Discover Valencia, one of Europe’s top tourist destinations

18 October, 2019

Stroll through the streets of Valencia, discover every nook and cranny of the city, and have fun visiting its most iconic monuments. You will see some of them on the 27th of October when you run the 21,097.5 metres in Spain’s fastest trial over this distance — the Valencia-Trinidad Alfonso EDP Half-Marathon 2019.

Torres de Quart

The Torres de Quart (City Towers) were part of the Christian City Wall in the 15th Century. You can still see the marks left by cannon balls in the so-called War of Independence (the Napoleonic invasion of Spain). https://goo.gl/maps/EnyRGDqYKFisshYf9

Central Market

Valencia’s historic Central Market is one of the biggest in Europe and is well worth a visit. It is not only a magnificent building in the ‘Modernist’ style (roughly contemporary with Art Deco) but is also a great place to see Valencians go about their daily lives. https://goo.gl/maps/tSdyYufFCnrXDKzq8

Torres de Serranos

The massive Torres de Serranos (city towers) can be seen next to the Turia River. They were among Valencia’s twelve watch towers flanking the gates in the City Walls. They symbolised Valencia’s growing trade and guarded the main route to the city from the north. https://goo.gl/maps/CQr7oPjL4MWdCCPt6

La Lonja de València

This is the 15th-Century Exchange Building and reveals the city’s burgeoning power in The Late Middle Ages. In 1931, the building, which is adorned with Renaissance medallions and gargoyles, was declared Heritage of Mankind. https://goo.gl/maps/AsDxWLAVJaSkBpVi8

San Nicolás Church

Sited in the Old Town, it has become known as the Valencian Sistine Chapel after its splendid restoration in 2016. It is the best example in Valencia of a building that combines 15th-Century Gothic-Style construction with 17th-Century Baroque decoration. https://goo.gl/maps/xqokRJAw9aVcPn49A

Plaza de la Virgen

This pedestrian square contains three of Valencia’s most iconic buildings: Valencia’s Cathedral, the Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados (Basilica of Our Lady of The Forsaken) and Palacio de la Generalitat (City Hall). The Cathedral’s Apostles Gate is where Valencia’s Water Court meets. The Court is Europe’s oldest judicial institution and convenes every Thursday at Noon to settle and allocate water rights. https://goo.gl/maps/qCtKADa6LFKqotFs8

Valencia Cathedral and the Miguelete Tower

This is sited in Plaza de la Virgen, in the heart of the old city. The Cathedral, which was built in the Gothic Style, rises above the old Balansiya Mosque. Miguelete is the name given to Valencia Cathedral’s Bell Tower and its terrace gives visitors one of the best views of the city. https://goo.gl/maps/i3qpZB7PLqcNc9Dm6

Plaza de la Reina

This square in the heart of the city’s historic centre is a hive of activity. It also happens to be the city’s ‘Kilometre 0’ from which distances on all Valencia’s radial roads are measured. https://goo.gl/maps/2NVyoQTmtNi3s5DJ6

The City of Arts and Sciences

The City of Arts and Sciences was designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela. It is Valencia’s foremost cultural, architectural, and entertainment complex and is ranked as one of Spain’s top twelve treasures. It is where the Valencia Marathon starts and ends. With the new route for the Valencia Half-Marathon, you will get incredible views at the Start of the race as you cross the Puente de l’Assut d’Or (bridge) and will pass close to the complex before reaching the Finish in Avenida Antonio Ferrandis (city avenue). https://goo.gl/maps/uWX4G4t4DSaKxvH39

Silk Museum and College

The Silk-makers Guild was one of the driving forces behind Valencia’s Mediaeval economy. The restoration of this 15th-Century building was carried out by Fundación Hortensia Herrero (foundation), rescuing an important part of the city’s history. It is one of the most remarkable buildings, enshrining Valencia’s architecture and culture. https://goo.gl/maps/SUfucv62sWiwknef6

Bombas Gens

Bombas Gens, an old water-pump factory, reopened its doors in 2017 as a social action Art Centre. The building’s façade is decorated with motifs depicting jets of water in what is a delightfully whimsical reference to the factory’s manufacturing past. https://g.page/BombasGens?share

Six sculptures by Tony Cragg

When you visit The City of Arts and Sciences, make sure you do not miss the seven works on display by the world-famous sculptor, Jaume Plensa. The exhibition, sponsored by Fundación Hortensia Herrero (foundation) will be open until the 4th of November.