Is this walking tour Valencia suitable for families?

Yes, it is family-friendly and very educational. The libraries and courtyards provide a peaceful environment, and the Pilar Faus Library even has a dedicated children's section.

Can I enter the libraries for free?

Most of the stops, including La Nau and the Monestir de Sant Miquel dels Reis, offer free entry to their public areas and courtyards. Some specific museum exhibits may have a small fee.

What is the best time of day for this self-guided walk?

The best time is weekday mornings starting around 10:00 AM. This ensures that the academic buildings and libraries are open before the afternoon siesta break.

Is the route accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes, the historic center of Valencia is mostly flat. The major institutions like La Nau and the Pilar Faus Library are equipped with ramps and elevators.

How do I get to the Monestir de Sant Miquel dels Reis?

It is located about 3km north of the center. You can walk for 30 minutes, or more conveniently, take the Number 6 or 16 bus from the city center, which drops you right outside.

Are the narrations available in English?

Yes, this self-guided audio walk provides full narration in English, covering the history and significance of each scholarly stop.

Is Librería Railowsky worth visiting for non-Spanish speakers?

Absolutely. While many books are in Spanish, their extensive collection of photography books and the onsite art gallery are visually stunning and transcend language barriers.

The Scholars' Path: University and Literature | Self-Guided Walking Tour

About This Guided Walking Tour

Step into the intellectual heart of Spain’s third-largest city with this self-guided walk through Valencia’s storied academic and literary landscape. Long before it was known for its futuristic architecture, Valencia was a powerhouse of the Renaissance, a city of printers, poets, and pioneering scholars. This walking route invites you to explore the legacy of the 'Siglo de Oro'—the Valencian Golden Age—where the first book in the Iberian Peninsula was printed and where one of Europe’s oldest universities still stands today. Your neighborhood stroll begins amidst the Rococo splendor of the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas. While famous for its facade, it serves as an introduction to the private collections and intellectual curiosity of the Valencian nobility. From there, you will transition to the hallowed halls of La Nau, the original 15th-century seat of the University of Valencia. This building remains a beacon of humanism, housing ancient libraries and cloisters that have echoed with the footsteps of scholars for over five centuries. As you continue this walking tour Valencia offers a blend of grand public spaces and quiet sanctuaries of thought. You will visit the Plaza de Alfonso el Magnánimo, named after the king who turned Valencia into a Mediterranean cultural capital, and the Biblioteca Pública de València, uniquely housed in a former medieval hospital. The journey also takes you to the Monestir de Sant Miquel dels Reis, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture that now guards the literary treasures of the region as the Valencian Library. Finally, the route concludes at a modern local favorite, Librería Railowsky, bridging the gap between historic manuscripts and contemporary book culture. Whether you are a bibliophile, a history enthusiast, or a curious traveler, this audio walk provides the freedom to discover the city’s scholarly soul at your own pace, away from the typical tourist crowds.

Tour Highlights & Things to See

The stunning Rococo exterior and historic library of the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas
La Nau, the 15th-century birthplace of Valencia's University
The cross-shaped medieval architecture of the Pilar Faus Public Library
Monestir de Sant Miquel dels Reis, known as the 'Escorial of Valencia'
The legendary Librería Railowsky, a hub for photography and literature lovers
Statues and stories of the kings and writers of the Valencian Golden Age

Route Map

Numbers indicate the order of stops on the tour.

Tour Stops & Points of Interest (6)

1

Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas

Begin your self-guided adventure at the most impressive facade in Valencia. While this palace is now the National Ceramics Museum, it represents the pinnacle of 18th-century noble life. The intricate alabaster entrance, designed by Hipólito Rovira, surrounds a figure of the Virgin Mary, but look closer at the two flowing rivers—representing the Turia and Júcar—that give the palace its name. For the scholar, the interior holds a magnificent historic library. In an era where knowledge was a status symbol, the Marqués de Dos Aguas curated a collection that reflected the Enlightenment values of the time. This stop sets the stage for a city that has always valued the intersection of art, wealth, and education.

2

La Nau (Old University)

Walk a few minutes to reach La Nau, the soul of Valencian academia. Founded in 1499 as the 'Estudi General,' this building served as the university's only headquarters for centuries. Step into the neoclassical courtyard, where a statue of Luis Vives, the great Valencian humanist and friend of Erasmus, stands watch. The university was a pioneer in teaching medicine and law during the Renaissance. Today, it functions as a cultural center, but the historic library upstairs—accessible for researchers—contains thousands of volumes printed before the 16th century. It is a quiet reminder of Valencia's role as a European capital of printing and humanistic thought.

3

Plaza de Alfonso el Magnánimo

This leafy square is more than just a transit point; it is a tribute to the 'Magnanimous' King Alfonso V of Aragon. During his reign in the 15th century, Valencia experienced its literary Golden Age. Alfonso was a great patron of the arts and spent much of his time in Naples, bringing Italian Renaissance influences back to Valencia. It was during this era that Joanot Martorell wrote 'Tirant lo Blanch,' often cited as the first modern novel and a book that Miguel de Cervantes himself praised in Don Quixote. The plaza, with its towering ficus trees and central statue, serves as a monument to the period when Valencian was the language of Mediterranean literature.

4

Biblioteca Pública de València Pilar Faus

Housed in the remains of the Hospital de los Pobres Inocentes, this is one of the most unique libraries in Spain. The building dates back to the 15th century and was the first hospital in the world to provide dedicated care for the mentally ill. Its cross-shaped floor plan was designed so that a single altar at the center could be seen by patients in all four wings. Today, the hospital beds have been replaced by bookshelves. As you explore independently, notice how the ancient stone arches contrast with modern glass and steel. It is a living example of how Valencia repurposes its historic heritage for public education and literacy.

5

Monestir de Sant Miquel dels Reis

Located slightly north of the city center, this monastery is a hidden gem often called the 'Escorial of Valencia.' Built over a former Cistercian monastery and an Islamic farmhouse, it was commissioned in the 16th century by the Duke of Calabria. It was designed to be a royal pantheon and a center of learning. After serving various roles—including a prison during the 19th and 20th centuries—it now houses the Biblioteca Valenciana Nicolau Primitiu. This is the official library of the Valencian government, preserving millions of documents, maps, and rare books. The cloister's architecture is a stunning example of the Herrerian style, embodying the gravity and grandeur of Spanish scholarship.

6

Librería Railowsky

Conclude your exploration at a modern landmark of Valencian culture. Since 1985, Librería Railowsky has been a sanctuary for bibliophiles and photographers. Named after the man jumping the puddle in Henri Cartier-Bresson’s famous photograph, this independent bookstore combines a curated selection of literature with a dedicated photography gallery. In a world of digital retail, Railowsky remains a physical meeting point for the city’s intellectuals and artists. It represents the contemporary chapter of the Scholars' Path—a testament to the fact that Valencia’s love affair with the written word and the printed image continues to thrive in the 21st century.

Start Free on iPhone

Start your private guided tour now

Explore “The Scholars' Path: University and Literature” with your very own Private Tour Guide with Zigway. Start free on iPhone, skip the large group and the fixed routes, and hear the city come alive as you go.

Start free on iPhone

Your Private Tour Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

The walk takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes of walking time, covering about 4 kilometers if you include the trip to the Monestir. If you spend time inside the libraries, plan for at least 2 to 3 hours.