Through A Local's Eyes, Bilingual

Overview

This GuruWalk walk starts inside the main hall of the North Train Station, by the clock near the Jativa Street entrance, where the guide waits with a black and white cow-pattern umbrella. From there the route works through Ciutat Vella as a journey through more than 2,000 years of history, covering the legacy of Romans, Arabs and Christians along the way. Over 2 hours 15 minutes the group passes Town Hall Square, the Palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas, Queen Square with the St. Catherine Tower and the Micalet Tower, Virgin Square with the Cathedral, the Basilica and the Generalitat Palace, Saint Nicholas Church, and Market Square with the Silk Exchange, Santos Juanes Church and the Central Market.

The guide is an official native guide, described on the GuruWalk listing as passionate and knowledgeable about her hometown, and she shares stories about figures such as the Borgia dynasty and Jaime, King of Aragon. She also gives practical recommendations, including restaurants for paella and tapas. Reviews from travellers describe the guide as knowing a lot of interesting facts and the route as well chosen for a first exploration of Valencia.

Booking is free and guests pay the guide what they think the walk was worth at the end. The tour needs a minimum of 4 people to run, and the GuruWalk listing asks anyone who cannot attend to cancel so the space frees up for others.

Itinerary

1. Meet at North Train StationThe meeting point is inside the main hall of the North Train Station, by the clock as you come in from the main access at Jativa Street. The guide carries a black and white umbrella with a cow pattern.
2. Town Hall and ceramics palaceThe route continues past Town Hall Square and the Palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas, home to the National Museum of Ceramics.
3. Queen Square and Virgin SquareStops take in the St. Catherine Tower and the Micalet Tower at Queen Square, then the Cathedral, the Basilica of the Virgin and the Generalitat Palace at Virgin Square.
4. Saint Nicholas ChurchThe walk visits Saint Nicholas of Bari and Saint Peter Martyr, a church often called the Valencian Sistine Chapel.
5. Silk Exchange and Central MarketThe route finishes at Market Square with the Silk Exchange, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Santos Juanes Church and the Central Market. The GuruWalk listing shows the first 3 stops of a route with 10 stops in total.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the GuruWalk listing and from traveller reviews are worth knowing before reserving a free spot on GuruWalk.

• Meeting the guide. Arrive inside the main hall of the North Train Station and look for the guide with the black and white cow-pattern umbrella by the clock. The GuruWalk listing states that reservations can only be guaranteed for those on time or communicating that they will attend.
• Pace and duration. The walk lasts 2 hours 15 minutes and covers a wide stretch of Ciutat Vella on foot. Several travellers said the route was well chosen for exploring Valencia for the first time.
• Group size. The GuruWalk listing states that group regulations reduce numbers to 20 people and demand is high. Booking a spot and arriving on time is the way to hold a place.
• Cash for the tip. Only cash payment in euros is accepted on this walk. Since the tour is free, pay what you want, bring cash if you plan to tip the guide at the end.
• Food and drink tips. The guide shares recommendations for restaurants to eat paella and tapas.
• First visit fit. Reviewers describe the tour as a strong introduction to the city. Travellers exploring Valencia for the first time mentioned the route covered what they needed.

Common issues. The tour only runs with a minimum of 4 people, so low bookings can mean cancellation. Only cash in euros is accepted, which matters for anyone planning to tip. The GuruWalk listing also warns that with groups reduced to 20 people and high demand, reservations are only guaranteed for those who arrive on time or communicate that they will attend. No pickup is included; everyone makes their own way to the station.

Questions People Ask About This Walk