Ciutat Vella & El Carmen
Ciutat Vella and El Carmen: the back story
Neighbourhood guide
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Rafesmar · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Ciutat Vella and El Carmen: the back story
Ciutat Vella is the old walled city, bounded by the Turia Garden and the line of the old walls. At its heart are the cathedral and the Plaza de la Virgen; to the west, the Lonja and the Mercado Central face each other across the Plaza del Mercado; to the north, El Carmen is a quarter of lanes, street art and bars between the Torres de Serranos and the Torres de Quart.
The cathedral
The cathedral, its Holy Chalice and El Miguelete; on Thursdays at noon, the Water Court at the Apostles’ Door.
The market
The Lonja (UNESCO World Heritage, 1996) and the Mercado Central face each other; the Plaza Redonda is a few steps away.
Climb El Miguelete first, then walk what you’ve seen.
El Carmen
The Torres de Serranos and Quart, IVAM, the Centre del Carme and Café de las Horas.
Eating
Flores Raras (Two MICHELIN Stars) and Lienzo (One Star); horchata at Santa Catalina.
Our advice: during Las Fallas, expect crowds and noise, and enjoy it.
Why it's on our list
- The cathedral
- The market
- El Carmen
- Eating
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Ciutat Vella and El Carmen: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Ciutat Vella and El Carmen: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro and tram stops
- ColónLine 3Line 5Line 7Line 9700 m9 min walk
- Xàtiva800 m10 min walk
- Pont de FustaTram 4900 m11 min walk
Key sights
- La Lonja150 mWalk 2 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 4 min
- Valencia Cathedral150 mWalk 2 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 4 min
- Mercado Central250 mWalk 3 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Torres de Serranos500 mWalk 6 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Museu de Belles Arts700 mWalk 9 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Mercado de Colón950 mWalk 12 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 7 min
- City of Arts and Sciences2.9 kmWalk 37 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 12 min
- Oceanogràfic3.5 kmWalk 43 minCycle 14 minCar or taxi 13 min
- Malvarrosa beach4.6 kmCycle 18 minCar or taxi 16 min
- Valencia Airport9.1 kmCycle 36 minCar or taxi 29 min
Main railway stations
- Estació del Nord950 mWalk 12 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Valencia Joaquín Sorolla1.7 kmWalk 21 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 9 min