Valencia Private Tour: Old Town, La Lonja & Horchata

Walk Valencia's layered past: Gothic towers, a silk exchange, and the narrowest house in Europe

A private walking tour of Valencia's old town with a live guide in English or Spanish, starting at Torres de Serranos and moving through 13 stops including the Cathedral, La Lonja de la Seda (with entry included), Mercado Central, and a tasting of horchata at a local horchatería. The tour lasts four hours and covers hidden details like Europe's narrowest building, Plaza Redonda's circular design, and the Baroque façade of Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas. Horchata and a local pastry are included. The Mercado Central is viewable from outside on Sundays when it's closed. The route is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Serranos Towers10m
2. Valencia Cathedral10m
3. Silk Exchange30m · entry included

Explore Valencia's historic and cultural sites

• Meet guide at Torres de Serranos
• Visit Plaza de la Virgen
• Admire Casa Punto de Gancho
• See Valencia Cathedral exterior
• Stop at Horchatería Santa Catalina
• View Europe's narrowest building
• Explore Mercado Central
• Tour La Lonja de la Seda
• Visit Plaza Redonda
• Admire Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas
• Explore La Nau university
• See Puerta del Mar
• Cross Puente de la Exposición
• Walk Paseo de la Alameda
• Relax in Jardín de Monforte

The experience

You meet your guide at Torres de Serranos, the Gothic gate towers that once guarded the old city walls. From there, the walk moves through the heart of Valencia's medieval quarter: Plaza de la Virgen with its café culture and views of the Cathedral, then the Cathedral itself, where Gothic and Romanesque details layer across centuries. The route is built around the landmarks most travelers miss on their own: Casa Punto de Gancho's contemporary design, the narrowest house in Europe tucked into a corner, Plaza Redonda's unusual circular layout, and the Baroque extravagance of Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas seen from outside.

Midway through, you stop at Horchatería Santa Catalina for a glass of horchata and a farton pastry, a Valencian tradition the guide explains while you taste it. The tour then opens into the working city: Mercado Central's stalls of fresh produce and local specialties (visible from outside on Sundays when it's closed), and La Lonja de la Seda, the UNESCO-listed silk exchange where your entry is included. You walk through the academic courtyard of La Nau, cross Puente de la Exposición over the Turia River, and finish in the green quiet of Jardín de Monforte. The guide discusses urban development and history as you move, so the stops connect rather than stand alone.

This is a walking tour, so comfortable shoes matter. The entire route is wheelchair accessible, and all surfaces are level. If you're traveling with infants or small children, strollers work throughout. The tour runs four hours and works best if you have a free afternoon or morning. Your guide speaks English or Spanish, and you can choose which language when you book.

What’s included

• A live guide in English or Spanish.
• entry to La Lonja de la Seda.
• a glass of horchata and a local pastry at Horchatería Santa Catalina.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 13:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (under 11)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Local CoolTour

Is this one for you?If you're arriving without a car or staying elsewhere in the city, the tour starts at Torres de Serranos in the old town center, reachable by public transport, so you don't need to arrange your own way to the first stop. The four-hour loop covers the main landmarks and hidden corners on foot, so you see the city the way locals move through it rather than hopping between taxis.

Traveler reviews

4.73★★★★★★★★★★

55 verified traveler reviews

5 ★48

4 ★3

3 ★1

2 ★2

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 11).

What's inside La Lonja de la Seda and why is it worth seeing?

La Lonja de la Seda is a 15th-century silk exchange, a UNESCO World Heritage site built when Valencia was one of Europe's richest trading cities. The building itself is the draw: soaring Gothic columns, intricate stone carvings, and the scale of the merchant hall show you how much wealth moved through this room. Entry is included in the tour.

Is the Mercado Central open when I visit, and can I buy food there?

Mercado Central is closed on Sundays, but you can see it from outside and walk through the surrounding area. On other days, the market is open and you can buy fresh produce, local specialties and prepared food if you want to. The tour includes a stop there so your guide can point out what's worth trying, but food purchases are your choice.

What does the horchata stop include, and is it enough for lunch?

At Horchatería Santa Catalina, you get a glass of horchata and a farton pastry: a traditional Valencian pairing. It's a tasting, not a meal, so if you're hungry, you might want to eat before or after the tour. Your guide will explain the history of horchata while you're there.

Can I do this tour if I use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns?

Yes. The entire route is wheelchair accessible, all surfaces are level, and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. If you're traveling with a stroller for infants or small children, that works throughout as well. Service animals are welcome.

Where does the tour start, and how do I get to Torres de Serranos?

You meet your guide at Torres de Serranos, the Gothic gate towers in Valencia's old town. Public transportation options are available nearby, and the area is accessible by car if you're renting. Your guide will confirm the exact meeting point and time when you book.