VALENCIA: THINGS TO SEE Go Back to Valencia guide index
Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the centre of the city and most of the sights are close
to here within easy walking distance. Streets in Valencia are generally in both
Spanish and Catalan.
CHURCHES AND TOWERS
Catedral
This cathedral claims to be home to the Holy Gail on Santo Caliz. It also contains
works by Goya. The climb to the top of the tower is woth the effort for a view
of the sprawling city. Admission cost applicable to climb the tower.
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
Museo de Bellas Artes
This museum s north of the Rio Turia on Calle de San Pio V. It ranks among the
best museums in the country with works by El Greco, Goya, Velázquez and
a number of Valencian impressionists.
Closed Mondays.
Real Colegio del Patriarca
Also exhibits works by El Greco on Plaz del Patriarca.
Open daily 11am-1pm. Admission cost applicable.
Instituto Valenciano Arte Moderno (Institute of Modern Art)
Houses an impressive collection of 20th-century Spanish art. The museum is north
west of the city centre at Calle de Giullem de Castro 1118.
Closed Monday. Admission cost applicable.
Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias
This is the city’s most popular attraction and pulls four million visitors
a year. It is a huge complex devoted to sciences and the arts.
L’Hemisferic
Art and science museums and an aquarium. On Calle del Arzobispo Mayoral 14 south-east
of the city centre.
TOP
OTHER AREAS
Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas
This baroque palace is much visited. The facade is extravagantly sculpted as
is the inside.
Malvarossa
Valencia’s beach can be reached by bus no. 19 from Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
Morella
This town is perched on a hill and is a good example of a medieval fortress.
It has ruins of a castle that one completely enclosed the 2km wall. It is one
of Spain’s oldest continually inhabited towns.
The tourist office is at Pueta de San Miguel just inside the main gate. Tel.
964 173032
Buses run to/from Castellon de la Plan, Vinaros and Alcaniz (Aragon).
Costa Blanca
This is a popular tourist region with resorts and high flying social scene. Some
of the towns in this area include Javea, Calpe (Calp), Altea and Benidorm. Javea
has an old town and great views from Cabo La Nao. Calpe has two long sandy beaches
and a Gibraltaresque monolith of 332m called the Penon de Ilfach. Altea and Benidorm
have beaches and package resorts.
Alicante
This town has beaches, art collections, a good nightlife scene and an interesting
old centre. Attractions include Castillo de Santa Barbar which is a 16th century
fortress overlooking the city. Get a lift from within the mountain opposite Play
del Postiguet to take you to the castle (cost applies).
The Coleccion de Ate del Siglo XX is a free collection of modern art including
works by Dali, Miro and Picasso. It is closed Sunday afternoon and Monday. Plaza
de Santa Maria.
Playa del Postiguet is the main beach but Play de San Juan or Campello are less
crowded. The Isla de Tabarca off the main land is a good day trip. Contact Kontiki
for transport tel. 96 521 6396.
