If you would like to concentrate on the history of Valencia with a certified, passionate local guide who knows our history inside and out, then choose the original walking tour of Valencia. There are so many impressive sites in our small but history-packed center, such as the ruins of the Romans’ first city here, Valentia, from 138bc. We will find the Cathedral close by with its 3 doors, all with a different architectural style, which had once been a Mosque that was there for 500 years, next to the most beautiful plaza in the city the Plaza de la Virgen, that has layers of history itself. We will wander down the street of the Knights or Calle de los Caballeros, peeking inside the medieval palaces and even seeing remains of the Moorish walls from before the 12th century. We will take a look at where the river ran around our city, protecting it like a moat, along with one of the medieval towers of entry, still left over, majestically guarding the city still. We will go into our Modernista style Central Market from the early 1900’s and learn about the fascinating history of food here, before talking about and seeing the UNESCO World heritage site of our Lonja Silk Exchange, one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in the world, on a civic building. We will also pause to reflect upon the geographical center of Valencia in the Town Hall or Ayuntamiento plaza and one of the most beautiful buildings, the Palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas. Most importantly, you will not just ‘see’ these sites, you will understand them, see the artistic and functional details on them, know why they are important and comprehend the motives behind everything ever built here and how they are still reflected in our Valencian culture and city today. You will leave us feeling like you really ‘got’ Valencia, or perhaps you won’t leave us at all and you will just fall in love with the city and people, like I did back in 1999, and just stay.

Duration: 2.5 hours or customizable

Meeting Point: Your hotel in the center or a convenient central location

We will meet you at your hotel or city center lodging. If you are not staying in the city center, then we are happy to arrange a meeting point that is most convenient for you, to arrive to walking or by taxi. We usually finish by having an included horchata, the sweet Valencian nut based drink and farton, a sweet pastry,  together either at the Central Market (standing only) or in a traditional horchateria with seats. The tour ends in the center so you may stay around to shop or walk back to enter any of the spots we have seen from the outside only.

This tour includes entrances to ONE of the sites that we see thoroughly from the outside. Usually this site is the LONJA Silk Exchange if you do not tell us otherwise, as it is a UNESCO site, so the most unique in the city. However, you may choose the Cathedral, the Almoina Roman ruins museum or the Marquis Palace if you prefer.

Please note: All of our longer Valencia City Tours include this walking tour AND include private transport. So if you would also like to have a walking tour at the City of Arts and Sciences and/or have a panoramic tour of the many sites not in immediate walking distance of the center, then please let us know so we can add the appropriate time or choose any of our 4-hour+ tours, which include our private transportation.

***For Port Arrivals: You can conveniently get a taxi at your arrival dock or terminal to meet your guide at your agreed upon location. Otherwise, please choose any of our other city tours that last longer and we can pick you up directly at the port.

Inclusions:

• Private Tour of Valencia´s historical center just for you and your party 
• Passionate, friendly and knowledgeable local guide in English or your requested language
• Pre-organized itinerary, having set up the entrances to skip the lines (where applicable) and including any spots of you personal interest if you have communicated that to us
• Entrance into one (1) museum or monument of your choice
• Horchata and farton for each person or an equivalent snack to try

Exclusions:

• Any arrival costs to our meeting point
• Additional museum or monument entrances 
• Additional Food and beverages
• Souvenirs 
• Gratuity (Non-obligatory)