Gothic cathedral built on a Roman temple and Moorish mosque. Houses what the church claims is the Holy Grail (contested, but the chalice is genuinely ancient). Climb El Micalet bell tower for 360-degree city views. Essential Valencia.
Location
Ciutat Vella, Valencia
Map
Insider Intel
Enter the cathedral for the Holy Grail chapel and Goya paintings. Then climb El Micalet — 207 steps, narrow spiral staircase, but the views from the top are the best in the old city. You see the terracotta roofs, the Turia gardens, and the Mediterranean in the distance.
Morning for cathedral visit — the light through the stained glass is best before noon. Late afternoon for El Micalet climb — the golden hour light makes the city glow. Avoid Sunday mass times if you want to move freely.
The cathedral was built between the 13th and 18th centuries on the site of a Visigothic church, Roman temple, and Moorish mosque. The Holy Grail chalice has been here since 1437 — carbon dating places it in the 1st century, though whether it is the Last Supper cup is another question. El Micalet tower is 51 metres tall and one of Valencia's symbols. Combined ticket for cathedral and tower is good value.