Valencia

Opposite La Lonja, you will find the oldest food market in Europe, housed in a fascinating building in a true Valencian style. The market is just as lively now as it was a hundred years ago as if time had stood still. This is a great place to buy some local delicacies and experience Valencia's daily life.

The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, or City of Arts and Sciences, is a cultural and architectural complex designed by Santiago Calatrava that has become the number one attraction in Valencia. Walking around and taking photos of the stunning buildings is a pleasure in itself, and that does not cost anything. However, it is well worth the entrance fee to explore the various exhibits inside.

Valencia’s Cathedral is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture and the home of the Holy Grail–the only one certified by the Vatican. Its tower, the Miguelete, is a true icon of Valencia. Climb up to the top for great views of the city.

Since the Turia river was diverted south of the city after serious flooding in the 1950s, its former riverbed has become one of the best places in Valencia to go for a stroll, offering 9 km of gardens, children’s playgrounds and sports facilities.

Spain's oldest centre of modern art, this institute features over 10,000 pieces of art and photography from the 20th century. Temporary exhibitions are housed in the basement–once part of the city's medieval fortifications.

If you only manage to see one sight while in Valencia, it has to be La Lonja, the old silk exchange. It is heralded as one of the foremost Gothic buildings in Europe, and in 1996, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The actual market is the size of a cathedral, covering 21,420 square feet.

This small church in the district of El Carmen is known as Valencia’s Sistine Chapel. The spectacular frescoes that cover its ceiling, dating from the 17th century, have recently been restored to their full glory.

One of the most beautiful examples of Modernist architecture in the city, the Colon Market is home to several cafes and restaurants, and a good place to pick up interesting crafts and gifts, particularly at the Christmas market.

This playground is quite unusual and very much appreciated by the children. If you look closely you will see that the whole playground consists of a large giant, hence the name "Gulliver".

In this museum located in a restored mill built at the beginning of the 20th century and that was commercially functioning until the 1970s, you will learn about the procedure of processing rice in the mill's machinery and understand an interesting part of Valencia's cultural memory.

This small museum’s exhibits focus on Valencia’s huge Las Fallas festival. Las Fallas is a traditional celebration held every year in March, and people use this festive event to ridicule those in power. The term Fallas refers to both the celebration and the monuments created during the celebration. A number of towns in the Valencian Community have similar celebrations inspired by the original one in Valencia.