About Valencia and Things to Do

More than 2,000 years of history have really left their mark on one of the most important historic centres in Europe. Valencia, over 2000 years old, has been the home to Romans, Visigoths and Muslims since it was founded in 130 B.C. and has one of the largest historic centres in Europe. There are so many historic buildings, cafes and restaurants - just have a walk around - you cannot get lost!

 The Cathedral was consecrated in 1238 by the first bishop of Valencia after the Reconquista.   The bell tower (well worth a visit!)  - "El Micalet" - is a gothic style construction made in the fourteen century and finished in the fifteenth. 

Its name, "El Micalet", comes from the name of its biggest bell "Miquel", made in 1532 and with more than ten tons of weight. Inside there is an enormous spiral staircase with 207 steps up to the summit from where you can enjoy amazing views of the city, even the sea.

The Mercat Central is a public market which occupies a surface area of more than 8000 m2, stands out for its enormous metal structure, the domes, the stained-glass windows and the precious ceramic coverings. Inaugurated in 1928, it is one of the main works of Valencian modernism. 

Originally, its interior was designed to house more than 900 food stalls. Today, it has approximately 300 stalls selling a wide variety of products: fruit and vegetables, meat, fish and seafood, cold meats and cheese, salted and pickled meats and pickles, etc. There are also several souvenir shops and restaurants.

The Església de Sant Nicolau has recently been restored, revealing a pictorial display that experts have called the Valencian "Sistine Chapel".  It really is stunning. 

A UNESCO World Heritage site, The Llotja de la Seda was built between 1482 and 1492 when the previous building that was being used for trade became too small.

By this stage in history, much of the silk coming into Europe was actually being transported through North Africa, so Valencia was in the perfect location to be the distributor from Spain to the rest of the continent. The inside is even more stunning than the outside!

One of the most amazing buildings in the City - well worth walking past, even if you don't go in -  Housed in Marqués de Dosaigües  Palace, the National Museum of Ceramics is home to a great collection of Spanish, local Valencian and foreign ceramics. 

The City of Arts and Sciences is well-worth a visit.   The architecture is  truly stunning, featuring Europe's largest aquarium (please go, it is amazing), an opera house, a botanical gardens and an immersive 3d cinema.  It is a short walk or cab ride from the Old Town.

 This modernist National Monument just to the south of the Old Town and close to the main shopping district 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.

The main shopping areas of Valencia are in and around Carrer Colón, where you will find department stores like El Corte Ingles, Zara, high-end designer stores and everything in between - go and have a wander and remember you can claim back about 12% of your VAT (thanks Brexit, I guess).

Arguably the coolest neighbourhood in town, Russafa is a mix old-fashioned street life (in the form of a great market and pretty squares), with some of the city’s most talked-about restaurants, its slinkiest bars and coolest boutiques.

It is a great neighbourhood for an aimless amble – popping into the fantastic little market perhaps, lingering over lunch at one of the stylish cafés, followed by a spot of shopping in the independent boutiques, with many bars and restaurants.

La Patacona beach is accessible by both bus, cab (15 Euros) and car and is a lively beach in the City, with plenty of amazing sea-food restaurants.

Cullera beach is accessible by car, train and bus and has miles of sandy coast-line and is well worth a visit! Parking is pay and display along the roads in and around the beach - so bring some Euros in chance.