The back story
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Neighbourhood guide
Ciutat Vella and El Carmen: the back story
The cathedral and the Lonja, the Mercado Central, the old gates and the lanes of El Carmen.
Neighbourhood guide · Valencia
Ciutat Vella & El Carmen: Our Favourites
The cathedral and El Miguelete, the Lonja and the Mercado Central, the Torres de Serranos and Quart, El Carmen, palace hotels and Flores Raras.
What's onThis week in Valencia
What to see and do
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UNESCO World Heritage
La Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange)
The late-Gothic Silk Exchange, with its hall of spiralling columns.
Calle de la Lonja 2, 46001 ValenciaExplore View on map
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With El Miguelete
Valencia Cathedral and the Holy Chalice
The cathedral, home of the Holy Chalice, and its bell tower, El Miguelete.
Plaza de la Reina, 46003 ValenciaExplore View on map
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Art Nouveau domes
Mercado Central
The great market hall of the old town, under its domes and parrot weathervane.
Plaza del Mercado, 46001 ValenciaExplore View on map
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14th century
Torres de Serranos
The great 14th-century gate of the medieval walls, above the Turia.
Plaza de los Fueros, 46003 ValenciaExplore View on map
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15th century
Torres de Quart
The 15th-century gate on the road to Castile.
Calle Guillem de Castro 89, 46003 ValenciaExplore View on map
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Baroque frescoes
Church of San Nicolás
A Gothic church whose ceiling is covered in baroque frescoes.
Calle Caballeros 35, 46001 ValenciaExplore View on map
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Thursdays at noon
The Water Court (Tribunal de las Aguas)
The irrigation court that meets every Thursday at noon outside the cathedral.
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Opened November 2023
Centro de Arte Hortensia Herrero
A private collection of contemporary art in the restored Palacio Valeriola.
Calle del Mar 31, 46003 ValenciaExplore View on map
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In the Palacio de Dos Aguas
Museo Nacional de Cerámica
Spain’s national ceramics museum, behind the rococo doorway of the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas.
Calle Poeta Querol 2, 46002 ValenciaExplore View on map
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In a former convent
Centre del Carme Cultura Contemporània
Exhibitions and events in the former royal convent of El Carmen.
Calle Museo 2, 46003 ValenciaExplore View on map
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Plaza Tetuán
Fundación Bancaja
Major art exhibitions on the Plaza Tetuán.
Plaza Tetuán 23, 46003 ValenciaExplore View on map
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University of Valencia
Jardí Botànic
The University of Valencia’s botanical garden, about four hectares.
Calle Quart 80, 46008 ValenciaExplore View on map
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Two to three hours
Ciutat Vella: gates, Gothic and the market
From the Torres de Serranos through the old town to the Torres de Quart.
Where to eat
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Two MICHELIN Stars
Flores Raras
The former El Poblet, now led by chef Carolina Álvarez in the Quique Dacosta group.
Correos 8, 1st floor, 46002 ValenciaExplore View on map
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One MICHELIN Star
Lienzo
Modern cooking on the Plaza de Tetuán.
Plaza de Tetuán 18, 46003 ValenciaExplore View on map
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In the Mercado Central
Central Bar by Ricard Camarena
Ricard Camarena’s counter inside the Mercado Central.
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Two centuries of tradition
Horchatería de Santa Catalina
Horchata and fartons beside the church of Santa Catalina.
Plaza Santa Catalina 6, 46001 ValenciaExplore View on map
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Since 1994
Café de las Horas
A baroque café-bar in El Carmen, famous for agua de Valencia.
Conde de Almodóvar 1, 46003 ValenciaExplore View on map
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At MYR Marqués House
Café Madrid
The café on the ground floor of MYR Marqués House.
Calle Abadía de San Martín 10, 46002 ValenciaExplore View on map
Bars
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Eighth floor
Atenea Sky
A rooftop bar and restaurant above the old town.
Calle Moratín 12, 8th floor, 46002 ValenciaExplore View on map
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At Palacio Vallier
Lladró Lounge Bar
An elegant museum-bar of Lladró porcelain at Palacio Vallier.
Plaza Manises 7, 46003 ValenciaExplore View on map
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Agua de Valencia
Café de las Horas (by night)
Agua de Valencia under the chandeliers.
Conde de Almodóvar 1, 46003 ValenciaExplore View on map
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Live music
Radio City
A long-running music bar in El Carmen.
Calle Santa Teresa 19, 46001 ValenciaExplore View on map
Shopping
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Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Lladró
Calle de la Paz and Poeta Querol
Valencia’s most exclusive shopping streets.
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Founded 1953
Lladró Boutique València
Lladró’s Valencia boutique, on Poeta Querol.
Calle Poeta Querol 9, 46002 ValenciaExplore View on map
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Since 1918
Orfebres Peris Roca
A family of goldsmiths since 1918.
Calle Bolsería 31, 46001 ValenciaExplore View on map
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Founded 1964
Abanicos Burriel
Hand-made Valencian fans.
Calle San Fernando 3, 46001 ValenciaExplore View on map
Where to stay
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Five stars
MYR Hotel Palacio Vallier
A 19th-century mansion on Plaza Manises, with a roof terrace and the Lladró Lounge Bar.
Plaza Manises 7, 46003 ValenciaExplore View on map
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Five stars
Caro Hotel
A small five-star hotel on Calle Almirante, by the cathedral.
Calle Almirante 14, 46003 ValenciaExplore View on map
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Five stars
Only YOU Hotel Valencia
A five-star hotel on Plaza Rodrigo Botet, formerly the Ayre Astoria Palace.
Plaza Rodrigo Botet 5, 46002 ValenciaExplore View on map
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Four stars
SH Inglés Boutique
An 18th-century palace facing the Ceramics Museum’s rococo doorway.
Calle Marqués de Dos Aguas 6, 46002 ValenciaExplore View on map
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Four stars, with Café Madrid
MYR Marqués House
A small hotel by the Ceramics Museum, home of Café Madrid.
Calle Abadía de San Martín 10, 46002 ValenciaExplore View on map
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Four stars
MYR Plaza Mercado
A small hotel on the Plaza del Mercado, facing the Mercado Central and the Lonja.
Plaza del Mercado 45, 46001 ValenciaExplore View on map
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Two stars
Ad Hoc Carmen
A small hotel in El Carmen, near the Torres de Serranos.
Calle Samaniego 20, 46003 ValenciaExplore View on map
Share your Ciutat Vella & El Carmen tips
Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.
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