Things to do in Valencia
As one of the most historic cities in Spain, Valencia has much to offer the casual visitor in search of a bit of cultural history and architecture, with many of the must-see sites all conveniently located around the centre, making it easy to visit all of them on foot. The Moorish occupation, the liberation by El Cid and the Spanish Civil war have all left their mark on this often over-looked city.
Perhaps the best place to start for newcomers is the familiar El Miguelete – the bell-tower of the city's cathedral that dominates the centre. From its top you can enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of Valencia and of the countryside beyond in every direction. However, the real attractions of this 14th century building are on the inside, where the cathedral museum offers a range of artefacts to impress even the most amateur archaeologist. Surely the highlight is a chalice that the curators claim is the Holy Grail itself (although its authenticity is of course disputed).
Next is the opportunity to move slightly further forward in time with a visit to the old city gates – now all that is left of the walls that used to act as Valencia's defence against generations of invaders. They're at opposite ends of the city, so it's probably best to choose one, with the Torres de Serranos to the north probably the best bet. The medieval towers are particularly impressive when lit up at night and seen from a distance, but look closer and pock marks left over from the Napoleonic era can be still be found, reminding visitors of their true purpose.
In front of the Torres de Serranos flows the Turia river – diverted now from its original course, leaving a dry river bed the bridges that once spanned the water. The riverbed itself is now home to the futuristic-looking modern building that houses the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of the Arts and Science). An ambitious and impressive complex, this city within a city offers an arts centre and a science museum as well as a planetarium and an 'ocean park' – Europe's largest aquarium. You could easily spend an entire day here and still see only a fraction of what they have on offer. Attracting some four million visitors a year, this is certainly a popular attraction, making an off-season visit a good idea for avoiding the crowds.
For attractions on a slightly smaller scale, Valencia has a wealth of museums and galleries to spend a day exploring. Some of the best are the Museu de Belles Arts, a gallery that includes work by El Greco and Goya among others, and the Museu Taurino – a bullfighting museum which charts the history of the traditional Spanish blood-sport, which is now both famous and notorious in equal measure. However, the insight that it provides into the Spanish culture makes it well worth a visit even for the most ardent animal-lover.
|
Things to Do
