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Valencia Culture & history

Our most recommended Valencia Culture & history

Valencia: Oceanogràfic Entry Ticket

1. Valencia: Oceanogràfic Entry Ticket

Located in the City of Arts and Sciences complex, Oceanogràfic features species from many of the world's key marine ecosystems. Immerse yourself in this unique marine world and travel through the longest underwater tunnel in Europe, visit a family of beluga whales, and come face to face with sharks. Built on 2 levels, the upper floors feature outdoor exhibitions and are surrounded by a magnificent freshwater lake inhabited by pelicans, cormorants, and flamingos. On the lower level, you will find the largest aquariums in Europe, containing representatives of the world’s main marine ecosystems. Discover the Mediterranean, Antarctic, Arctic, Red Sea, and much more. You can meet more than 45,000 aquatic creatures from 500 different species, including belugas, walruses, jellyfish, sea lions, and sharks. When you fancy a break, just head to the underwater restaurant.

Valencia: Old Town Tour, Wine & Tapas in an 11th c. Monument

2. Valencia: Old Town Tour, Wine & Tapas in an 11th c. Monument

Meet your friendly, local guide in the Old Town district, then set out onto the picturesque streets of Valencia. On this walking tour, discover the treasures of the historic Old Town and marvel at the unique blend of architectural styles, which date back through the Roman, Moorish, Baroque, and Gothic periods. Follow your guide through some of Valencia’s most famous plazas, including Plaza de la Reina and Plaza de la Virgen, while learning about their rich-history. Arrive at one of Old Town’s hidden gems next, the Church of San Nicolas, and marvel at the dazzling interior and spectacular frescoes. Later, gain exclusive access to an 11th-century historical monument in the heart of Old Town. Inside, indulge in a delicious 10-course tapas meal that showcases the very best of Valencian cuisine and local produce. Throughout the meal, enjoy a selection of prizewinning regional wines that have been perfectly paired with the food.

Valencia: Principe Felipe Science Museum Entry Ticket

3. Valencia: Principe Felipe Science Museum Entry Ticket

Learn about science and space in an interactive, informative and entertaining way with full-day admission to the Principe Felipe Science Museum in Valencia’s ground-breaking City of Arts and Sciences. The building was designed by Santiago Calatrava in the form of a whale’s skeleton and is designed to bring science and technology closer to the public in an amusing way. Its motto is, "Forbidden not to touch, not to feel, and not to think." Among the exhibitions you are invited to touch, feel and think about are the Electricity Theatre. In front of an auditorium, with seating for up to 50 people, your hair will literally stand on end as a slightly crazy inventor demonstrates the physical principles of electricity Explore more than 40,000 square meters of the Principe Felipe Science Museum’s galleries, and learn more about concepts such as climate change, surveillance technology and biometrics, all in easy-to-understand language.

City of Arts & Sciences Tour with Rooftop Wine & Tapas

4. City of Arts & Sciences Tour with Rooftop Wine & Tapas

On your visit to Valencia, get to know one of the city's most popular attractions and then immerse yourself in an exquisite and original gastronomic experience.  This 4-hour tour starts with a guided visit of the City of Arts and Sciences, a complex of buildings composed of an opera house, a museum, a cinema, a planetarium, and more. The tour is a rich architectural and cultural experience and will be shared by a group limited to 12 people so that it's as personable as possible. Following the tour, you'll head to the rooftop to see panoramic views of Valencia.  Here, indulge in a selection of prize-winning wines and locally-sourced tapas, accompanied by a spectacular 270º view of Valencia’s city skyline and the City of Arts and Sciences complex itself. When the tour ends, your driver can take you to the next place in the city you would like to explore. If you need any help with choosing the best next place to go to, your guides will be happy to help.

Valencia: Cathedral, St Nicholas, and Lonja de la Seda Tour

5. Valencia: Cathedral, St Nicholas, and Lonja de la Seda Tour

Immerse yourself in the charming historic district of Valencia and take an informative stroll through its picturesque narrow roads. Come across impressive local landmarks on a walking tour of the area. Step into the Cathedral, the Church of Saint Nicholas, and the Lonja de la Seda. Meet your guide at the imposing Torres de Serranos, then dive deep into the bustling city center. Discover the ancient walls surrounding the district and walk into the Church of Saint Nicholas. Admire its stunning interior, covered in 2,000 square meters of Baroque frescoes, painted by Dionís Vidal. Continue on to the Lonja de la Seda, a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site. Take in its Gothic architecture, tall and sturdy columns, and geometric roof. Gaze at the busy Central Market just across the road and head toward the Plaza de la Reina. Enter the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, said to hold the Holy Grail in its interior. Discover the Roman ruins of the Almoina, the most relevant archaeological remains in Valencia. Finally, in the Plaza de la Virgen, learn the secrets of the Basilica of the Virgin Mary of the Forsaken. End your journey in this very area.

