8 top things you can only do in Valencia

06.10.2024 - 03:35 / lonelyplanet.com

Oct 5, 2024 • 6 min read

Spain’s third-largest city, sun-soaked Valencia is second to none when it comes to exciting experiences. Over more than 2000 years, its character-filled streets have been shaped by builders who thought big, from the Romans who first landed here in 138 BCE to the contemporary architects who have used the city as a canvas for their creativity.

The result is an incredible array of sights and attractions. 

Gorgeous buildings spring out at every turn, from ancient monuments to spaceship-like installations. Culture lovers come here for a major arts scene, while foodies dig into local delicacies – whether a traditional paella or perfectly runny cheesecake at a Michelin-starred restaurant at the main market.

From awesome architecture to under-the-radar galleries, here’s our guide to the best things to do in Valencia. 

Valencia’s most photogenic attraction, Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias is an essential stop for any visitor. Occupying a 1.5km(1-mile)-long swath of the old Turia riverbed, the complex is largely the work locally born, world-famous architect Santiago Calatrava. While the project has drawn its fair share of controversy due to budget overruns and design issues, it’s nonetheless awe-inspiring stuff, and pleasingly family-oriented. Looking for a lunch stop? Nestled beneath Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the Contrapunto Les Arts has a terrace that makes for an inviting stop. Settle into a wicker sofa and enjoy fantastic views of the turquoise ponds. 

Detour: Like Calatrava’s style? Seek out his lesser-known buildings around the city, like the Alameda metro station (Estación de Alameda) from 1995. Completed three years before Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, the signature fluid shapes and glittering trencadís tiles mark it clearly as the work of the master. 

Most people visit Catedral de Valencia to see the Roman-era agate cup claimed to be the Holy Grail, or the rich Italianate frescos. But there’s another way to experience this 13th-century masterpiece: by climbing the 207 steps of its bell tower. The tightly coiled staircase leads to a terrace with fabulous views (if you stand on your tippy toes, you can glimpse of the sea). Towering overhead, the 7.5-ton bell called El Miguelete chimes on the hour. As you might imagine, it’s unbelievably loud – and probably best avoided unless you enjoy an almighty fright. Arrive early to avoid the queues and bring cash to access the tower, which costs €2.50. 

Local tip: You might spot a few pregnant ladies lingering in the nave of the cathedral. They’re not just getting in their daily steps: they’re here to see the Virgen del Coro, located just behind the altar. Apparently, if you walk the perimeter of the cathedral nine times she’ll bless