The Places That You Need To Know In Valencia, Spain

Being one of Spain’s largest cities, Valencia is a popular tourist destination for many reasons. Despite having a population of over 2 million, the southeastern port city boasts all the benefits of a city-break holiday but with fewer crowds than Madrid or Barcelona. It’s further south than these two as well, meaning the weather is often hotter and you’re actually not that far away from Africa.

The nightlife in Valencia is as vibrant as its culture. In this post, we will explore everything you need to know about Valencia, and more importantly, what you cannot miss out on. So here is our top 10 places to visit.

Museums

First and foremost, being a culturally significant city, Valencia isn’t shy about its history.  There are many museums in Valencia Spain, but most notably the Museum of Belles Arts de València Institut Valencià d’Art Modern and Valencia History Museum. Whilst there are some free museums, the most popular ones have an admission fee, though they’re often free once a week (i.e. Sunday afternoons).

Oceanogràfic

Many cities have some type of aquarium and Valencia certainly has an incredible one. Having opened in 2003, the oceanarium quickly got a name for itself for having over 45,000 different creatures. The place is huge and was is divided into ten different zones. You will certainly struggle to find a better oceanarium in Europe. There are dolphins, walruses, tiger sharks, sea lions and over 500 other species. 

Valencia Cathedral

As mentioned earlier, Valencia is a cultural powerhouse. The Gothic Valencia Cathedral dates back to the 13th century, with neoclassical, renaissance and baroque adaptations made to it over the following centuries. It’s not only spectacular architecture, inside you’ll find some classic artwork including pieces by Maella, Goya and the Spanish Renaissance artist Juan de Juanes.

Casco Histórico

When you’re in the centre of the city you’ll find there’s a lot to do within a short walking distance. You must visit Casco Histórico, this is essentially the old town of Valencia, with lots of quaint cafes and narrow streets which weave in and out of the many historic sites and landmarks. 

Central Market

The central market is a beautiful art piece in and of itself. There are gorgeous metal and glass designs and despite being only a hundred years, it fits in nicely with the old town. Inside, there’s everything from fruit and meat to crafts and ornaments. Being a port city, it’s worth checking out the fresh fish and seafood at some very good prices. This will also be your chance to buy some curated Spanish chorizo and cheese.

Beaches

Valencia is home to some stunning Mediterranean beaches. With a long coastline, there is a beach for everyone. Some are busier with nearby cafes and bars, whilst others are unspoilt and extremely tranquil. Many of the beaches are very broad, with soft white sand and warm shallow waters. La Malvarrosa is perhaps the most popular, but if you travel a little further you will find Playa el Saler and other quieter local beaches.

Shopping

Not far from the old town you will find all the major brands along the main city high streets. Being Spain’s third-largest city there are many shopping options amongst the modern contemporary buildings of the city centre. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Spanish city without the charm of the independent shops selling crafts, leather goods and ornaments. You can still find these dotted around Valencia.

City Of Arts And Sciences

The City of Arts and Sciences is perhaps the most famous, must-see landmark for visitors of Valencia. It’s rather difficult to explain, too. There’s a lot going on architecturally, which was designed by Felix Candela and Santiago Calatrava. Built in 1998, the place contains 6 different areas. The most notable one is the L’Hemisferic, which is designed to resemble a human eye.

Llotja De La Seda

Llotja de la Seda is essentially the Silk Exchange. Built in Valencia’s Golden Age, this is one of the most impressive Gothic buildings in Europe. You’ll be blown away by the place and its ingenious design and construction. The Silk Exchange is opposite the Central Market, so you can visit both on the same day.

Bioparc Valencia

Bioparc Valencia is one of the largest zoos in Spain. Its primary objectives include education and increasing awareness of their visitors regarding respect and care for the environment. The zoo offers a very immersive experience with many animals coexisting as they would in nature. The park has various African ecosystems including Savannah, Madagascar and Equatorial Africa.

Above are ten must-see places in Valencia, Spain. However, there are plenty more places to see and activities to try, so it comes down to your personal taste and thrill levels. Other family vacation plans are of course worth looking into because there are still more art exhibitions, parks, culinary experiences and other day-out activities that can be enjoyed in the beautiful city of Valencia.