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Looking to find the most stunning buildings Valencia has to offer? You´ve come to the right place. Valencia is known for many things. A warm and sunny climate, a variety of tasty Spanish foods, and breath-taking architecture. From the Old Town´s colourful buildings and cobbled streets to the impressive City of Arts and Sciences. Valencia doesn´t disappoint!
In this blog post we´ll give you a rundown of just some of the most beautiful buildings in Valencia including our personal favourites…
Torres de Serranos
These medieval towers are known for being one of the most well-preserved historical monuments in Valencia. Dating back to the 14th century, the Serranos Towers were created to defend Valencia´s city gates. Today, the towers are a must-see landmark, just a stone´s throw away from the Old Town.
You can visit The Torres de Serrano throughout the year on every day of the week, apart from Mondays. If you´re looking for a spot to take rooftop photos, it´s well worth braving the many steps to the terrace. There, you can get an incredible view of Valencia´s Old Town on one side and Turia Park´s riverbed on the other side.
Plaza de la Virgen
Plaza de la Virgen boasts some of the most beautiful and historic buildings in Valencia. In the heart of Valencia´s Old Town you´ll find the cathedral and a host of religious monuments. There, you can take a step back in time away from the usual routines of modern life.
You´ll see there are many benches and a fountain you can sit by. If you´d like a drink or a bite to eat, there are many cafes and restaurants with terraces nearby. Perfect for taking in the ambiance of the Old Town.
El Miguelete
El Miguelete is Valencia´s most famous bell tower, created in fourteenth-century gothic style. The architects were Andrés Anreuthors who worked on Valencia´s Cathedral and Pere Balaguer, who created the Serranos Towers.
If you´re brave enough to venture inside, you´ll find a huge, spiraled staircase with 207 steps! Not for the faint-hearted but it´s well worth the climb to see incredible panoramic views of the city. The building is open every day until 7PM during the week and 7.30pm during the weekend. Depending on the month you visit, you may even be lucky to catch a sunset. And there´s no better time to take in a view of the city!
Lonja de la Seda
Known as the Silk Museum in English, this building was established between 1482 and 1533 by Spanish architect Pere Compte. It´s known as one of the most striking examples of Gothic civil architecture in Europe. In fact, it´s so impressive, it was actually made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.
The outside of the building is magnificent, but the inside is even more so! That´s why it´s a great idea to explore inside of the silk museum itself. There, you´ll see intricate columns and arch designs that cover the ceilings. You´ll also find a wonderful inner courtyard lined with orange trees.
Mercado Central de Valencia
Mercado Central offers some of the best fresh foods in Valencia. It´s open from 7.30am to 3pm, every day of the week apart from Sundays. If you´re looking for a change from local supermarkets, you can head to Mercado Central for fresh fruit and veg, meats and cheeses, plus more.
Of course, people don´t go there only for the produce. The architecture itself features stained glass windows, intricate designs, and a dome-shaped roof. Both the inside and outside of the market are instagrammable! Surrounding the market, you´ll find a wide variety of restaurants with terraces. You can of course grab a bite or drink from the market itself. There, you can expect fresh pastries, coffee, juices, and horchata!
Mercado de Colón
Another market that needs to be on your Valencia bucket list is Mercat de Colón.
Established in 1914 by Francisco Mora Berenguer, this emblematic modernist building is set in the heart of the city. There, you´ll be greeted by tall columns reaching the roof, and archways with clear glass windows. Amongst these elaborate structures, you´ll find chic cafes, restaurants, elegant shops, and flower stalls. Perfect if you like classy surroundings as you enjoy all the delights on offer.
Plaza del Ayuntamiento
In this plaza, you´ll find Valencia´s City Hall. It´s one of the city´s largest open squares and is lined with palm trees, a large fountain, and plenty of benches. Ideal if you´re looking for photo opportunities or a place to sit and people-watch. It´s also a pleasant area to walk around if you don´t mind the hustle and bustle.
Another beautiful building you should check out in the area is the main post office, Oficina de Correos Valencia. Many of the buildings in the square date back to the 19th and early 20th centuries. So, you can get a taste of traditional architecture while staying close to lots of popular shops and restaurants. Making Plaza del Ayuntamiento a great spot for soaking up the atmosphere.
Banco de Valencia
El Banco de Valencia is more than just your average bank. Architect José de Astiz Bárcena constructed the building which officially opened in 1918. If you´ve visited New York before, the bank´s shape may remind you of the flat iron building.
The building has a classical style and is surrounded by palm trees in the buzzing centre of Valencia. It´s worth taking a walk around the area and checking out many of the nearby attractions. But the unique shape of this building makes it an attraction in itself!
Estación del Norte
If you´re looking to explore outside of Valencia, you may find yourself at Estació del Nord. But even if you´re not traveling anywhere, it´s worth a visit. If you´re a lover of great architecture, then you´re sure to appreciate the station´s facade.
The building dates back to August 8, 1917 when it was created by Demetrio Ribes, a Valencian architect. It features modernist style with plant motifs and oranges along with an eagle on top. The eagle symbolizes speed, so a great choice for a train station!
Because the outside of the building is so ornate you may find it´s enough just to take photos of the outside. But we encourage you to also take a stroll inside the station to get the full commuter experience.
Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas
Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas is truly stunning! The exterior is rich in symbolism and features unusual arched windows with light goldish tones and stone textures. Its intricate carvings depict religious themes, including the Virgin of the Rosary above the entrance.
While many buildings boast beautiful doors in Valencia, the marble entryway at this building is the most ornate you´ll find. Although the outside of the Palacio del marqués de dos aguas is something to behold, you must also go inside to view the elaborate palace interior and ceramics.
Casa Judía
Casa Judia is one of Valencia´s hidden gems that may not find its way onto many must-see lists. But it´s worth checking out if you enjoy unusual buildings. Its art-deco style and neo-Egyptian influences make it a unique find. Particularly in Valencia, you won´t see another building quite like it!
It was built in 1930 by Juan Guardiola Martínez, a Valencian architect. Sadly, you can´t explore inside the building, so you´ll have to be content with photos of the outside for Instagram. Casa Judia also isn´t far from the popular Ruzafa area so you´ll have an excuse to stroll around the quaint shops or sip on a cool drink in a cool bar.
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
Learn more about the most beautiful buildings in Valencia
One of the many reasons people love living in Valencia is the local architecture. If you´re keen to learn more, you can find out about the history here.
If you´ve set your heart on buying your own property in Valencia, we can help you to find your dream home. Whether you already have your eye on a property or you´re just starting your search, we offer a range of services. These include financial and legal advice, interior design guidance, plus more.
Contact us to find out how we can help make your dreams of living in Spain a reality.
