UltimateCity Guide Valencia
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Stories from Valencia, Spain

Every story, long read and guide in the ULTIMATE Valencia City Guide, in one place.

Areas

Valencia by neighbourhood

From the old town to the sea, each area has its own guide: the cathedral and the market, Ruzafa’s new restaurants, Calatrava’s city and paella by the beach.

The spiralling columns and star vaults of the trading hall of La Lonja de la SedaNeighbourhood guideCiutat Vella & El CarmenThe cathedral, the Lonja and the marketThe iron arches and glass roof inside the Mercado de ColónNeighbourhood guideEixample & RuzafaModernist markets and new restaurantsThe Hemisfèric, the Palau de les Arts and the Science Museum around the long pool of the City of Arts and Sciences at duskNeighbourhood guideCity of Arts and SciencesCalatrava and CandelaClipped hedges and cypresses in the Turia Garden, with the Palau de les Arts in the distanceNeighbourhood guideThe Turia GardenNine kilometres of gardensThe pool and palms of the Hotel Las Arenas Balneario Resort at nightNeighbourhood guideEl Cabanyal & MalvarrosaTiled houses and paella by the sea
  1. Neighbourhood guideLa MarinaThe old port

History

History & heritage

Roman Valentia, Balansiya of al-Andalus, the golden fifteenth century of the Silk Exchange and the Water Court that has met every Thursday for a thousand years.

The Gothic hall of the Silk Exchange in ValenciaHistory & heritageValentia, Balansiya and the Water Court: Valencia’s heritageRomans, Moors, a golden century and the Water CourtThe back storyCalatrava, Candela and the old riverGo at dusk, when the white buildings light up over the…The back storyValenciaA flood in 1957 gave Valencia a nine-kilometre garden and a city of…

Our advice

Thursday at noon

Be at the Apostles’ Door of the cathedral at noon on a Thursday for the Water Court, then visit La Lonja and the Mercado Central opposite. History & heritage

Practical

Plan your trip

The practical things to know before you go: entry and money, Las Fallas from 15 to 19 March, and three days for a classic first visit.

The Romanesque Palau doorway of Valencia CathedralBefore you goValencia essentialsEntry, money, Fallas and getting aroundThe falla in the Plaça de l'Ajuntament at night during Las Fallas 2023FestivalLas Fallas15–19 MarchThe painted glass dome of the Mercado Central, seen from belowItineraryThree days in ValenciaThe classic first visit
  1. Luxury guideLuxury ValenciaThe finest addresses

Day trips

Beyond Valencia

The rice lagoon, two castle towns, the Costa Blanca and wine country: La Albufera at sunset, Sagunto and Xàtiva, the harbours of Dénia and Jávea, and walled Requena.

Sunset over the Albufera lagoon from the bow of a traditional wooden boatBeyond ValenciaLa Albufera & El PalmarThe rice lagoon at sunsetSagunto castle on its ridge, above the restored Roman theatreBeyond ValenciaSaguntoA castle and a Roman theatreXàtiva and its collegiate church seen from the castleBeyond ValenciaXàtivaA castle above the townDénia’s castle lit above the harbour at nightBeyond ValenciaDénia & JáveaHarbours and great kitchensThe tasting room of a winery in Requena, with stone walls and bottles of the house winesBeyond ValenciaRequenaA walled town among vineyards

Our advice

Fallas, or flowers

For the full spectacle, come for the Fallas, but book months ahead and bring earplugs. For something gentler, aim for the Battle of Flowers in July or the autumn opera season. Valencia’s year

In depth

In depth: Valencia, from Valentia to Calatrava

Calatrava and Candela, the Valencian table and paella, the city’s year, the hotels, trains and ferries, and where to buy: the stories behind the city.

Bars of soft turrón de Jijona on a white plateTurrón de JijonaChristmas in ValenciaSpain’s turrón, made in Valencia’s own regionFoodThe Valencian tableTen dishes, wines and spiritsThe yearValencia’s yearFestivals, stadiums and stages

The old river

Walk or cycle the Turia Garden from the Torres de Serranos to the City of Arts and Sciences, under the old bridges and the new, and finish at l’Assut de l’Or at sunset.

  1. In depth: nature & wildlifeWild ValenciaFlamingos, herons and the Albufera
  2. The back storyEating in ValenciaPaella and the 2026 stars
  3. The back storyWhere to stayPalaces, the Turia, the beach
  4. The back storyBy train and ferryMadrid and the islands
  5. The back storyBuying in ValenciaNeighbourhoods and rules
  6. Fun factsValencia fun factsThings you might not know

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