Museums and galleries in Valencia

Museums and galleries in Valencia

1. See

   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

2. See

   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

3. See

   Colegio del Arte Mayor de la Seda

   Museo de la Seda / Silk Museum

   The Moors introduced silk to Valencia, and it became a major hub of the silk trading route during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The Valencian silk weavers' guild was established in the late 15th century, and in 1494 acquired this building, which remained the guild's headquarters throughout its history. The building was remodelled extensively during subsequent centuries, and was fully restored in 2016. Now a museum, it showcases various aspects of Valencia's silk trade and production.

   Sun Mon 10:00-15:00, Tue-Sat 10:00-19:00·€6 adults, €4.50 seniors/students, free children under 5; free multilingual audioguide

4. See

   El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe

   Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe / Príncipe Felipe Science Museum

   A science museum designed to resemble a whale skeleton, it has interactive exhibits on three floors.

   Winter Mon-Thu 10:00-18:00, Fri Sat 10:00-19:00; spring/fall and Christmas season daily 10:00-19:00; summer daily 10:00-21:00·€9.40 (adults), €6.90 (concessions)

5. See

   Fundación Bancaja

   Fundació Bancaixa

   The former 19th-century residence is a cultural centre which hosts excellent, well-curated temporary exhibits of contemporary art and photography, by Valencian, Spanish and international artists.

   Tue-Sun and holidays 10:00-14:00 17:00-21:00, Mon 10:00-14:00·See exhibition information for prices.

6. See

   Galería del Tossal

   This unique underground gallery has been designed around the remains of a city wall from the Moorish period, complete with arches. The gallery is a venue for temporary exhibits of Spanish and international contemporary art.

   Tue-Sat 16:00-19:00, Sun and holidays 10:00-14:00·€2 adults, €1 concessions, free children under 12; free on Su and holidays

7. See

   Institut Valencià d'Art Modern

   IVAM / Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno / Valencian Institute of Modern Art

   This museum focuses on Spanish and international modern art and photography, and hosts regular special exhibits, workshops, and lectures. A library, gift shop, and café are onsite. Photography permitted, no flash.

   Tue-Sun 11:00-19:00; closed on 25 Dec and 1 Jan·€5 adults; free admission on Sunday & Wednesday 16:00-19:00

8. See

   La Dama Ibérica

   The monumental sculpture dominating the roundabout was designed by internationally-renowned Valencian artist Manolo Valdés and completed in 2007. It was inspired by the Iberian sculpture Dama de Elche ('Lady of Elche'), which was discovered in Elche and now resides in Madrid's National Archaeological Museum. Valdés's version is an 18-m-high steel structure covered with 22,000 miniature replicas of the modern version, made of cobalt-blue ceramic by fellow Valencian artist Manuel Martin.

9. See

   MuVIM

   Museu Valencià de la Il·lustració i de la Modernitat / The Valencia Museum of the Enlightenment and Modernity

   The museum is devoted to civics and culture, with special exhibits focused on such topics as graphic design, photography, and cinema. The building and garden were designed by Valencian architect Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra.

   Tue-Sat 10:00-14:00 16:00-20:00, Sun and holidays 10:00-20:00

10. See

    Museo de la Semana Santa Marinera

    Semana Santa Museum

    This small museum has exhibits explaining the Semana Santa Marinera traditions with costumes, documents, and photographs.

    Tue-Sat 10:00-14:00 16:30-20:30, Sun and holidays 10:00-15:00·Free

11. See

    Museo del Patriarca

    Managed by the Seminary of Corpus Christi, this museum has a small collection of paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries, with special highlights including works by Juan de Juanes, El Greco, and early Flemish masters. The collection can only be viewed with a tour, offered in a number of European languages; to be sure there is a tour in your language it is best to reserve ahead, either by phone or online.

    Mon-Fri 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 12:30, 17:00, 18:00; Sat 11:00, 12:00, 12:30·€7 premium tour including museum, courtyard, church, and chapel; €5 standard tour including the courtyard, church, and chapel; €4 museum tour only; €6 premium tour for concessions and VLC card

12. See

    Museu Faller de València

    Museo Fallero / Falles Museum

    Since 1934 ninots (papier-mâché figures) voted as the best of the year have been spared the final flames of the Falles festival. Along with photos and posters, these figures are showcased in a building which has served as a lepers' hospital, barracks, and prison.

