What places to visit in Valencia (Spain)?

Valencia-City-of-the-Arts
The city of Valencia is the capital of the Valencian Community. With just over two and a half million inhabitants, the city is widely known for, among other things, hosting the City of Arts and Sciences, as well as for its Fallas festivals. Since 2019, ‘Visit València’ is the institutional responsible for managing tourist activity and the quality of life of its inhabitants with the publication of a large number of activities and plans and with the dissemination of some of the most magical corners of the city .

In the following lines, we give you a short summary of some of the places in Valencia that you cannot miss on a trip to the capital of Turia .

The Hermitage of Santa Lucía

This small hermitage has traditionally been linked to the Hospital of the Poor Innocents. Declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument in 1963, in 2007 the Ermita Santa Lucía was also classified as a Site of Cultural Interest. Composed of two naves, the main one in Gothic style, the hermitage is a small wonder located on Calle del Hospital. In this way, although it goes unnoticed by any passerby not used to observing the local architecture, a visit to the Ermita de Santa Lucía is one of those essential things in a visit to Valencia.

The City of Arts and Sciences

Although Valencia is much more than the City of Arts and Sciences, this architectural and cultural complex cannot be missing from a guide to the most visited places in Valencia. Designed by the architects Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, the site was inaugurated in 1998. In it you can find the Hemisfèric – with an IMAX movie projection room and the planetarium -, the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum – interactive – and the largest Oceanographic in Europe. Ideal for adults and children, the City of Arts and Sciences will not disappoint you.

Valencia-square

The Silk Exchange

Also known as the Lonja de los Mercaderes, the Lonja de la Seda is considered a masterpiece of Valencian civil Gothic. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996, every Sunday the Lonja hosts an exhibition of stamps and historical coins . In addition, its entry is very cheap, since it only costs two euros. On Sundays the visit is free, so do not hesitate and come to this impressive marvel of Valencian architecture.

The Barrio del Carmen

The Barrio del Carmen is, without a doubt, one of the most iconic neighborhoods in Valencia. Located in the Ciutat Vella district, its name comes from the Convent of Carmen located there. With a large number of cobbled and labyrinthine alleys, some of its most iconic places are the Mossen Sorell Market , the Plaza del Tossal, the Plaza del Arbol and the tiny House of the Cats. In the Barrio del Carmen there are also some of the most important cultural centers of the city such as the Beneficencia, the Centro del Carmen or the IVAM.

The IVAM

The Institut Valencià d’Art Modern (IVAM) is one of the most relevant artistic centers in the whole country. Its permanent collection is made up of some 10,500 works that illustrate the artistic evolution of the 20th century. Its collection includes a good number of works by the artists Julio González and Ignacio Pinazo , as well as numerous works from the historical avant-garde with works by artists such as Jean Arp, Paul Klee or Lucio Fontana. Valencia is, therefore, one of the perfect cultural destinations .

Valencia-aerial-view

The Round Square

The Plaza Redonda is one of the main attractions of Valencia given its particularity. Rehabilitated in 2012, any visit to the city must include the Plaza Redonda. Surrounded by traditional shops and tapas bars, in it you can enjoy a moment of tranquility, enjoying the brightness of this particular square. In addition, from there you will have the opportunity to observe a beautiful perspective of the baroque rococo bell tower of Santa Catalina.

The Central Market

The Central Market is one of the perfect places to taste all the Valencian gastronomy. Located in a beautiful modernist building, the Central Market houses a large number of stalls with typical Mediterranean products. Considered the largest fresh food market in Europe , the Central is one of the most iconic places in Valencia thanks to its life, its colors and its aromas. Plan your getaway well – here are some tips to organize a trip – and don’t miss this architectural and gastronomic prodigy.

The marine

Lovers of the sun and the beach will not be able to miss one of the main socio-cultural centers of the city. There you can find numerous bars and restaurants , hotels and beaches. In addition, if you like water sports, in the Marina there are companies dedicated to offering these services, so if you wish you can do sports such as sailing, diving, canoeing or rowing accompanied by the best professionals.