What to see in Valencia: Discover the city of sun

The city of the sun and capital of the Turia is as traditional as it is innovative, nautical as it is rural, and diverse, with so many ways to discover what it has to offer. Ready to read all about what you absolutely must see in Valencia? What are you waiting for?

Main monuments in Valencia

Valencia is the perfect mix of history and the present. It is a city of contrasts that surprises visitors with its blend modern and avant-garde buildings and its imposing historic quarter packed with history. Gastronomy, nature, heritage and culture go hand in hand in this Mediterranean jewel on the banks of the River Turia. See it for yourself!

Plaza de la Virgen: cathedral, Miguelete and much more

Did you know that for more than a thousand years, every Thursday, the Tribunal de las Aguas is held at the foot of the cathedral after the bells of El Miguelete ring out? This tradition has been recognised internationally by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Looking past this interesting tradition, Plaza de la Virgen is one of Valencia's icons. Located in the heart of the "Ciutat Vella", this square is home to a number of treasures that pay testament to Valencian Gothic style, including the cathedral, the Basilica of the Virgen de los Desamparados and the Valencian regional government building.

  • Cathedral: this predominantly Gothic cathedral was built on the foundations of an ancient Roman temple that was later converted into a mosque. The temple therefore features elements from different periods and styles, ranging from Romanesque to Baroque. The main elements of the cathedral include its dome, the door of the Apostles or the famous Miguelete: the cathedral's bell tower which offers stunning panoramic views of the city.
  • Basilica of the Virgen de los Desamparados: the cathedral aside, one of the main religious buildings in the city. It is dedicated to the patron saint of the city and is the only church in the historic quarter that is not built on a former parish or convent. Another significant feature is that its dome is not located in the centre of the building, rather it is positioned towards the cathedral!
  • Valencia regional government building: this Valencian Gothic style building dates back to the fifteenth century and it highlights include its Gothic courtyard, its Chapel and the façade looking out over Plaza de Manises.

La Lonja de la Seda Declarada

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this fish market is one of the finest examples of civil Gothic architecture in Europe. The building is renowned for its imposing columns and its courtyard of orange trees. It is the perfect place to capture your visit with a selfie!

Church of San Nicolás de Bari

Referred to as Valencia's answer to the Sistine Chapel, this church dates from the thirteenth century and features baroque decor and fresco paintings of scenes taken from the lives of two saints: Saint Nicholas Bari and Saint Peter Martyr
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This treasure is well worth a visit to admire its impressive frescoes that have recently been restored. A trip into the past that is bound to take your breath away.

Central Market

As well as feasting your eyes on its architectural beauty, the market offers a smell and a taste of the city. This modernist market is bursting with fresh and typical local products and is the largest fresh produce market in Europe! And it's no wonder, it is home to approximately 300 stalls and spans a surface area of approximately 8000 square metres
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A stroll through this impressive market is an unforgettable experience for all the senses!

Valencia beaches

Valencia boasts an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, making it the perfect city to spend some time on its very long golden stretches of sand and in its crystal clear water. A taster of the beaches in Valencia that you cannot miss are as follows:

  • Patacona beach: the perfect beach to spend a day in the sun with all the amenities, how could you possibly resist its golden sand?
  • Saler beach: just 15 minutes from the city, away from the hustle and bustle. Located in the heart of Albufera Natural Park, which makes this beach even more special.
  • Pinedo beach: a beach that boasts calm waters and fine sand, with dunes and vegetation that make it a unique and quiet spot, despite its proximity to the city.
  • If you don't mind travelling a little further afield to visit beaches away from the city, then try Terranova beach; 80 km from Valencia, it is the perfect place for enjoying some rest and relaxation combined with nature.

Visiting Valencia's beaches is a must if you visit the city. We promise you won't regret it!

Turia riverbed

If you follow the ancient riverbed through the Turia gardens, you will come across some of the best monuments to see the entire city, the Serranos and Quart Towers, gates of the ancient medieval wall. In its surroundings, walking through the neighbourhood of Carmen, Calle Moret will surprise you with its graffiti art, and if you want to take a good selfie, stand under the arch of Portal de la Valldigna before crossing from Christian to Muslim Valencia or vice versa.

City of Arts and Sciences

The Turia will also take you to the City of Arts and Science, where fantasy becomes a reality. This futuristic architectural ensemble reflected in large water sheets and designed by Calatrava, offers artistic options, such as the Paseo de las Esculturas or the Reina Sofía Palace of Arts and Science, as well as the Hemispheric or the Oceanographic museums.

Albufera National Park

If you wish to enjoy nature, La Albufera is a unique space, with its rice fields, and what a better plan than to taste the star ingredient of paella than on the shores of the Mediterranean.

How to get to Valencia by train?

Valencia has two main train stations; València Joaquín Sorolla station, intended for long-distance routes to Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante; and Valencia Nord station serves other long-distance routes, mid-distance routes and suburban trains.

If you are considering a visit Valencia, don't think twice about it! With Renfe, enjoy a fast, comfortable and sustainable journey to discover the city of sun and its surroundings.

Discover our main routes to Valencia and get carried away with Renfe!

Find out more about Valencia Joaquín Sorolla station and other train stations in Spain: