Is the walking route through Valencia's old gates difficult?

The difficulty is moderate. While the terrain is mostly flat, there is a fair amount of walking involved, and those wishing to climb the Torres de Serranos or Torres de Quart will encounter steep, historic stone steps.

What is the best time of day for a self-guided walk in El Carmen?

Late afternoon is ideal. The sunlight hits the limestone of the Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart beautifully, and the temperature is usually more pleasant for walking through the narrow streets.

Can I see the remains of the old Valencia city walls?

Yes, you can see significant sections of the walls. The best places are in the basement of the IVAM museum and, of course, the two standing gates: Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart.

Is this walking route suitable for families with children?

Yes, it is very family-friendly. Children often enjoy the 'castle-like' appearance of the towers and the cannonball holes in Torres de Quart, though the climb to the top of the towers requires close supervision.

What are the main landmarks on this Valencia history walk?

The primary landmarks are the Torres de Serranos, Torres de Quart, the Portal de Valldigna, and the IVAM museum, ending at the historic Botanical Garden.

Are the medieval towers in Valencia free to enter?

There is usually a small entrance fee (around 2 Euros) to climb the towers. However, viewing them from the outside is free and provides an excellent perspective of their architectural grandeur.

Is it worth visiting the Torres de Quart?

Absolutely, as they offer a unique look at military history. The visible cannonball damage from the Napoleonic wars makes them one of the most historically significant monuments in the city.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

1 hr 25 min

Duration

6

Stops

Moderate

Difficulty

About This Tour

Step back into a time when Valencia was shielded by formidable stone walls and grand entryways. This self-guided walking route through the Ciutat Vella (Old Town) focuses on the city's defensive legacy, specifically the two remaining medieval gates that once formed part of a circuit of twelve. For those seeking a walking tour Valencia style, this route offers a deep dive into the city's defensive past, beginning at the edge of the old city limits. You will explore how the city transformed from a fortified stronghold into a modern Mediterranean capital. The journey begins near the Art Modern Institute, where contemporary art meets the physical remains of the 14th-century Christian wall. From there, you will navigate the narrow, atmospheric streets of the El Carmen neighborhood to find the Portal de Valldigna, an open archway that once separated the Christian and Moorish quarters. The highlight for many is the Torres de Serranos, widely considered one of the finest examples of Gothic military architecture in Europe. Unlike a standard walking tour Valencia visitors might find elsewhere, this self-guided stroll allows you to linger at the cannonball scars of the Quart Towers, which still bear the marks of the Napoleonic siege of 1808. The route concludes with a transition from stone to greenery as you reach the historic Botanical Garden. While some might look for a guided tour Valencia, exploring independently via this audio walk provides a more intimate connection to the stone walls and the stories they hold. Whether you are a fan of medieval history or simply enjoy the architectural contrast of ancient gates against modern life, this route reveals the skeletal remains of a Valencia that once was, providing context to the vibrant city you see today.

Highlights

Torres de Serranos, the grand Gothic gateway
Torres de Quart and its 19th-century cannonball marks
Portal de Valldigna, the historic divide of the Morería
Remnants of the 14th-century Christian walls at IVAM
The atmospheric streets of the El Carmen district
The lush conclusion at the Jardín Botánico

Route Map

Numbers indicate the order of stops on the tour

Tour Stops (6)

1

Art Modern Institute Museum of Valencia (IVAM)

Start your exploration at the IVAM, a hub of contemporary art that holds a secret from the past. Inside the museum's basement, you can see a well-preserved stretch of the medieval Christian wall, which was built in the 14th century to protect the city during the War of the Two Peters. This wall originally spanned four kilometers and featured twelve gates. As you stand here, imagine the massive scale of the fortifications that once encircled the entire Ciutat Vella. The museum itself serves as a bridge between Valencia’s avant-garde present and its fortified history, providing the perfect context for a journey through the city's architectural evolution.

2

Portal de Valldigna

Tucked away in the labyrinthine streets of El Carmen, the Portal de Valldigna is a gateway that tells a story of social and religious division. Built in 1440, this archway was not a military gate but a passage that separated the Christian city from the 'Morería' or Moorish quarter. After the Christian reconquest, the remaining Muslim population was relocated to this specific area. The portal is named after the Cistercian Abbey of Valldigna. Look up to see the decorative tilework representing the Virgin, a 16th-century addition. It remains one of the most evocative spots in the old town, symbolizing the complex layers of Valencia's medieval society.

3

Torres de Serranos

You are now standing before the Torres de Serranos, the grandest of Valencia's surviving gates. Constructed between 1392 and 1398 by architect Pere Balaguer, these towers were designed to impress as much as to defend. This was the main entrance for travelers arriving from the north. Its Valencian Gothic style is characterized by the massive polygonal towers and intricate stonework. Interestingly, the towers survived the demolition of the city walls in 1865 because they were being used as a prison at the time. During the Spanish Civil War, they served a different purpose: protecting precious artworks from the Prado Museum from aerial bombardment. Take a moment to admire the sheer scale of the masonry.

4

Quart Towers

If the Serranos Towers were built for prestige, the Torres de Quart were built for war. Completed in the mid-15th century, these towers were inspired by the Castel Nuovo in Naples. If you look closely at the exterior stone, you will see deep indentations and craters. These are not the result of erosion, but actual cannonball impacts from the French siege during the Peninsular War in 1808. The towers stood firm against Napoleon's troops, becoming a symbol of Valencian resistance. Like their counterparts at Serranos, these towers also served as a women's prison for a period, which contributed to their preservation when the surrounding walls were leveled.

5

Carrer de Quart

As you walk along Carrer de Quart, you are following an ancient path. This street follows the alignment of the decumanus maximus, one of the main roads of the original Roman city of Valentia Edetanorum. During the medieval period, this was a bustling artery filled with workshops and residences. The street connects the city's heart to the western gate, and the architecture here offers a mix of 18th and 19th-century facades built over much older foundations. It is a perfect place to observe the daily life of the Ciutat Vella, where the historic weight of the city meets the modern energy of local shops and cafes.

6

Jardín Botánico

Your journey through Valencia's historic defenses ends in a place of tranquility. The University of Valencia's Botanical Garden was established in 1567 for the study of medicinal plants, making it one of the oldest in Spain. It moved to this current location, known as 'Tramoyeres,' in 1802. After the intensity of the stone towers and military history, this garden offers a lush contrast with its collection of palms, cacti, and historic greenhouses. It represents the city's shift from a fortified enclave to an enlightened center of science and nature. It is the perfect spot to rest and reflect on the many layers of Valencia’s history.

Frequently Asked Questions

The walk takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes. This includes time to stop at each landmark and navigate the streets of the Ciutat Vella, covering a distance of about 2 kilometers.