Valencia, places to visit?

The city of art and creativity

The ideal place to start discovering Valencia is its old town. With a rich historical, cultural and architectural heritage, Valencia has been recognised by UNESCO for its ‘exceptional universal value’, which can be admired in the city’s three principal attractions: La Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange), the Tribunal de las Aguas and Las Fallas.

La Lonja de la Seda is a treasure of Valencia’s civil gothic architecture which, in its magnificence, demonstrates how Valencia flourished between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries thanks to the silk trade with the Americas, Asia and North Europe. For this reason, UNESCO has included the city in its ‘Silk Roads’ project.

The ancient tradition of the Tribunal de las Aguas de la Vega, which meets every Thursday at midday under the Apostles’ Gate at the Cathedral of Valencia and is an institution that since the Roman era has resolved conflicts in public arising from the use of irrigation water among farmers, has also been recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Valencia Cathedral, primarily a Gothic-style building, houses the Holy Grail, which is kept in the Chapel of the Holy Chalice, and one of the most important pieces of art from the first Spanish Renaissance and Renaissance frescoes on its High Altar.

Well worth visiting are the Cathedral Museum, to see paintings by Maella and Goya, and the Miguelete Tower, the top of which can be reached after a climb of 207 steps to enjoy panoramic views of the city. Located in the old town in a modernist building, the Central Market is one of the largest in Europe and abundant with fresh produce. The Church of St. Nicolás features spectacular frescoes and stands in the heart of Barrio del Carmen, an old-town district that is also the site of the medieval remains of the Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart, the centennial Plaza del Árbol, historic shops, bars serving local tapas and paella restaurants in Plaza del Tossal.

Other places to visit include the City of Arts and Sciences, one of Valencia’s landmarks designed in modernist style by the architect Santiago Calatrava, the Príncipe Felipe Museum to discover the secrets of science, and the marine depths in Oceanogràfic, Europe’s largest aquarium. The City of Arts and Sciences was opened in 1998, and is one of Valencia’s symbol with Santiago Calatrava’s modernist architecture. Hemisfèric, Príncipe Felipe 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.

Relaxation and connection with nature can be experienced with a walk through the Turia Gardens. The Gardens, built on the former riverbed of the Turia River, extend for nine kilometres from Cabecera Park to the City of Arts and Sciences and are crossed by 18 bridges. The former riverbed passes by the city’s main museums such as the Valencia Institute of Modern Art (IVAM) and the Fine Arts Museum.

Las Fallas

Las Fallas is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, celebrated each year from 15th to 19th March. It is a festival of creativity and a celebration of music, the silk industry, fun and food, during which about one hundred gigantic statues are set alight amid a spectacle of processions, concerts and fireworks.

Creativity has always been the jewel in the crown of Valencia, which is loved by art, architecture and fashion enthusiasts. It is no coincidence the city has been awarded the title of World Capital of Design for 2022 by the World Design Organisation. The focus on design is seen in the city’s architecture, culture and food, but also by strolling through the streets of the city. There are numerous ongoing projects including the Valencian Design Archive, the future Design District, the Arena Valencia project (a multifunctional space for sports events), the new Stadium, the Wind Tower in Valencia Marina designed by the architect Fran Silvestre, and the future Caixaforum Valencia in the Agora (City of Arts and Sciences).

Valencian gastronomy

Tourists, walking around the town at aperitif time, are invited to try the famous Agua de Valencia, a mixture of orange juice, cointreau, vodka and cava. This is almost an initiation rite that welcomes you to the city of the famous movida, the inimitable synonym for nightlife and entertainment.

Valencian gastronomy is Mediterranean based on fresh and quality products, from the sea and from land. Valencia preserves a thousand-year-old culinary heritage and the most famous dish is La Paella.

Valencian movida

The nightlife in Valencia is unique. It is as absorbing as the nightlife in Madrid and Barcelona, but more discrete, less obvious and showy. In order to get around, it is essential to understand the rhythms and know where to go, and when. The hub of the movida is not the same every night of the week. Each nightspot may be trendy one evening and decidedly less cool another. Don’t forget either that some places come alive only after 3.00 am.
The most crowded areas with bars, pubs and club are Cànovas, Barrio del Carmen (with more alternative and trendy places) and the Ciutat Universitaria, in particular along Avenida de Blasco Ibáñez and the roads around Plaza de Xuquer.

The beaches of Valencia

A visit to Valencia is enhanced by enjoying its natural beauty, visiting the sea and beaches of Las Arenas or La Malvarrosa, strolling along the seafront promenade or Valencia Marina, and stopping to eat paella in beautiful seaside districts such as El Cabanyal.

The beaches of Las Arenas (El Cabanyal Beach) and La Malvarrosa are located just a few minutes from the centre of Valencia and can also be reached by public transport, bicycle or on foot. The sea promenade is the ideal place for leisure activities, where people can stroll, run, skate, sunbathe or enjoy the local food, including fresh fish soup, fish tapas or Valencia paella. The beach of La Malvarrosa is also known for the House-Museum of Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, a well-known writer from Valencia.