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

13. See

    Museu Nacional de Ceràmica

    Museo Nacional de Cerámica / National Ceramics Museum

    This very ornate Baroque palace once served as the residence of the Marqués de Dos Aigües, and is now a museum. The ground and first floors showcase a collection of stagecoaches and period furniture, while the upper two floors house an extensive ceramics collection with a focus on historic Valencian pieces. Of particular note are Moorish ceramic tiles from the main mosque which was on the site now occupied by the cathedral, and six plates designed by Picasso. Photography permitted, no flash.

    Tue-Sat 10:00-14:00 16:00-20:00, Sun and holidays 10:00-14:00·€3 (adults), €1.50 (concessions); free on Sa afternoon and Su, 18 May, 18 Apr, 12 Oct, and 6 Dec

14. See

    Museu d'Història de València

    Museo de Historia de Valencia / Museum of Valencian History

    Housed in a former reservoir, this well-designed museum is dedicated to the developmental history of the city, from the Roman era until the present. Although labels are in Valencian and Spanish, booklets with English translations are available at the front desk. Constructed in 1850, the building is interesting in its own right as an excellent example of 19th century industrial architecture.

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

15. See

    Museu de Belles Arts de València

    Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia / Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia

    This 17th-century former palace houses over 2,000 pieces of art, with a primary focus on art of the 14th to 17th centuries. Highlights include an excellent collection of medieval altarpieces, a collection of engravings by the Italian artist Piranesi, and a handful of minor works by Velázquez, El Greco, and Goya. Photography permitted, no flash.

    Tue-Sun 10:00-20:00; closed 1 Jan and 25 Dec·Free

16. See

    Museu de Ciències Naturals

    Museo de Ciencias Naturales / Museum of Natural Sciences

    The museum is divided into several segments, covering Valencian contributions to the sciences, the ecology of the Valencian region, and of course paleontology with the requisite dinosaur skeletons.

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

17. See

    Museu de l'Arròs

    Museo del Arroz / Museum of Rice

    The Museum of Rice of the City of Valencia is in the refurbished and restored old Serra’s Mill. It tells the story of the industrial process of rice processing, a cereal whose growth goes deep into the wetlands of the City.

    Tue-Sat 10:00-14:00 15:00-19:00, Sun and holidays 10:00-14:00·€2 adults; €1 seniors, children under 16, large groups

18. See

    Museu dels Soldadets de Plom L'Iber

    Museo L'Iber / Tin Soldier Museum

    In an old Gothic palace, this is the world's largest private collection of tin soldiers of about one million pieces. Figures represent periods of Valencian, Spanish, and world history.

    Sep-Jun: Tue-Sun 11:00-14:00, 16:00-19:00; Jul Aug: daily 10:00-14:00, 15:00-20:00·€5 adults, €3 concessions

19. See

    Palau de Cervelló

    Palacio de Cervelló / Cervelló Palace

    Built in the 18th century as the residence of the counts of Cervelló, this palace became the official residence for visiting royalty following the demolition of the Palau Reial de València. The building now houses a museum, the Municipal Archive, and the Serrano Morales Library. On the ground floor is an exhibit (in Catalan and Spanish) illustrating the historic events which took place here, and on the upper floor are the grand ballroom and Serrano Morales Library, with original murals and furnishings.

    Tue-Sat 10:00-14:00 16:30-20:30, Sun and holidays 10:00-15:00·€2 (adults), €1 (concessions), free on Su and holidays

20. See

    Pont de l'Exposició

    Puente De La Exposición / Exhibition Bridge

    Designed by Santiago Calatrava and built between 1991 and 1995, the bridge resembles a comb, hence the nickname 'La Peineta'.

21. See Not mapped

    Museu Valencià d'Etnologia

    Museo Valenciano de Etnología / Valencian Museum of Ethnology

    The focus of this museum is on cultural traditions in the Valencian Autonomous Community, with three permanent exhibits focusing on life in the country, in the mountains, and in urban areas. Rotating temporary exhibits examine historic and sociological issues.

    Tue-Sun 10:00-20:00·free

22. See Not mapped

    Museu de Prehistòria de València

    Museo de Prehistoria de Valencia / Prehistory Museum of Valencia

    This museum is devoted early regional history, with collections from the Paleolithic to the Visigothic periods. A special highlight is the Guerrer de Moixent (Warrior of Moixent), an early Iberian bronze sculpture from the 5th or 4th century BCE.

    Tue-Sun 10:00-20:00·free

23. See

    Museu de l'Artista Faller de València

    Museo del Gremio de Artistas Falleros / Museum of the Guild of Falles Artists

    Avda San José Artesano, 17

    Mon-Fri 10:00-14:00 16:00-19:00, Sat 10:00-14:00; closed in Aug·€3 adults; €2.50 students; €2 seniors, disabled, children under 12

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Valencia (CC BY-SA 4.0).