Things To Do In Valencia

Valencia has got so much going for it: sublime beaches, an abundance of historical and cultural attractions, renowned museums and galleries, and many tourist-friendly areas for when you need a respite. In addition, as with other Spanish Mediterranean cities, Valencia boasts a healthy amount of yearly sunshine, making beach life and water sports an all-day affair, while La Albufera nature park offers a unique alternative to the beaches and city attractions.

Beaches

Valencia has a number of quality beaches, some of which should perhaps be avoided if possible. They stretch to the north and south of the port of Valencia, with the beaches to the south generally having cleaner waters. The best beaches include: Malvarrosa Beach, a good quality northern beach with excellent water sports; Pineda Beach, a central/southern beach with access for the disabled; Saler Beach, Valencia’s best beach to the south and near to La Albufera Natural Park; and Devesa Beach, also near La Albufera Natural Park, yet more sedate than Saler.

Botanical Gardens

Valencia’s Botanical Gardens have been in their current location at Huerto de Tramoyeres for over 200 years, although some of the greenery is much older than this. The gardens were relocated in 1802 and have achieved a relative amount of exposure owing to the efforts of the University of Valencia. The gardens have amassed thousands of species from climates the world over and many are housed in traditional 19th century-style greenhouses.

Valencia Cathedral

The 13th century Valencia Cathedral was supposedly the holder of the Holy Grail for 500 years - the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper. A mock of the Holy Grail can be seen today in a side chapel. Built on the site of an old mosque, the cathedral displays a number of architectural forms through the ages including Romanesque and Baroque, although Gothic is very much king and best seen in the tower with its striking arches. The 155-foot high Gothic tower affords fantastic views over the city and sea, while the nearby Cathedral Museum (Museo de la Catedral) is also worth a look.

City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias)

This is perhaps Valencia’s most impressive building, but it will not necessarily please architectural purists. The building is located to the south of the city on a huge, landscaped site and houses some world-class attractions including a planetarium, interactive science museum, IMAX cinema and a huge aquarium.

La Albufera

Nature lovers should make the effort to visit Valencia’s biggest and most prominent natural habitat, La Albufera nature reserve. The reserve lies to the south of the city, behind Playa del Saler, Valencia’s best beach. A series of dunes and pine groves protect the park from the Mediterranean waters and in the centre of the reserve is a large freshwater lake. Hundreds of bird species nest and breed here including flamingos and herons, and visitors can take boat trips on the lake.

Monforte Gardens

The well-landscaped 19th century neoclassical Montforte Gardens have been beautifully designed and feature numerous pools, fountains and marble statues as well as some lovely summerhouses. On particularly hot days or just for a break from the beach or bustling city centre, the Montforte Gardens offer quiet respite.

Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart

The 14th and 15th century Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart are two impressive stone gates, which once provided entry into Valencia from the north and south, Barcelona and Madrid respectively. Today, they are all that remains of the original stone wall that protected the city and they bear physical wounds from the Napoleonic invasion of Valencia in the 19th century.

Museums

Valencia boasts several quality museums that display arts and artefacts from its illustrious past. The Fine Arts Museum (Museo de Bellas Artes) is one of Spain’s best, housing masterpieces by  El Greco and Ribera as well as prominent artists from the Valencian impressionist school. The National Ceramic Museum (Museo Nacional de Cerámica) has ceramics from around the world including local Alcora and Paterna pieces, while the nearby Baroque Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas is also worth a look. The Museum of the Enlightenment (Museo Valenciano de la Ilustración y la Modernidad) is also high up on Valencia’s list of impressive museums and displays the past through numerous colourful images and dioramas, which can be seen on hour-long tours.