Valencia: San Nicolas, Silk Museum and Santos Juanes Church

6. Valencia: San Nicolas, Silk Museum and Santos Juanes Church

Make the most of your visit to Valencia with this combined ticket to 3 unique places: the Silk Museum, the Church of San Nicolas, and the Church of Santos Juanes—commonly known as “Saint John of the Market” because of its location next to the market area. In the 13th century, this square was already the main open space in the city. Find out more about each site with an included audio guide available in 5 languages.  After an incredible restoration, the Silk Museum opens its doors to let you discover its history on an extraordinary journey. To speak of silk is to speak of a golden era for Valencia, which led to the transformation of the landscape and the way of life in the city for centuries. Explore all the secrets of the Gremi de Velluters — the silk velvet weavers' guild in Valencia — at the building where they established themselves in the 15th century, now the Silk Museum. With your audio guide, learn about the discovery of silk, the raising of silkworms, the way this luxurious material was produced in the almost 5000 looms around the city, and the success of silk fabrics in the 18th century. One of the oldest parishes in Valencia, founded more than 700 years ago, the Church of San Nicolas is an old Gothic temple reformed centuries later to give it the appearance it has today. While there, admire the beautiful baroque decoration that impresses everyone who visits it. Discover in its interior almost 2,000 square meters (21,528 square feet) of impressive fresco paintings covering its vaults, and marvel at a place known as the Valencian Sistine Chapel.

Valencia Bike Tour

7. Valencia Bike Tour

Discover Valencia's streets, squares, monuments and most important historical sites in less time on a guided bike tour. Combine the old with the new as you cruise past historical buildings like the Quart Towers and new ones like the City of Arts & Sciences.  Meet your guide and get set up with your bike. Start your tour of Valencia by pedaling downhill to the unique Turia Gardens which were created in a former riverbed and stretch for 13 kilometers through the city.  Cycle past the Serranos Towers, a small castle which used to be the former main entrance of the medieval walled city. Cruise past important historical buildingslike the Mercado de Colón, Gardens of the Old Hospital, Pillar Square, and the Quart Towers.  Soak up the atmosphere as you glide by the old university, the Patriarca Church and the Glorieta Gardens. Continue along the former riverbed passing by the Music Hall until you reach the City of Arts & Sciences. Admire this new landmark of Valencia, known for its futuristic white architecture designed by world-acclaimed architect Santiago Calatrava. From here you will head back to the starting point following the riverbed and riding past the Fine Arts Museum.

Valencia: Historical Walking Tour

8. Valencia: Historical Walking Tour

See the highlights of Valencia on a 2-hour walking tour and learn about its majestic history with the help of an official guide. Stroll the atmospheric streets of the Old Town to see key attractions such as City Hall and Central Market. Go to Plaça del Ajuntament – the city's largest public square – to look at elegant architecture, such as the Central Post Office, built to an eclectic design by Miguel Angel Navarro. Marvel at the size of the old bullfighting ring and pass the magnificent cathedral. Look at the historical Silk Exchange and see a fine example of Art Nouveau architecture at the main railway station. Discover beautiful Plaza Redonda hidden among the narrow streets of the old quarter, and be impressed by the monumental city gates of the Torres de Serranos. Ask your guide any questions you have and get tips on what to see and do during the rest of your stay.

