by Embre [format changed] / CC BY-SA 3.0

From Cathedrals to Calatrava: Valencia's Timeless Beauty and Modern Marvels

A. About Valencia

Nickname: Capital del Turia

While 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.

Best Things to do in Valencia


âž• The Good

Scoring very solid in all categories Spain’s third city is especially known for its glorious weather and appealing climate. 

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 3.6 out of 5 stars

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.

Futuristic Complex

by Irene Grassi / CC BY-SA 2.0

# OceanogrĂ fic 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

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 Oceanogràfic 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

Things to do in Valencia | Best Cities | No. 24: Valencia | OceanogrĂ fic (aquarium)

 

# Palacio del Marques de Dos Aguas 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

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.

Palace and Museum

#2 by PMRMaeyaert / CC BY-SA 3.0

 

# Bioparc Valencia 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

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

Best Things to do in Valencia | Bioparc Valencia

by Googledance / CC BY-SA 1.0

# Mercado Central (Central Market) 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

This lively public market in a spectacular modernist building is a popular spot among tourists as well as locals.

Market Hall Completed: 1928

Best things to do in Valencia | Best Cities | No. 24: Valencia | Mercado Central (Central Market)

# Old Town 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

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.

Historic Area

Best Things to do in Valencia | Best Cities | Valencia | Old Town

# Cathedral 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

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

Best Things to do in Valencia | Best Cities | No. 24: Valencia | Cathedral

# LA LONJA DE LA SEDA (Silk Exchange) 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

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

Best Things to do in Valencia | Best Cities | No. 24: Valencia | LA LONJA DE LA SEDA (Silk Exchange)

# Antiguo Cauce del RĂ­o Turia (JardĂ­n del Turia) 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

The River Turia once ran through the center of the city. After a devastating flood in 1957, it was redirected and replaced by one of the largest and most beautiful urban parks in Europe.

Park Land Area: 1.82 km2 / 450 acres | Created: 1986

Best things to do in Valencia | Best Cities | No. 24: Valencia | Antiguo Cauce del RĂ­o Turia (park)

# Malvarrosa Beach 4 2.5 out of 5 stars

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

Best things to do in Valencia | Best Cities | Valencia | Malvarrosa Beach (Jun-Oct, 22-26° C)

 

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

🌍 = World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Valencia

    • Plaza de la Virgen (Square) 4
    • Museo de Bellas Artes San PĂ­o V (Museum) 4
    • Valencia North Station 4
    • ColĂłn Market 4
    • Palau de les Arts Reina SofĂ­a 4
    • PrĂ­ncipe Felipe Science Museum 4
    • Town Hall Square 4
    • Serranos Towers 4


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