Express Two Hours, English Only

Overview

Two hours, one language, one walk through the old town. Even The Lord of the Rings and Mickey Mouse get a look in as memory aids.

The route strings together the Serranos Towers, Plaza de la Virgen, the Cathedral, Central Market, the Silk Exchange and Town Hall Square, plus a set of smaller squares in between, from Plaza de la Crida to Plaza de los Fueros. Along the way the themes stretch from the Romans, Visigoths, Arabs and Christians who each shaped the city to practical food advice: where the traditional paellas and the best horchata are, and how to avoid the tourist traps. The guide also answers the questions the GuruWalk listing poses up front, such as the common mistake tourists make when ordering paella in Valencia and why the city and its football club share an unusual animal symbol.

It suits travellers with only a few days who want the headline sights, good photo stops and stories to take home, without a long commitment. The walk is listed on GuruWalk, and works on the free, pay what you want model: reserving a spot costs nothing and the tip at the end is whatever the walk felt worth. At the finish, the guide sticks around for questions about neighbourhoods, day trips and whatever else is left on the itinerary.

Itinerary

1. Meet at Plaza de la CridaThe meeting point sits at the Turia Garden end of the old town, at Plaza de la Crida. The guide carries a green umbrella or green folder.
2. Turia GardensThe walk opens along the Turia Gardens before heading into the historic centre.
3. Serranos TowersThe first landmark stop is the Serranos Towers.
4. Palace of the GeneralitatThe route continues past the Palace of the Valencian Generalitat, among the squares of the old town.
5. Old town squares and CathedralThe GuruWalk listing names Plaza de la Virgen, the Cathedral, its Baroque door, Central Market, the Silk Exchange, Town Hall Square and several further squares as highlights of the route. The full route has 10 stops; the GuruWalk listing shows the first three in order.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the GuruWalk listing are worth knowing before reserving a spot.

• English only. This walk runs in English and nothing else. Travellers who prefer Spanish should look at a different walk on the site rather than expecting a switch mid-tour.
• Two hour pace. The route is built for people short on time who still want the main sights.
• Spot limits. The guide states that spots on each tour are limited and recommends not leaving the reservation to the last minute once a day is chosen. Booking a free place early is the practical move.
• Bring a camera. The GuruWalk listing promises spectacular photo opportunities at the iconic stops along the way. A charged phone or camera earns its place in a pocket.
• Ask at the end. The guide invites questions after the walk, from restaurant recommendations to day trips near Valencia. Travellers with specific plans should save them for the finish.
• Pay what you want. Reserving through GuruWalk is free and guests tip the guide what they think the walk was worth at the end. There is no fixed charge attached to the spot itself.

Common issues. The GuruWalk listing itself flags two limits. Spots on each departure are limited, so waiting until the last minute to reserve can mean missing the day you wanted. The route details show only the first three stops of a ten stop route, so anyone expecting a printed minute-by-minute itinerary will not find one.

Questions People Ask About This Walk