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Valencia鈥檚 North Railway Station isn鈥檛 just a hub for travelers鈥攊t鈥檚 a destination in its own right. As the city鈥檚 main train terminal, it offers daily connections to Spanish cities like Barcelona and Madrid, as well as routes reaching the French border. But even if you鈥檙e not boarding a train, stepping inside is well worth your time.

Completed in the early 20th century, the building is a shining example of Modernista architecture鈥擲pain鈥檚 answer to Art Nouveau. With its clean symmetry and regional flair, it blends function and elegance. The fa莽ade features vibrant mosaics and decorative elements that reflect the spirit and color of the Valencian region. Meanwhile, the interior is awash with natural light and playful design, from stained-glass windows to tiled murals.

Look for the original wooden ticket counters鈥攏ow a rare sight鈥攁s well as ornamental light fixtures and stained-glass windows that filter soft, golden light across the floor. The entire first level is open to the public, while the mezzanine above is used for offices. For practical needs, you'll find a tourist information desk, a luggage storage facility, a small caf茅-bar tucked away near platform 6, and a handful of shops for last-minute essentials or souvenirs.

It might seem a little unusual to include a railway station on your sightseeing list, but in Valencia, it makes perfect sense鈥攅specially with the historic bullring just next door. The two form a unique architectural pairing, contrasting early 20th-century elegance with neoclassical flair. And if you are catching a train, consider arriving early to give yourself time to wander and appreciate the artistic detail. The journey doesn鈥檛 always begin when the train departs鈥攕ometimes, it starts in the station.

Valencia鈥檚 elegant town hall anchors the square that shares its name, a landmark that reflects the city鈥檚 layered history. Construction began in 1758, but the building wasn鈥檛 fully completed until the early 20th century. As a result, it brings together a mix of architectural styles鈥攑rimarily Neoclassical, but with clear touches of Neo-Baroque and Neo-Renaissance, making it a rich visual patchwork of different eras.

Step inside, and you鈥檒l find more than just administrative offices. The building houses the Municipal History Museum, home to some of the city鈥檚 most treasured relics. Among the highlights are the sword said to have been wielded by King Jaime I during the conquest of Valencia, along with the very flag surrendered by the defeated Moors. There are also the ceremonial keys to the city, once held by its medieval rulers, and a beautifully detailed map of Valencia dating back to 1704鈥攐ffering a fascinating glimpse into the city鈥檚 layout over 300 years ago.

Visitors are also welcome to explore the ornate function rooms, complete with sparkling chandeliers, grand staircases, and polished marble. And for those who want a different perspective, the balcony offers a sweeping view over the square below鈥攁 fantastic spot for people-watching or for catching one of the many parades or festivals that pass through the area.

At the heart of Valencia鈥檚 southern Historic Center lies Town Hall Plaza鈥攁 lively space that blends elegance with everyday city life. It鈥檚 flanked on two sides by two of the city's most impressive Neo-Classical buildings: the Town Hall and the Central Post Office, each offering its own visual delights.

In front of the Town Hall, a statue just beneath the clock tower features the city鈥檚 coat of arms held by two nude female figures and topped by a bat. While that may seem an odd choice of mascot, the bat has been a symbol of Valencia since the 13th century. Legend has it that during the Christian reconquest in 1238, a bat landed on the helmet of King Jaime I of Arag贸n as he prepared to take the city from Moorish control. The event was seen as a sign of good luck, and the bat has remained an emblem of the city ever since. Nearby, four statues representing Prudence, Fortitude, Justice, and Temperance embody the civic virtues that guided the city鈥檚 leaders.

On the opposite side of the plaza, the Central Post Office commands attention with its refined 20th-century design. The cast-iron telegraph tower makes it easy to spot, while the fa莽ade dazzles with symbolic sculptures. Five figures represent the continents鈥擡urope, Asia, Africa, America, and Oceania鈥攆lanked by angels delivering messages by train and ship. Down at street level, bronze lion heads serve as dramatic letterboxes, roaring silently as they guard the mail. Inside, a spectacular stained-glass dome brings color and light to the central hall, decorated with the shields of all 48 Spanish provinces.

The square鈥檚 centerpiece is a large circular fountain, surrounded by flower stalls that have been a tradition for over a century. More recent updates have turned the area into a more walkable and welcoming space, with broad pathways, shaded benches, and a large 鈥淰AL脠NCIA鈥� sign perfect for snapping a souvenir photo.

