15 Places you must visit in Valencia
By Two World Backpackers
Valencia is the homonymous capital of the Valencian Community, where there are many things to see and do, and where you can also find centuries-old wonders along with other modernists.
If you go to Valencia for a few days and you don’t want to miss the most important things, here is a selection of the 15 places that you cannot miss:
Table of Contents
The North Station
The North Station is one of the most beautiful modernist style buildings in Valencia. It was inaugurated in 1917 and is decorated with ceramic oranges, symbolizing the great importance of Valencian agriculture in the city.
The City Hall Square
It is the most important square in the city since the Valencia City Council is located there, where the mascletás of the city’s festivities, Las Fallas, start every year from March 1 to March 19 at 2:00 p.m.
Although, Do you know that the origin of the square is the old convent of San Francisco? In the 13th century, King James I gave this land to the Franciscans to build their convent outside the walled city, although it did not last long, since two centuries later, in the 15th century, a new wall was built, and the convent was, finally, within the city. Later, in 1835, the convent became a cavalry barracks due to the confiscation until it was demolished in 1891 and therefore giving way to the current square, dominated by a large circular fountain and flower stalls.
The Market of Silk, The Church of Santos Juanes and the Central Market
In the Market Square, you will find three important monuments of different styles:
‘La Lonja de la Seda’ is also known as the ‘Lonja de Los Mercaderes’ It is one of the most beautiful buildings from the 15th century that was declared in 1996 as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Although it was mainly working as a meeting place for merchants and silk merchants, its tower was used as a former prison for them. The rooms that attract the most attention are the ‘Patio de Los Naranjos’, the ‘Consulado del Mar’, and the ‘Columnario Hall’ for its 24 palm-tree-shaped columns.
Right in front of the Lonja de la Seda, you will find the Central Market of Valencia, where there are numerous products from the Valencian garden in any of its more than 300 stalls.
Finally, the Church of the Santos Juanes, so-called because, is dedicated to San Juan Bautista and San Juan Evangelista. It stands out for having almost no decoration and because was built on an old Arab mosque.
Did you know that in this square were held knightly tournaments, bullfights, masquerades, and even executions in the past?
Marques de Dos Aguas Palace
This beautiful palace was owned by the Rabassa de Perellós family, to whom King Carlos II granted the title of Marquis of Dos Aguas in 1699. The name Dos Aguas refers to the two most important rivers in the Valencian Community, the Júcar and Turia rivers, represented on the main facade of the palace by two human figures.
Declared as a Historic-Artistic Monument and as an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1941, it’s believed that before being a palace, it was a Roman necropolis due to discoveries in September 1743. Can you imagine it?
Round Square
It is one of the most original places in the city, formerly known as “El Clot” (Hole), where on Sundays, it becomes a market.
Basilica of the Virgin of the Helpless in the Virgin's Square
The Plaza de la Virgen is one of the most emblematic places in Valencia, which was founded by the Romans. The old Roman forum is what we know today as Plaza de la Virgen and Plaza de la Almoina, where we can see archaeological remains.
In the center of the square, there is a fountain that represents the Turia river, and, in the same place, you will also find the Basilica of the Virgen de Los Desamparados in honor of the patron saint of Valencia.
According to tradition, the Virgin of the “Mare de Déu dels Desamaparats” was carved by angels and handed over to the founder of the Santa María de Los Inocentes hospital.
It is in this square where the popular Offering of Flowers to the Virgin is done during the Fallas festivities.
The Generalitat Palace
Located as well in the Plaza de la Virgen in front of the Basilica de la Virgen de Los Desamparados. Built in the 15th century due to the need for the Crown to collect taxes.
Valencia's Cathedral
Built on the old Arab mosque then was built on a Visigoth basilica, and this, on a Roman temple dedicated to Diana.
Was built in 3 different styles that can you can appreciate them in its three access doors:
– Romanesque: the Puerta de la Almoina stands out
– Gothic: the Door of the Apostles. Named for having sculpted the figures of the 12 apostles
– Baroque: the Puerta de Los Hierros, which is the main door of the Cathedral from the Plaza de la Reina, next to the Miguelete, symbol of the city.
Did you know that pregnant women have the tradition of entering the Cathedral through the Puerta de Los Hierros, going around the interior nine times, and praying to the Virgen de la Silla? Legend has it that if they do it, everything will go well in the delivery, and in memory of the nine months that last the pregnancy of the Virgin Mary.
Undoubtedly the main part of the Cathedral is the small Chapel of the Holy Chalice, commonly called the Holy Grail, which was first in the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña in Huesca, and later transferred to Valencia in 1437.
Serrano Towers and Quart Towers
Valencia was a walled city until the 19th century, and as a proof of this, it still exits two towers that can be visited, the Serrano Towers and the Quart Towers.
Do you know the expression “being on the moon of Valencia”? Its origin comes from these medieval gates of the old wall. As the gates were closed at night, many travelers had to sleep out in the open, hence the expression.
The Serrano Towers were used as a prison for nobles and knights. On the other hand, the Torres de Quarts were used as a military prison and a warehouse for gunpowder.
Turia Gardens
It is the main green area of Valencia that runs through the entire city, and was originally the bed of the Turia River. In 1957, due to a large flood that flooded part of the city, it was decided to change the course of the river, and divert it to the West.
Therefore they transformed the area into gardens with sports and recreation areas such as Gulliver Park. It’s a perfect place to enjoy a family day with the little ones!
City of Arts and Sciences
It represents the modern Valencia and the importance of water for them.
It consists of several buildings: the Hemisphere, the Umbracle viewpoint, the Principe Felipe Science Museum, the Reina Sofía Palace of the Arts, the Agora, and the Oceanographic, which is the largest marine water park in Europe.
The Albufera
The Albufera Natural Park is about 10km south of Valencia and is one of the most important natural parks in the Valencian Community.
If you want to enjoy a beautiful sunset, we recommend the area of La Devesa or the Mirador de la Gola del Pujol, which is easily accessible by car.
Church of St. Nicolas Bari
Located in the central Caballeros street. It is declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and is known as the Valencian Sistine Chapel after being restored in 2016.
Royal Gardens and the Royal Palace of Valencia
The Royal Gardens are also known as Viveros Gardens. It is considered the green heart of the city both for its history and for its cultural, ecological, and landscape value, extension, and botanical diversity.
It is where the Royal Palace used to be, which was destroyed during the Napoleonic war for fear of a French triumph.
This palace was built as a residence for monarchs and was the seat of the Inquisition from 1484 until it was demolished during the Napoleonic war.
The Fallas of Valencia
They are the most important festivals in Valencia, and they are celebrated from March 15 to 19, the day of Saint Joseph, patron saint of carpenters, although they officially begin on the last Sunday of February with the Cridà act from the Torres de Serranos.
They are declared as Intangible Heritage by UNESCO and also as festivals of international tourist interest.
Legend has it, this festival began because, on the eve of their employer’s day, carpenters burned chips and old junk in a bonfire to clean the workshop with the arrival of spring and so purify their workplaces (this is in the present day the Cremà).
Another of the legends says that the fallas are from medieval times, from when the troops of King Jaime I used the fallas to illuminate the way to the tents.
Which one do you think it is?
Do you have any more essentials from Valencia that are not on the list? Leave us a comment with your essential places in this beautiful city.
