Why study at Berklee's Campus in Valencia?
Berklee Valencia is a hub for launching music careers across the globe. Here, you’ll dive into your passion and meet students and faculty from around the world, with an average of 38 nationalities represented each year on campus.
The city of Valencia has around 800,000 inhabitants and is the third-largest city in Spain. Being a cultural music center, with people coming from every different background, Valencia is a vibrant place where there is always something to do and discover. You will be surprised by how warm the city is, both in its Mediterranean climate and its welcoming people.
6 things you should know about Valencia
1 — A Musical Hub in Spain
Distinguished as a cultural music center, Valencia boasts a dynamic and thriving music scene that resonates throughout its vibrant streets. The city's cultural tapestry is woven with a symphony of influences, drawing music enthusiasts and performers alike to its stages. From traditional Spanish melodies to avant-garde compositions, Valencia is a musical hub that embraces every genre, offering a captivating experience for those with a discerning ear.
The warm embrace of Valencia extends beyond its Mediterranean climate to the warmth exuded by its friendly inhabitants. The city pulses with a welcoming energy, creating an environment where exploration is not just encouraged but also celebrated. As you navigate the enchanting streets, you'll find yourself immersed in a myriad of cultural activities, ensuring there is always something new to uncover and experience.
2 — You will always find something new to do
If you love history and the arts, you will find plenty of reasons to love Valencia. With more than 60 cultural spaces, the city is known for its many festivals and music events.
From March 1 to March 19, Valencia celebrates Las Fallas, which combines tradition, satire, and art. Other festivities and festivals that you shouldn’t miss include:
Festival de Jazz de Valencia
Mar i Jazz
FIB Benicàssim
FestivalCinema Jove: Festival Internacional de Cine de Valencia
Diversity València Festival
Festival de Les Arts
Rototom Sunsplash
3 — Experience the Mediterranean lifestyle
If there was one word to describe Valencia, it would be "warm." This applies not only to the city's climate, but also to its friendly people and the close-knit vibe that will make you feel at home.
In 2020, Valencia was ranked #1 in InterNations.org's Quality of Urban Living Index. Valencia’s good weather, leisure opportunities, and ease of meeting new people put them at the top, as well as the ideal Mediterranean lifestyle: sunny days, great food, picturesque scenery, and a welcoming community.
4 — Not too big, not too small
This open-minded city embraces the diversity of its people, as a center for a wide variety of cultures, including the LGBTIQ+ community. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from; you will feel welcomed here!
Due to its relatively small size, it is safe and easy to get around. With a population of over 800,000 in 2020, Valencia is the third-largest city in Spain, after Madrid and Barcelona. You can take the bus, the metro, the tram, a bike, or just walk—nearly everything you’d want to see is within walking distance.
Useful transportation apps include EMT, Free Now, Cabify, and Moovit.
5 — Valencia: A Gateway To Europe
If there was one word to describe Valencia, it would be "warm." This applies not only to the city's climate, but also to its friendly people and the close-knit vibe that will make you feel at home.
With an airport, three train stations, and a bus station, it’s easy to travel from Valencia to other cities in Spain and Europe. Relevant cultural hubs such as London, Paris, or Berlin, are just a direct two-hour flight away from Valencia, allowing you to discover what other European capitals have to offer.
Other Spanish cities, such as Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, or San Sebastián, are also connected to Valencia, either by train, bus, or national flights. Be sure to discover all the opportunities that are beyond the campus and the city.
6 — There are plenty of activities to do outdoors
Do you prefer the beach or the mountains? In a city like Valencia, you don't have to choose. The city offers a diverse range of outdoor sports and activities. You can join a paddle surf course, or swim and sail on the coast; or spend a day outside the city in the mountains trekking and climbing. Or go for a jog or join a yoga group at the Turia riverbed, just a couple of minutes away from the campus. Valencia's excellent weather makes it possible to participate in a variety of sports in any season.
Lili del Sol
M.M. '17
“Little by little, we musicians who graduated from Berklee have been establishing a network. We have been integrating by respecting the local culture and managing to offer the city and its people new sounds, new proposals, and a new artistic variety.”
Alexey Leon Reyes
M.M. '14
“Valencia has a long jazz tradition with many jam sessions. I played a lot at Jimmy Glass, Radio City, Café Mercedes, la Vitti, Ubik Café; I participated in Jazz Eñe, played at Teatro Principal, Palau de la Música, Valencia Jazz Festival, and the UPV Jazz Festival, etc.”
Sebastian Laverde
M.M. '15
“I used to live and work in London, but decided to stay here after my master's program due to the fact that the quality of life is tremendously higher here, especially for a musician. Also, there's a good niche for jazz and Latin music in Spain.”
A campus with a strategic location
The Berklee Valencia campus is located at Valencia’s iconic City of Arts and Sciences. This landmark has become the symbol of the city, not only for its avant-garde architecture and impressive buildings, but also for being one of the largest cultural and scientific complexes in Europe.
Berklee Valencia is a magnificent 3,600-square-meter campus designed specifically for music and the performing arts, where students are not only committed to their studies, but also involved in festivals, events, and concerts happening all around them.
Valencia in depth
Do you want to know what to expect from city and its neighborhoods? Or maybe discover more about what the city has to offer in terms of festivals or parties like the Fallas? Read this article from Lonely Planet to discover more things to do and enjoy in the city.