City of Arts & Sciences and other Valencia, Spain Things to Do Tips

I think the highlight of our trip to Valencia was a visit to the City of Arts & Sciences. This is an extensive complex - a cultural & leisure centre which consists of spectacular looking white buildings surrounded by large pools of turquoise water.

The centres attractions are based around 3 themes - art, science & nature.

The Hemisferic is home to a planetarium and an IMAX cinema. The shape of this building is like a half eye and its reflection in the pool beside it completes the second half of the eye - bizarre!

Next there is the Museo de las Ciencias Principe (Science museum), which is the largest interactive museum in Europe.

L'Umbracle is located on the terrace area above the other attractions. It is an unusual arched structure that covers a garden lined with palm trees and is home to over 50 species of plants from the region.

The highlight is L'Oceanografic, which is a large marine park - the largest of its kind in Europe. It is home to around 500 different species. Although we didn’t have the time to go inside the aquarium complex, the fabulous exterior design is well worth a look.

Still under construction when we visited is the Palau de les Arts, which will focus on promoting music and theatre.

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Directions: Located to the south east of the city centre, you can catch the bus here from Plaza del Ayuntamiento, or walk there in about 30 minutes as we did from Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
Website: www.cac.es

Located in the heart of the old town area of Valencia is Plaza de la Reina. This is a pretty square, with flowers in the middle, and cafes, restaurants and grand buildings around the edge.

The one thing you can't help but notice when you are in the square is the Cathedral and bell tower, which stand at its northern end.

We popped into an ice cream shop just on the square and enjoyed a sweet treat whilst sitting in the sun and watching the locals go by.

Just off the square, at the south west end, is the small Plaza Santa Catalina, where you can visit Iglesia de Santa Catalina. This church is nothing spectacular inside, but its ornate tower is definitely worth a look - you can get a better view of it if you head back across the Plaza de la Reina towards Calle de la Paz.

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Directions: Nearest Metro: Colon

Valencia's Cathedral is located at the top end of Plaza de la Reina, in the heart of the old town.

Located on the site of a former mosque, the Cathedral is a bit of a mix-match of architectural styles - the Baroque main entrance and the Gothic dome and tower, along with some Romanesque & Renaissance bits as well.

You can enter part of the Cathedral for free and check out its lofty, rather plain interior. There is a small charge to visit some of the chapels and the museum. Also worth a look is the bell tower - climb to the top for great views over the city.

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Directions: Nearest Metro: Colon

The Miguelete bell tower is a hexagonal Gothic tower towering over Plaza de la Reina. The main bell in the tower was blessed back in 1418.

To enter the tower, go via the main entrance to the Cathedral and turn left. Pay a small amount (around 1.50 euro) and then climb up the 207 steps to the top.

Although not many steps, the climb is a little taxing as it is a spiral staircase with quite high steps….helping me to realise once again how unfit I am!!

But, the climb is well worth it for the great views from the top, and you can get up close to the famous bell….just cover you ears when it chimes!

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Directions: Nearest Metro: Colon

The Plaza de la Virgen sits on the site that once was the forum of Roman Valencia. It is located just north of the larger Plaza de la Reina and is surrounded by impressive buildings and home to lots of pigeons.

You can't miss the impressive Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados on the eastern side of the square, and on the western side is the Gothic Palau de la Generalitat, the seat of government for the Valencia region.

Also in the square there are some cafes with plenty of outside seating for the obligatory people watching.
In the centre of the square is a fabulous fountain which apparently represents the irrigation of the Rio Turia. It also appears to be very popular with those pigeons.

We sat at the edge of the fountain for a while and watched kids chase the pigeons, enjoying the sense of community in the square.

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Directions: Nearest Metro: Colon

Plaza del Ayuntamiento is a large square in the heart of Valencia. It is a popular meeting place for locals and is was bustling day and night when we were there.

One part of the square is home to a flower market, with many stalls competing with their colourful bouquets. There is also a fountain which stops and starts at intervals - make sure you are not standing too close on a windy day.

Surrounding the square are some magnificent buildings. One of these is the impressive City Hall, which has a tall facade with a tower in the centre and two cupolas at either end. On the other side of the square is the city's grand Post Office. This has an unusual tower like structure on the centre top, and also has domes at either end.

The square is home to numerous shops and cafes, and several bus routes also pass through here.

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Directions: Nearest metro: Colon or Xatira

All that remains of Valencia's old city walls are two twin-towered stone gates, the Torres de Serranos & Torres de Quart

The 14th century Torres de Serranos was once the main exit from the city to the north (and to Barcelona), and stands by the empty riverbed of the Rio Turia. If you continue north of Plaza de la Virgen you will soon stumble across it.

The 15th century Torres de Quart is located to the west, at the end of Calle Quart, facing towards Madrid. The tower suffered heavy damage in the 19th century from bombing by Napoleon's troops.

The Torres de Serranos is free to visit, open morning and late afternoon.

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The Plaza del Mercado is located west of Plaza de la Reina, and is home to 3 buildings of interest, all constructed in different eras.

The Lonja is a Gothic hall that was built by the city's silk merchants back in the 15th century. If you get the chance stick your head in and check out the silk hall.

Also in the square is the vast Iglesia de los Santos Juanes, which has a small Baroque tower.

Last but not least is the fabulous Mercado Central, built in 1928. It is an huge glass and metal structure that is home to a daily food market. The colourful market is a must see! (more details under my 'Shopping Tips')

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Directions: Nearest metro: Colon or Xatira

Located just off Plaza Santa Catalina, Plaza Redonda is an unusual small round square (and is a little tricky to find).

You enter this interesting square by one of several arches. In the very centre of the square is a small fountain.

Around the outside there are small shops selling souvenirs and local crafts and ceramics. Around the inside of the square are a some stalls selling haberdashery and clothing. I particularly like the beautiful tiles that decorate the outside of the stalls, as you can see in the main photo.

On Sunday the square is home to a pet market.

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Directions: Located just off Plaza Santa Catalina

Nearest metro: Colon

Estacion del Norte, or North Station, is the main train station in Valencia for inter-city travel. Opened in 1917, it has been called a 'masterpiece of Valencian Modernism'.

I found the front of the station quite unusual - the creamy facade makes it look very clean and un-station-like. Above the clock there is an eagle with its wings spread, sitting on a globe. This is supposed to symbolise speed.

Make sure you stick you head into the ticket hall. It is decorated with ceramic mosaics and murals and is pretty impressive.

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Directions: Nearest metro: Xatira
Website: http://www.renfe.es/ingles/