ShoreTrips says...

Valencia is Spain's third largest city and is the capital of the Comunidad Velenciana region of the country. It is the venue of the 2007 America's Cup yachting regatta and is where the Holy Grail makes its home. It is a vibrant and friendly place that is constantly growing in every way. We loved this city.

Since it was founded in 138 BC, a visit to the historical City Center signifies a journey through time and the civilizations and cultures that have lived in Valencia since then.

The best way to explore the old city is by walking. You will feel instantly comfortable with your guide, as well as the old city itself when you arrive.

Your tour begins in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, where your guide will be waiting for you. After a brief introduction to the area, you'll begin a mind-blowing journey that will take you back to the 15th century. As you leave the Main Square, the tour continues to the art nouveau Central Market. Constructed in 1928, this must-see building is a kind of temple of fresh products. It is a swirl of smells, movement, and colour.

Next, you'll pass by one of the most astonishing gothic civil buildings in the world, La Lonja, or “Old Silk Exchange,” which was declared a World Heritage monument by UNESCO in 1996. You'll continue to the “round square,” a charming plaza where you can still experience an 18th century environment with all kinds of handcrafts, ceramics, wrought iron items, and other souvenirs.

On the way to the Cathedral, a microcosm of the city's architectural history, you'll see one of the most beautiful Spanish bell towers, that of Saint Catherine’s church. You'll also see the façade of the National Ceramics Museum, considered to be the most astonishing baroque facade of Spain. You'll then view the exterior of the Cathedral of Valencia, which is like an art history book. Building started there in 1262 and the current building reflects various styles from Romanesque to Renaissance to Gothic to Baroque.

The Plaza de las Virgin, once the forum of Roman Valencia, is the heart of the old city, with remains of the Roman forum, the basilica, the cathedral, the Renaissance Palace of the Regional Government, and the start of Caballeros Street, which is full of manors and palaces where the King’s knights used to live.

Finally, you'll also get a chance to pass by the Benicarlo Palace, the Valencia Region Parliament, and the former residence of the Borggia family in Valencia.

This is a wonderful city for a walking tour and you will feel its charm immediately.