Valencia

Almodí

Almudín

Constructed in the early 14th century on the site of a Moorish palace, the building is essentially Moorish in design and used to function as the municipal granary; its name is derived directly from 'almud' (Arabic: bushel). The building was fully restored in 1996 and is now a venue for temporary art exhibitions.

Mon-Sat 09:30-14:00 15:00-19:00, Sun and holidays 09:30-15:00·€2 (adults), €1 (concessions), free on Su and holidays

Alquería del Pou

A favourite with locals, this hidden gem specialises in all types of traditional Valencian rice dishes and seafood, served in a garden setting.

Daily 13:00-17:00; closed every Sun in Aug·Mains €12-20

Andalus Dolç

This restaurant-coffeeshop is a favourite with the local Moroccan community and serves a range of traditional Moroccan dishes, some of them vegetarian. It also has an excellent onsite bakery.

Mon-Thu 11:00-00:00, Fri Sat 11:00-00:30, Sun 10:00-00:00·€9.50 set menu (Feb 2016)

Aqua Multispacio

Along with the usual chain shops and restaurants, this large complex has two hotels, a cinema, a bowling centre, and a large gym and pool. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building, and there is a taxi stand outside.

Shops: Mon-Sat 10:00-22:00, Sun and holidays 11:00-21:00; restaurants: Sun-Thu 10:00-01:30, Fri Sat and holidays 10:00-04:00; gym: Mon-Fri 07:00-23:00, Sat Sun and holidays 08:00-21:00

Banys de l'Almirall

Baños del Almirante / Almirante Muslim Baths

Although constructed in 1313 after the Christian reconquista, the bathhouse was built in the Arabic style and is considered to be an excellent example of Moorish architecture. It was used continuously as a bathhouse until the 20th century, and is one of the few remaining such structures in Spain. It was fully restored in 2005.

Tue-Sun 11:00-14:00·€2 (adults), €1 (concessions)

Bar Ricardo

Operating since 1947, the restaurant serves traditional Valencian seafood, tapas, and sandwiches. It is also especially known for very good patatas bravas and ensalada rusa.

Tue-Sat 08:00-00:00; closed public holidays

Batalla de Flors

Battala de las Flores / Battle of the Flowers

The highlight of the July festival, the 'Battle of the Flowers' was first held in 1891. This unusual event begins with a parade of horse-drawn floats, on which are perched falleras in traditional dress. The floats circle around a closed off section of the avenue four times, and prizes are awarded for the most beautiful float. Then the fun begins: mountains of softball-sized marigolds have been distributed around the ring, and seated audience members proceed to pelt the falleras with the flowers, who defend themselves with tennis rackets and hurl flowers back into the audience. After the parade, the general audience is allowed into the ring, and a general melee begins.

Last Sun of July: parade begins at 20:00, battle begins at 21:00·€30 (ringside seats purchased in advance), free (general audience)

Bioparc Valencia

As far as zoos go, this is more animal-friendly than most. Focused exclusively on African fauna, the modern zoo has been thoughtfully designed to provide maximum space in natural settings for its residents. A special highlight is the walk-in lemur exhibit (no touching or feeding).

Daily, hours vary by month and season: 10:00-18:00 in winter, 10:00-19:00/20:00 in spring/fall, 10:00-21:00 in summer; detailed hours available here·€28.90-€31.90 adults, reduced prices for 4-12 & 65+, free children under 4. Book through website

Blue Iguana

This is one of the best nightclubs in Valencia. New and old good music all night offered by Dj Moisés.

Fri Sat 23:00-06:00

Bodega Casa Montaña

Established in 1836, this is the oldest tapas bar in Valencia. All classic dishes here are prepared with locally-sourced ingredients, accompanied by an enormous selection of wines. The setting is informal and friendly. Reservations are recommended and can be made online.

Mon-Fri 13:00-16:00 20:00-23:30, Sat 12:30-16:00 20:00-23:30, Sun and holidays 12:30-16:00·€27 for a set menu

Bodega Fila 'El Labrador'

This very casual, classic old-school tavern has been operating since 1973, and is popular with students. It is a good place to sample local wines accompanied by simple tapas including jamón, cheese, and sausages. It gets very popular especially later in the evening, so if you want a seat be sure to arrive before 19:30, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Mon-Sat 09:00-15:00 18:00-23:30; closed the month of Aug

Bodega La Rentaora

Serves simple, creative and high-quality tapas, along with a full range of drinks.

Mon-Fri 20:00-01:00, Sat Sun 12:00-17:00 20:00-01:00·€7-10 tapa + drink

Bombas Gens Centre d'Art

This former factory from the 1930s has been transformed into an exhibition space for Spanish contemporary art, with a special focus on photography. The building has an interesting history, as it was used to make industrial pumps, and later during the Spanish Civil War was used by the Republicans as an air raid shelter and to assemble armaments.

Wed 16:00-20:00, Thu-Sat 11:00-14:00 16:00-20:00, Sun 11:00-15:00·€9.5-€14.5 adults, €9.5-€11 concessions

Ca la Mar

This very small restaurant serves creative tapas, with a number of seafood as well as vegetarian options. Pleasant seating is both indoor and along a pedestrian-only street. They also have a decent selection of wine, as well as the local Turía beer.

Tue Wed 11:00-01:00, Thu-Sun 10:00-01:00

Cafe Madrigal

Small cafe with outdoor seating offering tasty vegan food. On-line reservations available.

10:00-23:00 every day

Café Lisboa

In a charming square which was once the site of Valencia's Lonja del Aceite, or olive oil market. The primary draw is the expansive terrace seating by an olive tree, making this is a good spot for people-watching with a coffee or cocktail.

