Let’s talk about some of the most important reasons why Valencia is famous for being a must-visit city. From the culture to its gastronomy, there are plenty of reasons to visit Valencia. In this article, I’ll be going over my top 10 things Valencia is famous for. So let’s get started!

What is Valencia Famous for? My Top 10. 

The Cap i Casal has tons of hidden – and not so hidden – gems that make it worth visiting. Valencia is famous for being its own Kingdom for centuries. This means that this Mediterranean city has a ton of culture, landmarks, and gastronomy that tourists can admire. 

So depending on what you’re interested in as a tourist – there might be different reasons that bring you to Valencia (looking at you, soccer/football fans). 

That’s why in this article, I’ll be going over my list of the top 10 things Valencia is famous for. These aren’t the only reasons to visit the city. But in my opinion, these are the reasons that made me fall in love with the city. 

And I’ve been living here since 2018 – so these are things that definitely left its mark on me! 

Food (More than just paella)

Let’s start with something everybody loves – the food. 

Valencian cuisine is a rich, diverse type of cooking that takes advantage of the local seafood and centuries of agricultural practices. And even though Valencia is famous for being the birthplace of paella – that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

From a refreshing orxata in the summer to the culture surrounding l’esmorzaret, Valencians take their gastronomy seriously! 

So if you’re a foodie, then you’ll love Valencia. 

La Llotja

The Silk Exchange is one of Valencia’s most famous landmarks. This was the seat of commerce during the Valencian Golden Age, and is one of the best-preserved examples of Valencian architecture. 

La Llotja de la Seda was built in the 15th century, helping Valencia secure its place as one of the most important cities along the Silk Road. Translated as La Lonja de la Seda in Spanish, the Silk Exchange is one of the most impressive landmarks in the city. 

If you visit Valencia, I highly recommend going inside. It’s free to visit on Sundays, so you can enjoy this UNESCO World Heritage Site without spending a cent! 

Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències

Valencia is also famous for mixing medieval traditions with modern, futuristic designs. And that’s exactly how the City of Arts and Sciences (CAC) came to be. 

This enormous complex is comprised of multiple buildings – an opera house, an IMAX theater, a science museum, and Europe’s largest aquarium. The ambitious design was created by Santiago Calatrava, one of Valencia’s most famous architects. 

What makes the CAC so famous is its unique, modernist design. At the perfect angle, the entire complex (and its reflection in the water) looks like a fish. Then each individual building has marine-life symbology. 

To top it off, the outside of all the buildings, as well as the edges of the pools, are made with a traditional trencadís design. This mosaic style is typical in Valencian art and design. It also means that millions of small ceramic pieces were hand-placed over every inch of this miniature city. 

The Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències is one of the most famous landmarks in Valencia and proved that the city is capable of artfully blending the past and the future. 

Note: If you want to visit, I recommend getting the Valencia Tourist Card.

Unique Festivals (Les Falles)

Saying that Valencia is famous for its festivals is a bit of an understatement. Over 1 million tourists visit Valencia each year during Les Falles. 

And remember – there’s only about 800,000 people living in the city, but an extra million come for a 5-day festival. 

Valencians are known for their love of fireworks and celebrations. Seriously, you don’t know fireworks until you see Valencia during Les Falles. 

But it’s not just Les Falles that makes Valencia famous. They have plenty of unique celebrations throughout the year that create a lively, exciting atmosphere all year round. So if you want to really understand the city, you’ll just have to stay year-round! 

La Ciutat Vella

The Old Town is another major reason why Valencia is so famous. The charming and lively historic center is one of most important things to see in the city. La Ciutat Vella still conserves two of the medieval entrances to the city – the Torres dels Serrans and the Torres de Quart. 

You can easily spend a full day exploring every nook and cranny of this labyrinthine neighborhood. 

From enormous squares to unique bars hidden away, this is one of the most interesting places in the city. 

Just remember – La Ciutat Vella has become a tourist attraction. But it is still very much a neighborhood where local people live. So be respectful of the locals when you visit!  

The Gardens

Valencia is full of green spaces, with the most famous being the Jardins del Túria. Also known as the Lungs of Valencia, this is a park that crosses the entire city and ends at the City of Arts and Sciences. 

It is over 10 km long and is filled with parks, recreational zones, and sport complexes. Whether you want to go down the jogging lane or just sit down and have a picnic next to fountain, this is now one of the city’s most beloved spaces. 

This multi-use green space was born after the “Gran Riuà” in 1957 – when the Turia River flooded the city. Officials decided to redirect the flow of the river and turn the old riverbed into a recreational and cultural space. 

So if you want to get out into nature and enjoy the outdoors, it’s never far away in Valencia. 

The Weather

Let’s be honest, there are two reasons why all the British, Dutch, and Germans retire in Valencia. The cost of living is lower (for them), and the weather is amazing. 

With over 300 days of sunlight throughout the year, this Mediterranean city has a warm and welcoming climate. The city itself is also much milder compared to surrounding areas like Xàtiva, for example. The winter never gets too cold and the summer doesn’t get excessively hot. 

So the weather is another thing Valencia is famous for – and something Valencians appreciate very much. 

➡️ Here’s when to visit the city

The Holy Grail

Valencia is also famous for being a likely location for The Holy Grail. Yes, that one. 

While this might sound like an Indiana Jones movie, many religious and history scholars agree that Valencia is one of the most likely locations for the final resting place of the Holy Grail. 

You can go see it at the Valencia Cathedral. Head into La Seu, and walk towards the right. At the end of the hall, there is a small chapel with the Holy Grail placed on display. 

Of course, this is all – allegedly speaking. But it is still one of the biggest reasons why Valencia is so famous. So if you’d like to catch a glimpse of one of the world’s most important artifacts, you’ll just have to come visit Valencia. 

Check here for more things to do in Valencia!

Being the European Green Capital

Let’s look at a modern reason why Valencia is famous. The city was recently recognized with the European Green Capital Award for 2024. 

Thanks to its green spaces and ambitious climate policies, Valencia is a world leader in terms of environmentalism. Valencia is the first Mediterranean city have been given this award, so it sets a big precedence for years to come. 

Now we just have to keep pushing for Valencia to continue being a leader in sustainability and responsible tourism! 

The Language & Culture

Lastly, but most importantly, Valencia is famous for its language and culture. Having its own language (Valencian/Catalan) sets it apart from other cities in Spain. Because in case you didn’t know – Spain actually has 5 official languages. 

But Valencia has a unique culture that you won’t find anywhere else. Valencians are super different from people in Madrid and Barcelona and Sevilla. This makes the city a unique experience that you won’t get anywhere else.

And it’s impossible to condense a description of the entire culture down to one paragraph, so you’ll just have to experience it for yourself!  

Just remember to learn a bit of Valencian for your visit! 

Should you visit Valencia, Spain?

Valencia is famous for its many landmarks, unique culture, and exciting festivals. But that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone! 

I feel like most people would enjoy spending a few days in the city, but every traveler has their own preferences. 

➡️ Make sure to read my guide on whether it’s worth visiting Valencia for you!

Travel Resources

I hope this guide helps you get excited to visit the city! Valencia is famous for many things that made me choose to move here permanently. So this article is just meant to give you a few of my favorite reasons why Valencia is great! 

If you do plan on visiting, here are a few resources to help you plan your trip:

• Where to stay
• How to get cheap flights
• How to get to the city from the airport
• Best restaurants
• Public transport guide 

FAQs