park doesn't quite reach the coast, meaning cyclists need to navigate some traffic to arrive at the port. At the other end, the park bleeds into shrub land that eventually reaches the rural landscape west of Valencia.
