AllWays Traveller Features
Valencia : the healthiest city
The Spanish port city of Valencia has been declared as the healthiest city in the world by comparison website, Money.co.uk.
The Turia capital is known for its City of Arts and Sciences, with futuristic structures including a planetarium, an oceanarium and an interactive museum.
Valencia also has several beaches, a wetlands reserve with a lake and walking trails.
The Money.co.uk study analysed elements that contributes to a healthy lifestyle, including obesity levels; life expectancy; pollution levels; health care; safety; crime rate and hours of sunlight.
The 2022 study also looked at the number of public toilets per 100,000 inhabitants.
The light of Valencia
Valencia has 2,696 hours of sunlight per year with an average temperature of 19 degrees.
These characteristics, combined with access to acres of parkland and miles of beaches make it a year-round destination.
Sustainable gastronomy and seasonal produce
On land, València is surrounded by orchards growing native produce, such as rice from L'Albufera and tomatoes from El Perelló in addition to oranges, persimmons or carob beans.
From the sea, the Mediterranean brings a great variety of fish to the city's fish market daily.
Low contamination rates
Due to Valencia's proximity to the coast, the Mediterranean sea breeze helps to naturally purify the city's air, keeping pollution levels well below its European neighbours.
In the city centre, five million sq m of green areas, including the Parque de Cabecera, Parque Central, Jardines del Real and Jardín del Turia are just some of the areas where nature is in abundance.
In addition, recent projects such as measuring Valencia's carbon and water footprint.
Valencia status as a 2022 European Smart City will allow visitors to enjoy a more sustainable and healthy travel experience.
A long life expectancy
The study found the average life expectancy of a Valencian is 83.5 years.
The quiet lifestyle, combined with a healthy Mediterranean diet, low levels of pollution and crime rate, make the quality of life ideal for maintaining good health.