Fallas of Valencia

If you are thinking of visiting Valencia in March, you might be interested in seeing the Fallas, but don't quite understand the dynamic. That's why, from Sea You Apartamentos Port Saplaya, we are going to summarize the key aspects of the Fallas in this post so you can experience them to the fullest.

The Fallas are the most important festivals in Valencia, celebrated in March (with the most important days being from the 15th to the 19th) and were declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2016. During these days, fire, music, and art flood the city's streets.

The term "fallas" is used both to define the festivals, the monuments installed in each street, and also the groups of people who celebrate the festivals.

When we talk about art, the fallas are spectacular monuments made of cardboard, wood, and other materials that can reach up to 20 meters in height. These monuments usually have some kind of social, political, or cultural critique and are installed in all neighborhoods of the city.

When we talk about "fallas" as "fallas commissions," they are groups, generally neighborhood-based, that come together to celebrate the festival. Each of these fallas commissions sets up a monument and organizes different parties and events during the celebration days.

As we mentioned, the Fallas begin on March 1st (or even a few days earlier with the "cridà"). However, the main days start around March 15th. Since there are many Fallas events, we will highlight our favorites so you can enjoy those that take place on the days you are in Valencia.

We will start with the mascletà, which is one of the most special events for Valencians. Every day, from March 1st to the 19th, around 300 kilos of gunpowder are set off for about 10 minutes in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. An incomparable sensory spectacle with deafening noise and vibration that leaves no one indifferent.

The plantà takes place on the night of March 15th and marks the moment from which you can see the completed fallas (monuments). The city becomes an open-air museum from that night onwards. In the preceding days, you will see streets full of falla artists working against the clock to make them perfect.

The ofrenda is a parade where, on the 17th and 18th, thousands of falleros and falleras bring flowers to the Virgen de los Desamparados, the patron saint of the city. All these bouquets of flowers are used to create the Virgin's mantle, which is installed in the Plaza de la Virgen.

The nit del foc is the night of March 18th, when the largest pyrotechnic show of all the Fallas is fired. People gather near the Turia Park to enjoy an unparalleled spectacle.

The final act of the Fallas, where everything ends and begins again, is the "cremà." On the night of March 19th, the festivities conclude with the burning of the falla monuments. Valencians gather to watch fire consume this ephemeral art on the night that gives meaning to the Fallas.

If you are planning to visit Valencia during the Fallas, we will give you some tips so you can enjoy them to the fullest like a true Valencian.

Experiencing the Fallas can be overwhelming if you've never been before. The city is full of people who want to enjoy the festivals, and at times, it can become chaotic.

It is difficult to get around using public transport, especially at certain times of the day, as many streets are closed for many of the events we have explained above. Therefore, allow plenty of time to travel (especially if you need to be somewhere at a specific time) and dress comfortably because you will likely have to walk a lot. This comfort is important and also applies to the nightly street parties where falleros (and non-falleros) dress very casually.

Enjoy the Valencian gastronomy. Take advantage of these days to enjoy classics like Valencian paella as well as Fallas specialties like pumpkin fritters with chocolate.

Finally, accommodation can be difficult during these dates as, as we mentioned, the city is very congested. Therefore, we recommend booking your accommodation in advance to ensure you don't have any problems. Although the entire city celebrates the festivals with great enthusiasm, the center is particularly congested. Therefore, staying at Sea You is the ideal option as it is well-connected, but in a quieter area.