Valencia city walking tour

Valencia in one day (Minus the Marina) !

That does sound like a challenge(but we like a challenge) seeing as this Spanish city has a lot to offer when it comes to architectural gems, beautiful sceneries, delicious food and drinks and shopping!

But that doesn’t mean it is impossible!

If you are traveling through Spain and you decided to add Valencia to your itinerary, I’ve got the perfect city walk for you!

So put on your walking shoes, or in my case Crocs and let’s start your one day in Valencia!

The more we wandered the streets, stuffed our faces with paella, visited the futuristic art museum, and walked its historic streets, we fell head over heels in love!

Valencia is a city that somehow mingles the past and future quite well and creates a ‘must see’ stop off in Spain!

From our camper stop base in El Salver, ( N39.386710 W0.331870) we are able to catch the number 25 Bus, which for the small sum of €1.50 per person delivers you straight into town, alternatively a cycle path runs along the route almost all the way !

For ease of our day out, the bus terminates right beside the Plaça de la Porta de la Mar, so that where are walking tour starts…..

Plaça de la Porta de la Mar

The impressive Puerta de la Mar (Gatway to the Sea) is in Placa Porta de la Mar.

The old Portal del Real was destroyed in 1865 and the  reconstruction is made of marble.

The addition of the cross in the main arch is to remember those who lost their lives in the Spanish Civil War.

take the Carrer de Colón to turn left at the Carrer del Comte de Salvatierra. In this street you will encounter the Mercat de Colón on your right side

Mercat de Colón

Probably One of the most emblematic modernist buildings in the city.

It was built in 1914 by Francisco de Mora y Berenguer. It is an open, circular area and brings to mind the old awnings of the traditional market places.

The trencadís that decorates the entrance is of special interest. The market is a city meeting point with its colourful, Valencian façade reminiscent of the modernist designs of Gaudí.

After visiting the Mercat de Colón turn left at the Carrer de Cirilo Amorós to the Pont del Mar, a pretty little bridge over the Jardín del Turia, the huge park of Valencia.

Jardín del Turia

The Turia Gardens is one of the largest urban parks in Spain. It runs through the city along nine kilometres of green space boasting foot paths, leisure and sports areas, and romantic spots where you can unwind. From Cabecera Park to the City of Arts and Sciences, the Turia Gardens are the perfect place for runners, cyclists, families and nature enthusiasts. Crossed by 18 bridges full of history.

Take a walk through the park in Southeast direction. You will pass the Palau de la Música de Valencia and continue until you reach the scientific and cultural site with its surreal architecture called Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències. There you will feel as if you are beamed into the future seeing all these surreal buildings. This is a must do even if you are only one day in Valencia.

You can gaze in wonder at the science fiction-like City of Arts & Sciences.

Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències

Designed by world renowned, but locally born architect, Santiago Calatrava, the City of Arts & Sciences is a feast for the eyes with multiple museums, waterways, and outdoor arcades all done in Calatrava’s signature style.

Although the museums are interesting to visit, just walking the grounds and appreciating the architecture is satisfying as well.

Then return via the park until you can take the Carrer de Pere Aleixandre. Turn left at the Avinguda de Peris i Valero and turn right into the Carrer del Mestre Aguilar to enter the Russafa quarter. Here you will see a lot of colored and beautiful façades and some trendy bars and boutiques. Turn left at the Plaça del Baró de Cortés and visit the Mercat de Russafa.

Continue via the Carrer de la Reina Na Maria and before you turn right into the Carrer de Cadis take a look around at you will find a lot of beautiful façades.

Cross the Gran Via de les Germanies and take the Carrer de Castelló to the train station. 

Arriving at the train station you will discover more of what Valencia fantastic architecture has to offer. The interior and exterior of the station in Art Nouveau style will definitely impress you Outside you will also discover Valencia’s bull fighting arena.

Valencia Nord Train Station

It sits at the heart of Valencia city’s old town and is the central hub for trains coming in and out of the city.

So this the heart of the city.

From the train station go straight ahead via the Av. del Marqués de Sotelo to reach the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Take your time to admire all the amazing façades surrounding this prestigious square. Especially the stunning neoclassical Town Hall and the  Post Office, in a beautiful eclectic style.

Plaza del Ayuntamiento/Plaça de l’Ajuntament

The grandiose Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the main square in Valencia.

Dominating the square are the stunning neoclassical Town Hall and the magnificent Central Post Office.

In the center lies a sparkling fountain surrounded by flowers and greenery, and illuminated by multicolored lights at night.

Continue to go straight ahead and turn left at the Av. de Maria Cristina. When you follow this street you will arrive at the Plaça del Mercat. Here you can visit the Mercat Central, Valencia’s biggest indoor market and a must during your one day in Valencia.

