Guide to Valencia: 26 Essential Things to Do

A unique collection of stunning architectural masterpieces, devoted to the spread of all things scientific and cultural, the City of Arts and Sciences is made up of five main buildings: the Hemisféric, which boasts an iMAX cinema and digital projections, the fantastic, interactive Príncipe Felipe Science Museum, the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the Umbracle which boasts a terrace/restaurant which makes for a truly spectacular place to grab a drink or something to eat, and finally, the Oceangráfico. It is an impressive example of modern architecture, and arguably the modern heart of the city. Complete with beautiful streams and water areas, it makes for a spacious and relaxing area with much to do, see, and appreciate. By far the most unmissable thing to see in Valencia.

The Oceanográfico is part of the City of Arts and Sciences; however, being the largest aquarium in Europe with over 500 marine species, it is also an institution in and of itself. This huge aquarium offers a truly magical experience, where guests can wander through tunnels of fish and sharks in an immersive and captivating journey. There are separate buildings that are home to species from the Mediterranean, Temperate and Tropical Seas, the Red Sea and the Arctic; most popular is the dolphin area with its enchanting dolphin shows.

Another one for animal lovers, Bioparc is Valencia’s own 10 hectare zoo. This unique and innovative zoo has only been open since 2008, and gives the impression of no barriers between visitors and the animals, unlike traditional zoos. The park runs off the aim of promoting respect for animals, and does a great job of teaching guests about environmental issues. Bioparc is home to a wide range of exciting and fascinating animals, including leopards, giraffes, gorillas, elephants, and lions, as well as beautiful African flora and fauna – for zoo immersion, and learning, this is the place.

For an alternative to the bustling city streets, head to the tranquil Turia Gardens which snake through the city with numerous paths, plants, and playgrounds. At five and a half miles long, there’s plenty to explore, and it’s just one of the many things which make this modern city so unique. The gardens came as a result of the river Turia being diverted after flooding far too often, and now stand as a peaceful haven in the center of a lively city. The Turia Gardens can make for a great day out in themselves, complete with a jungle gym and even a quirky Gulliver’s Travels inspired playground.

If the Spanish city you’re visiting has a beach, visiting it is a must. Valencia does indeed have a seafront, and it is a lively and beautiful one at that. With a warm sea in the summer, it is perfect even for a night time dip. Valencia actually offers a choice of more than one beach, with the stunning Paseo Marítimo just a few minutes out of the center, where visitors can relax with a traditional paella in the heart of the city which invented the dish. The beaches are a must to enjoy the sound of the sea and the warm and refreshing water on a hot day.

Built on what was previously a Roman temple and then a mosque, the origins of the Cathedral of Valencia can be traced back to the 13th century. The Cathedral is a unique and intriguing building which boasts several architectural influences and treasures, from the Romanesque to the Baroque. Head up to the terrace via the enchanting spiral staircase to enjoy spectacular views of the city, countryside, and sea. A true insight into the history and culture of Valencia, the Cathedral is a fantastic piece of architecture which demands admiration.

One of the oldest running food markets in Europe, the Mercat Central de València, or the central market, has true Valencian style, colorful on the outside and the inside, and complete with beautiful ceramics and mosaics. A true insight into daily Valencian life, this bustling market not only attracts tourists, but locals doing their weekly fresh food shopping. Regardless of whether or not you need groceries, you should certainly visit the central market purely to admire the splendor, decoration, and scale of the building, complete with an intricate glass dome standing 30 meters high and adorned with beautiful stained glass.

Built in 1394 for defense, the imposing and majestic Torres de Serranos was never ultimately used for such a purpose, and instead stood as a cultural landmark of the city. The towers are still considered a key landmark; with their awe-inspiring size, they are actually believed to be the largest Gothic city gateway in the whole of Europe, and are in fact one of only two remaining city gates from the 14th century. They are still open to the public today, so guests can walk through the many levels admiring the Gothic interior, and head to the top to enjoy beautiful views of Valencia and the river Turia.

The largest and the most important square in the whole of the city, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento is home to the town hall, the magnificent central post office which stands as an admirable piece of historic architecture in itself and is complete with classic columns, and also acts as the grounds for the famous fallas festival. Uniquely so, the square is not a square at all, but rather, a triangle. Forever bustling with people, from flower vendors to commuters, it is perfect for people watching, and great for photography. Complete with a huge and beautiful fountain, the square has an almost majestic feel, both bustling and tranquil at the same time.

Las Fallas is a festival that only happens around March each year, but is arguably worth planning your holiday times around. As if the city wasn’t lively enough, when Las Fallas happens, the atmosphere is indescribable. Undoubtedly one of the most unique festivals in the whole of the country, Las Fallas is celebrated in order to welcome the spring. The streets fill with tradition and art in the form of the most spectacular floats and costumes, in a celebration which lasts around a week. So for fireworks, traditional costumes, and the most amazing floats and atmosphere, Las Fallas should not be missed.

Valencia’s medieval silk market was built to show off Valencia’s wealth at the time of the booming silk trade. Today it’s one of the city’s main historical attractions, and is famously one of very few non-religious examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. You can explore the lavishly decorated rooms, including the main hall, with its soaring columns representing palms reaching for the sky in paradise. This is deservedly a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Recommended by Clare Speak.

Flanked on one side by the Cathedral, with El Miguelete rising up over the square, the busy Plaza de la Reina is one of the liveliest spots in the city and the main hub for tourist activity in Valencia. You can admire the architecture while sipping a cafe con leche on the terrace of one of the much-loved cafés and bars on the square. Recommended by Clare Speak.

