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Valencia Attractions

Valencian Institute of Modern Art
Barrio del Carmen


The Valencian Institute of Modern Art (IVAM) is one of the most famous and popular art museums in Spain and is based in the Old Town area of the city, in the fashionable Barrio del Carmen region. The Institute houses more than 10,000 20th century exhibitions that look at the development of modern art, as well as more recent exhibits in order to present a balanced and broader perspective on the issue. There is also a permanent display of sculptor Julio Gonzalez’s work, after whom parts of the building are named. IVAM presents 25 different exhibitions throughout the year.

 

City of Arts and Sciences
Avinguda Autopista del Saler nº 1, 3, 5, 7 - C.P.46013

Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences is a must see attraction - it is the most popular place to visit in the city. Travelling through the city centre it is hard to miss the extravagantly futuristic looking buildings with their hemispheres and other elaborate shapes. L’Hemisferic section of the City was the first part to open (in 1998) and contains a planetarium, an IMAX cinema and a laserium. The year 2000 saw the opening of the educational Science Museum and L’Umbracle. The latter is a relaxing place to walk and view the surrounding architecture, sculptures and plant life. L’Oceanografic opened in 2003 and, as is suggested by its title, offers visitors a chance to explore an aquarium containing vast amounts of marine life. The most recent addition to the City is the Palau de les Arts especially designed to host gigs, concerts and theatre.
 

Jardin del Turia

Turia Gardens is another of Valencia’s top attractions, particularly in the lovely warm summer months. The seven kilometres of the city centre that the gardens now lie on were regenerated in the 1990s to include various flowers and plants, sports facilities, ponds and parks, and so the area provides an attractive and picturesque setting for tourists to visit. A series of 19 bridges are popular places to enter the garden to provide a time of relaxation and take a breather from the fast moving city while still being in the city.
 

Old Town

Winding streets; museums, churches and markets; shops, restaurant and bars - these things are all to be found in Valencia’s photogenic Old Town. The impressive Cathedral houses the oldest museum in the city and is one of the most popular destinations in the Old Town. Visitors would do well to visit the Santa Catalina bell tower, explore the Plaza de la Reina and the Basilica de la Virgin, or walk through the Gothic 15th century market place La Lonja. The Old Town is an excellent place to visit to soak up some of the culture and to view some of the city’s most impressive sights.



 

Beaches

Sweeping along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea Valencia boasts 19 kilometres of white sandy beaches. The city’s port divides the beaches into two sections - the more urban and crowded beaches of the north and the calmer beaches of the south. The northern Malvarrosa in particular is lively 24 hours each day and has numerous restaurants and leisure activities on offer. There are many opportunities for visitors to get involved with windsurfing, sailing and boating here.



 

Torres

The two towers - Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart - are living proof that Valencia was once protected by a wall. The huge Gothic towers date back to the 14th century, and were used mainly as a trading gate into the city. From the late 16th century through to the late 19th century the towers were used to throw nobility into prison. With the historical importance in mind, visitors can make their way up the towers to look out across the city from the top.

 

La Tomatina
Buñol

One of the more bizarre attractions in Valencia is the annual tomato fight - La Tomatina. Thousands of people flock to the area each August for this slightly strange custom which is part of a week-long festival of music, fireworks, parades and dancing. Participants are advised to wear safety goggles and gloves!

 

Las Fallas

Each year on the 16th of March Las Fallas festival begins. The city is decorated with hundreds of satirical papier mache figures and an impressive of array of fireworks draws in the masses. Over the next two days there are colourful parades and then on the last day - the 19th - there is a bonfire where Spaniards put all their carefully-made figures. The festival proves a big attraction to many outside of Spain who wish to see for themselves what goes on during this time.

 

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