What to Do

Just choose:

• Join the early morning hubbub in the Central Market, where you can participate in thc boisterous play between shoppers and sellers enacted six days a week.

• Dare to climb the 207 steps to the top of the Miguelete Tower ( 19Kb ) , the belltower of the Cathedral ( 21Kb ) , from which you can visually conquer the clty.

• Order an aperitivo at the terrace bar in the plaza de la Virgen, the city's natural salon behind the Cathedral. If it's Thursday, you can witness a session of the Tribunal de las Aguas ( 9Kb ) (Water Court), where for the last thousand years local farmers have settled irrigation disputes on the spot in the local language (12.00 noon, Gothic door to the Cathedral).

• Stroll around the ancient city centre, seeing the Gothic Lonja, the hexagonal Tower of the Santa Catalina Church, the Cathedral ( 21Kb ) , and the Palau de la Generalitat on your way east to the Serranos Tower ( 44Kb ) overlooking the ancient Turia riverbed.

• Wonder at the unique Baroque-style alabaster facade of the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas before entering to tour the impressive González Martí National Ceramics Museum.

• Sightseeing at the port? Take a long walk on the long Levante pier, or take the Golondrina boat for a pleasant ride to the lighthouse.

• On Sundays and holidays, come to the Mercaderes barrio next to the Central Market and browse around the open-air market at the Plaza Redonda.

• No one will believe you on your return if you say you didn't have an authentic Valencian paella ( 33Kb ) . Trying one is a must!

• Take an educational tour round the San Pío V Fine Arts Museum. ( 20Kb ) When you leave, continue on to the Jardines del Real and enjoy a scenic stroll through the gardens.

• Get into the swing at the 18-hole golf course in El Saler ( 15Kb ) , one of the best courses in Europe, just a few yards from the sea.

• If the heat and thirst get you down, there's nothing better than an original horchata de chufa in Alboraya to pick you up. For a mid-afternoon snack, order some fartons to dunk in this cool, refreshing drink.

• Wander through the Turia riverbed gardens in the early evening, but be sure to arrive on time for a concert at the Palau de la Música. ( 21Kb )

• Look around the shops and department stores in town and pick out some authentic artisan's work to take home. Or survey the creations of Valencian furniture and fashion designers. Don't forget to stop at the Centro de Artesanía de la Comunidad Valenciana.

• Drive down to the lookout over the Albufera lagoon ( 30Kb ) south of Valencia at sunset, before the red and golden hues disappear into the night.

• Valencian cuisine will enable you to rediscover the culinary taste of past epochs. Indulge in a good dinner, enjoying old recipes combined with new wines.

• Visit the IVAM ( 25Kb ) (Centre Julio González and Centre del Carme) and see their important collections of modern and contemporary art.

• Mingle with the Valencians on their night haunts. When the moon is up, come to the pub areas in the Malvarrosa, Cánovas or the Barri del Carme. Start with some Agua de Valencia, but go easy at first if you want to last the whole night.