Text by Lisa Maria River

Avion Tourism Magazine
Photos: Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock
Copyright © Sisterscom.com

Video: www.visitvalencia.com

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Where to sleep in Valencia

Valencia is a welcoming city and offers different possibilities for accommodation.

To find the ideal hotel and the best offers you can do a search for the stars but also for districts or landmarks.

STARS

Hotels for stars, differentiated by type of services:

DISTRICTS

Hotels in the districts

LANDMARKS

Hotels in tourist areas

Agora Valencia

Valencia Cathedral

Barrio del Carmen

Basilica Virgen Desamparados

Old Town

City of Arts & Sciences

Museum of Natural Science

Institute of Modern Art IVAM

Museum of Fine Arts

Sofia Palace of Arts

AIRPORT

Hotels near the airport

V alencia Airport VLC

WHERE TO GO in valencia

Monuments in Valencia

VALENCIA CATHEDRAL

Valencia Cathedral dates back to the thirteenth century and was built on the site of an ancient Roman temple. Constructed in a predominately Gothic style, it also includes Romanesque and Baroque details, such as the Iron Door (Baroque) and the Palau or Almoina Door (Romanesque). In the Chapel of the Holy Grail, visitors can admire the Holy Grail, as well as Renaissance frescoes on the High Altar. Don’t miss climbing up the Miguelete Tower and a visit to the Cathedral Museum.

PLAZA DEL AYUNTAMIENTO

The Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall) is in the heart of Valencia and is surrounded by imposing buildings such as the Edificio de Correos, the North Station and the City Hall, which gives its name to the square. Outside, the City Hall features a central clock tower and two elliptical domes. Inside the City Hall, visitors can see the Balcón del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Balcony), the Salón de Cristal (Crystal Hall) and History Museum.

SILK EXCHANGE

The Lonja de la Seda is one of the most distinctive buildings in Valencia, which was built in European Civil Gothic style. The Silk Exchange was constructed between 1482 and 1492 and is composed of four elements: the tower, the Consolat del Mar (Consulate of the Sea), the Orange Garden and the Hall of Columns. In 1931, it was declared a National Artistic and Historic Monument and in 1996, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is open to the public and visitors can view an exhibition of stamps and coins each Sunday.

ROYAL MARINA

The Juan Carlos I Royal Marina is one of the city’s most important landmarks, not only due to the events that are held there, but also due to its unique buildings.

It houses the 19th Century Harbour Sheds, the Edificio del Reloj and the Veles and Vents building, the emblem of the new Marina. There are also a children’s park, the Superyachts Berthing with its amazing yachts, and the North and South Marinas, filled with numerous boats.

TRIBUNAL DE LAS AGUAS

The Tribunal de Las Aguas meets outside the Door of the Apostles in the Plaza de la Virgen, every Thursday, keeping alive a one thousand year old tradition; is the only legislative structure established by Jaime I which still functions. Made up of eight farmers has made the Tribunal world famous and it has been used as a model for other institutions. Efficient and quintessentially Valencian, the Tribunal de las Aguas meets in front of an interested public which often includes young university students as well as tourists.

Museums in Valencia

PRINCIPE FELIPE SCIENCE MUSEUM

This great 21st century museum allows visitors to learn about the evolution of life, science, and technology in an educational, interactive and enjoyable way. It is surrounded by 13,500 square metres of water curtains. Interaction is the main feature of the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum, which bears the slogan: “It is prohibited not to touch, not to feel, not to think”. The museum thus becomes a real educational tool, able to reactivate the public’s critical abilities.

IVAM-VALENCIAN INSTITUTE OF MODERN ART

The building of the IVAM Museum features classic galleries with spaces for modern and contemporary art exhibitions featuring both Spanish and international artists. The museum’s works range from Avant-garde Contemporary Art, Abstract Art, Pop Art and Dada to informal art. The permanent collections also contain works by Julio González and Ignacio Pinazo.

Excursions

CITY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

This is a scientific and cultural complex comprising buildings of modernist architecture which have become symbols of the city, such as Hemisfèric (a digital cinema), Oceanogràfic and the Acquarium designed by the architects Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela.

The City of Arts and Sciences, which extends along the River Turis, also features the Umbracle, an enormous garden, the Principe Felipe Science Museum, the Reina Sofía Palau de les Arts, the bridge of Assut d’Or and the Agora, a space for concerts.

OCEANOGRÀFIC

This is the largest aquarium in Europe, with the capacity to house 45,000 living creatures from 500 different species. The Oceanogràfic is made up of different buildings, housing examples of the most important ecosystems from each of the planet's seas and oceans. In the centre of the complex is located the Underwater Restaurant, that is the most emblematic building of the Oceanogràfic, given the peculiarity of its roof. Furthermore, in the Oceanogràfic we find the Education and Research Building, the Area for the Recovery and Conservation of Marine Fau, the Access Building, as well as shops.

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