After finishing my trip in Ireland, I flew directly to Valencia, Spain. It was already evening when I landed. I walked outside the airport and waited for a bus into the city.
It was my first time in Valencia, so everything felt unfamiliar. I started asking around—Which bus should I take? Where should I get off? After arriving in the city center, I still had to walk a bit to reach my hostel. But since my phone had no signal, things got tricky.
Luckily, I found a phone shop on the way and bought a SIM card. The guy working there was from Pakistan and warned me that it’s not super safe to walk alone late at night. That definitely made me walk faster! 😅
I stayed at Roomoo Hostels, a super clean and stylish backpacker hostel right in the city center. After a shower and some rest, I was ready to explore the next day.
⛪ Real Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados
Just outside the basilica is Plaça de la Verge, a beautiful square with a fountain and several cafés. Many people love to sit there with a coffee, just enjoying the view of the church.
This basilica is one of the most important religious buildings in Valencia. It’s home to Our Lady of the Forsaken (Virgen de los Desamparados)—the city’s beloved patron saint.
The church was built between 1652 and 1666, with a mix of Baroque and Renaissance architecture. One unique feature is its oval-shaped dome—very innovative for its time. Inside, the ceiling is decorated with stunning frescoes painted in 1701 by court artist Antonio Palomino.
The basilica is connected to the Valencia Cathedral via a raised arch, which makes the two buildings look like one giant structure—showing just how important this site is in Valencia’s religious history.
Inside is a sacred statue called La Geperudeta, which means “the little hunchbacked one” in Valencian. The statue is slightly bent forward, as if she’s looking down lovingly at the people. It’s been worshipped since the 15th century, especially by the sick, the poor, and the lonely.
🏰 Catedral de Valencia
Right next to the basilica is the Valencia Cathedral (Catedral de Santa María de Valencia). I didn’t go inside because you need a ticket, and honestly, after visiting so many churches in Europe, I decided to just admire it from outside and take some photos.
The cathedral was built around 1238, after the Christians reclaimed Valencia from Moorish rule. It was actually built over an old mosque, which explains its blend of architectural styles—Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque, Renaissance—all in one.
Next to the cathedral is its most iconic feature: the Miguelete Tower (El Miguelete), standing about 63 meters tall. You can climb 207 steps to the top for an amazing panoramic view of the city.
The biggest surprise? This cathedral claims to have the Holy Grail—yes, the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper. It’s kept in a small chapel with its own exhibit, and many pilgrims visit it for that reason.
🧺 Mercat Central (Central Market)
If you’re into local markets like I am, Mercat Central is a must. It’s one of the largest and oldest indoor markets in Europe, built in 1914 and officially opened in 1928.
The building is absolutely gorgeous—like a museum itself—with colorful glass windows, ceramic tiles, and an Art Nouveau-style iron dome.
There are over 300 stalls inside selling everything from:
- Fresh fruit & vegetables
- Cheeses, Iberian ham, chorizo
- Super fresh seafood
- Olives, nuts, juice, spices, and more
If you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen, this is the perfect place to grab ingredients. Even if you’re just a visitor, you can snack on local treats or pick up some cool souvenirs like saffron, olive oil, or paella spice packs.
⛪ Iglesia de Santa Catalina
This church is a well-known landmark in Valencia’s old town. It’s located right in one of the busiest areas, near Plaza Redonda and just a short walk from the central market and cathedral.
Originally built in the 13th century, the church has gone through several renovations, so today you’ll see a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.
Its most eye-catching feature is the bell tower (El Campanario)—built in 1688. It stands around 56 meters tall and looks like a fancy wedding cake with its intricate carvings.
🌳 Jardín del Turia (Turia Gardens)
This is Valencia’s most unique park. It’s a 9-kilometer-long greenbelt that runs right through the city—like a giant garden river.
What’s wild is that it used to be an actual river (the Turia River). But after a massive flood in 1957 that destroyed large parts of the city, they diverted the river and turned the empty riverbed into a massive urban park.
Now it’s a place where people jog, cycle, do yoga, play soccer, or just relax. You can walk the whole length and pass famous spots like:
- City of Arts and Sciences
- Palau de la Música
- Bioparc Zoo
- And many scenic bridges
It’s like a peaceful escape from the city—right in the heart of it.
🖼️ Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia
This is Spain’s second-largest fine arts museum, right after the Prado in Madrid. It’s just a short walk from Turia Park.
Originally built as a seminary in 1683, it later became an art museum. The building itself is elegant and peaceful, with a lovely courtyard, classical arches, and calm galleries.
Inside, you’ll find Spanish paintings from the Middle Ages to modern times, including works by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, José de Ribera, and Valencia’s own Joaquín Sorolla.
The best part? It’s free to visit!
🎰 Casino Cirsa Valencia
One night, I decided to check out Casino Cirsa, Valencia’s only legal casino. It’s not flashy like Vegas—more chill and upscale. Even if you’re not into gambling, it’s a cool spot for dinner, drinks, or a show.
I stayed pretty far from it, so I took the bus there. I played blackjack (minimum bet is only €2, which is crazy low by global standards!). I played for hours and… ended up losing over €100 😅
Since it was already late and public transport had stopped, I called an Uber. I thought Uber in Europe would be expensive, but it wasn’t bad—only about €6 for a pretty long ride. Not bad at all!
🏰 Torres de Serranos (Serranos Towers)
The next day, I had no real plans—just wandered around the city. That’s when I stumbled upon the Serranos Towers—one of Valencia’s best-preserved medieval landmarks.
Built between 1392 and 1398, these twin towers were once the northern city gate. The name “Serranos” comes from the road that led to the mountains (Serranía).
The towers are Gothic military-style and were later used as a prison for nobles from the 16th to 19th century. You can climb to the top for great views over the old town and Turia Park.
🍽️ Dinner at Doña Petrona
For dinner, I went to Doña Petrona and ordered a classic: seafood paella. Delicious and comforting after a full day of walking!
👁️ L’Hemisfèric – City of Arts & Sciences
Before wrapping up my trip, I visited the futuristic L’Hemisfèric, part of the City of Arts and Sciences.
Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the building looks like a giant eye reflecting on water—symbolizing the “eye of knowledge.” The architecture is stunning, especially at night with the lights and reflections.
I didn’t go inside, just admired it from the outside. That alone was worth the trip!
✈️ On to the Next City…
That marked the end of my stay in Valencia. Next stop: Alicante!
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¡Gracias y hasta pronto! 🇪🇸✨
Real Traveler, Real Experiences, Real Results. 
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