Plaça del Mercat

Valencia’s Mercat Central is the largest covered market in Europe and undoubtedly one of the world’s most beautiful.

And you didn’t really think we’d miss the opportunity to go food shopping

Its colourful Art Deco facade houses some 400 stalls that sell the freshest produce from land and sea: seasonal vegetables, mushrooms, cured meats, nuts, butter-soft Iberian ham, cheese, shellfish, sea urchins and wriggling little limpets that dance on ice.

Continue to go straight ahead and turn left at the Av. de Maria Cristina. When you follow this street you will arrive at the Plaça del Mercat. Here you can visit the Mercat Central, Valencia’s biggest indoor market and a must during your one day in Valencia. Take a look at the Iglesia de San Juan and the Llotja de la Seda (the old silk market). Then take the little alley called Carrer dels Cordellats to arrive at the Plaça de la Companyia where you can take a look at another side of the Llotja de la Seda and the pretty Moorish style doors of the Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús de la Compañía.

Take the Carrer de la Sénia and turn left at the Carrer de la Purissima. Continue this street which will change name into Carrer de Calatrava and turn left at the Carrer dels Cavallers (Calle Caballeros). Turn right into the Carrer de Landerer and continue this little street until you reach the Portal de Valldigna. This is an archway built in 1440 leading into what used to be the old Arab quarter.

Portal de Valldigna

In the old quarter, you can find one of the old wall’s remaining bits here on Portal de Valldigna street. It is an archway built in 1440 leading into what was the old Arab quarter.

This structure is important for historical, cultural, and architectural reasons. From this last perspective, the structure is noteworthy: It consists of a semi-circular arch atop two side pillars

Continue through the Portal de Valldigna via the Carrer del Portal de Valldigna and turn right at the Carrer de Baix. Continue this street passing Plaça de l’Arbre and take Carrer del Pintor Fillol until you reach Plaça del Carmen. Explore the square a little and then turn right into Carrer de Roteros. Continue until you reach Plaça dels Furs where you can find one of the old city gates named Torres de Serranos. Originally there were 12 gates like this. There is another one still standing; Torres de Quart in the West.

Torres de Serranos

The Serranos Towers are considered to be the largest Gothic city gateway in all of Europe, and were constructed at the end of the 14th century by Pere Balaguer as part of the city’s fortification.

They provisionaly housed prison cells and served as a triumphal arch on many festive and solemn occasions. You can enjoy splendid views of the city and the river Turia from its terraces.

Construction on these large guard towers was finished in 1391. They were once the main entrance to the city in the long-since destroyed wall. 

Take the Carrer dels Serrans to the Carrer dels Cavallers and turn left to the Plaça de la Mare de Déu (Plaza de la Virgen). This is probably one of the most famous spots of Valencia, so you can’t miss this during your one day in Valencia. Here you will find the pink basilica, the impressive city cathedral and the gorgeous Turia fountain

Plaza de la Virgen

The Plaza de la Virgen sits on the site that once was the forum of Roman Valencia. It is surrounded by impressive buildings and home to lots of pigeons. You can’t miss the impressive Nuestra Señora 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.

In the centre of the square is a fabulous fountain which represents the irrigation of the Turia River.

Take the Carrer del Palau and continue until you can turn right into the Carrer dels Banys de l’Almirall.

Then continue this street and turn right at the Carrer del Miracle. Cross the street at the Carrer de les Avellanes and take the Carrer dels Cabillers to reach the Plaza de la Reina. Here you can take a look at the prettiest entrance of the cathedral in baroque style.

Plaza de la Reina

The center of the plaza plays host to a small patch filled with flowers and benches, where visitors can take a break and watch the world go by.

The square is lined with an excellent selection of cafes, terraces, and restaurants.

Now cross the Plaza de la Reina in the South direction and take the Carrer de Sant Vicent Martir. Don’t forget to take a look at the Santa Caterina tower on you right on your way. Turn left at the Carrer de l’Abadia de Sant Marti to reach the Marques de Dos Aguas Museum. We didn’t go in but the entrance to this museum is an impressive piece of art, that you may not miss when visiting Valencia.

Marques de Dos Aguas Museum

The Ceramics Museum is housed in the Palacio de Marques de Dos Aguas, a luxurious palace that combines rococco, neo-classical and oriental elements. The unbelievable baroque entrance to the building never fails to impress the visitors. The rich ornament of the building is enough incentive to come here even if you don’t intend to go inside, or don’t have the time !

By now, you must be tired, but hopefully you’ve seen most of the top sights in this fabulous city !

And fingers crossed pretty much back at the the beginning!

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Paul.