Valencia: Old Town Segway Tour

9. Valencia: Old Town Segway Tour

If you want to learn about the wonderful history of Valencia, while enjoying a unique adventure, this is your ideal tour. Visiting the old town of Valencia is something already exciting, now imagine doing it on a Segway! Here is a description of the places we will visit during our Segway tour through the old town of Valencia. Archaeological Museum of Valencia The word museum may not sound very exciting, but in reality it is much more than a museum, it is an ancient Roman square. Today, this ancient square is home to the Archaeological Museum of Valencia, one of the best archaeological centers in Europe. This is a perfect spot to have a panoramic view of the great monuments of the city, which have been declared of historical and artistic interest. Basilica and Cathedral After our trip to the past in archaeological ruins, we will head towards the Basilica, a beautiful building with a blue oval dome, which houses inside it the Patron Saint of the Valencians: La Virgen de los Desamparados, her figure was transferred in 1666 from the Cathedral, which is our next stop. The Cathedral of Valencia has a lot of history and is very peculiar, as it is located where centuries before there was an Arab Mosque. The construction of the Cathedral is a fusion of many architectural styles, which we will discover on our tour. Plaza de la Virgen We will continue to the Plaza de la Virgen, one of the most dazzling and emblematic squares in Valencia. It is surrounded by picturesque buildings, a large fountain, known as the Fountain of Neptune and a wide gastronomic offer of typical foods of Valencia. From the Plaza de la Virgen, we will visit the Palacio de la Generalitat Valenciana, the old town hall of the city. This 15th century palace presents a mixture of architectural styles, including Valencian Gothic. We will continue along Calle Caballeros, a street that has kept its name since 1412 and where noble families used to live. Today this street is home to a variety of stores and restaurants. The small alleys lead to different directions with many hidden wonders, including churches and some incredible street art. We will arrive at the church of San Nicolas, also known as "the little Sistine Chapel of Valencia". It is a historical monument of the city of Valencia, where its vaults have been decorated with fresco paintings. Today it is one of the most visited churches in Valencia. Then continuing along Caballeros Street, we will see the Fuente del Negrito, the first public fountain of the city of Valencia. This fountain is located in the square named after him, La Plaza del Negrito. Portal of Valldigna and Torre Mora We will then pass through the famous Portal de la Valldigna. This passage through the old Muslim wall once served as a gateway to the city through which access to medieval Valencia, a city in which many noble families had settled. We will observe later a tower of the Arab wall that remains standing from Muslim times in Valencia. El Carmen Church and the Contemporary Cultural Center of El Carmen We will continue through the charming Barrio del Carmen, to come across the Iglesia del Carmen. This church has a unique exterior, considered one of the best Mannerist altarpieces in the city. We will then head to the Convent del Carmen, which houses the Museo del Carmen, dedicated to temporary exhibitions and is connected to the Museo de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts). This Convent has its origins in the 13th century, it is one of the oldest parts of the city, you will really feel transported back in time. Nearby is also the famous Plaza del Carmen, a wonderful place, especially at night. Its narrow streets are home to tapas bars, restaurants, shopping and souvenir stores. Serrano Towers Finally, we will head to the impressive Serrano Towers. You will surely have seen them on postcards of Valencia or upon arriving in the city. The Serranos Towers were built in the 14th century and are one of the twelve gates that were part of the old Christian wall of the city of Valencia. Today only two of these twelve gates remain, and the Serranos Towers were and still are considered the main entrance to the city of Valencia. After our trip back in time to medieval Valencia, it's time for a little more adventure with our Segways. We will ride down the old Turia river towards the Viveros Garden, the green heart of the city. Here there is a perfect circuit to ride our Segways and conclude our tour with the best energy.

Valencia: Anna Alhambra and 3 Waterfalls Guided Tour

10. Valencia: Anna Alhambra and 3 Waterfalls Guided Tour

Discover the Valencian interior and its historic cities. Anna, the second city of the old kingdom and famous because of its palace. Chella, which is an ancient city on the riverside and the old textile capital of the region, and bigs waterfalls, a surprising jewel with beautiful historic sites, such as the Cervelló Palace, usually called “The Valencian Alhambra”. Discover the interior of the Valencian Community, its mountainous landscape and its lesser-known and well-preserved historic cities that will surprise you. Anna was one of the most important historical cities, full of palaces and heritage, the place where the famous Cervellón family was born. We will walking by palace whit beautiful landscapes and views. Where there is a palace restored by artisans brought from Morocco, making carvings, art and gardens that have given it fame and is known as 'the Valencian Alhambra’. We will continue visiting Chella, a city with an old textile industry. Finally we will visit a big waterfalls, more 60 meter. We retorn to Valencia´s hotel

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What people are saying about Valencia

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 534 reviews

It was great for all of us: me, my sister, mom and 2 children. We enjoyed every minute of it and spent there almost all day. There were great views, beautiful locations, wonderful animals. The dolphins, belugas, gigantic turtles, sea lions... If you like animals, you'll love that place. When we finished the excursion, we went to the favourites once again. The one thing that is not great - is the price. It's too high for me and my family.

We loved are experience. It was very informative and loved learning about the oddities of the the architect. As for the food and wine, they were amazing. We had a great group of people and wish the night could have continued. Our guide Kate was amazing.

A lovely tour through the old city centre! Our guide, Tuathla, was lovely and explained everything in a very nice way. The tapas and wine afterwards was amazing. Our group was very nice.

Absolutely amazing experience. We would highly recommend this for both adults and children. It was very educational. Loved every minute!

Wonderful and informative and you get to see the beautiful architecture and history of the city, would highly recommend!