Weekend in Valencia with admission to the City of Arts and Sciences

Once you arrive in Valencia and leave your bags at your hotel, take advantage of this moment to explore the surroundings of the city and look for a place to have dinner. In the area of Ruzafa you will find many places where you can have tapas or dinner, have a drink and spend the night. It is also the afternoon area so you can see lively people from the afternoon, enjoying the terraces. All in one. It is a very fashionable neighborhood with a great atmosphere. 

Another option is the Carmen neighborhood, another Lively area with charming restaurants and bars in the heart of Ciutat Vella. This historic neighborhood is alive throughout the day: markets, small shops, bars and terraces and, at nightfall, the pubs around Plaza del Tossal become the meeting place for many Valencian men and women. Of course, wherever you go, be sure to drink agua de Valencia, the quintessential city cocktail made with cava, orange juice, gin, vodka and sugar. , or the Valencian beer Turia.

We begin our tour of the historic center of Valencia. The first stop, since its hours are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., will be the Central Marke, It is one of the largest markets in Europe There you will find more than 300 stalls of fresh and local produce, so we recommend that you take time to get to know it. Right next to this market is the Lonja de la Seda, a civil Gothic building declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Inside you will discover its impressive Columnary or Contracting Hall, the Patio de Naranjos and the Torreón. On the ground floor is the chapel of the Immaculate Conception. The two upper floors were destined for the prison of delinquent merchants. It was better to have your payments up to date!

When you leave the Lonja, head towards the Santa Catalina Tower, passing through the Plaza Redonda, < /strong>a square with several souvenir shops that on Sunday mornings becomes a market. The Baroque-style Santa Catalina Tower is one of the city's iconic images and is well worth a visit. Its doors open every day of the week and admission is free. Then, take the opportunity to rest while you have a traditional horchata de chufa and some accompanying fartons in the famous Santa Catalina horchatería, with more than two centuries of experience. Once you have regained your energy, continue walking through the beautiful streets to go through the busy Plaza de la Reina until you reach the Cathedral of Valencia and its Miguelete Tower, right next door. The entrance ticket for both the cathedral and the Miguelete can be bought there. It is not usually very crowded, so you will not find long queues. 

The Valencia Cathedral or Santa María Cathedral is a construction that combines various architectural styles due to the centuries it took to build, as in any building with the same characteristics and dimensions. From the impressive Gothic door of the Apostles, the miguelete and the dome in the 14th and 15th centuries, passing through the different Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical styles, up to the 21st century. Of great beauty, it also stands out for the quality of its paintings by various artists, including Francisco de Goya, for its choir and its main altarpiece. But, without a doubt, the undisputed protagonist of the Valencian cathedral is the Holy Chalice, which is located in the chapel of the same name. This chalice dates from the Alexandrian era and is considered the Holy Grail. Although there are some skeptics due to its medieval appearance, the truth is that the relic is the agate cup, the upper part of the chalice, a beautiful Alexandrian cup of oriental origin that archaeologists consider from the years 100 to 50 BC. Indeed, the lower part (the foot, the handles and the naveta that support the cup), would have been added later, in medieval times. Hence the gold, pearls and precious stones and the Islamic-style alabaster naveta. Skeptics or not, it is an ancient treasure that you should not miss…

Once you finish your visit to the Cathedral, it is time to discover one of the most beloved neighborhoods of Valencia: the neighborhood of Carmen. Located in the Ciutat Vella district, in the heart of the city, it is the authentic historic center of Valencia and one of the largest medieval neighborhoods in Europe. Its name is due to the church of Carmen Calzado, which is located there, next to the square of the same name. In this emblematic neighborhood, you can discover many places and restaurants where you can eat or have a drink, but also a lot of history. Formerly delimited by a Muslim wall, the medieval remains that are currently preserved are the Torres de Serranos and the Torres de Quart. In Carmen, you will find the hundred-year-old Plaza del Árbol, the Portal de la Valldigna and the small Casa de Los Gatos, a must-see. In addition, this neighborhood is known for its street art, bohemian style and its contemporary and modern art museums, including the IVAM, the MUVIM and the Center del Carme. Undoubtedly a place full of life that has it all, even terraces where you can have tapas or eat a good paella. We don't need to tell you that you can't leave Valencia without trying this star dish, one of the best known in the world. In the afternoon, you can take the opportunity to go to Calle Colón, an area full of shops and businesses ideal for doing some shopping. While you're here, on your way to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, a large square surrounded by large buildings, including the Valencia Town Hall. This square is the place of great events and parties. Here the classic mascletás are celebrated in the world-famous, Fallas de Valencia, the most important festivity for any Valencian and Valencian. When night falls, in the center you will find different options where to dine and enjoy the good atmosphere of its streets. If you prefer haute cuisine, on Calle Correos you will find El Poblet, the restaurant with 2 Michelin stars and 2 Repsol suns by Quique Dacosta. If you want to taste their creative dishes, we recommend that you book in advance on their website.