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

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)

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

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

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 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-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

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

Centre Cultural La Nau

Centre Cultural de la Universitat de València

Built in 1498, this was once the library and main building for the University of Valencia. Today it is used by the university primarily as a venue for photography and art exhibits, and for classical music concerts.

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

Centre Cultural la Beneficència

Centre Valencià de Cultura Mediterrània / Centro Valenciano de Cultura Mediterránea

This 19th-century former hospice was completely refurbished in 1995, and now in addition to hosting two museums it also functions as a cultural centre and venue for special exhibits.

Centre del Carme

The former convent hosts rotating special exhibits showcasing local history, and historic and contemporary artists from Valencia and outside the region.

Tue-Sun 10:00-20:00·€2 adults, €1 concessions, free on Su and holidays

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

Cripta arqueològica de la presó de Sant Vicent Màrtir

Cripta Arqueológica de la Cárcel de San Vicente Mártir / Archaeological Crypt of the Prison of San Vicente

This Visigothic chapel has on display objects discovered during its excavation including a Visigothic altar, Roman mural, Muslim artifacts, and a sculpture of the early Christian Saint Vicente Mártir, who is believed to have been buried here.

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

Drassanes del Grau

Atarazanas del Grao / Royal Shipyards

These Gothic shipyards date to the early 14th century, and attained their current layout in 1500. Trade ships were built and repaired here, as well as galleys used for defense against Barbary pirates. Later the building was used as a storehouse for salt, and now functions as a venue for temporary exhibits. Due to the shifting coastline over the centuries, the shipyards are now two blocks inland from the shore.

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

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)

Església de Sant Nicolau

Iglesia de San Nicolás / Church of San Nicolás

Established in the 13th century, the church was expanded in several phases, culminating in the current 15th-century Gothic structure. During the late 17th century extensive Baroque renovations were carried out to the interior, the most significant of them being ceiling frescoes. This remarkable set of frescoes completely covers the vault of the nave and the presbytery, and illustrates the lives of St. Nicolás and St. Peter. They were designed by the Italian master Antonio Palomino and painted by his student, Dionis Vidal, and have been completely restored. Tourists are not permitted to visit during mass or other liturgical celebrations.

Oct-Jun: Tue-Fri 10:30-19:00, Sat 10:30-18:30, Sun 13:00-20:00; Jul-Sep: Tue-Fri 10:30-21:00, Sat 10:30-19:30, Sun 11:30-21:00·€11 (adults), €4 (seniors/students/disabled), free (children under 12)

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.

Fundación Chirivella Soriano

Palau Joan de Valeriola

This well-preserved 14th-century Gothic palace houses a permanent collection of contemporary Spanish art, with rotating exhibits.

Tue-Sat 10:00-14:00 17:00-20:00, Sun 10:00-14:00·€4 adults, €2 concessions

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

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

Jardí Botànic

Jardín Botánico de Valencia / Botanic Garden of Valencia

Established in 1802 by the University of Valencia, this lovely garden maintains extensive collections of plants from a number of different habitats. Most of the greenhouses date from the latter half of the 19th century, while the modern research centre was completed in 2000.

Nov-Feb: 10:00-18:00, Mar Oct: 10:00-19:00, Apr Sep: 10:00-20:00, May-Aug: 10:00-21:00; open daily except 25 Dec, 1 Jan, and during inclement weather·€4 adults, €1.70 concessions, free children under 7 €14.50 10-visit ticket

Jardí de Montfort

Jardín de Monforte / Monforte Garden

This formal Neoclassical garden was designed in the mid-19th century by Valencian architect Don Monleón for the aristocrat Marqués de San Juan. It was declared a 'National Artistic Garden' and is now maintained by the city of Valencia, which opened it to the public in 1973.

Daily 21 Mar - 20 Sep: 10:30-20:00; 21 Sep - 20 Mar: 10:30-18:00·Free

Jardín de Viveros

Jardines del Real / Royal Gardens

Established by the Moors in the 13th century as gardens for the royal palace (no longer standing), this pleasant and popular park is the second-largest park in Valencia, after the Turia gardens. The park includes a rose garden, sculpture garden, bicycle track, and aviary. During the summer various festivals are held here.

Summer: daily 07:30-21:30; winter: Mon-Fri 07:30-20:30, Sat Sun 07:30-21:30·Free

L'Àgora

A multi-use covered plaza, designed for sporting events, concerts, and special exhibits.

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.

Llotja de la Seda

La Lonja de la Seda / Silk Exchange

This UNESCO landmark is considered to be one of the most significant secular Gothic buildings in Europe. It was built between 1482 and 1533 on the site of an earlier oil exchange. The Llotja consists of four distinct parts: the Sala de Contractació (Trading Hall), also known as the Saló Columnari (Hall of Columns); the Sala Consulado del Mar with its magnificent ceiling; the unfinished Torre (tower) with its debtor prison (temporarily closed to visitors), and the Pati dels Tarongers (Patio of Oranges). Some of the Gothic gargoyles are quite naughty.

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

L’Oceanogràfic

The largest oceanarium in Europe, and the second-largest in the world, has seven sections devoted to different ecological zones. The building was designed by Félix Candela to resemble a water lily. Highlights include a dolphinarium, a walk-through shark tunnel, a shark tank (open for public diving), and spherical bird aviary. There are several restaurants on-site, and with so many attractions it’s easy to make this into an all-day affair.

Hours vary by season, open daily·high season €41.80 (adults), €31.00 (concession)