València

From culture and heritage to natural spaces, lively streets and neighbourhoods you may never want to leave, there is so much to see and do in València. Plan a few days away and experience the city in a whole new light.

Things to see in València 

València is home to an extraordinary number of monuments, museums and landmark sites. Many of them are found within the city’s historic quarter, although there is plenty more to see beyond it. 

Monuments in València 

• The old walls of València, whose route evolved through the Roman, Moorish and medieval periods, still survive in several parts of the city. Two magnificent medieval gateways also remain: the Serranos Towers and the Quart Towers. 

• Temple and Outbuildings of San Juan del Hospital: one of the city’s oldest religious sites, standing beside a medieval cemetery and remains of the Roman circus. 

• Archaeological Remains of La Almoina and Saint Vincent’s Prison: these remains can be visited at the La Almoina Archaeological Centre, a museum built directly over the site which takes you back through València’s Roman and Visigothic past. 

• Almudín: the interior of this former medieval grain store is well worth seeing. 

• Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken and València Cathedral: these two churches stand at the heart of the city and are of considerable architectural and cultural importance. The cathedral has three remarkable entrances, one Baroque, one Romanesque and one Gothic. Every Thursday at midday, the Gothic doorway becomes the setting for the Water Tribunal of the Plain of València, a traditional institution and ritual recognised by UNESCO. The Holy Chalice has also been kept inside the cathedral since 1437. 

• Seat of the Valencian Parliament and Palace of the Generalitat: both buildings date from the 15th century and were designed in a Gothic style with Renaissance touches. 

• Santa Catalina Mártir Temple and Tower: a Gothic church crowned by a splendid Baroque bell tower. Just beyond it lies Plaza Redonda, which once hosted a flea market and still has stalls selling crafts today. 

• Central Market: this Modernist building is of outstanding architectural value and houses stalls selling some of the finest produce from across the Region of Valencia. 

• Silk Exchange: a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of civil Gothic architecture. This former merchants’ exchange contains an exceptional columned hall and is an essential stop during any visit to the city. 

• Parish Church of Santos Juanes: the weather vane of this Baroque church forms a familiar part of the city skyline, while its grand nave is equally worth seeing. 

• València Town Hall and Post Office Building: both of these landmark buildings stand in plaza del Ayuntamiento which is a broad pedestrian space filled with life. 

• North Station and Colón Market: two outstanding examples of Modernist architecture where you could spend hours taking in every detail. 

In the north of the city, you will find the San Miguel de los Reyes monastery, a former 16th-century monastery which now houses a monumental library and a varied cultural programme. Over in the maritime district, the Grao Shipyards provide another magnificent example of Valencian civil Gothic architecture. 

Bridges in València 

València was built on the banks of the River Turia, whose former riverbed has since been transformed into a unique urban garden. Its history as a river channel lives on in the city’s many bridges, whose designs range from the 15th century to the forefront of contemporary architecture. 

Parks in València 

Among València’s gardens, the Turia Garden naturally takes centre stage. Its nine kilometres can be explored on foot or by bicycle, although the city also has many other green spaces of artistic and natural interest. Make sure you include some of them in your plans.

Visit the Botanical Garden, Monforte Garden, the Royal Gardens, also known as Viveros Gardens, the Ayora Mansion and Garden and Central Park.

Museums in València 

Alongside the La Almoina Archaeological Centre, where you can learn about the origins of the city, València has an impressive catalogue of museums. 

• Valencian Institute of Modern Art (IVAM): one of Spain’s leading modern art centres, housing avant-garde works and presenting major exhibitions. 

• Valencian Museum of Ethnology (L’Etno): named European Museum of the Year in 2023, it offers a visual and interactive journey through Valencian popular culture and traditions. 

• Valencian Museum of Enlightenment and Modernity (MUVIM): this bold contemporary building contains a medieval tower within its structure and explores the birth of the modern world. 

• Silk Museum: a historic Gothic mansion with remarkable frescoes and ceramic mosaics which reveals the fascinating legacy of the city’s textile tradition. 

• Museum of Fine Arts of València: Spain’s second-largest fine art museum, housed in a grand 17th-century Baroque seminary with a beautiful arcaded cloister. 

• Bombas Gens Centre for Digital Art: located in a historic building that is worth seeing in its own right, this exhibition space presents a packed programme of immersive digital art. 

• Fallas Museum of València: an essential visit for anyone who wants to understand Las Fallas, the UNESCO-recognised festival that transforms the city every March. 

Beaches in València 

València has vast urban beaches that are teeming with life and activities, including Malvarrosa beach and Cabañal beach. Further south, El Saler beach and La Devesa beach offer a more natural setting beside an extraordinary wetland. Do not leave without going for a swim or taking a walk along the sand.

City of Arts and Sciences 

This monumental cultural and scientific complex, with its futuristic architecture, invites you to enter the immense Oceanogràfic València aquarium, experiment with interactive science in a huge museum and enjoy 3D screenings beneath a spectacular dome. 

Albufera Natural Park and El Palmar 

A short distance from València, Albufera Natural Park offers the perfect place to unplug with its traditional boats, birdlife, dunes and seemingly endless rice fields. At its heart lies El Palmar, a picturesque village where you can sit down to enjoy some local dishes. 

Las Fallas of València 

The Fallas of València, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, completely transform the city through music, light and tradition. The thunderous rhythm of the daily mascletàs fills the streets before the celebrations culminate in the beauty of the Flower Offering and the ritual of the Cremà.

Put on shoes you can walk in, follow the scent of gunpowder and buñuelos, admire the extraordinary fallas monuments and experience one of the Mediterranean’s most fascinating collective celebrations from within.

What can you do in València at the weekend? 

Explore the historic centre, spend time in the Turia Garden, immerse yourself in the culture of the City of Arts and Sciences and finish the day with a rice dish beside the sea. 

What are the must-see places in València? 

The Silk Exchange, Central Market, City of Arts and Sciences, València Cathedral and Albufera Natural Park are essential stops that truly capture the spirit of the city. 

What is the easiest way to get around València?  

València is easy to explore on foot or by bicycle, thanks to its extensive network of cycle lanes. The city also has an efficient bus and metro system. 

Where can you eat the best paella in València? 

There are excellent restaurants across the city, although tradition points towards El Palmar, in the heart of Albufera Natural Park, as one of the best places to enjoy authentic Valencian paella. 

Where can you see the best sunset in València? 

The jetty at the Albufera is one of the city’s most iconic sunset spots, although watching the evening light fade from the beach has a magic of its own. 

Which neighbourhoods should you visit in València? 

Wander through the historic streets of El Carmen, take in the creative energy of Ruzafa and spend time in El Cabañal, where València’s seafaring heritage still shapes everyday life. ​​​​​​​