UNED Associated Centre in Valencia

ECTEL 2026 is organized by UNED, the Spanish National University of Distance Education. The UNED is the biggest public university in Spain in terms of both number of students and academic offerings, as well as the largest campus in Europe. Founded in 1972, UNED provides flexible higher education to students across Spain and internationally through a blended model that combines online teaching with local academic support. A key element of this model is UNED’s network of Associated Centres (Centros Asociados): more than 60 centres distributed throughout Spain (and additional international centres) that offer tutoring, learning resources, examination facilities, and a physical point of reference for students in each region.

ECTEL 2026 will take place at the UNED Associated Centre in Valencia (named Centro Asociado de la UNED Alzira-Valencia “Francisco Tomás y Valiente”), which will host all conference sessions and on-site activities. The conference is jointly organised by the UNED Valencia team as local host, and by the School of Computer Science (ETSI Informática) of UNED in Madrid, which contributes to the scientific and organisational leadership of the event. This collaboration reflects UNED’s multi-campus structure and its commitment to connecting regional innovation hubs with national research excellence in Technology-Enhanced Learning.

Thus, ECTEL 2026 will be hosted in the UNED Associated Centre in Valencia, located in the Casa de la Misericordia educational complex. This historic building—once a charitable institution—now houses several educational organisations, including UNED’s Valencia campus.

  • Casa de la Misericordia educational complex (entrance to the venue area)
  • UNED Building in Casa de la Misericordia educational Complex

Address

Centro Asociado UNED Valencia
C/ Casa de la Misericordia 34
46014 Valencia
Spain

The venue is in the L’Olivereta district, close to the city centre and well connected by metro and bus. The beach is on the opposite side of the city.

 

Travel information

By Air

Valencia Airport (Manises) is approximately 8 km from the city. It is served directly by Metrovalencia Lines 3 and 5, which connect the airport to central Valencia.

From the airport to the venue:

  • Metro: Take Line 3 or Line 5 from Aeroport station toward the city. The closest metro stop to the venue is Nou d’Octubre / 9 d’Octubre (Lines 3, 5, 9), followed by about a 15-minute walk.
  • Bus: MetroBus Line 150 connects the airport with several areas of Valencia, including a stop at the Hospital General, which is close to the venue (7-minute walk).
  • Taxi: A taxi from the airport to the venue typically costs around €25–30, depending on traffic and time of day.

By Train

Valencia is highly accessible by rail. Long-distance trains (including high-speed services) arrive at València Joaquín Sorolla and València Nord stations in the city centre. From there, you can reach the venue by metro or bus.
A nearby commuter-rail stop is València-Sant Isidre, which can be useful for local train connections.

By Public Transport within Valencia

UNED Valencia is easy to reach from most parts of the city:

  • Bus: Lines 70, 71, 99 stop close to the venue (others also reach the Hospital General / Gran Turia area).
  • Metro: Nou d’Octubre / 9 d’Octubre is the nearest station (Lines 3, 5, 9).

About 10-15 min walk is needed from the bus or metro stops.

By Car

Valencia is well connected by major highways (A-3, A-7, V-30). Madrid and Barcelona are each about 350 km away, which is about a 3.5–4 hour drive depending on traffic.

 

Accommodation

Valencia offers a wide range of hotels and apartments for all budgets. We recommend staying in central areas such as Ciutat Vella, Eixample/Ruzafa, or El Carmen, which offer many restaurants and easy transport connections.
Some accommodation suggestions with specific conference rates may be announced closer to the event.

 

Discover Valencia

Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city, famous for its Mediterranean atmosphere, walkability, gastronomy, and a blend of historic and modern architecture. Here are some highlights for your free time:

  • Valencia Cathedral & El Miguelete Tower – a mix of architectural styles and panoramic city views.
  • La Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange) – UNESCO World Heritage gothic landmark.
  • Mercado Central – one of Europe’s most iconic food markets.
  • Turia Gardens – a huge green park created in the former riverbed, perfect for walking or cycling.
  • City of Arts and Sciences – futuristic cultural complex including the Hemisfèric and Oceanogràfic, one of Europe’s largest aquariums.
  • Museums – e.g., the Museum of Natural Sciences and Museum of Prehistory.
  • Mestalla Stadium – home of Valencia CF, open for visits.

 

Practical Tips

  • Public transport: Valencia’s EMT buses and Metrovalencia are reliable and inexpensive. Consider multi-trip cards for better value.
  • Safety: Valencia is generally safe; as in any tourist city, keep an eye on belongings in crowded areas.
  • Language: Spanish (and Valencian) are spoken locally, but English is commonly understood in tourist and university areas.
  • Food & culture: Don’t miss authentic Valencian paella, horchata, and local tapas.