Valencia Highlights
Turia Gardens and Beach
A visit to Valencia is not complete without a bike-ride through the Turia Gardens. The Turia used to be a river that crossed Valencia from west to east. Due to many floods, it was decided to divert the course of the river; the Turia was turned into a nine-kilometer long park, full of life, activity and culture....
The old riverbed is a perfect place for a bike-ride: no cars, no noise and real cycle paths, which is a rare thing in Spain! On the east side of the park you will find the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, on the west part the Bioparc zoo of Valencia. In between: kilometers of Mediterranean vegetation, fountains, and sport fields to enjoy.
If you are heading east, make sure you make a little detour to see Valencia’s beach and harbour. The beach is lined with restaurants where you can enjoy a drink or paella. The harbour was the home of the 32nd and 33rd America’s Cup.
City of Arts and Sciences
The futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, work of the famous Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, is well worth a visit. You can spend the day discovering hands-on modern science in the Science Museum, watch a movie in the Imax theatre Hemisféric (a staring eye that blinks with the aid of a steel and glass shutter), enjoy an opera in the Palau de les Arts, watch a tennis game in the newly created Agora or just stroll around and suck up the greatness of the architecture.
Want another perspective? From the L´Umbracle, a garden and look out point, you can oversee all the buildings.
When you have seen it all, you might want to visit the neighbour, the Oceanográfic, the biggest aquarium of Europe, where you can wander through shark tunnels, see a dolphin show, penguins and belugas.
Torres de Serrano
In medieval times Valencia was a walled city with twelve different entrances. The Serrano Towers, named after the people that entered the city from the inland region who were known as “Serranos”, is one of two entrances still standing. In the middle ages, noblemen used to climb the towers to contemplate the parties and processions below. Currently, you can visit the towers (all days except Monday, for free) and enjoy great views of the city and the Turia Gardens.
Mercado Central
In this 8000 square meter covered market that dates from 1928 you can find fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, cheese and meat. The market is open every day (except Sunday), until 14:00. You can spend a morning here just walking around and soaking up the atmosphere or buying some of Valencia’s delicious foods like oranges. Once outside, make sure you look up to see the parrot on the roof: a symbol of the colours and sounds of the market.
La Lonja
Across from the market you will find the Lonja or Silk Market, a great example of Gothic architecture. When you enter through the main door, also known as the door of sins, have a good look at the little figures that decorate it.
In the main trading hall, palm-like columns support a roof that once was meant to look like a starry sky. Another detail that catches the eye is the long sentence that runs along the four walls of the building. This sentence encourages good trademanship. Those who did not adhere to it were locked up in prison.
Plaza Redonda
This little square tucked behind the Plaza de la Reina is also called “el clot”, or “the hole” (you can see why, it is perfectly round). This square used to be a little market place where fish and meat was sold. Now you can buy ceramics, embroidery and work clothes. On Sunday’s it becomes the Mecca of collectors: you can browse through stamps and coins.
Cathedral and Plaza de la Virgen
The Cathedral: not only a must see from the inside, but also from the outside. The Cathedral has three entrances, all reflecting different architectural styles, from roman to gothic to baroque.
Inside you can marvel at the Holy Grail, a painting by Goya, or climb the bell tower Micalet for stunning views over Valencia (try to spot la Plaza Redonda!).
Every Thursday you can witness the water court (tribunal de las aguas) that is held outside the cathedral’s entrance of the apostles, at the Plaza de la Virgen. This is a thousand year old institution that resolves irrigation questions. The eight men dressed in black, the court members, make their entrance at twelve o‘clock sharp. Make sure you are on time; it can be over in 5 minutes.
The Plaza de la Virgen, right in the middle of the old town center, is also a great place to sit down and have a drink with lovely views of the cathedral and basilica; a baroque building dedicated to the patron saint of Valencia.
The fountain in the middle of the square represents the river Turia and its eight irrigation canals.
Botanical Garden
Not many tourists know about Valencia’s botanical gardens, founded in 1567. It is a quiet place for a stroll and to wind down. Note that you can adopt one of the many cats that are residing here.
The botanical gardens are located on Calle Quart, not far from the Torres the Quart, the second entrance to the city that still remains.
Museums
Valencia has wide range of museums to choose from. If you like modern art the IVAM museum is the place to be. If you would like to see some more traditional art (mainly iconography by Valencian painters) head to the Museo de Bellas Artes San Pio V. More into ceramics? The National Museum of Ceramics Gonzalez Marti is located in one of Valencia’s former palaces. Just the entrance is already worth the visit for its impressive rococo decoration from 1740.
Outside Valencia - Albufera National Park
Well worth a visit is the Albufera National Park, just outside Valencia. The Albufera lake is a fresh water lake very close to the sea, where people traditionally fish eel. You can take a boat ride and look at many different birds, or sit down in the little town of El Palmar at one of many restaurants to taste a real Paella. There are buses going from Valencia, for an up to date timetable, please go to the Tourist Info.
Valencia Highlights were contributed by Suzanne Geudeke
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