10 Essential places to visit

TOP 10 VALÈNCIA

We propose you the 10 essential places that you can not miss in València

City Of Arts and Sciences Monuments

An impressive city that can be enjoyed both inside and out, whether by watching an opera or 3D IMAX film, or visiting the interactive museum or the largest aquarium in Europe.

Cathedral, Miguelete and Holy Grail

The Cathedral is a beautiful mixture of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles. The Holy Chalice is preserved inside the Cathedral and if you go up the 207 steps of the Miguelete tower you will be able to enjoy a 360º view of the city.

La Lonja (The Silk Exchange)

This Valencian Gothic-style civil building was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996 by UNESCO and it is a surprising and essential visit when in Valencia.

El Carmen Neighborhood

Forget following maps and explore the maze of cobbled streets in the thousand-year-old neighbourhood that arose within Muslim and Christian walls. You will find medieval buildings, palaces, frescoes and restaurants that you will not be able to resist.

Central Market

Valencian cuisine has many things to boast about and you can find them all at the Central Market, the biggest market with fresh produce in Europe full of Mediterranean flavours and aromas.

Albufera Natural Park

Nature in its purest form, dreamy sunsets, boat trips and disconnection in capital letters. Like an urban oasis surrounded by rice fields and forest: that is the Albufera Natural Park, the place where paella was invented

València's beaches: within the city limits or wild, the choice is yours!

If you like golden sands by the sea. When you want to bathe in the sun on your towel (always with a good sunscreen) or relax under a parasol with a drink nearby... then your place in the world is the beaches of València. Without doubt the best plan.

València Aquarium Oceanografic

Europe's largest aquarium: 500 marine species represented by a whopping 45,000 specimens from the most important ecosystems of each of the Earth's seas and oceans. A real tribute to marine life, with a dolphinarium and bio-educational displays.

Marina of València

Enjoy in your own style miles and miles of distinguished beaches with blue flags. Relax by contemplating the sea from one of the many restaurants on the promenade or from the avant-garde Veles e Vents de la Marina building.

The best museums where to lose yourself in and enjoy

The 34 museums of València are there to suit all tastes. From the second largest art gallery in Spain at the Museo de Bellas Artes, to the IVAM's modern art, including the Museo Nacional de Cerámica, the Fallero, the Centre del Carme or the Bombas Gens art centre.

Turia Garden València

Tour it by bike or on foot and see the 18 bridges that cross it. A lush 9-kilometer garden that keeps secrets inside: the Gulliver, the Palau de la Música, the City of Arts and Science...

Iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari y San Pedro Mártir de València

Also known as the Valencian Sistine Chapel, make sure your eyes are wide open to take in the spectacular frescoes on the life of San Nicolás de Bari and San Pedro Mártir.

Ensanche and Ruzafa

Restaurants, leisure, shops and a lot of culture in the heart of València. The shopping area par excellence, with many places to enjoy the gastronomy

Ceramics Museum. Marqués de Dos Aguas Palace

Discover its amazing façade sculpted in alabaster and enjoy the magnificent palace rooms where you will find authentic treasures from the National Ceramics Museum.

Museum of Fine Arts of València

Visit the second largest picture gallery in Spain, with pieces by Sorolla, Goya and Velázquez, as well as a collection of unique medieval reredos. Free entry.

Bioparc València Information

A little slice of Africa in Valencia. Here you can learn about the most outstanding animals, vegetation, and landscapes found in the neighbouring continent's habitats: the savannah, the forests of Equatorial Africa and Madagascar, and the wetlands.

Barrio del Carmen and its Palaces

Strolling around its streets is a complete pleasure. El Carmen neighbourhood embraces you with its maze-like streets full of history, palaces, legends and leisure. Visit Torres de Quart and Miguelete to take in the spectacular views. Sit in Plaza del Negrito and have an Agua de Valencia, a typical Valencian cocktail, then continue your walk down Calle Caballeros and you will see how El Carmen will charm you bit by bit. Once it has, it will be one of the loves of your lives. For sure.

