Valencia, Spain

Arriving Valencia

We visited Valencia the second week of our three weeks vacation in North Spain, L' Ampolla.

Valencia is about 2 hours away from the Residence complex we were staying in L' Ampolla. We departed at about 10:00 a.m. arrived Valencia noontime.

We travelled with our own car, we parked in a private parking area and went ahead to the tourist office to get a tourist map guide of the city.

Taking a city tour bus is ideal having a view to all tourist attractions. Our problem was, we had Benda with us, our loving dog. Dogs are not allowed in the tour bus so with the public transportations.

The tourist spots are within and near the city area so a walking tour was just perfect. The day was warm with 33 degrees centigrade sunny weather, in the month of October The shadows of the higher buildings brought us shelter getting rid of the warm sunrays, ideal for our dog.

We stayed two days and one night in Valencia. If you want to spend time swimming in the beautiful beaches of Valencia, visit the interesting places you desire, you have to stay for a week.

Places to Visit in Valencia

Santa Catalina Church and Tower - a belltower located in Placa de Santa Catalina, a famous landmark, entrance to the Old Historical City Quarter of Valencia.

Cathedral of Valencia(La Seu/Catedral) - oldest Museum of the city where the Holy Chalice of Valencia, the sacred Holy Grail exist, the chalice used by Jesus Christ on his last supper.

El Micalet - the bell-tower attached to the Cathedral of Valencia. Climb the 207 steps inside El Micalet and get fantastic views of Valencia.

Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados - Basilica of the Lady of the Forsaken which is the sanctuary of the Little Hunchback (Geperudeta).

Plaza de la Reina - the place to hire a horse and carriage.

Coffee drinking in Cafés, bars, restaurants with delicious tapas, paellas and seafood specialities.

Plaza del Mercado: Lonja de la Seda, Santos Juanes and Mercado Central

Lonja de la Seda - the Silk market is a Gothic civil architecture, a Patrimony of Humanity(UNESCO).

Santos Juanes Church - in baroque style.

Mercado Central - one of the beautiful markets in Spain and one of the largest markets in Europe. It has colorful stained windows and ceramic mosaics. Here are fresh products of cheese, vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, special spanish variety of specialities etc.

Torres de Serranos (Serranos Tower) and Torres de Cuart - two gateways were part of the old wall of Valencia. They mark the entrance to the Old Quarter of Valencia. For three hundred years it was used as a prison for the nobility of the area.

Bohemian Area of Valencia - in Barrio del Carmen where restaurants, trendy shops and clubs are renovated from old palaces and townhouses.

Calle de Caballeros - narrow streets with restaurants, clubs and bars where artists and tourists can enjoy rooming around.

Nightlife begins at 10:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Valencia Beaches - Las Arenas, La Malvarrosa and Alboraya are near the city with white sandy beaches.

The 32nd America’s Cup, the international yact race, in summer 2007 was hosted by Valencia. Visit the house of America's Cup, the team bases.

Also visit the yacht pier and port.

La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias - the city of Arts and Sciences Complex.

L'Hemisferic is a Laserium

Planetarium and IMAX cinema

Science Museum (forbidden not to touch)

L' Oceanographic is a giant marine park or aquarium

Palau de les Arts is an Opera House.

Other Places to Visit

IVAM Valencia Institute of Modern Art - located in Barrio del Carmen.

Jardin Botanico

Monasterio de San Miguel de los Reyes

Museo Nacional de Ceramica Gonzales Marti

Museo de Bellas Artes San Pio V

Iglesia de San Juan del Hospital