Valencia is the third largest city in Spain. It’s crammed with art and architecture, fringed with 20 kilometres of gold sand beaches and is a foodie heaven. If that’s not a good enough reason to visit, most of its top attractions are free:
Museums:
IVAM – the impressive Institut Valencia d’Art Modern was the first modern art gallery in Spain. It has free entry – Friday 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm; Saturday 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm; and all day Sunday. Tip – don’t miss the street art in the neighbouring Carmen area.
Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia: the Museum is the 2nd largest in Spain, after the Prado. It showcases Sorolla and includes Goya, El Greco, Velazquez and Murillo in its collection. All for free. Tip – don’t miss the cool blue courtyard.
Monuments:
Central Market – Valencia’s Central Market is phenomenal. It’s the largest fresh food market in Europe and has row after row of stalls selling delicious offerings from fish to fruit, spices to salt, olives, oils and meats of all description. Go to eat tapas, snack on fresh falafel or cheese. It’s our favourite market in the world – even if you’re not a foodie go for the architecture. It’s a domed, tiled, ornate masterpiece. Tip – it’s also a cheap place to eat and picnic shop.
La Lonja – Valencia’s must visit Silk Exchange dates from 1492 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You enter through a quiet Moorish garden and proceed to the main event the airy, Gothic hall with its signature twirled columns. Tip – walk round the outside looking up for some seriously impressive gargoyles.
Estacion Del Norte – Norte Station was built in 1917 and celebrates the Valencian orange trade with its magnificent tiled interior. It’s ceramic heaven and was our favourite place in the Old City.
Torres de Serranos – these magnificent defensive city gates date back to 1392. You can climb them for free on Sunday or free with the Valencia Tourist Card.
Beaches:
There are 3 main beaches – all a 20 min tram, bus ride or cycle from the centre. We like the lively Playa Des Arenes near the Marina. It has paddle boards, surfers, sun bed hire and a boardwalk for cafes and snacks.
Parks:
Valencia has beautiful public parks. The Turia Gardens and The City Of Arts and Sciences – in effect a massive park – should top your list.
The Turia – threads for 12 kilometres around the Old City to the sea. The park runs along the site of the Turia River, which was diverted due to flooding. It passes under Valencia’s historic bridges including the 15th century Pont de la Trinitat and the 16th century Pont Del Real. It’s lined with sporting spaces, fountains, cafes and cycle tracks which run all the way to our favourite attraction…the City of Arts and Sciences
Parks:
Valencia has beautiful public parks. The Turia Gardens and The City Of Arts and Sciences – in effect a massive park – should top your list.
The Turia – threads for 12 kilometres around the Old City to the sea. The park runs along the site of the Turia River, which was diverted due to flooding. It passes under Valencia’s historic bridges including the 15th century Pont de la Trinitat and the 16th century Pont Del Real. It’s lined with sporting spaces, fountains, cafes and cycle tracks which run all the way to our favourite attraction…the City of Arts and Sciences
The City of Arts and Sciences:
For many (including us) this architectural masterpiece of Santiago Calatrava is the main reason to visit Valencia. This multi-building complex continues along the dry bed of the Turia for 2 kilometres and contains 6 spectacular and iconic structures:
The Opera House – you can visit the inside if you book ahead on the website. However, the outside is the big draw, with overlapping, gravity defying layers. It’s unforgettable.
The Hemisferic – is shaped like a giant eye, half submerged in turquoise water. Inside is an IMAX cinema – not free, but you can walk through the top layer and admire from across the water.
The Science Museum – is best viewed on the outside, you can walk along elevated walkways, shaded colonnades and marvel at the vast buttresses holding it up. You can also visit the ground floor for free, as the Science Museum entry is from the first floor up.
The Agora – is an event venue, not often open to the public, but put it on your list for the midnight blue ceramic coating and the spectacular shape which sets off the striking Assut d’Or Bridge.
Finally, there’s the Umbracle. A vast arched, open space filled with sculptures and mediterranean plants. It’s the place to go for the best views of the complex.
Tip – give yourself a good amount of time to explore. We suggest 2 hours or two trips. The complex needs to be seen from various perspectives and there are lots of places to sit, chill and take in the different views. We also suggest going at night too, as it takes on another dimension when lit.
Travel Tips:
If you plan to get around by public transport, invest in a Valencia Tourist Card or the VTC, for 24, 48 and 72 hours. If you buy it at the airport, it will include your metro trip to the centre. The card also gives you discounts on some trips, attractions and even a free plate of tapas and a drink.
Amazing as the card is – do plan ahead to see if you will get the maximum use out of it. If you’re a fan of walking and cycling (and Valencia is the most cycle friendly city we have visited), it might not be worth it. We got the metro to and from the airport and took one bus and one tram during our three days – as we cycled through the Turia Gardens to and from the City Of Arts and Sciences.