These churches in Valencia are a wonderful showcase of the city’s history, unique architecture, and culture. These landmarks are some of the most impressive ones to see. And they stand out amongst a sea of other churches to see. So let’s look at which ones offer the most unforgettable experience.

Top 3 Valencia Churches You Can’t Miss

I always tell people that there are 3 churches that you HAVE to see. All 3 of them are very different, so it’s a great way to speedrun the city if you’re short on time. 

The 3 best churches in Valencia are:

• The Cathedral (La Seu)
• Sant Nicolau
• Sant Joan de l’Hospital

Since they’re all so different, it’s a great way to get a unique experience. Every time I take someone on a guide, I always recommend looking at these 3 churches first. 

So let’s look at the best churches in Valencia:

Looking for other things to see? Check out these resources:

• Free museums in Valencia
• Things to do in Valencia
• Best tours in the city 
• Fun facts about Valencia, Spain

The Cathedral

Entry fee: €9 (includes audio guide) + €2 to climb the Micalet
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00-18:30, Sundays 14:00-18:30

Naturally, the cathedral is the most impressive church in Valencia. Spain is known for having very well-preserved cathedrals, and this building is no exception. 

La Seu de València and El Micalet (the tower) are undoubtedly an emblem of the city. 

Built between the 13th and 15th centuries, this magnificent structure showcases various architectural styles, from Romanesque to Gothic and Baroque. In fact – each of the 3 doors to the Cathedral use a different style! 

It was built overtop a mosque, which was built overtop a Roman church, which was built overtop a Visigoth religious site. So there is more than 2000 years of history to this building!

And to top it off – it’s allegedly the home of the Holy Grail. (Yes, THE holy grail). It also hosts several other important religious relics and an entire museum — so it’s absolutely worth the visit. 

Pro Tip: If you get the Valencia Tourist Card — you actually get a 20% discount off the entry! 

Sant Nicolau

Entry fee: €11
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10:30-19:00, Sundays 13:00-19:00

The Church of San Nicolás de Bari is the DEFINITION of baroque opulence. It’s colloquially known as Valencia’s Sistine Chapel due to the sheer amount of mind-blowing decorations. 

Seriously – you walk in and you can’t stop looking everywhere! 

What I love about this church is all of the storytelling details. And since you get a great audioguide that explains what you need to see — you won’t get lost, either! 

And while it’s the most expensive church to visit (€11) — I truly think it’s worth it. You’ll see impressive artwork, learn more about Valencia’s history, and see one of the best churches in all of Europe. 

Recently restored to its former glory, the Church of San Nicolás is often called Valencia’s Sistine Chapel due to its spectacular frescoed ceiling. This Gothic church with Baroque decorations showcases some of the most impressive religious artwork in Spain.

(sometimes the timetables change, so make sure to check their site!)

Sant Joan de l’Hospital

Entry fee: FREE – but you may donate if you wish.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9:30–13:30, 17:00–20:00 & Saturday 10:00-14:00

Finally — one of the best churches in Valencia is also the oldest. This Templar church was built in the 13th century, immediately following Rei Jaume’s conquest of the city.

It is a Romanesque church with a medieval courtyard and several Gothic chapels. 

The reason that I tell people to add this church to their top 3 list in Valencia is simple. It’s a very simple, yet humbling church. While it doesn’t have the overwhelming details that you’ll see in the cathedral of San Nicolás — it is still incredibly impressive. 

Just the height of the ceiling, the openness, and the size of the church will leave you in awe. And if you’re like me — it’ll also make you question HOW they managed to build something this large 800 years ago.  

With these 3 Valencian churches, you’ll get a great overview of the architecture. All the other churches in Valencia will follow one of these 3 landmarks. 

Other Churches in Valencia to See

Now if you have more time, there are plenty of other churches to see in Valencia. Spain is known for having a church in every neighborhood — so you won’t run out of sights to see!

So my recommendation is to briefly wander into any church you see! But in case you want some guided wandering, here are some other ones to check out:

Sant Joan del Mercat

Entry fee: 7€

Also known as the Church of Santos Juanes, this Baroque church sits beside the Central Market. Its exterior features impressive baroque sculptures, while the interior houses valuable frescoes.

This is a church that’s been under renovations for years. And they’re just NOW finishing things up. So after 6 years of living here, I finally got a chance to visit the (almost) completed project. 

And it’s definitely worth the visit! If you’re someone that loves seeing architecture and art, then this is a must-see!

Don’t forget — you get an exclusive discount if you have the Valencia Tourist Card!

Església del Patriarca

Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00-14:00

The Royal College of Corpus Christi features a beautiful Renaissance church with remarkable frescoes and an important collection of relics.

And a dragon!

Well, really it’s the preserve corps of an alligator. 

But they call it a dragon! 

This church is in a beautiful plaça next to the original University of Valencia campus. It’s a very unique church in Valencia with a funny story. So I highly recommend stopping in, if not just to see the dragon. 

Note: The opening hours are from their official times… but sometimes they seem to just do whatever they want 😅

Església de Sant Esteve

Entry fee: Free
Opening hours: Open during mass times

One of Valencia’s oldest parish churches, Sant Esteve combines Gothic architecture with baroque decorations. This is a hidden gem that I’ve stumbled across recently. So highly recommend checking it out! 

It’s just a 3-minute walk south of the Cathedral, so if you’re doing a church tour, it’s easy to get to. 

It’s another one of the oldest churches in the city, existed right after the conquest of Valencia in 1238. 

Fun fact: this is where Sant Vicent Ferrer was baptized –  the patron saint of Valencia. You can still see the fountain when you go in, and there is a mosaic on the outside of the church that depicts the scene. 

Valencia Travel Resources

Taking a cultural visit to see the best churches in Valencia is a great way to see the city’s history! I hope this guide helps you figure out which ones are the most important to see. 

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

And in the meantime, make sure to use these guides to help you plan your visit:

• Do you need the Valencia Tourist Card?
• How to get from the airport to the city center
• Best hotels in Valencia
• Best tours in the city
• Where to park
• Top 10 things to see 
• Restaurant guide