The city of Valencia, chosen as the best city in the world to live in 2021 by Forbes magazine, is a jewel in the Mediterranean and contains within its streets a cultural and architectural wealth that fascinates those who visit it. In this post I want to recommend 5 essential places to see in Valencia.
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From its modernity represented in the City of Arts and Sciences to its historical legacy reflected in the Plaza de la Virgen, the Miguelete, the Carmen neighborhood or the Serrano Towers, each corner invites you to immerse yourself in the history and beauty of this city. This post is only the first part, since Valencia has many more places to visit. Below I leave you the link to a video I made with the DJI Osmo Action 4 about this wonderful city:
Places to see in Valencia
City of Arts and Sciences
This place is an essential visit if you come to Valencia. The City of Arts and Sciences is an architectural complex designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela that seems straight out of a science fiction world. This group of avant-garde buildings houses Príncipe Felipe Science Museum, Oceanogràfic (the largest aquarium in Europe), Umbracle, Hemisfèric (with its spectacular IMAX cinema), Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía and Ágora. Multiple series and movies have been filmed here and, without a doubt, it is one of the City’s landmarks. To enter most buildings you will need a ticket, but it is worth it. Among my favorite places is L’Umbracle, which has a garden where you can walk around looking at typical Mediterranean plants. The Príncipe Felipe Science Museum is also an incredible place and you can access the ground floor without a ticket, where there are usually temporary exhibitions.
Plaza de la Virgen and Miguelete
Plaza de la Virgen and Miguelete are must-see places in Valencia. The Plaza de la Virgen is the historic heart of Valencia, where the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Basilica of the Virgin of the Desamparados converge. In the Cathedral there is the Holy Chalice. It was built on an ancient Roman temple, which later became a mosque. You can enter from Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. paying an entrance fee of €9.
Next to it stands the Miguelete, the bell tower of the cathedral, from where you can enjoy incomparable panoramic views of the city.
Serrano towers
In the Serrano Towers you have the doors to the city’s medieval past. Built in the 14th century, they served as the gateway to Valencia and were part of the Christian wall that surrounded the city. They are very well preserved and, without a doubt, continue to impress with their size and beauty. You can climb to the top of these towers and see the entire city of Valencia.
Turia Garden
The old bed of the Turia River, converted into an extensive urban park after the 1957 flood, is one of the green lungs of Valencia. It is one of the largest urban natural parks in Spain and has more than 9km of traffic that crosses the city from end to end.
It was inaugurated in 1986, creating a unique route in the world. It can be explored on foot or by bicycle and has several gardens and recreational areas to connect with nature in the heart of the city.
Valencia City Hall
The Plaza del Ayuntamiento has to be a must-see place in Valencia if you come to visit. Surrounded by impressive buildings such as the Town Hall, the Post Office Palace and the Municipal Office Building, this square is the scene of numerous events and celebrations throughout the year, including the famous Fallas.