The beach faces east — this city gets sunrises over the sea

Valencia's coast faces east-southeast, which means the Mediterranean is to the east and the sun rises directly over the sea — something Barcelona's main beaches cannot offer. La Malvarrosa and Patacona beaches face east; sunrise gives pink light on the water with the City of Arts and Sciences visible to the south. The Turia riverbed — a 9-kilometer park created after the 1957 flood diverted the river — runs roughly east–west through the city. The City of Arts and Sciences at its eastern end, designed by Santiago Calatrava, has multiple reflecting pools. The buildings face west and south, so late afternoon light works best. The Torres de Serranos, the medieval city gate, faces north over the riverbed park. The old Silk Exchange (Lonja de la Seda, UNESCO) faces southwest and is best photographed in morning light.