Viveros Gardens

The first stop on this tour of Valencia is Los Viveros, a compilation of large gardens within the city that also include a zoo. The gardens are situated where the Royal Palace of Valencia once stood before being shot down during the war of Independence. The hill of pines that we see in the Royal Gardens is formed from the remains of the Palace that lie below.

Excavation work has recently begun in order to discover more about the remains of the once royal residence and the court during the time of the Islamic occupation.

Rose gardens, fountains, and ponds contribute to the lovely stroll through Los Viveros Gardens which also makes up its peaceful and graceful setting. It is also significant as it is the place where the city laid its roots during the 20th century.

Monforte Gardens and Alameda

Viveros Gardens leads to the elegant Monforte Gardens where you can further discover more beauty within the city. It began as a private garden of the Valencian banker Juan Bautista Romero, who embellished the area with fountains, statues, and a courtyard exclusively designed by Baron de Llaurí in the mid-nineteenth century.

Here you can find the first lion structures that were used to decorate The Spanish Courts in the Carrera de San Jerónimo. They were originally rejected for their small stature but were acquired by the owner of the gardens who then incorporated them into the decoration. The entrance and courtyard can be used by the public as a stunning location for civil marriages. The Alameda is the path through the city that provides public entertainment throughout the seasons. Marshal Suchet constructed the pathway during the French occupation and adorned the Alameda with statues as tribute to Philip V. The French fountains were added later.

Here everything comes to life and is known as the student spirit of the city. It is the home of the July Fair and is also the host of the Flower Exhibition.

La Exposición and the Bridges of Valencia

Not far away, the Palacio de la Exposición, the Lactancia and Tabacalera lead us all to the period of the early 1900s, a time of modernization and progress in Valencia. The Town Hall evokes the Gothic lines of the Miguelete and the Lonja (the Silk Market) . The Asilo de Lactancia is now home to the Balneario, a spa that uses the thermal waters from a source nearby.

La Tabacalera was originally an industrial building for the Expo of 1909 and later became a cigarette factory. It is now owned by the town and has since been converted into the headquarters of most municipal offices.

From the Alameda you can see the three of the most important bridges of Valencia: the Ponte de la Exposicion Calatrava also called Puente de la Peineta, the Puente de las Flores (always decorated with flowers throughout summer and winter) and the Puente del Mar (not accessible for cars) adorned with statues of patron saints.

Palau de la Música

The musical palace is located in the bed of the Turia River and was the first emblem of the new city.

In the 80’s, it was formerly a run down industrial area but now serves as a theater for the music.

Inspired by the novel Gulliver’s Travels, this park is a perfect area to let kids play and explore their imagination all year around.

City of Arts and Sciences

The City of Arts and Sciences is a series of complex structural beauties that stand out for its excellence. It is a unique space that celebrates and honours the world of science, nature, and technology.

This portion of Valencia is an architectural marvel that will appeal to young and old.