Europe鈥檚 largest covered market鈥攁nd arguably one of its most striking鈥擵alencia鈥檚 Central Market is housed in a remarkable Modernista structure right in the heart of the Historic Center. While it may sit in a highly visited area, this market remains firmly rooted in everyday life, buzzing with locals who come here to stock up on hams, cheeses, vegetables, and fresh Mediterranean seafood. You鈥檒l not only get a taste of authentic local life, but also the chance to discover regional specialties, and maybe even pick up a few souvenirs.

Though built for practical commerce, the building is anything but ordinary. Decorative flourishes in ceramic, brick, and stained glass come together in celebration of early 20th-century design. Look up, and you鈥檒l even spot the red and yellow stripes of the Valencian flag worked into the architecture.

When it opened in 1928, the market hosted over 1,000 stalls. That number has since consolidated to around 700, still offering more than enough variety for a curious shopper or hungry traveler. For the full atmosphere, aim to visit around mid-morning, when the place comes alive with the rhythm of daily trade: voices calling out orders in Valencian, and baskets brimming with fresh produce. If you鈥檙e not heading out to the countryside to buy oranges, this is the place to grab some.

Many stalls sell herbs, spices, dried fruit, and nuts, while others surprise with items like ostrich meat or giant eggs. A separate section is devoted entirely to fish and seafood, and more adventurous food lovers might seek out snails, sweetbreads, or tripe.

Just across from the Central Market is one of the city鈥檚 most beloved landmarks鈥攁 true cathedral of commerce. Known as the Silk Exchange, this grand structure was originally built for the silk trade and later used for broader commercial exchanges. A symbol of Valencia鈥檚 golden age in the late 15th century, it鈥檚 also one Europe鈥檚 finest examples of secular Gothic architecture.

The facade alone is a marvel of craftsmanship鈥攅laborate stone carvings, delicate tracery, and distinctive windows line the walls. You鈥檒l also notice a parade of gargoyles on the balustrades鈥�28 in total, in the shape of winged creatures, beasts, and bats.

A central tower divides the structure into three main sections. Inside the tower, there鈥檚 a small chapel and a former debtor鈥檚 prison鈥攗sed to hold merchants who failed to pay what they owed. To the left of the tower were two key institutions: one overseeing maritime trade, the other an early banking body that helped fund the construction. It鈥檚 well worth venturing inside to admire the ceilings鈥攅specially the Golden Hall upstairs, where a richly painted and gilded wooden ceiling dazzles with scenes of music, prophets, and mythological creatures.

But the soul of the building lies in the Transactions Hall, just to the right of the tower. Here, eight soaring spiral columns support a vaulted ceiling in a room divided into three aisles. Along the walls, a carved inscription proclaims: 鈥淚 am a famous house which took fifteen years to build. See how fine a thing commerce can be when its words are not deceitful, when it keeps its oaths and does not practise usury. The merchant who lives in such a way will have riches and enjoy eternal life.鈥�

When you鈥檙e done exploring, take a moment to relax under the orange trees in the peaceful courtyard鈥攁n ideal spot to catch your breath before moving on with your walking tour.

Housed in one of Valencia鈥檚 most extravagant landmarks, the National Museum of Ceramics finds its home in the Palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas鈥攁n 18th-century Baroque marvel wrapped in layers of ornate fantasy. The entrance alone stops visitors in their tracks: carved from alabaster, it鈥檚 part religious homage, part architectural wordplay. Above the door, a depiction of the Virgin Mary gives way to symbolic imagery drawn from the marquis鈥� title, 鈥淒os Aguas鈥� or 鈥淭wo Waters.鈥� Flanking the doorway, semi-nude male figures recline as water pours from urns, representing the Turia and J煤car rivers, surrounded by swirling vines and lavish vegetation.

Step beyond that theatrical fa莽ade, and the interior more than lives up to expectations. Even if ceramics aren鈥檛 your passion, there鈥檚 plenty here to captivate. The palace rooms themselves are a sensory feast鈥攃olumns twisted with golden grapevines, cherubs, and pink cornices set the tone. One of the highlights is the Carriage of the Nymphs, a real-life Cinderella coach, dripping in ornamental excess. The collection doesn鈥檛 stop there鈥攊t sprawls into canopied beds, antique furniture, rare bookplates, vintage posters, photographs, sketches, jewellery, and memorabilia tied to famed Valencians.

As for the ceramics themselves, the museum holds around 5,000 pieces. The timeline spans from prehistoric and Roman fragments to Eastern imports and striking works by Picasso. Among the finest are medieval pieces from nearby ceramic-making towns, known for their vivid greens, blues, and metallic glazes. Perhaps the most beloved exhibit is a fully reconstructed 19th-century Valencian kitchen, richly tiled and brimming with scenes of daily life鈥攃omplete with images of food and animals.

