What to see in Valencia. City of modernism and the Miguelete
Valencia is a city with an old town that is not too big and with most of its important monuments very close by, making it an ideal city to visit in a single day.
It is the third largest city in Spain so you have a lot to see in Valencia, not only in the city center and its old town but near the beach and its surroundings.
Here we show you some of the most important places to visit in Valencia, and that you should not miss if you go to this city.
Routes for days in Valencia
Valencia is a city that is not very big but it has many attractions to visit, so the best thing is that you organize yourself perfectly and know what to visit every day. To make it easier for you, we have designed a series of tours of Valencia divided by day so that you do not miss a thing.
And if you travel with the little ones, don’t miss out on the best things to do in Valencia with children.
The main places to see in Valencia
The North Station and the Plaza de Toros
Whether you arrive by train or not, it is mandatory to enter the Estación del Norte, a building with more than 100 years of history that continues to serve Valencians and one of the most beautiful modernist buildings in Valencia.
It is a spectacular modernist building with an exterior where the coat of arms of Valencia, the oranges and the orange blossom stand out, and an interior hall where you have to pay attention to the lamps, the ceiling and the curious lockers that are still in operation.
Right next to the Estación del Norte is another of the most famous buildings to see in Valencia, the Plaza de Toros. It has the peculiarity that it is not round, but octagonal, although you will not be able to verify this detail at street level. It is inspired by the Colosseum in Rome and was built 150 years ago in a neoclassical style.
The Town Hall Square
From here we can go through the most commercial streets of Valencia and enjoy its shops and the most important squares of Valencia.
But when you will really enjoy it will be when you arrive at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento where we basically have two unique buildings.
On one side, the City Hall itself and opposite another modernist building , the Post Office Building, which also has baroque and classicist details.
This building dates from 1922 and stands out for its 30-meter tower and the 5 statues that represent communication. Each year both buildings preside over the famous mascletá de las Fallas de Valencia.
The Central Market and the Silk Exchange
Overcoming the temptation to go to the Cathedral, at the end of the Plaza del Ayuntamiento we will turn left to see two other important buildings in the city.
In the first place we will find the Central Market, again a modernist building and which is located next to the Church of Santos Juanes.
Opposite, an essential building, the Lonja de la Seda, which is a World Heritage Site and where we should not miss a detail.
The Silk Exchange, formerly considered the symbol of the commercial power of the City of Turia, was built between the 15th and 16th centuries and the Hall of Columns stands out above all, although the Patio de los Naranjos and its Towers are also very interesting.
Valencia Cathedral and the famous Miguelete
Going through a series of narrow alleys, we will finally arrive at the Plaza de la Reina.
There are the Cathedral of Valencia and the most famous monument in the city, the Miguelete, which is nothing more than the bell tower of the Cathedral.
It is necessary to visit the Chapel of the Holy Chalice and if we have time to climb the steps that take us to the top of the Miguelete from where we have beautiful views.
Very close to the Plaza de la Reina we have another of the most famous churches to see in Valencia, the Church of Santa Catalina, a beautiful Gothic temple whose high tower we must highlight.
The neighborhood of Carmen
The Barrio del Carmen begins at the back of the Cathedral where the Plaza de la Virgen is located.
In this square is another of the jewels of the city such as the Basilica of the Virgen de los Desamparados. Its interior is infinitely more beautiful than its exterior, so do not stop entering it.
The frescoes in the dome are a masterpiece and its altarpiece and stained glass windows are also to be admired.
This basilica is dedicated to the Patron Saint of Valencia and who was also the Patron Saint of the Kingdom of Valencia.
From there we can continue walking through the historic Barrio del Carmen until we reach another of the symbols to see in Valencia, the Puerta de Serranos.
Before, we find the Plaza de la Virgen and we also have a beautiful fountain, the Fuente del Turia. Around this fountain there are 8 female figures that represent the 8 ditches of the Huerta de Valencia.
There is also the Benicarló Palace, a Gothic-Renaissance mansion that is currently the seat of the Valencian Courts and that during the Civil War was the seat of the government of the Second Republic.
The City of Arts and Sciences, the best thing to see in Valencia
The City of Arts and Sciences is possibly the best point of interest to see in Valencia, a place that will surprise you and whose visit can take a long time.
We can go there walking along the banks of the Turia or take the metro to the area where the City of Arts and Sciences is located to admire the curious and imposing buildings designed by Santiago Calatrava.
It is a very large complex but essential in your visit to Valencia. Nearby is the Palau de la Música and the best beaches in Valencia. Although not only in the city do you have fabulous beaches, there are also numerous in the surroundings of the city.
By the way, although here is the best museum in the city, you should not miss the rest of the museums in Valencia.
The Bioparc and the Parque de Cabecera
Located at the entrance to Valencia of what was the old bed of the River Turia, Parque de Cabecera is one of the most charming parks in Valencia and one where you can enjoy the most.
It was built in 2004 on the old riverbed, diverted after the floods of 1957, and it recreates the old landscape of the River Turia where the main protagonist is water. Among the places that can be highlighted in the park are the Bosque de Ribera and above all, the BioParc.
The BioParc is a very innovative zoological park where the barriers have been eliminated for the animals, which roam freely, being the visitor the one who moves to their habitat and not the other way around. Without a doubt, a very interesting place, especially if you go with children.
Albufera Park
A few kilometers south of the city of Valencia we find one of the paradises of the Valencian Community and an essential visit whether you like nature or if you want to enjoy a good paella, because here you can taste the best.
In La Albufera you can enjoy sunsets that will surprise you as well as excellent beaches where you can relax. All this surrounded by exceptional flora and fauna around a lake that you can explore by boat.
You can find more information about what to see in Valencia on its official tourism page. And if you have more days to visit the province, don’t miss out on the best places to visit around Valencia.
