City of Arts and ScienceThe impressive, futuristic landscape of the City of Arts and Science covers a vast area, rising out of a man-made lake, and encompasses various attractions, accessed along a magnificent arched walkway overhung with an array of flowering, aromatic plants and shrubs. The complex includes an Imax cinema, planetarium, and Europe's biggest aquarium. The 'wow' factor is topped off with the fascinating Prince Felipe Museum of Sciences.
Address: 7 Autopista del Saler
Phone Number: 902 100 031
Website: www.cac.es
Transport: Metro lines 3 and
5 to Alameda (15 minutes from the complex); buses 19, 35, 95 and 40 stop at the complex
Hours: Daily 10am to 7pm (2 January to 30 June, and 16 September to 30 December); 10am to 9pm (1 July to 15 September)
Admission: EUR30.50 (concessions available)
El CarmenThe picturesque old town of Valencia is the city's favorite 'chill out' zone with its narrow alleyways, honey-colored buildings, Bohemian atmosphere and nooks and crannies packed with bars and cafes. Apart from being the ideal spot for people-watching, El Carmen also has several interesting attractions, including the remains of the medieval city walls, the gothic towered gates of Torres de Serrano and Torres de Quart, the latter pocked with cannon-ball marks dating from an assault by Napoleon. Also in El Carmen is a convent complex dating from the 13th century, and several museums.
CathedralIt is reputedly the resting place of the Holy Grail, but whether you believe that or not the ornate Valencia Cathedral is worth a visit just because of its unique history and combination of architectural styles. Since it started out in 1262, it has shuffled back and forth from being a mosque to a Christian church, and has been added to accordingly in a variety of styles from Romanesque to Gothic, Baroque and even Moorish. It houses an interesting museum, treasury and the Holy Grail chapel. Most visitors, though, make a pilgrimage to the cathedral simply to climb its octagonal medieval tower, which provides a wonderful panorama of the city if you have the staying power to make it to the top of the winding staircase.
Silk Exchange (Lonja de la Seda)Valencia's World Heritage Site is the old Silk Exchange, founded in 1469, copied from a similar structure built in Palma de Mallorca. The crenellated tower and flamboyant Gothic trading hall, regarded as the city's most beautiful building, is now a top tourist attraction, often used for hosting exhibitions. The immensely high vaulted ceiling tops off some rather risqué etchings. A good time to visit is on a Sunday morning when a popular stamp and coin collectors market makes for a lively trading buzz.
Address: Plaza del Mercado
Phone Number: 96 352 5478
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9am to 2pm and 4pm to 6pm; Saturday and Sunday 9am to 1.30pm
Admission: EUR2, concessions available
Crypt of Saint VincenteIt may sound creepy, but it is fascinating to visit the crypt of the Prison of Saint Vicente the Martyr, beneath the Church of Saint Vicente, formerly the site of an ancient Visigoth chapel, which later became a prison for Valencia's patron saint. An audiovisual tour of the crypt brings to life the city's ancient history, taking visitors through Visigoth altars, past exhibits of Muslim artifacts, and Roman murals.
Address: Plaza del Arzobispo
Phone Number: 96 394 1417
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am to 2pm and 5.30pm to 8pm, Sunday 9.30am to 2pm
Admission: Free
Plaza de la VirgenOne of Valencia's loveliest squares, the Plaza de la Virgen is a great place to sit and soak up the atmosphere among the flapping pigeons. In the center of this square, which was once the site of the ancient Roman forum, a fountain representing the Turia River plays, surrounded by plenty of open-air cafes. On one side of the square is the impressive Gothic façade of the Palau de la Generalitat, seat of government for the Valencia region, and opposite is the Baroque Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados, a grand name for a grand church dating from the 17th century and containing fascinating frescoes.
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