If you can spare the time, we highly recommend staying in Valencia for a few nights at the start or end of your tour. Valencia is Spain's third largest city and elegantly combines history with modernity. It has excellent museums, stunning architecture and the largest city beach in Europe!
Below are just a few of the highlights that you can visit in the city:
Torres de Serranos
Torres de Serranos are the imposing towers that were built in the 14th century as the entrance to Valencia's historic center. Today they remain an impressive entrance leading into the narrow streets of El Carmen neighbourhood.
Medieval Valencia was one of the most important cities in the Kingdom of Aragon, and was known to have a particularly volatile population, with several uprisings and riots recorded around this time. Given the volatility, perhaps it is not that surprising that the
Serrano Towers soon became used as a prison for aristocrats who had fallen foul of the law.
La Llotja (Silk Exchange)
La Llotja was Valencia's trading market or silk exchange. Dating from the early 16th century, the large hall is a UNESCO World Heritage listed building as a result of its intricate gothic style.
Merchants would arrive at Valencia's port and head to La Lonja to agree contracts for silks, spices, cloth and various other products that were arriving to Spain from across the Mediterranean.
City of Arts and Sciences
The City of Arts and Sciences is the modern face of Valencia. Designed by the local architect Santiago Calatrava, the complex contains a series of stunning buildings, which together form the layout of a ship when viewed from above.
The various buildings house a science museum, a large marine aquarium, an opera house and several other exhibition centers. They are situated in the Turia Gardens - a large park that runs for 10km through the city and is constructed in the old river bed.
Plaza de la Virgen - Ancient Valencia
Plaza de la Virgen is at the very center of Valencia. The impressive cathedral, containing a mixture of gothic, renaissance and baroque styles is situated here. So too is Almoina - which are the ancient ruins of Roman Valencia (or Valentia as it was known back then).
The city of Valentia had a chequered relationship with the Mediterranean superpower. The city was destroyed in the 70s BCE at the hands of the celebrated general Pompey the Great, after it backed the wrong horse in a Roman civil war. But it was swiftly rebuilt and today you can visit the remains of several
warehouses, a basilica and two of the main streets that crossed the center of ancient Valentia.
Cabanyal Beach
Situated a few miles to the east of the center, Valencia is home to the largest city beaches in Europe. Cabanyal beach is the most popular and has a delightful boulevard lined with restaurants and various sports facilities.
The beach itself is extremely wide and continues for over 5km, making it easy to find a nice spot all to yourself. The drop off into the sea is also very shallow here, making it great for bathing in the warm waters of the Mediterranean.
The neighbourhood of Cabanyal is itself an interesting part of the city to visit. Colorfully decorated houses line the streets, which belonged to fishermen in the early 20th century; and it is a barrio with a very relaxed feel.
Paella Valenciana
Valencian cuisine is another highlight of a stay in the city. The most iconic dish is paella - which has its origins in the Albufera rice fields to the south of the city. Traditional Valencian paella (Paella Valenciana) is made using chicken, rabbit and beans. Snails are also sometimes added!
Nowadays arrosserias (restaurants specialising in rice) serve a wide variety of dishes, including seafood paella and the rather intimidating looking Arros Negre - made with squid ink.
In Valencia you can also find restaurants specialising in all different types of national and international cuisine, so there is something for everyone. Another local speciality that is worth trying is the refreshing horchata drink, made from tiger nuts.
If you wish to add some nights in Valencia as an extension to your tour, please enter the details on the tour reservation form, or contact us to discuss your options.
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