2025 - April - Valencia - Old Town

Part 4: Valencia's Old Town

My first three parts about Valencia were dedicated to modern architecture – but there is also a beautiful old town to discover.

You will probably enter through one of the two remaining city gates. We passed through the impressive Serranos Towers. Climbing them is also possible – and it truly only costs two euros. The view is fantastic, but there is already a sign at the ticket office warning about the 132 steps. Did I ever let that deter me? Of course not.

With your ticket, you can also visit the Cathedral (Catedral de Valencia). Here you pay 9 euros, but you get a free audio guide. It will guide you directly to the main attraction: the Holy Grail! It is said to be the real one, at least according to the audio guide – and Jesus is said to have drunk from it. Several popes have therefore stayed here.

For free, you can visit the Centre del Carme. Although it is centrally located, it is almost a hidden gem. It is not overcrowded, the art is truly worth seeing, and the romantic garden invites you to relax. A real treasure.

By the way, Valencia also has a UNESCO World Heritage Site: La Lonja de la Seda, the old silk exchange. A Gothic grandeur with twisted columns and a lot of history. Unfortunately, we didn't have the opportunity to view the silk exchange from the inside.

Instead, we visited the Mercado Central, supposedly the largest single-story market hall in Europe. The building itself is already worth a visit – Art Nouveau with a glass dome, curved shapes, and colorful tiles.

A tip from our tour guide about the market hall:

If you really want to shop, go into the side aisles – that’s where the locals shop. The main aisles are more for tourists. However, during our visit on Easter Saturday, it was crowded everywhere – too crowded for my taste.

We preferred to drink cold almond milk from a cart outside. This “Horchata de Chufa” is available all over the city. Its taste is somewhere between nutty and sweet – and a true Valencian refreshment.

Just like the alcoholic Agua de Valencia, which is available everywhere here. It’s a mix of Cava (Spanish sparkling wine), orange juice, and gin. So, it has little to do with “agua,” or water.

Not enough yet?

Then read Part 5, where we experienced a procession on Good Friday that ended right at the beach: To the final part.