Valencia's Ciutat Vella is a surprisingly grand old town — the medieval walls (now replaced by a ring road) enclosed what was one of Europe's wealthiest cities in the 15th century, and the architecture reflects that golden age. La Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Cathedral — which claims to house the Holy Grail — anchor a compact district of Gothic palaces, baroque churches, and the spectacular Mercado Central, one of Europe's largest and most beautiful covered markets.
Hotels in the Ciutat Vella occupy converted historic buildings, typically offering tiled floors, high ceilings, and the kind of atmospheric details that mass-market hotels cannot replicate. The area around the Mercado Central and Plaza de la Reina is the most convenient and lively. El Carmen, the bohemian sub-neighbourhood within the old town, offers street art, vintage shops, and the city's most atmospheric bars in a setting that mixes medieval architecture with creative energy.
Valencia's old town is flatter and more spacious than Barcelona's or Seville's equivalents, making it pleasant for walking and cycling. The Turia Gardens, a 9 km park built in the drained riverbed that wraps around the old town's northern edge, provides green space and cycling paths connecting to the City of Arts and Sciences. Hotel prices are notably lower than Barcelona — 30-50% savings for comparable quality and atmosphere.
Compare prices for Ciutat Vella (Old Town) hotels.
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