Western Valencia
Established in 1802 this was Spain’s first botanic garden. With mature trees and plants, an extensive cactus garden and a wary colony of feral cats, this…
Must-see attractions in Valencia
Valencia
Busy Plaza de la Virgen, ringed by cafes and imposing public buildings, was once the forum of Roman Valencia. The reclining figure in its central fountain…
Valencia's Beaches
Down near the docks, this former warehouse space has been turned into a hive of creativity, with art and photography exhibitions, a library, rehearsal…
Valencia
The guided visit to Valencia's famous Mestalla stadium takes you to the press room, the changing rooms and out onto the hallowed turf. Hours change by…
Barrio del Carmen
This complex has cultural events and also contains two contiguous museums: the Museo de Prehistoria and the Museo de Etnología, entered on a single ticket.
Valencia
This stylish spot is a local reference point for high-quality, carefully selected contemporary art exhibitions. There are often some real gems on display,…
Valencia
Reaching down to the riverbed are the Royal Gardens, a lovely spot for a stroll, with plenty of palms and orange trees as well as a small aviary. Once the…
Valencia
High-quality temporary art exhibitions, often featuring major international names, are the main offering at this bank-run centre, which also has other…
Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados
Valencia
The Real Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Santos Inocentes Mártires y Desamparados, to name it fully, is Valencia's central spot for active Christianity…
Valencia
Obscured by palm trees in the gardens of a former psychiatric hospital, the city’s main public library is in a grand 16th-century building. The Gothic…
Valencia
This handsome 15th-century Gothic palace, much amended over the years, is the seat of government for the Valencia region. Its symmetry is recent: the…
Barrio del Carmen
Surely due a modish revamp soon, this overly comprehensive museum of archaeology has some excellent pieces and loads of interesting information, but pick…
Valencia
An astonishing sight, this '80s architectural project looks like the mothership has landed on the edge of Benimaclet. A riot of unusual angles, protruding…
Valencia
This centenarian institution in the heart of the Benimaclet barrio doesn't look much with its big, bare interior, but in many ways it's the soul of the…
Valencia
Built in the late 15th century as a residence for the Borja family, this imposing palace has late-Gothic and Renaissance features and now serves as…
Valencia
These Arab-style baths, constructed in 1313, functioned continuously as public bathing facilities until 1959. It's worth dropping in if you're passing by…
Western Valencia
Water lore is a major part of Valencian popular culture, and the eight acequías (irrigation canals) that were diverted from the Río Turia to keep the…
Barrio del Carmen
Behind tall doors rest Las Rocas, giant carts that are wheeled out to celebrate Valencia’s Corpus Christi festival. With their paintwork darkened with age…
Western Valencia
At the end of the Turia dry riverbed, this landscaped park has a grassy mound to climb for views, plus paths stretching along a stream connecting two…
Valencia
One of the most attractive of the Turia's old bridges, this elegant stone Renaissance span was commissioned in 1591 to replace a wooden bridge that had…
Valencia
This church, badly knocked about in the civil war, is starkly impressive inside. It’s dwarfed by the striking late-17th-century hexagonal baroque bell…
Valencia's Beaches
This low, squat market has an unusual indoor-outdoor design and is worth a look for its palpable sense of history (opened 1910) and community, but at the…
Western Valencia
Abutting the botanical gardens, this modern creation could not be more distinct in style. Shorter on green space, it has the formality of a classic French…
Valencia's Beaches
The middle section of Valencia's main beach is popular with joggers and cyclists for its promenade. Though it gets busy, there's plenty of space for all…
Barrio del Carmen
One of several Republican air-raid shelters from the civil war around town, some of which can be visited, this was being rehabilitated as a cultural…
Valencia
Not by any means a football club, this offbeat gallery space is run by a cooperative not-for-profit arts organisation. Its exhibitions are often worth a…
Valencia
Long the headquarters of the University of Valencia, with a harmonious cloister-courtyard that's worth popping into. It's lined with plaques of notable…
