Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, after Madrid and Barcelona. Founded as a Roman colony in 138 BC, Valencia is situated on the banks of the Turia river, on the east coast of the Iberian peninsula.

The city of Valencia has many things to show to visitors, from the historical center that is one of the largest in Spain, spread with ancient monuments, to the the modern and sophisticated side of the town, where the City of Arts and Sciences rises.

If you plan to visit Valencia, you should set up an itinerary and try to visit as many of the below city attractions as possible. You can enjoy part of these landmarks with an organized tour such as Hop-on Hop-off bus tour that you can book while in Valencia.

• City of Arts and Sciences (La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias) – this is a complex of buildings including Museums of Science, Oceanographic, IMAX cinema and an Opera House. With a modern architecture that will surely impress (see photo above), the City of Arts and Sciences is a must visit place
• Plaza del Mercado – this is the home to 3 buildings of interest: the Silk Market (best example of Gothic civil architecture – UNESCO heritage), the Santos Juanes Church (baroque style building) and the Central Market (a vivid market in a beautiful building)
• Serranos Towers (Torres de Serranos) – are considered to be the largest Gothic city gateway in all of Europe, constructed at the end of the 14th century
• San Juan del Hospital – one of the oldest churches in Valencia, built around the year of 1261. You may contemplate the magnificent chapel of Santa Barbara inside the church, along other Gothic style painted chapels
• Fine Arts Museum San Pio V – has one of the most outstanding painting archives in Spain
• El Miguelete – the bell tower El Miguelete is a Gothic style construction made in the 14 century. You can enjoy amazing views from this tower

A fun fact that you should also know about Valencia is that the Turia river was artificially diverted through outside the city after the tragic flood of 1957. The river banks in the city now hosts an amazing park with fountains and pools (Garden of the Turia) and culminates with the City of Arts and Sciences architectural buildings. The park allows cyclists and pedestrians to cross much of the city without the use of roads. The bridges across old Turia river were preserved, cars traversing therefore the park without interfering with the relaxed atmosphere of the place.

Check TripEconomy.com for booking hotel rooms at great rates in Valencia, with an offer of over 250 hotels spread in all the key points of the city.