Valencia鈥檚 second most prominent public space, Queen鈥檚 Plaza lies right at the heart of the city鈥檚 historic center, framed by centuries of history. Initially created in 1878 to mark the royal marriage of King Alfonso XII and Queen Mar铆a de las Mercedes, the area has evolved well beyond its ceremonial origins. Nowadays, it鈥檚 a popular gathering spot, where both residents and travelers pause for coffee, a sweet treat, or simply to soak in the atmosphere.

A visit wouldn鈥檛 be complete without stopping at the Horchater铆a Santa Catalina, where you can sample traditional horchata paired with airy, sugar-dusted fartons. For something savory, nearby tapas bars offer a taste of the region鈥檚 flavors, often with outdoor seating.

Dominating one side of the plaza is the grand Valencia Cathedral, which you can enter through the Baroque-style Door of the Irons. Next to it rises the Miguelete Tower, a 14th-century bell tower that rewards those who climb its 207 steps with sweeping views over the rooftops of the old town. On the opposite side, the Church of Santa Catalina stands tall with its Gothic base and unmistakable Baroque bell tower.

Queen鈥檚 Plaza also marks kilometer zero for Valencia鈥檚 road network, a detail that links it to the ancient Roman infrastructure. When Emperor Augustus unified Roman control over the Iberian Peninsula, he ordered the construction of the Via Augusta鈥攁 1,500-kilometer artery running from the Pyrenees to C谩diz. One stretch of that great road once passed right through what is now the heart of this plaza, making it a literal crossroads of empire, commerce, and time.

In recent years, the area has seen a major redesign. Completed in 2022, the transformation focused on pedestrianizing the space and giving it new life. Vehicles were redirected, the pavement was expanded, and over a hundred trees were planted to brind more shade and colour. Adjustable awnings were also installed, offering welcome relief from the summer sun and making the space even more inviting year-round.

As the centrepiece of Valencia鈥檚 old town, the Cathedral is quite modest on the outside, but full of surprises within. Built after the 13th-century Christian reconquest atop a mosque, it blends styles from several eras. The main body is Gothic, while the side chapels reflect an 18th-century renovation with neoclassical Corinthian columns. Brick walls and bare capitals give the nave an understated, austere quality. But at the center of the building, where the transept crosses the nave, things become more visually arresting. Instead of a traditional dome, an octagonal tower rises, pierced with alabaster windows and ringed by two tiers of pointed arches鈥攔emarkable works of 14th- and 15th-century stonecraft.

Above the high altar, recently uncovered Renaissance frescoes show musical angels in a deep-blue, star-filled sky. Elsewhere, the richly carved walnut choir stalls and the painted altarpiece display vivid biblical scenes. Don鈥檛 miss the alabaster statue of the Virgin known as 鈥淥ur Lady of the Choir鈥�. She is especially revered by expectant mothers, who circle the cathedral nine times in hopes of a safe and healthy delivery.

But the most famous artifact of all lies tucked away in a star-vaulted side chamber: what many believe to be the Holy Grail. Displayed behind an elaborate Gothic screen, the relic is a simple agate cup, dating to the 1st century BCE. It鈥檚 been fitted with medieval handles and has passed through royal and religious hands over the centuries.

The cathedral also houses a museum, where Roman foundations and medieval remains can be viewed in the basement. Upstairs, you鈥檒l find an impressive collection of religious art鈥攊ncluding pieces by Vicente Macip and his son, Juan de Juanes鈥攕howing just how dramatically artistic styles shifted from one generation to the next. Among the highlights are 14th-century carved apostles, early versions of the figures that now adorn the cathedral鈥檚 main entrance.

One of Valencia鈥檚 most cherished religious icons is the statue of the Virgin of the Forsaken, known as the 鈥淟ittle Hunchback.鈥� The nickname comes from the slight curve in her back, a detail steeped in legend. According to tradition, the figure was used during funeral rites for society鈥檚 outcasts, including executed criminals. The statue would be placed atop the bodies, her head resting gently on a cushion, and over time, this repeated posture gave her the appearance of a hunched back. Today, that curvature is mostly hidden beneath rich garments and jewels that speak more of reverence than sorrow.

You can see her elevated above the altar in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken, a church built in the 17th century and dedicated entirely to her. It was the first building in Valencia designed entirely in the Baroque style, and it still radiates theatrical elegance. A covered Renaissance-style walkway connects the basilica directly to the Cathedral鈥檚 high altar, a passage reserved exclusively for clergy.

