A city full of contrasts, Valencia has it all! From a charming Old Town to the futuristic Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, it is no wonder Forbes Magazine declared Valencia the Best City In The World To Live.
Founded in 138 BC, Valencia is Spain’s third largest city. Ideally situated along Spain’s Costa del Azahar, Valencia’s city centre is vibrant and modern while the narrow cobblestone streets of its Old Town wind through beautiful Gothic architecture opening onto plazas dotted with enticing restaurants, shops and monuments. A perfect combination of the old and new!
Nestled between the Plaza de la Reina and the Plaza de la Virgen is the Valencia Cathedral and its bell tower el Miguelete. Completed in the 17th century, the Cathedral is Valencia’s most important religious building.
Stepping inside, we were overcome with a sense of awe. The ornate Gothic architecture with vaulted ceilings and beautiful marble arches stretches before us. The dais encased in a half dome with rich Italianate frescos over the alter and gold accents is breathtaking. But perhaps the most viewed area of the cathedral is a small, nondescript room off to one side …
… the Capilla del Santo Cáliz (Chapel of the Holy Chalice) that holds a first century cup placed atop a lighted golden pedestal and encased in glass. It is believed this very cup had been used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper – the Holy Grail.
The Cathedral is open Monday through Sunday. Admission to the Museum and Guided Tour is €8. Admission to the Miguelete Tower is €2 and gives access to the stairway leading to the top. The ideal place to capture panoramic views of the city below.
The Mercat Central de Valencia (Central Market) is a short walk from the Cathedral. The largest fresh produce market in Europe, it is a foodies paradise! Constructed of iron columns, tile and glass, the 1928 art nouveau modernist structure features a central dome ordained with colorful ceramic tiles and large stain glass windows allowing light to softly filter into the 8,000m2 space.
Bustling with locals and tourists alike, the 1,200 stalls of the Market display a kaleidoscope of colors with fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, spices, seafood all filling your senses with the aroma of the Mediterranean.
If you’re not already hungry, you soon will be! Stop at the Central Bar to experience traditional cuisine such as tapas, sandwiches or a selection of prepared dishes.
Whether shopping for fresh produce, sampling the local cuisine or simply taking in the sights and sounds, the Central Market is not to be missed.
Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, the futuristic Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences) represents avant-garde architecture at its best.
Comprised of five buildings: the Oceanogràfic, the Hemisfèric, the Museu de les Ciències, the Hemisfèric, the Palau de les Arts, and the CaixaForum València each providing a different experience. Whether you are 3 or 93, the City of Arts and Sciences has something for everyone!
The largest aquarium in Europe, the Oceanogràfic has the capacity to house up to 45,000 living creatures from 500 different species from all corners of the world. Explore the temperate regions of the Pacific and Atlantic to the warm waters of the Indian and Caribbean. Journey through the Atlantic, from the Canary Islands to Bermuda. Experience the penguins in the Antarctic and the beluga whales and walruses of the Arctic. Finally, end your journey in the Islands as the Patagonian sea lions entertain you.
The futurist design of the Museu de les Ciències (Science Museum) will immediately captivated our attention. Once inside, we were immersed in interactive exhibits, experiments and buttons to push all designed to teach more about the evolution of life, science and technology. In fact, the Museum’s slogan is: “It is prohibited not to touch, not to feel, not to think“. A fun, educational experience for all ages.
Looking like a giant fish eye rising from the water, the Hemisfèric is a combination planetarium, laserium and IMAX cinema featuring the largest screening room in Spain. Watch digital projections of astronomy shows, travel between galaxies, or take in a movie.
The neoclassical Plaza de Toros de Valencia (Bull Ring) built in the mid-19th century, is considered one of the most important in Spain. A significant part of Spanish tradition, bullfighting is both loved and loathed. If you would like to experience the excitement of watching matador against bull, events are scheduled each year during the Fallas Festival held in March and the July Fair. When bullfights are not scheduled, the bullring is open year-round for tours.
With its warm-temperate subtropical climate and close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, Valencia offers a wide range of beaches with many within easy reach of the city center by metro, bus or Uber/Bolt.
La Malvarrosa Beach is perhaps the best known offering beach chairs, umbrellas and refreshment kiosks. Visitors with reduced mobility can easily access the beach and water from the promenade. Playa de Las Arenas is the most central beach with volleyball courts, loungers, beachside restaurants, and a nightclub. Playa de Pinedo is another city beach popular with locals. It features water sports, a nudist area and a dedicated pet area. Venture out further away and you will find any number of beaches up and down the coast.
Valencia is famous for its Mediterranean cuisine and especially its most famous dish, Paella. Popular with tourists, it gets mixed reviews among Spaniards. Throughout the city you will find restaurants, cafes and markets offering some version of paella. Unfortunately, most is microwaved, poor quality and intended strictly for the tourist market.
To experience true Paella Valenciana traditionally prepared with rabbit, chicken, cuttlefish, prawns, mussels or clams over an open wood fire, head to El Racó de la Paella. Situated in a century-old house complete with ornate tiles and murals, it is one of the few remaining restaurants within Valencia where you can experience authentic wood-fired paella.
Valencia doesn’t stop when the sun goes down! Take a leisurely walk with gelato in hand and explore the beauty of Valencia at night. Take in a film in the open air during the summer months at La Filmoteca de Verano or, for more lively action, take a stroll in Barrio del Carmen, the old-town district that is home to cafes, tapa bars, fashion boutiques and late-night clubs .
A city steeped in history with an eye to the future, Valencia is a remarkable destination to visit and explore. With a high quality of life, a welcoming community and a low crime rate, it is no wonder that Valencia has quickly become a favorite for tourists and expats.
Planning a trip to Valencia? There is a lot to see and do, but with more tourists experiencing Europe, lines can be long and many attractions sold out. Save time by ordering your tickets to the attractions you want to visit ahead of time!
As we walked out of Edinburgh's Waverly Railway Station, our driver greeted us with a…
Travel Authorization Now Required For The UK Here's A Step-By-Step Guide To Applying Beginning…
We stood spellbound 3,454 metres above sea level on one of the highest points in…
¡Ah, qué bueno, Madrid! ... the city that never sleeps! While Barcelona may be cosmopolitan,…
As 2024 draws to a close, we want to thank each of you a very…
As we reported in our 05 September 2024 post, EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) Goes Into…