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One of the best things to do in the Old Quarter of Valencia is to walk along the old tiny winding souk-like streets which are a reminder of the city's old Moorish past.
Museums, churches and markets abound and you'll have the distinct feeling of being transported back in time.
This is the real Valencia. It's not only the history, it's the thriving restaurants, cafes, bars and nightlife which are at the heart of this beautiful city.
One of the best things to do in the Old Quarter of Valencia is to stop at one of the many cafes, restaurants or bars and sample a feast of tapas, paella or freshly caught seafoods.
Santa Catalina Church and TowerPlaza de Santa Catalina
As well as being a local landmark, the beautiful Santa Catalina bell-tower also marks the entrance to many of the best things to do in the Old Quarter of Valencia.
La Seu/Catedral (Cathedral of Valencia)
Plaza de la Reina
One of the most popular best things to do in the Old Quarter of Valencia is to visit the Cathedral. It has the oldest museum in the city (Sala Capitular), which contains the Holy Chalice of Valencia. This is the official chalice used by Christ on the last supper - the very sacred Holy Grail.
This medieval and very beautiful Cathedral has three doors. The Puerto de Palau is Romanesque, Puerto de Hierros baroque, and Puerto de los Apostolès gothic.
Entrance to the Cathedral is free.
A guided tour of the Cathedral and museum costs 3 euros and entrance to the museum of the Cathedral is 1.50 euros
Apostles DoorIf you're around Puerto de los Apostolès on a Thursday at around 12.00 noon you're in for a treat. This is just another of the best things to do in the Old Quarter of Valencia.
The Tribunal de Las Aguas (Water Tribunal) is held outside this door of the Cathedral by local farmers, dressed in traditional clothes, to solve their irrigation problems. This is done in the very same way as it was done over a thousand years ago!
Enjoy a delicious ice-cream, pastry or drink on the terrace of Bertal's ice cream parlor (opposite the Cathedral) and you will also see a huge painting hanging inside of the old Tribunal de Las Aguas.
Plaza de la ReinaAs well as being full of restaurants, bars, cafés and ice-cream parlors, Plaza de la Reina is the place to hire a horse and carriage.
This is definitely one of the best things to do in the Old Quarter of Valencia especially if you're feeling tired and just want to relax and travel the Old Quarter in style!
El Micalet/El Miguelet
El Micalet is the bell-tower attached to the Cathedral.
If you can climb the 207 steps inside El Micalet, you'll be rewarded with fantastic views of Valencia.
Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados
(Basilica of our Lady of the Forsaken)
Plaza de la Virgen
Just go through the archway attached to the Cathedral and you'll come to the Basilica of the Lady of the Forsaken which is the sanctuary of the Little Hunchback (Geperudeta).
Our Lady of the Forsaken is given the name of Geperudeta because the beautiful statue of her suspended inside the church tilts slightly forward.
Plaza de la Virgin is another wonderful area of the Old Quarter of Valencia. The square is edged with cafés and bars and leading off the square is the very trendy Calle Caballeros.
This is the best place to go for a night out and San Jaume's bar/cafè is a great place to start. Enjoy a drink on the terrace and take it from there... definitely one of the best things to do in the Old Quarter of Valencia in Barrio del Carmen.
Mercat Central is a masterpiece of modernist architecture. Covered with ceramics and colorful stained windows, it's one of the largest markets in Europe and one of the most beautiful in Spain.Mountains of fresh produce are perfectly stacked on more than 1,000 stalls. Inside and out are little tapas bars selling deliciously fresh food and stalls selling paella pans and a selection of earthenware.
To get to Mercat/Mercado Central just retrace your footsteps to Plaza de la Reina, cut through two small streets called Calle Sombereria and Calle Trench, and you're there.
La LonjaOpposite Mercado Central is the glorious 15th century indoor market place Gothic La Lonja.
Lonja de la Seda (the silk exchange), is where the silk merchants used to exchange their goods.
Once you've absorbed the amazingly beautiful interior, take a look at the pretty and very cool little garden which has orange trees and a fountain. On a hot summer's day, this is another of the best things to do in the old Quarter of Valencia.
For those staying in an apartment or living here, one of the best things to do in the Old Quarter of Valencia is to stock up with the delicious fresh produce available from Mercado Central. With over a thousand stalls to choose from, and with so much on offer, it's hard to resist.
There are juicy fruits, all kinds of vegetables and cheeses, succulent fish and the most amazing amount of hams, chickens and sausages I have ever seen.
The prices are great, so why not do as we do - cook a fabulous meal at home!
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