The America’s Cup is often seen as the oldest international sports event, since it was organized in 1851 for the first time. Over the years, this big sailing event has always been organized in America, until 2003. In this year it was decided to sail in the country that has won the America’s Cup in the previous year. The first problem occurred when in 2003 the winner was Swiss. Switzerland didn’t have any possibility to organize a big sailing event like the America’s Cup in a sea, which was obligated according to the rules. Therefore, the winner had to choose another country for the next event. Several countries took part in the challenge, but because of the best climate the 32nd edition of the America’s Cup found place in Valencia in 2007.
Veles e Vents
To be able to organize the America’s Cup, the British architect David Chipperfield designed the impressive Veles e Vents for Valencia. This 25 meters high building has a surface of over 10.000 square meters and four floors. In Valencian, the name means ‘sailing and winds’. Next to this official name, it is also known as ‘America‘s Cup’ or ‘Casa de la America’s Cup’, which means house of the America‘s Cup. The building was designed to offer everything the competitors needed for the sailing race. Veles e Vents was used two times for the America’s Cup, in 2007 and 2010. After these years, the race was never organized in Valencia again.
Food, drinks and events
Luckily, after the sailing races the building got another great purpose. It has become a state of the art spot for the following restaurants and bars with a beautiful view on the harbour.
Restaurante La Marítima
This Mediterranean restaurant offers a wide range of typical rice dishes, fresh fish and tapas. The food is fresh from the market or the countryside of Valencia and is exhibited on the counter in the restaurant. Here you can personally select your food, which will be prepared in the coal oven. Our recommendations are the delicious ‘Tomate Valenciano’ and the ‘Paella Valenciana’, which is a typical Valencian paella with rabbit and chicken.
Location
Marina Real
Muelle de la Aduana
Lowest floor of the Veles e Vents building
46024 Valencia
Website
Opening hours
Monday to Sunday: 13.30 – 17.30 hour
Monday to Saturday: 20.30 – 00.30 hour
Malabar
This relaxed place is perfect to meet up with friends, while enjoying a beer and some tapas. Also with kids or the dog, Malabar is a great place to visit because of all the outside space they have. The menu is not very extended, but offers enough for an informal dinner or a relaxed lunch with lots of sun and a great view. If you are planning to visit Malabar, you should definitely taste their Gallic burger, which is one of the best of all the restaurants located around the boulevard. Try to combine it with one of their special beers like the Murphy’s Irish red beer!
Location
Marina Real
Muelle de la Aduana
First floor of the Veles e Vents building, ‘Terraza Malabar’
46024 Valencia
Website
Opening hours
Monday to Sunday: 11.00 – 23.00 hour
La Sucursal
This well-known Michelin-starred restaurant is one of a kind. It is located on the top of the Veles e Vents building, offering a 360 degrees view on the harbour, the beach, the city and the sea. If you’re looking for a luxurious night out, an amazing gastronomy with a Mediterranean base and a creative twist, you are at the right place! La Sucursal serves three compound menus: the lunch menu, the night menu and the gran menu, which are all high quality and definitely worth trying.
Location
Marina Real
Muelle de la Aduana
Attic of the Veles e Vents building
46024 Valencia
Website
Opening hours
Monday to Sunday: 13.30 – 17.30 hour
Monday to Saturday: 20.30 – 0.30 hour
Get married!
Next to these restaurants, Veles e Vents offers good opportunities to organize events like business meetings or a wedding. The third floor of Veles e Vents is the perfect location for your wedding. It has several rooms and a terrace of 1,300 square meters with a beautiful view on the sea. Prefer a beach view or a view on the harbour instead of the sea during the ceremony? This can all be arranged. The gastronomy will be in hands of La Sucursal Group, an organization with more than 25 years of experience with weddings, two Michelin stars for their amazing gastronomy and multiple awards.
How to get there
Veles e Vents is situated nearby the harbour and the beach of Valencia. From the city centre it is easy to get there by taxi for around €7,50. You can also take the bus and get off at the stop Eugènia Viñes, which is the most nearby. Another possibility is the metro. Take number 5 in the direction Marítim – Serrería and get off at the stop Marítim – Serrería as well. Do you want to see more of Valencia while heading to Veles e Vents? Rent a bike to get there!
Tips
– Throughout the entire year, this is the perfect place if you are looking for a spot in the sun. Because the sun comes up from behind the sea, the terraces on the boulevard don’t have this benefit, but Veles e Vents does!
– During summer, the Friday and Saturday nights always are a lot of fun!
