The city of Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and the capital of the province of the same name. Situated on the eastern coast of the country, Valencia is a sun worshippers paradise, with a mild climate and an average year- round temperature of 16 degrees Celsius. The beaches in Valencia are some of the best in the Mediterranean, but the city itself is also bursting full of culture and culinary delights, making it a popular stop for holiday makers in Spain.
A modern, cosmopolitan city with fabulous historic quarters and beautiful surrounding landscape, there’s plenty of things to keep you occupied during your visit. Here we take a look at some of the best things to see and do in Valencia.
The City of Arts and Science
The City of Arts and Science is a huge complex of several futuristic buildings and an outstanding example of world class modern architecture. Its a must see and probably one of the most popular attractions in Valencia. The complex was designed and developed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava in the early 90’s and the first stage of the complex- the planetarium first opened to the public in 1998.
Since then, the addition of an Oceanarium, Palace of the Arts, 3 storey Science Museum and Gardens have made the 350, 000 squared meters of the complex an outstanding urban recreation centre for art, culture and science that is popular with locals and visitors alike.
Entry to the complex itself is free and worth a visit even just to admire the architecture – each impressive structure is made from glass, white concrete, white mosaic tiles and enormous pools of turquoise blue water which reflect the light beautifully.
If you’ve got a few days to spend in Valencia, you could easily spend them all here. Entry is separate to each attraction, but combined tickets can also be purchased. Here is a little more information about each of the main buildings in the city:
L’Hemispheric is a combination of planetarium, IMAX cinema and laserarium in one. Projected onto a giant hemispheric screen of 900 square meters, learn about the planets in our incredible universe, be entertained by the latest feature length IMAX releases or be enthralled by a laser light show.
The L’Oceanographic aquarium is the largest marine park in Europe and has more than 7,400 different species of marine life from all over the world from fish to penguins to white beluga whales. As well as several giant wall sized aquariums organised by different seas of the world, there is also a shark tunnel, touch pool and a dolphinarium which has daily performances. You can also enjoy a meal at the submarine restaurant. Great family entertainment.
Free to access, the L’Umbracle is a covered walkway of 320 meters in length and gardens complex of 7,000 squared meters. A great place to escape back to nature and relax in the sun, enjoying more than 50 different botanical varieties which are carefully chosen to complement one another throughout the changing seasons. There is also an outdoor sculpture garden.
The Palau de les Artes is a contemporary performing arts space with several auditoriums for music, dance and theatre performances ranging from opera, classical and contemporary. The building itself is a masterpiece of design and showcase of state of the art technology.
The skeletal design of the Museu de les Ciences Principe Filipe presents several thematic installations relating to science and technology. There is a variety of displays including hands on experiments, installations, and displays for education and enjoyment. Also a popular place for kids and families.
Enjoy the Beach
A trip to the city of Valencia wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the beach! Sometimes called the Costa Blanca (“white coast”) the gulf of Valencia offers calm waters and clean white sand. If you’re not in to swimming as such, you can still take a walk down to the Maritime Promenade to enjoy the view or a great seafood meal.
If you have a day or so to spend in Valencia, its worth venturing a little further out of the city to explore the coast. You can take a bus from the centre of town to several local beaches. The longer the journey, the less crowded it will be and with kilometres of coast to choose from, you’re bound to find your own piece of paradise.
The main beach Malvarrosa has places where you can hire water sports equipment. During the day there are several restaurants on the main promenade where you can buy a meal or a cool drink, and at night the area comes alive with night clubs and beach parties. But, if you’re after something a little more secluded try Patacona. Two popular nude beaches are Pinedo and Devesa.
Generally, most beaches are safe for swimming and have good facilities and amenities. During summer they are patrolled by the Red Cross who are on hand to help if you get into difficulties.
Remember to wear sunscreen and keep an eye out for ‘medusas’ or jellyfish as their sting can be painful. Keep an eye on your valuables and don’t leave your bag unattended. Unfortunately the beach is a notorious haven for theft.
Central Market
This fresh produce market is one of the biggest in Europe and an important part of Spanish culture that has survived since ancient times. In the old days, the market would be held in the streets or in the plaza “Placa del Mercat”, until 1910 when construction on a dedicated undercover market building was begun. In 1928 it was finally complete and is a magnificent example of Modern Art Nouveau architecture with colourful glass work.
Inside you can browse an array of meat, seafood, delicatessen items and fresh fruit and vegetables. Even if you’re not looking to buy, its likely that you’ll be tempted by the sights and smells of Valencia’s finest (and cheapest) produce. Make sure you sample some of Valencia’s export quality oranges, which grow easily in this are of the Mediterranean.