Plaza de la Virgen and the cathedral quarter

Do you love history? Learn more about the origins of the Holy Grail in the heart of Valencia. Visit the ancient cathedral, feel the thrill in the Basílica de la Vírgen de los Desamparados and discover cultural treasures such as l'Almoina. Just go to Plaza de la Virgin and wander around its surroundings. Let's go!

Plaza del mercado y Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange)

Like a trip to the past where you won’t want to come back: this is how you will feel when you visit Valencia's Central Market. Located in a magnificent pre-modernist building, there are stalls serving top-quality food and a charming je ne sais quoi all around the area's markets. Just in front of the market is Lonja de la Seda, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is a must when visiting Valencia, as well as Santos Juanes Church just a few metres away.

Museums

Valencia is also all about art. And there are 34 museums! Culture activities are always a great idea as they make us think, feel and consider life from a different perspective. Enjoy the city's history, architecture and master pieces by famous artists from different eras, such as Goya or Sorolla at the Fine Arts Museum San Pío V. Visit the delightful National Museum of Ceramics in the Palace of Marqués de Dos Aguas. If you like contemporary art, you cannot miss out on IVAM, Centre del Carme or MUVIM.

Plaza del Ayuntamiento

Full of light and flower shops. The Square perfectly summaries the city's essence. It is joyful and full of colour, and its central fountain is surrounded by flowers and people wanting to immortalise the moment. There are majestic buildings nearby, such as Correos, a real treasure, the Estación del Norte train station, or the Town Hall itself that is the heart from which everything flows. Gunpowder and music in Fallas, a great atmosphere all year round, horchata stalls, theatres, restaurants and... lots of charm.

The Valencia's Marina and beaches

It is impossible to think about the city on the River Turia without mentioning the Marina and the beaches. It is a must to take a walk around the new trendy seafaring neighbourhood, El Cabanyal. A paella overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, sunbathing (luckily the sun is out almost all year round), an ice cream or a drink with friends at such a privileged place...these are just some of the cool things you can do in Valencia. Visit the port and see the 19th-century storage facilities (Tinglados), Edificio del Reloj (Clock Building) and Veles e Vents restaurant. You will love watching the sunset on one of the bar terraces.

The Albufera Nature Park

One of our favourite spots is only 10 kilometres away from the city: La Albufera Natural Park. Pure nature, dreamy sunsets, boat rides and being able to completely switch off for a while. Like an oasis surrounded by rice fields and forests. You should visit it if you want to understand the origins of Valencian cuisine. It will be magical. Will you let yourself fall in love with the area?

The Turia Garden

Valencia's green lungs crosses the city with a 9-kilometre long garden. Welcome to the Turia Garden! The old river course from the Turia River is now a large green space full of pedestrians, cyclists and people doing sports. If we go from one end to another, not only can we see true nature in an urban setting, but we can also find great monuments, such as Palau de la Música or the City of Arts and Sciences. It is a remarkable privilege!

Bioparc and Oceanogràfic

Visit Africa, Japan and even the Arctic without leaving Valencia. It is all possible at Bioparc and Oceanogràfic. If you love nature and animals, you cannot miss out. Whether you are alone or with your family, you will have a great time discovering the world through its fauna. Don't miss out! Tickets to Bioparc and the Oceanogràfic Get 15% off with the València Tourist Card

The City of Arts and Sciences

When the City of Arts and Sciences was opened in 1998, it seemed like something from a sci-fi film, but it is one of Valencia's most important signature buildings. And it is inevitable that this would happen, as Santiago Calatrava's architecture is charming. Hemisfèric, Science Museum, Umbracle, Oceanogràfic, Palau de les Arts, Ágora and the Assut d’or Bridge are seven monumental buildings that make up the City of Arts and Sciences. They are so special that each one will impress you. Discover them all!

Search

Essential places in València