City of Arts and Sciences
Valencia, Spain
Valencia Cathedral
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Photo: Bene Riobó, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Paid, with audio guide
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- Daily; separate hours for services and tourists
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Bell tower
- The Miguelete, separate ticket, 207 steps
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Highlights
- The Holy Chalice, the angel frescoes, the tower view
- Time needed
- ≈ 1 hour, longer with the tower
- Water Tribunal
- Thursdays at noon, Apostles' Door
- Location
- Plaza de la Virgen, the old town
Key facts
1262construction began
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English Wikipedia≈ 51 mheight of the Miguelete tower
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English Wikipedia207steps up the tower
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English Wikipedia2009the Water Tribunal joined UNESCO's intangible heritage list
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UNESCOAbout Valencia Cathedral
The cathedral was begun in 1262, soon after King James I took Valencia. Work went on for centuries, so the building has three completely different entrances: the plain Romanesque Palau Door, the Gothic Apostles' Door and the flamboyant Baroque Iron Door facing Plaza de la Reina.
Inside, Renaissance frescoes of musician angels survive above the high altar: long hidden behind a later vault, they were rediscovered only in the early 21st century. The chapels hold paintings by Goya, and the cathedral museum has a silver monstrance and old vestments.
The Holy Chalice and the Miguelete
The cathedral's most revered treasure is the Holy Chalice in its own Gothic chapel: a small cup of dark red agate on a gold stem set with pearls and stones, venerated by tradition as the Holy Grail. It has been in Valencia since the 15th century, and the chapel draws pilgrims ever since.
Above the cathedral rises the octagonal Miguelete bell tower, about 51 metres high. 207 steps of narrow spiral stair lead to a platform with a 360-degree view over the old town's roofs, church domes, the Turia Gardens and the City of Arts and Sciences in the distance.
What to see in the cathedral
- The Holy Chalice — an agate cup revered as the Grail.
- The angel frescoes — Renaissance paintings above the altar.
- The Miguelete tower — 207 steps and a city view.
- The Apostles' Door — Gothic sculpture.
- Goya paintings — in one of the chapels.
- The Water Tribunal — Thursdays at noon.
Around the cathedral
The cathedral is ringed by three squares. Plaza de la Virgen has a fountain with a figure representing the Turia and the basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken, the city's patron. Plaza de la Reina has cafés facing the Baroque portal, and the Almoina square hides an archaeological centre with Roman remains.
The Central Market and the Silk Exchange are about 10 minutes' walk west, and the Turia Gardens lie north beyond the Serranos Towers. The old town is compact and easy to explore on foot in half a day.
How to get to the cathedral
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- On foot from the centre, 10 minutes from Plaza del Ayuntamiento along Calle San Vicente.
- Metro to Colón or Xàtiva, then 10 to 15 minutes on foot.
- City buses stop by Plaza de la Reina.
- The tourist entrance is on Plaza de la Reina, through the Iron Door.
Tips for your visit
Cover your shoulders and knees. Tourist entry is ticketed with an audio guide, and during services the church is open to worshippers only. Climb the Miguelete in the morning before the heat: the stair is narrow and long.
If you're here on a Thursday, be at the Apostles' Door at noon for the Water Tribunal, one of Valencia's most unusual sights. Afterwards, wander the old El Carmen quarter with its narrow lanes and street art.
Before you go
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How to do it right
- Cover shoulders and knees.
- Climb the Miguelete in the morning.
- Thursday noon: the Water Tribunal.
- El Carmen is next door.
Questions
What is there to see in Valencia Cathedral?
The Holy Chalice, the Renaissance angel frescoes, Goya paintings and the view from the Miguelete.
Is the Holy Grail in Valencia?
The cathedral keeps the Holy Chalice, venerated by tradition as the Grail.
Can you climb the Miguelete?
Yes, 207 spiral steps, on a separate ticket.
What is the Water Tribunal?
An ancient irrigation court that meets by the cathedral on Thursdays at noon.
How long do you need at the cathedral?
About an hour, an hour and a half with the tower.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia: Valencia Cathedral
- UNESCO: Irrigators' tribunals of the Spanish Mediterranean coast (intangible heritage)
- Official site, catedraldevalencia.es