As well as thousands of stalls, there are restaurants and tapas bars where you can enjoy a great meal. Be sure to bring your camera!
Cathedral de Valencia
This magnificent Cathedral is located on Plaza de La Reina, the original site of the city’s largest mosque when Valencia was under Arab rule. It dates back to the 13th century but being built over many years, it has features from three separate architectural movements- Gothic, Baroque and Classical. If you walk around the perimeter, you’d be forgiven for forgetting that each façade is from the same building.
The bell tower at the top of the Cathedral has become a symbol of Valencia and today you’ll find it on various tourist souvenirs and postcards. You can climb to the top during your visit if you are so inclined. The most interesting feature of the building however, is inside the interior.
In 2004, the caretakers of the Cathedral accidentally discovered a series of Renaissance frescoes hidden behind one of the walls under the Baroque dome,. They were dated to the 15th Century. Why they were hidden remains a topic of debate today but some believe the church authorities of the time were not pleased with them, but could not bring themselves to plaster over them. They were simply hidden from view at some point during the 17th C. Although they remain largely in good condition, restoration work is slow and ongoing.
Another interesting item which can be viewed inside is an agate cup, which is reportedly one of the cups used during the Last Supper. It is in fact the only item in the world, claimed to have been a part of this historic event, which has not been disproven to be authentic.
Entry to the church will cost 3 euros and includes an audio guide. It is generally open every day but access to the public may be restricted during important religious events and festivals.
Serrano Towers
These 14th Century Gothic towers were built in the mid 1300’s as part of the city defence walls which used to surround the old city. They were never really used for defence but served as the main gates of the city and later as a prison between 1580-1880. They are the only remaining legacy of the walls which were destroyed in the 1860’s to allow for the expansion of the city.
There are a number of military artefacts on display, and you can climb to the top to enjoy a view over the city, however on rainy days you can’t make the climb for safety reasons. Free guided tours are offered but are in Spanish only. Open every day except Mondays.
Turia Gardens
These gardens cover the original path of the Turia river which used to flow through town. Due to a devastating flood in 1957 which caused a lot of damage and even loss of life, the council decided to divert the river through less populated land, exposing a rich and fertile, though ugly soil bed.
The obvious replacement for the river was a garden and today there is 9kms of open space for the public to enjoy, filled with pretty gardens, fountains, duck ponds, bridges and sports fields. There is even an area reserved for festivals and fairs.
It’s a great place to get out of the busy city and escape the summer heat although it’s not recommended to walk alone in the park after dark. Maps of various sections of interest in the gardens are available at tourist offices which can help to plan your visit.
City plazas
The largest plaza in Valencia is the Plaza del Ayuntamento with an impressive array of famous landmark buildings including the spectacular city hall and historic museum where Valencia’s most important historical artefacts are housed. Its also central to city festivals and other big events. For a contrasting view, visit also the Plaza de la Virgin which used to be the city’s main square. Have a coffee, relax in the sun and watch life go by.
La Lonja
Listed on the UNESCO World’s Heritage List is one of the best living examples of Valencia’s wealth and power during its ‘Golden Age’ of the 14th Century. The building was originally used as a silk market. Its lavishly decorated both inside and out, including a walled courtyard called the “Orange Garden”. It is several floors in height, each level with a different purpose- a showroom and display room and a business room where documents were signed and payment received. There was even an area to jail those found to be dishonest or who could not pay for their purchases! Much of the interior is furnished as it would have been during the height of it’s use.
Free of charge to visit and free tours are offered in Spanish. There is also an audiovisual presentation (also in Spanish) which outlines the history of the market and the architectural features. Closed on Mondays but otherwise open every day between 10-8pm with a break between 2-4:30pm for siesta.
Visit the Balearic Islands
Valencia is one of the closet points of access to the Balearic Islands or ‘Las Islas Baleares’, a popular holiday hotspot in the Mediterranean. The islands, Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera and Cabrera each have a different character and offer different attractions of interest, but the one thing in common they share is gorgeous scenery, sandy coves and beaches. They were originally inhabited by Jewish communities as early as the 2nd Century, however many of them left or were removed during the Spanish Inquisition during the 1300’s.
Ibiza is famous as the ‘party island’ but all of them can be very crowded during the busy summer months. To get there, you can fly from Valencia, Madrid or Barcelona. From Valencia the journey is usually just under an hour, or you can get there by boat. There are overnight passages but these days you can get there between 4-6 hours, and pay a little extra for this convenience.
Once on the islands you can get around on foot, or hire a scooter, motorcycle or bicycle. There are many travel agencies in Valencia city who can help you plan a trip to the islands. You won’t regret it!
