When we arrive at the Serranos Towers, have a look at the green park running in front of you. It looks like an enormous park, but you're actually looking at the old River Turia.
In 1957 Valencia suffered a catastrophic flood. The Turia burst its banks and flooded the city, with at least 81 people losing their lives. The decision was then made to divert the river completely around the southern edge of Valencia, rather than allowing it to continue through the city.
And this is where the story gets rather interesting. Once they had moved the river, they had this enormous dry riverbed running right through the middle of the city. One proposal was to build a huge 12-lane motorway through it. Fortunately, the people of Valencia had other ideas, and eventually the riverbed became the beautiful Turia Gardens we see today.
And the reason this story is still particularly relevant is that Valencia experienced another devastating flood in October 2024. Torrential rain caused catastrophic flooding across the region, particularly south of the city. The disaster was a stark reminder that Valencia still lives with the power of water — even though the original river has been moved.
So when you're walking through these gardens later, remember: you're not walking through an ordinary park. You're walking along the bottom of the river that once flooded Valencia — and changed the entire shape of the city.
And perhaps Valencia's greatest stroke of luck was that when they moved the river, they didn't turn the old riverbed into a motorway. Imagine trying to explain to tourists today: "On your left, the medieval towers; on your right, six lanes of traffic!" 😄
1. 🏰 TORRES DE SERRANOS
Start — 2:00 pm
The Torres de Serranos are one of the great surviving gateways of medieval Valencia. They formed part of the city's medieval defensive walls and were one of the principal entrances into the city.
Built in the late 14th century, the impressive Gothic towers have had several lives. As well as being a defensive gateway, they were later used as a prison. The medieval walls around them were eventually demolished, but the towers survived and are now one of Valencia's most recognisable landmarks.
Take a look back towards the towers before we leave — they give a good idea of how imposing the entrance to medieval Valencia must have been.
2. 🌺 EL CARMEN
Arriving approximately 2:10–2:15 pm
We walk through El Carmen, one of the oldest parts of Valencia's historic centre.
This is an area where old and new Valencia sit side by side. Medieval streets and buildings are mixed with cafés, restaurants, small shops and colourful street art. The neighbourhood forms part of Ciutat Vella and has been shaped by Arab, Christian and medieval influences over many centuries. (Visit Valencia Blog)
Rather than looking for one particular monument here, enjoy the streets themselves. Look up at the balconies and old façades, and down the narrow side streets — some of the most interesting details are easy to miss.
3. ⛲ PLAZA DE LA VIRGEN
Approximately 2:18 pm
Plaza de la Virgen is one of the most beautiful historic squares in Valencia. Around it are the Cathedral, the Basilica of the Virgin of the Forsaken and the Palau de la Generalitat.
At the centre is the famous Turia Fountain. The reclining figure represents the River Turia, while the eight female figures represent the historic irrigation channels that carried water to Valencia's fertile agricultural lands.
Water has played a huge part in Valencia's history and prosperity. The city's famous agricultural area, the huerta, depended on this intricate irrigation system.
This is a good place to stop for photographs and take in the architecture surrounding the square.
4. ⛪ VALENCIA CATHEDRAL
Approximately 2:38 pm
Valencia Cathedral is a wonderful example of how the city has changed over the centuries. Although it is principally Gothic, the building contains Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements.
The three main entrances show this particularly well: the Puerta del Palau is Romanesque, the Puerta de los Apóstoles is Gothic and the main Puerta de los Hierros is Baroque. The Cathedral was built on the site of earlier religious buildings, including a mosque. (Visit Valencia)
The Cathedral is also associated with one of the world's most famous religious objects — the Holy Grail. Valencia Cathedral houses a chalice traditionally identified as the cup of the Last Supper. Whether one accepts that identification is a matter of faith and tradition, but the ancient agate cup itself is certainly of great historical interest.
And look up at the Miguelete, the Cathedral's famous bell tower. It is 50.85 metres high and has 207 steps to the top! (Visit Valencia)
For this walk we are viewing the Cathedral from outside rather than going inside.
5. 🔴 PLAZA REDONDA
Approximately 3:00 pm
Now for something completely different!
Plaza Redonda really is round. The unusual circular plaza was designed in the 19th century and is surrounded by a ring of buildings, with shops and cafés at ground level.
It is one of those little corners of Valencia that is easy to miss if you're simply walking from one major monument to another.
Take a look around the circle and see if you can spot the four streets leading into the plaza.
There should be plenty of time here for photographs before we head for our coffee stop.
☕ 6. COFFEE BREAK
Approximately 3:15–3:45 pm
Time to sit down, have a coffee, use the facilities and have a chat.
30 MINUTES
Please keep an eye on the time because we have one more section of the walk before returning to the coach.
Our important departure time is 3:45 pm.
7. 🥑 CENTRAL MARKET
Approximately 3:50 pm
Valencia's Central Market is one of the city's great Modernist buildings.
The present market was inaugurated in 1928, after 14 years of construction. Its iron, glass, ceramic and decorative details make it almost as much an architectural attraction as a food market. (Visit Valencia Blog)
The enormous central dome rises about 30 metres, and look up towards the roofline for two unusual weather vanes — a fish and a parrot.
The market is still a working food market and is one of the best places in Valencia to appreciate the city's strong connection with food and agriculture.
For our afternoon walk, we will view the market from outside.
8. 🏛️ LA LONJA DE LA SEDA
Approximately 4:00 pm
Opposite the Central Market is one of Valencia's greatest historic buildings: La Lonja de la Seda — the Silk Exchange.
This magnificent Gothic building tells the story of Valencia's Golden Age, when the city was an important Mediterranean trading centre. Merchants came here to conduct business, particularly involving the valuable silk trade.
The building is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is regarded as one of the outstanding examples of late Gothic civil architecture. (Visit Valencia)
Look carefully at the exterior and you'll find some wonderfully strange gargoyles and sculptures.
Inside, the famous Contract Hall has enormous twisted stone columns that look almost like trees.
For our walk, we will view La Lonja from outside.
🚶 9. RETURN TO TORRES DE SERRANOS
Leave La Lonja: 4:10 pm
This is the important part!
At 4:10 pm we leave La Lonja and head back to the Torres de Serranos.
No more sightseeing stops — this is our return section.
We will walk back through the historic centre and El Carmen to where we started.
🏰 4:20 pm — TORRES DE SERRANOS
🚌 BACK TO THE COACH
And that's our Valencia adventure!
In just a few kilometres we've seen:
Medieval Valencia — Torres de Serranos
The historic old town — El Carmen
The River Turia — Plaza de la Virgen
Centuries of architecture — the Cathedral
19th-century Valencia — Plaza Redonda
Modernist Valencia — Central Market
Valencia's Golden Age of trade — La Lonja
