Valencia is the third largest city in Spain after Barcelona and Madrid. It is located on the western part of the Mediterranean Sea, and the east coast of the Iberian peninsula. Partly due to its beautiful location on the Turia river, Valencia is a very popular city to study and explore for travelers in Spain. With all of the restaurants, buildings, parks, and bridges, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and get lost in the hustle-and-bustle of Valencia. While there are many points of interest that shouldn’t be missed while visiting this city, it might be impossible to see them all but below are three must-sees that can’t be missed.
Float in a bubble while studying abroad in Valencia, Spain. Photo Courtesy of Kaitlin Powers
1. La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences)
This part of Valencia was constructed in 1998, and the modern structures reflect this recent building date. There are beautiful, crystal-blue pools of water, as well as inspiring futuristic buildings. Notable buildings within this “city” include L’Hemisfèric, El Palau de les Artes Reina Sofia, and L’Oceanogràfic.
L’Hemisfèric is in the middle of the City of Arts and Sciences, and is supposed to look like a giant eye. It serves as a planetarium and Imax cinema, and is truly an unbelievable structure. Directly next to L’Hemisfèric is El Palau de les Artes Reina Sofia, which is a 14-story building that is used as an opera house. Finally, L’Oceanogràfic is Europe’s largest aquarium and has various marine habitats on exhibit. What’s more is that for only a few euros you can float in a bubble on the water in front of all of these famous buildings! All of these buildings and the rest of La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias looks like it is on the set of a futuristic movie scene, and it is definitely a must-see on your visit to Valencia.
2. Torres de Serranos (Serrano Towers)
Built in 1394, Torres de Serranos initially served as a defensive structure, but today it is a notable tourist sight. It is one of twelve gates that were part of the old medieval city wall that was built in the 14th century. Visitors can see the remains of the old moat surrounding the towers. Located in the center of town by several universities, Torres de Serranos is a tall, castle-like building that is open to the public. Walk through the tower and admire the architecture, as well as enjoy the impressive view of Valencia once you reach the top of the lookout. It is close to many restaurants, so you can sit and enjoy a tapa while having a great view.
The entrance to the Royal GardensPhoto by Nikki Powers
3. Jardines del Real (Royal Gardens)
A few blocks down on the other side of the river from Torres de Serranos is the beautiful Jardines del Real. These gardens are filled with sculptures, orange trees, benches, walking paths, fountains, and archaeological ruins. The gardens are a perfect place to relax and walk around, especially when the weather is nice. Grab a book, a snack, and some walking shoes then spend a few hours exploring the outdoors in Jardines del Real. It will make you forget you are in the middle of a city!
La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Torres de Serranos, and the Jardines del Real are three must-see sites on a visit to Valencia, Spain. They will provide you with the perfect balance between modern and historic, and indoors and outdoors. The best part is that walking around each of these locations is free (unless you want to enter the buildings in La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias), so save money without missing out on all that Valencia has to offer.
Find a study program in Valencia and get the chance to visit all of these amazing sites!
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