Valencia - Healthiest City in the World and European Capital of Smart Tourism 2022

Valencia – Healthiest City in the World and European Capital of Smart Tourism 2022

Kudos to Valencia👍👌👏. Valencia (Spain) and Bordeaux (France) have been selected as the winners of the EU’s 2022 European Capital of Smart Tourism. Moreover, Valencia has also been named Healthiest City in the World by money.co.uk crowned consecutively for a second year.

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.

Video

Analyzing what contributes to a healthy lifestyle, seven distinct areas were taken into account during the study, including: obesity levels, life expectancy, pollution levels, health care, safety, crime rate and hours of sunlight. New for 2022, the study also looks at other aspects such as: number of toilets per 100,000 inhabitants, health spending, percentage of the population with access to health care and the prevalence of mental and substance use disorders.

The Light of Valencia

Not just a popular local expression that names the sun and the Valencian climate, the city accumulates 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 the city a timeless destination to enjoy in any season.

Sustainable Gastronomy and Seasonal Produce

Few cities in the world have access to such a variety of rich and natural resources from which locals, markets and restaurants all benefit from. On land, València is surrounded by miles of 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. Furthermore, in 2022 Valencia will host the Michelin Guide Spain & Portugal meeting in recognition of the city’s cuisine and the excellence of its product.

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 neighbors. In the city center, 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, and the announcement of Valencia as 2022 European Smart City, allow visitors to enjoy a more sustainable and healthy travel experience.

A home to three UNESCO World Heritage Declarations

The picturesque city welcomes 2.2 million visitors every year and is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Declarations. The city boasts avant-garde architecture, a futuristic Arts and Sciences City and many creative events such as the Goyas film awards or the Michelin food gala.

Excellent Health Care

Valencia holds a large proportion of industry health care specialists who work in centers equipped with some of the most advanced instruments and technology in the sector. Leaders in Oncology, the city is currently awaiting the opening of the Instituto Valenciano de Oncología (IVO), named for two years as one of the 50 best cancer centers in the world.

A City that Speaks to All

Valencia´s city representatives work closely with PREDIF – State Representative Platform of People with Physical Disability, and 52 of Valencia’s tourist entities and companies meet the requirements of PREDIF’s inclusive tourism programme.

Accessible tours are widely available for those with reduced mobility, as well as in several languages.

Information offices offer braille translations and pictograms, as well as the 24/7 interactive InfoTourist platform and the Visualfy system: an AI system that sends visual notifications to users’ devices.

Valencia is the first European City to receive a double ITU (UN) and ISO certification for the Sustainable Development of Cities.

A Long Life Expectancy

The study indicates that 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.