This modernist National Monument just to the south of the Old Town was once a fresh market much like the lively Central Market. Today it’s a chic, renovated space packed with cute cafes, flower shops, craft markets, and a space for temporary photo exhibitions and other events. The outside of the market building is decorated with traditional, colourful Valencian tiles. Recommended by Clare Speak.

If you loved the tale of Gulliver’s Travels as a kid then this attraction will be a must. In the story, the giant Gulliver is tied down by the people of Lilliput, who climb all over him. Valencia’s huge Gulliver Park playground lets you recreate the tale with a giant model of a sleeping Gulliver, featuring ramps, slides and hidden passageways. It’s a great day out for families, and you’ll be pleased to know adults are allowed to join in. Recommended by Clare Speak.

Another of Valencia’s 15th-century treasures (although it was renovated in the 18th century), this lavish palace was originally home to a local aristocratic family. Today it houses the National Museum of Ceramics, with its incredible artefacts telling the story of Valencia’s history and customs. The exterior of the building itself is worth a look, as it’s decorated with incredible marble textures and pastel colours. Recommended by Clare Speak.

Not far from the cathedral you’ll spy the tower of the church of Santa Catalina (Saint Katherine), sitting in Plaça de Santa Catalina. Its tower blends a Valencian Gothic base with a Baroque façade. Interestingly, traditional Valencian folklore depicts El Miguelete and the Tower of Santa Catalina as husband and wife. Recommended by Clare Speak.

This palace, located right in the heart of the Old City, is another gem built during the 15th century. Currently housing the offices of the local government, it’s an esteemed piece of architecture as well as an important government building. The building itself features a mix of Valencian Gothic, Herrerian and Renaissance styles, with a tranquil back courtyard full of the oranges trees that are typical of the area. Recommended by Clare Speak.

Plenty of the world’s cities claim to be home to the narrowest house in the country or continent. Valencia claims to have the narrowest building in Spain, and one of the narrowest in the world. The façade of the building is only a little bit wider than its front door; however, although the façade is tiny, inside the house the upper floors have been connected to the buildings next door to make flats of a size that people can actually live in. The entrance is now part of the tapas bar La Estrecha, which has a collection of historic photos of the building on the walls. Recommended by Clare Speak.

The city’s famous round ‘square’ is tucked away behind Plaza de la Reina in the centre of Valencia’s Old Town district. It features craft stalls and bars and restaurants set in the circular courtyard of a pretty building. Some of these restaurants have a bad reputation for overcharging tourists, so you might not want to linger, but the courtyard itself has a great atmosphere and is an unusual spot to check out. Recommended by Clare Speak.

In the quirky El Carmen neighbourhood, at the northern end of the Old City, you’ll find all kinds of unusual street art, but this has to be one of the most surprising. Walking along Carrer del Museu, look down and you’ll spot the façade of a tiny house seemingly embedded in the bright blue wall. Just a couple of feet high, it’s a tiny version of a classically Valencian house, complete with red tiled roof, tiny fountain and a potted plant representing the garden. No one really knows how it got there, but locally it’s called the casa del los gatos (‘house of cats’) and people say it was built for the area’s many stray cats by a woman who used to live in the building. Recommended by Clare Speak.

When the Institut Valencià d’Art Modern, also known as the IVAM, opened its doors in 1989, it was Spain’s very first modern-art museum. The permanent collection here focuses on Catalan sculptor Julio González, gathering almost 400 of his wrought-iron works. The local impressionist painter Ignacio Pinazo is also well represented. The IVAM also boasts hundreds of other works from world-famous 20th-century artists, in various media, and several changing exhibitions of reliably high quality. Recommended by Clare Speak.

From the strong smell of gunpowder and the near-constant explosions, large and small, going on all around you, day and night, you might think you’ve arrived in a war zone if you come to Valencia in March. But don’t worry, it’s just the city announcing that the Las Fallas festival is around the corner, with a couple of weeks of constant fireworks both in the streets and in spectacular organized public displays. At 2PM each day people gather in the central square, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, for the daily mascleta. Hundreds of huge firecrackers go off in carefully choreographed rhythm, heralding the imminent arrival of the most important dates in the city’s calendar, giving everyone around temporary hearing loss. Why have a firework display in broad daylight, you ask. Because it’s all about the noise, and feeling the power of up to half a metric ton of gunpowder shaking the city’s foundations. Recommended by Clare Speak.

If you’ve ever wanted to go to the famous tomato fight, now’s your chance because it’s right here in a small town next to Valencia. At the end of August every year, thousands of visitors descend to take part in what must be one of the most famously crazy festivals in the world. In fact, it’s just one of Valencia’s many crazy festivals. Recommended by Clare Speak.

Valencia’s alternative side comes out at night in the El Carmen neighborhood. Join the young, alternative crowd at the chaotic Frankenstein rock bar. With a mix of everything from electronica to hip hop – just so long as it’s not mainstream, it’s cool. Recommended by Clare Speak.

Valencian waiters think most tourists are too squeamish to try this particular local delicacy, found at every market and tapas bar in town. Snails are also one of the ingredients in the traditional Paella Valenciana recipe, along with chicken and rabbit, so if you want to try the real deal make sure to ask your waiter to include the caracoles when you visit one of Valencia’s great paella restaurants. Recommended by Clare Speak.

There are of course countless contenders for the title of Holy Grail all around the world, from stone cups to golden chalices, and the questions of whether the cup even exists and, if so, where it is, have fascinated people for centuries. Valencia’s claim to the title looks pretty convincing. The Holy Chalice of Valencia is kept behind glass in the golden “Chapel of the Holy Grail” in the city’s Gothic cathedral. Recommended by Clare Speak.