The statue itself is mounted on a swivel, allowing her to turn and face either the main nave or a smaller side chapel鈥攄epending on the occasion and the intimacy of the moment. This design lets the faithful encounter her gaze whether attending a large service or seeking a quiet moment of devotion.

Just behind the basilica lies a peaceful square that sits atop what was once the heart of Roman Valentia. Through the stone arch formed by the bridge to the Cathedral, you鈥檒l find a couple of lesser-known sites: the City Museum, an art and history gallery housed in a former palace, and El Almud铆n, a medieval granary from the 13th century that once stored the city鈥檚 wheat supply, now used to house exhibitions.

Visitors tend to find their way back to this charming square, drawn in by the constant buzz of activity. Many come to admire the Cathedral or to honour Our Lady of the Forsaken at the pink basilica that bears her name. Once the Roman forum of ancient Valencia, the plaza now centres around an elegant fountain鈥攑erfect for sitting nearby and taking in the rhythm of daily life.

At the heart of the fountain sits Neptune, reclining and watchful, symbolising the Turia River. Surrounding him, eight maidens pour water from their jars, representing the region鈥檚 ancient irrigation canals. Come Thursday at noon, a centuries-old tradition unfolds as the Water Court gathers at the Apostles鈥� Gate to settle agricultural water disputes鈥攁 ritual so deeply rooted in local life, it鈥檚 been recognised by UNESCO as part of humanity鈥檚 intangible heritage.

Each March, during the Fallas festival, the plaza bursts into colour for the so-called 鈥淥ffering of Flowers鈥�. Locals arrive in traditional dress, laying floral offerings at the Virgin鈥檚 feet, transforming the space into a sea of colour and devotion.. And for those lingering a bit longer, nearby terraces serve up local treats鈥攑erhaps a chilled horchata paired with sweet fartons.

One of the last standing pieces of Valencia鈥檚 medieval walls, the gateway known today as the Serranos Towers dates back to the 14th century. Its design was inspired by a monastery in Catalonia, blending solid defensive features with an unmistakable decorative flair. The twin towers, crowned with battlements, seem poised for battle, yet the ornate Gothic stonework above the arch suggests something far more ceremonial. And in fact, it wasn鈥檛 just a fortification, but served as a grand entrance for royalty and visiting dignitaries.

Interestingly, the rear of the structure was intentionally left open. The idea was simple: to prevent the towers from being turned against the city鈥檚 own people in case of revolt. From the square behind, you can spot the chambers that once held noble prisoners between the 16th and 19th centuries. Four stone gargoyles jut from the rear wall, watching over the scene with silent, stony faces.

During the Spanish Civil War, the towers were repurposed as a secure vault, protecting priceless artworks from the Prado Museum in Madrid. Despite the turmoil, they emerged relatively unscathed and remain one of Valencia鈥檚 iconic monuments.

You can climb the winding staircases up to the terraces, where wide views stretch across the old town, the Turia Garden, and beyond. Occasionally, there are exhibitions or small historical displays inside, but the real pleasure is simply moving through the spaces, taking in the craftsmanship and the cityscape beyond the walls.

Well preserved and open to the public, the Serranos Towers have a quiet, welcoming presence, like an old guardian who still takes pride in watching over the city.

Valencianos take pride in the Turia Garden鈥攁 remarkable green ribbon that winds through the city where the Turia River once flowed. After a devastating flood in 1957, the river was redirected south, and the old riverbed was transformed into a 9-kilometre park. Urban planners and landscape designers were brought in to shape each section, creating a diverse mix of lawns, shady walking trails, fountains, orange groves, and palm-lined paths. The park officially opened in 1986 and has since become one of the city's most beloved public spaces.

Among the standout spots in the vicinity are the beautifully landscaped Royal Gardens, a peaceful retreat just steps from the busy Historic Center. Here, you'll find rosebeds, elegant paths lined with trees, and sculptures like the 鈥淔our Seasons,鈥� crafted by Genoese artist Ponzanelli. The gardens take their name from a royal palace once located on the site鈥攐riginally built in the 11th century as a Muslim ruler鈥檚 refuge.

Nearby, there鈥檚 plenty more to explore鈥攕uch as the Botanic Garden, home to 4,500 plant species arranged across 20 themed collections. A bit further along the riverbank, you鈥檒l come across the Valencian Institute of Modern Art鈥攚idely regarded as one of Spain鈥檚 leading modern art institutions. And for those curious about Valencia鈥檚 deep past, the Prehistory Museum showcases everything from tools to undeciphered stone engravings created by early human communities in the region鈥檚 surrounding hills.

To take it all in at your own pace, consider renting a bicycle鈥攊t鈥檚 one of the best ways to discover Turia鈥檚 many treasures.