If you are looking for things to do in Valencia, you will not be disappointed by the variety and richness of this Spanish city. Valencia is the third-largest city in Spain and has a lot to offer to visitors, from historical monuments and museums to modern architecture and nightlife. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the best tourist attractions in Valencia that you should not miss. Whether you are interested in culture, nature, or entertainment, you will find something that suits your taste among the things to do in Valencia. Here are some of the best tourist attractions in Valencia that you should include in your itinerary.
Looking for things to do in Valencia? Discover the best tourist attractions in Valencia:
- La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències: A futuristic complex of museums, aquariums, theaters and gardens that showcase arts and sciences.
- Las Fallas Festival: A spectacular celebration of fire and art that takes place every March, with huge papier-mâché figures that are burned on the final night.
- Valencia Cathedral: A beautiful mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles, with a tower that offers panoramic views and a chapel that claims to hold the Holy Grail.
- La Lonja de la Seda: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Valencian Gothic architecture, once used as a silk exchange market.
- Barrio del Carmen: A historic and bohemian neighborhood with narrow streets, medieval buildings, street art, shops and restaurants.
- Central Market: The largest market with fresh produce in Europe, full of Mediterranean flavors and aromas.
- Albufera Natural Park: A wetland area with a large lake, rice fields and forests, where you can enjoy boat trips, birdwatching and sunsets.
- Valencia Aquarium Oceanografic: Europe’s largest aquarium, with 500 marine species and 45,000 specimens from different ecosystems, as well as a dolphinarium and educational exhibits.
- Marina of Valencia: A modern and lively area by the sea, with beaches, restaurants, bars and the Veles e Vents building that hosts cultural events.
- The best museums where to lose yourself in and enjoy: Valencia has 34 museums for all tastes, from the second largest art gallery in Spain at the Museo de Bellas Artes, to the modern art of IVAM, the ceramics of Museo Nacional de Cerámica, the Fallero Museum that displays the figures from Las Fallas, and more.
- Turia Garden: A lush 9-kilometer garden that runs along the former riverbed of Turia, with bridges, fountains, playgrounds and attractions such as the Gulliver Park and the Palau de la Música.
- Torres de Serranos: One of the twelve gates that formed part of the ancient city wall, built in the 14th century in Gothic style and offering stunning views from the top.
- Instituto Valencia d’Arte Modern: Spain’s first modern art center, with a collection of works by artists such as Julio González and Joan Miró, as well as temporary exhibitions and events.
- La Estrecha: The house with Europe’s narrowest facade, measuring just 107 cm in length and standing five stories tall in Plaza Lope de Vega.
- Plaza de la Virgen: A charming square in the heart of the old town, surrounded by historic buildings such as the Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados and the Palau de la Generalitat.
- Bioparc Valencia: A zoo that recreates the natural habitats of Africa, with animals such as lions, giraffes, elephants and gorillas living in spacious enclosures.
- Mercado de Colón: A modernist building that houses a gourmet market with stalls selling local delicacies, as well as cafes and restaurants.
- Plaza Redonda: A unique circular square that dates back to the 19th century and hosts a traditional market on Sundays.
- Museo Fallero: A museum that displays some of the best papier-mâché figures from Las Fallas festival over the years, as well as costumes and posters.
- Museo de Historia de Valencia: A museum that tells the story of Valencia from its Roman origins to the present day, through interactive exhibits and models.
- Jardín Botánico: A botanical garden that boasts over 3,000 plant species from around the world, as well as greenhouses, ponds and sculptures.
- Playa de la Malvarrosa: The most popular beach in Valencia, with golden sand, clear water and a lively promenade with restaurants and bars.
- Museo Nacional de Cerámica: A museum that showcases the rich ceramic tradition of Valencia, housed in a palace with a stunning rococo facade.
- Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas: A palace that dates back to the 15th century and features a lavish interior with furniture, paintings and porcelain.
- Museo de Bellas Artes: The second largest art gallery in Spain, with works by masters such as Velázquez, Goya, El Greco and Sorolla.
- IVAM Centre del Carme: A cultural center that hosts contemporary art exhibitions and events in a former convent with Gothic cloisters.
- Parque Gulliver: A park that features a giant sculpture of Gulliver from the novel by Jonathan Swift, with slides and tunnels for children to play on.
- Palau de la Música: A concert hall that hosts classical music performances and festivals, with a glass dome and a garden by the Turia river.
- Museo de Prehistoria de Valencia: A museum that displays archaeological finds from the Paleolithic to the Visigothic periods, as well as temporary exhibitions and workshops.
- L’Oceanogràfic Submarino: An underwater restaurant that offers a unique dining experience surrounded by fish tanks with sharks, rays and other marine creatures.
- Parque Natural de la Sierra Calderona: A natural park that covers the mountains north of Valencia, with hiking trails, viewpoints and historical sites.
- Museo del Patriarca: A museum that houses a collection of paintings by artists such as Caravaggio, Van Dyck and Ribera, as well as religious relics and a chapel with frescoes.
- Playa de Pinedo: A beach that is part of the Albufera Natural Park, with sand dunes, pine trees and a nudist area.
- Museo del Arroz: A museum that explains the history and culture of rice cultivation in Valencia, located in a former rice mill.
- Plaza del Ayuntamiento: The main square of Valencia, where the city hall and the post office are located, as well as a fountain and a flower market.
- Casa Museo Blasco Ibáñez: A museum that honors the life and work of the Valencian writer Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, with his personal belongings, manuscripts and paintings.
- Parque de Cabecera: A park that marks the beginning of the Turia Garden, with a lake, a boating area, a picnic area and an amphitheater.
- Bombas Gens Centre d’Art: An art center that occupies a former factory from the 1930s, with exhibitions of photography, painting and sculpture.
- Museo Taurino: A museum that celebrates the bullfighting tradition of Valencia, with costumes, weapons, posters and trophies.
- El Miguelete: The bell tower of Valencia Cathedral, which can be climbed for spectacular views of the city.
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