by Embre [format changed] / CC BY-SA 3.0
From Cathedrals to Calatrava: Valencia's Timeless Beauty and Modern Marvels
Table of Contents
A. About Valencia
Nickname: Capital del TuriaWhile Valencia contains many historic monuments (like its cathedral, the world heritage Silk Exchange Hall, or the Palacio del Marques de Dos Aguas) its highlight is the modern City of Arts and Sciences.
This futuristic complex, designed by Santiago Calatrava and FĂ©lix Candela, encompasses an outstanding aquarium, an opera house, museums, cinemas, theaters, and more.
âž• The Good
Scoring very solid in all categories Spain’s third city is especially known for its glorious weather and appealing climate.Â
Furthermore, the city features excellent sandy beaches.
âž– Negative Aspects
Valencia has no real flaw. If we must find something, the sea is away from the city center and could be better connected with public transport.
B. Best Things to Do in Valencia in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)
In total, we count more than thirty sights in Valencia. The following sights contribute to a score of 6.55/10 in this most important category:
# Ciudad de los Artes y las Ciencias 7
Designed by the world-famous architects Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, this tremendously futuristic-looking complex of seven highly photogenic buildings has tripled the initial expected cost of €300 million.
Set up on the former Turia riverbed, these gems of modern architecture (among them a performance hall, an open-air oceanographic park, a planetarium, an opera house, a science museum, and a white cable-stayed bridge) have been inaugurated successively between 1998 and 2009.
by Irene Grassi / CC BY-SA 2.0
# OceanogrĂ fic 7
Designed by the famous Spanish architect FĂ©lix Candela, this outstanding aquarium is composed of nine elegant and futuristic underwater towers that house samples of the most important ecosystems.
We consider the Oceanogrà fic the best aquarium in Europe (very closely followed by the Nausicaä Centre National de la Mer and Oceanario de Lisboa) and one of the top ten aquariums in the world.
Aquarium Biggest Tank: 7 million liters | Total Water Volume: 41.6 million liters | Viewing Panel: no big one | Tunnel: 70+35 m | Species: 500 | Established: 2003 | Rank in Our List of The Best Aquariums in The World: 9
# Palacio del Marques de Dos Aguas 6
This Baroque palace features a magnificently decorated entrance, a breathtaking façade, and an extravagant interior. It is home to the remarkable National Ceramics Museum since 1954.
#2 by PMRMaeyaert / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Bioparc Valencia 5
Located in Valencia's Turia riverbed and opened in 2008 this 10-hectare (25-acre, 0.10 km2) modern zoo is certainly one of the most beautiful in Europe.
Designed under the concept of "zoo – immersion", it is well-known for displaying animals from the Savannah, Madagascar, and Equatorial Africa in their natural exhibits with hidden barriers, moats, and glass between the animals and visitors.
Zoo Opened: 2008 | Land area: 10 hectares / 25 acres | Species: 116 | Animals: 800 | Annual Visitors (2014): 525,000
# Mercado Central (Central Market) 5
This lively public market in a spectacular modernist building is a popular spot among tourists as well as locals.
Market Hall Completed: 1928
# Old Town 5
In this charming neighborhood in the heart of Valencia, you can discover scenic public squares, fine restaurants, and cafes, and most of Valencia’s main tourist attractions.
# Cathedral 5
Climb the octagonal bell tower of this beautiful cathedral for beautiful views. Inside admire numerous 15th-century paintings and a claimed Holy Chalice, believed by many to be the true Holy Grail.
Roman Catholic Cathedral Completed: 1238 | Style: Gothic
# LA LONJA DE LA SEDA (Silk Exchange) 5
Originally used for trading in silk, this UNESCO-listed group of buildings from the fifteenth century is a masterpiece of late civil Gothic architecture.
Historic Building 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1996
# Malvarrosa Beach 4
This large beach with its golden sand is lined by a promenade, restaurants, and cafés.
City Beach Water Temperature: Jun-Oct, 22-26° C | Type: Golden Sand
D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Valencia
Sagunto (city with castle and Roman theater, 35 km from Valencia) 5
E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Valencia (including close-by excursions)
To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Valencia for at least three entire days:
Ciudad de los Artes y las Ciencias (Futuristic Complex) 7
OceanogrĂ fic (Aquarium) 7
Palacio del Marques de Dos Aguas (Palace) 6
Bioparc Valencia (Zoo) 5
Mercado Central (Central Market) 5
Old Town 5
Cathedral 5
🌍 LA LONJA DE LA SEDA (Silk Exchange) 5
Antiguo Cauce del RĂo Turia (Park) 5
Malvarrosa beach (Jun-Oct, 22-26° C) 4