Cities
Valencia

Valencia

Spain

Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, is a place where ancient history, Mediterranean culture, and bold modern design meet under almost constant sunshine. Located on the country’s eastern coast, Valencia has developed over more than two thousand years, shaped by Roman, Islamic, and Christian influences that are still visible in its streets and traditions today. The historic heart of Valencia is full of character. Narrow streets open onto lively squares, and landmarks such as the Silk Exchange (La Lonja de la Seda), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recall the city’s golden age as a major Mediterranean trading center in the 15th century. Nearby, the Central Market, housed in a striking modernist building, reflects Valencia’s long connection with agriculture and trade and remains one of the most vibrant daily life hubs in the city. Valencia is also famous for its ability to reinvent itself. The Turia River, once a threat because of frequent floods, was diverted after a devastating flood in 1957. Its former riverbed has since been transformed into the Turia Garden, a green park stretching for several kilometers through the city. At its eastern end rises the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, an architectural complex designed by Santiago Calatrava that has become a modern symbol of Valencia and a major cultural attraction. The city’s Mediterranean identity is deeply connected to food and festivals. Valencia is the birthplace of paella, traditionally made with rice grown in nearby wetlands, vegetables, and meat or seafood. Every March, the city hosts Las Fallas, a spectacular festival featuring giant satirical sculptures, fireworks, music, and ritual bonfires, highlighting Valencia’s creative spirit and strong sense of community. With its beaches, mild climate, rich heritage, and innovative outlook, Valencia offers a balanced blend of tradition and modern life. It is a city that values its past while confidently shaping its future, making it one of Spain’s most appealing urban destinations.

What to see in Valencia

Real Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados Real Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados Basilica Jardín Botánico Jardín Botánico Botanical Garden Valencia Cathedral Valencia Cathedral Cathedral Iglesia de San Agustín Iglesia de San Agustín Church Iglesia del Patriarca Iglesia del Patriarca Church Iglesia Parroquial de San Nicolás de Bari y San Pedro Mártir Iglesia Parroquial de San Nicolás de Bari y San Pedro Mártir Church Real Parroquia de los Santos Juanes Valencia Real Parroquia de los Santos Juanes Valencia Church Church of Santa Catalina Valencia Church of Santa Catalina Valencia Church Iglesia San Juan del Hospital Iglesia San Juan del Hospital Church Church of San Esteban Church of San Esteban Church Església de Sant Tomàs i Sant Felip Neri Església de Sant Tomàs i Sant Felip Neri Church Iglesia de San Martín Valencia Iglesia de San Martín Valencia Church Galería Benlliure Galería Benlliure Gallery Bloom Gallery VLC Bloom Gallery VLC Gallery Galerie Alaux - Galería de arte Galerie Alaux - Galería de arte Gallery BLACKLIGHT ART GALLERY BLACKLIGHT ART GALLERY Gallery Vangar Vangar Gallery Galería de arte contemporáneo Alba Cabrera Galería de arte contemporáneo Alba Cabrera Gallery Shiras Galeria Shiras Galeria Gallery Jardines de Monforte Jardines de Monforte Garden Jardín de Las Hespérides Jardín de Las Hespérides Garden Palau de la Generalitat Valenciana Palau de la Generalitat Valenciana Historical Landmark Ducal Palace of Gandia Ducal Palace of Gandia Historical Landmark El Micalet El Micalet Historical Landmark La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia Historical Landmark Torres de Serranos Torres de Serranos Historical Landmark Torres de Quart Torres de Quart Historical Landmark Puerta del Mar Puerta del Mar Historical Landmark Portal de Valldigna Portal de Valldigna Historical Landmark Palacio de Justicia de Valencia Palacio de Justicia de Valencia Historical Landmark Palau de Cervelló Palau de Cervelló Museum Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias Museum Iluziona Museo - Valencia Iluziona Museo - Valencia Museum Valencian Museum of Ethnology Valencian Museum of Ethnology Museum Museo y Colegio del Arte Mayor de la Seda Museo y Colegio del Arte Mayor de la Seda Museum Museo de Historia de Valencia Museo de Historia de Valencia Museum Museu Nacional de Ceràmica i de les Arts Sumptuàries González Martí Museu Nacional de Ceràmica i de les Arts Sumptuàries González Martí Museum Art Modern Institute Museum of Valencia Art Modern Institute Museum of Valencia Museum L'Àgora L'Àgora Museum Palacio del Marqués de Campo Palacio del Marqués de Campo Museum Casa Museo Benlliure Casa Museo Benlliure Museum Centro de Arte Hortensia Herrero (CAHH) Centro de Arte Hortensia Herrero (CAHH) Museum Museo del Corpus Museo del Corpus Museum Museum of Illusions Valencia Museum of Illusions Valencia Museum Museo Fallero de Valencia Museo Fallero de Valencia Museum Museo Valenciano de la Ilustración y la Modernidad Museo Valenciano de la Ilustración y la Modernidad Museum La Almoina Archaeological Museum La Almoina Archaeological Museum Museum Museo de Prehistoria de Valencia Museo de Prehistoria de Valencia Museum Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia Museum Jardí de Polifil Jardí de Polifil Park Jardín del Turia Jardín del Turia Park Parque Central Parque Central Park Jardines del Real Jardines del Real Park Jardín de Ayora Jardín de Ayora Park Monumento al Rey Jaime I Monumento al Rey Jaime I Sculpture Teatro Principal de Valencia Teatro Principal de Valencia Theatre Teatro Talia Teatro Talia Theatre Teatro Flumen Teatro Flumen Theatre Teatre Olympia Teatre Olympia Theatre Teatre Rialto de València Teatre Rialto de València Theatre Teatro El Musical Teatro El Musical Theatre Teatre Micalet Teatre Micalet Theatre Sala Russafa Sala Russafa Theatre Teatre la Estrella Sala Cabanyal Teatre la Estrella Sala Cabanyal Theatre Teatre Círculo Teatre Círculo Theatre Plaza Redona Plaza Redona Tourist attractions Fuente de la Plaza del Ayuntamiento Fuente de la Plaza del Ayuntamiento Tourist attractions