In addition to the best known places in the city of Valencia, there are many other monuments that can be visited.
I recommend these alternative routes in Valencia if it is not the first time you visit the city or if you want to do a somewhat different route.
Start the route that we propose today in the Quart Towers: access this old Christian gate of the city built in the 14th century in the purest Gothic style. It is one of the two remaining gates of the city of Valencia.
Continue along Calle Quart, into Calle Caballeros and arrive at Plaza de la Virgen. Almost 100% of tourists who come to Valencia visit the Cathedral, but few of them visit the BasÃlica de la Virgen de los Desamparados, so I strongly recommend you not to miss the opportunity to enter.
Valencians are truly fervent about their patron, which you will find in this basilica. The frescoes inside were painted by Antonio Palomino in 1701. Don’t miss the bronze side door of the Basilica, which opens into Passatge Emili Mª Aparicio Olmos, a street that didn’t have a sign until 1994.
Once you have visited the basilica you can go out the back door and you will find La Almoïna: an archaeological centre where the first remains of the city of Valencia can be found.
Tips: Discover all the secrets of the Roman period, such as the first name of the city and when and why it was founded at that point.
In front of this great museum, you can access El AlmudÃn: the old wheat warehouse, converted today into an exhibition hall, open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00. On Sundays and public holidays they only open during the morning. Do not hesitate to visit it, even if only to enjoy its oil frescoes.
About 100 meters from El AlmudÃn is the Church of San Esteban, in my opinion one of the most beautiful in Valencia, along with the Church of El Patriarca. It is a Baroque church where the daughters of El Cid were said to have married and where San Vicente Ferrer, who would later become Patron Saint of the City of Valencia, was baptized in 1350. You will only find it open during the celebration of specific religious events or during mass.
Tips: Do not miss either St. Nicolas Church
Behind a small square is the access to the Crypt of San Vicente Mártir, which you can also visit, check his schedule here. For more information you can also read the article about the saint. In the same square, called Plaza del Arzobispo (Archbishop’s Square), you will find the Palacio del Marqués de Campo (Palace of the Marquis of Campo), which dates back to the 17th century and is currently the headquarters of the Valencia City Museum, where you can visit different temporary exhibitions and, above all, admire its architecture.
Tips: Continue to one of my favorite places in the city: Baños del Almirante
Walk towards the Baños del Almirante (“Admiral’s Baths”): reopened in 2014. Interestingly enough, the building was used as a public lavatory until 1959, when it closed its doors after 6 centuries of use. It was built in the Christian period and maintains the structure of the Arab bath houses.
To finish this tour and if you are looking for a place to have lunch near the Admiral’s Baths, you will find one of the best restaurants in Valencia, whose architecture will not leave you indifferent. Inside you will find part of the Arab wall of the city built in the 11th century, which was never completely demolished. The restaurant is called “Sucede”.
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