Valencia

Modern and Mediterranean, the city of Valencia was founded by the Romans with the name Valentia, 'land of the brave', and later occupied by Muslims and Christians. All of Valencia's history is concentrated in the so-called Old City.

Of the old wall that surrounded the historic centre, the Quart Towers and the Serranos Towers remain, gates to the city. The Santa María Cathedral of Valencia is a Gothic style temple whose most famous element is the Miguelete tower, which serves as a bell tower. Next to it is the Basilica of  Our Lady of the Forsaken, patroness of the city. The church, from the 17th century, is unique in the city as it was not built on the foundations or remains of a previous temple but erected as a new structure. Opposite it is the Generalitat Palace, a Valencian Gothic style building with a tower added during the Renaissance.

The Silk Exchange is one of the most emblematic places in Valencia. It is a building constructed for commercial purposes, as in the 15th century the city was a prosperous trade hub. Opposite the exchange is the Church of the Santos Juanes. This temple is one of the most beautiful in Valencia. It began under Gothic principles but was completed in the 17th century, thus also possessing Baroque elements.

In Gothic style but with classicist elements incorporated after a fire is also the Church of Santa Catalina, the most central temple in the Ciutat Vella.

The Central Market of Valencia is located in the Mercat square and is a modernist building made of metal, glass, wood, and ceramics.

The Monforte Gardens are situated on the edge of the Old City. It is the last example of historical gardening preserved in Valencia and it showcases an interesting collection of sculptures.

Valencia is a city that offers many cultural possibilities. Among its wide museum offerings, the Museum of Fine Arts stands out with an important pictorial collection. The building housing the National Ceramics Museum is the Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas, which boasts the best Baroque façade in Valencia. The Patriarch Museum is interesting to visit for its great number of frescoes, tapestries, and paintings. Other galleries and exhibits of great cultural attraction are the Museum of the History of Valencia or the Almudin Museum.

The City of Arts and Sciences is the main tourist attraction in Valencia. The complex, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, features various spaces such as the Hemisfèric, the Palau de les Arts, and the Oceanogràfic.

The leisure offer of the Mediterranean city is based on its excellent coastline with beaches like Malvarrosa and places to enjoy a magnificent paella or the vibrant nightlife that Valencia boasts.