Daily 10:00-01:00

Café Rialto

A classic café-bar in the historic Rialto Theatre, with a small terrace. It also has a well-priced set lunch menu for €10.50.

Mon-Thu 08:00-20:00, Fri 08:00-02:00, Sat 16:00-02:00, Sun 16:00-21:00

Café de las Horas

This popular café-bar is a good spot for coffee or cocktails with light snacks, in a Baroque-styled interior with eclectic music.

Mon-Sat 10:00-02:00, Sun 11:00-02:00

Café del Duende

This café is an intimate venue for flamenco performances, with well-known dancers and musicians hailing not only from Valencia but from across Spain. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays performances begin at 23:00 and last for one hour; on Sunday they begin at 20:00. As shows are very popular, it is advisable to get there at least an hour before the show in order to secure a seat – getting to the door 15 minutes before opening is even better.

Thu 22:00-02:30, Fri Sat 22:00-03:30, Sun 17:00-23:00·€10 (includes drink)

Canalla Bistro

This is the second of a trio of restaurants owned by star Valencian chef Ricard Camarena, with an eclectic menu that varies seasonally. Reservations can be made online.

Daily 13:30-15:30, 20:30-23:30

Capella del Sant Calze

Capilla del Santo Cáliz / Chapel of the Holy Chalice

The focus of this side chapel is a chalice of agate, the top of which is believed by the devout to be none other than the Holy Grail. Of the handful of similar chalices with the same claim, this is deemed by many scholars to be the most likely candidate as that part has been dated by experts to the 1st century BCE. Acquired in 1399, it was repaired after being broken into several pieces thanks to being dropped by a priest in 1744. He is said to have died the following week.

Casa Roberto

A favourite with Valencians and those wishing to avoid the tourist traps, it serves great traditional rice dishes with a focus on paella. The place is packed at lunch, so it's best to arrive early, or even better, to have a reservation.

Tue-Sat 13:00-16:00 20:45-23:00, Sun 13:00-16:00·Mains €18-23; 10% gratuity included in the final bill

Casa de Sant Vicent Ferrer

Casa Natalicia de San Vicente Ferrer / Home of San Vicente Ferrer

Sant Vicent Ferrer, the principal patron saint of Valencia, was born in this house in 1350. The house was renovated numerous times, and has a chapel, well, and 18th-century ceramic tile panels depicting the life of the saint.

Mon-Fri 11:00-13:00, 17:00-20:00·Free

Casa de les Roques

Casa de las Rocas / Museo del Corpus

The horse-drawn carriages used in the Corpus Christi parades, known as roques (Spanish: rocas, or 'rocks'), have been stored in this building since the mid-15th century. Eleven carriages are on display, the oldest of which was built between 1373 and 1392. Other items exhibited are costumes and historic documents, as well as a 25-minute video about the processions (in Spanish).

Tue-Sat 09:30-14:00 15:00-19:00, Sun and holidays 09:30-15:00

Casa del Libro

Probably Valencia's largest bookshop and part of a national chain, it has four floors of new and used books, with a good selection of books in English and other languages. Pets are permitted.

Mon-Sat 09:30-21:30, Sun and holidays 12:00-21:30

Casa-Museu Benlliure

Casa-Museo Benlliure

This was once home to two generations of the Benlliure family, headed by prominent Valencian artist José Benlliure. The early 20th-century residence has been maintained in three distinct sections, including the primary house with original furnishings and artworks, a lovely courtyard and garden, and a second building with a private study and more artworks.

Tue-Sat 09:30-14:00 15:00-19:00, Sun and holidays 09:30-15:00·€2 adults, €1 concessions, free on Su and holidays

Catedral de Santa María de València

La Seu / Valencia Cathedral

It was the site of a Roman temple, then a Visigothic cathedral, and then a Moorish grand mosque. It is now the seat of the archbishropic of Valencia. The current Gothic structure was begun in 1262 and remodeled numerous times, resulting in a structure with elements from three distinct architectural periods. Especially notable are the Puerta de los Apóstoles from the 14th century, and the Puerta del Palau, the oldest doorway of the cathedral, which is Romanesque with Moorish influences.

Nov-Mar: Mon-Sat 10:00-17:30; Apr-Oct: Mon-Sat 10:00-18:30, Sun 14:00-18:30; last admission 45 min before closing·€9 (adults), €6 (reduced)

Cementerio General de Valencia

Valencia General Cemetery

In use since 1807, the cemetery has some interesting mausoleums and funerary sculpture and is the final resting place for a number of notable Valencians, including members of the artistic Benlliure family, painter Joaquín Sorolla, and writer Vicente Blasco Ibáñez. For visitors with a smartphone there is a helpful app (iOS and Android; Spanish and Valencian only) which describes walking routes and gives grave locations.

Mon-Sat 09:00-18:00, Sun and holidays 09:00-14:00; 23 Oct - 01 Nov: daily 09:00-18:00·Free

Central Bar

One of a trio of restaurants owned and operated by famed Valencian chef Ricard Camarena, this tapas bar is a good place to sample his food without breaking the bank. The menu changes daily depending on what's available in the market. Reservations are not accepted, so if you plan to visit for lunch be prepared to wait awhile for a seat.

Mon-Sat 06:30-15:30·Tapas €4-9 (Feb 2016)

Centre Arqueològic de l'Almoina

Centro Arqueológico de la Almoina

This extensive site was uncovered in 1985 during preparations for new construction, which was then cancelled. Excavations revealed archeological remains dating from the Moorish, Visigothic, and Roman periods. After completing excavations, the city of Valencia converted the site into an underground museum. Highlights include Roman baths, a Moorish courtyard, and various artifacts.

Tue-Sat 09:30-19:00, Sun and holidays 09:30-15:00·€2 (adults), €1 (concessions); free on Su and public holidays