Valencia Cathedral (Seu)
The basics
Right in the heart of Valencia’s beautiful old town, the cathedral—known as the Seu—is made up of a mix of different architectural styles. The central dome and tower are Gothic in style while the main entrance is baroque and several of the chapels date from the Renaissance period. Inside you’ll find a series of frescoes by renowned Spanish painter de Goya (housed in the de Borja chapel), plus, of course, the chalice itself, kept behind glass in the opulent Capilla del Santo Caliz near the main entrance.
Guided walking tours of the city regularly stop at the cathedral – and spending time with a local guide is a great way to learn about the Grail mystery. The Holy Grail is sacred, as it’s thought to be the chalice that Jesus drank from at the Last Supper. The chalice has been kept in the cathedral since the 15th century and is recognized as Holy Grail treasure by the Vatican. There’s only one other recognized grail relic in existence in the world – the other is a green glass dish known as the Sacro Catino, kept at Genoa cathedral in Italy.
Things to know before you go
- Entry to the cathedral is via paid ticket, which includes an audio guide.
- Get reduced entry prices with the Valencia Tourist Card.
- The cathedral is wheelchair accessible.
- There’s a museum on site that houses religious vestments and statues.
- You can climb the bell tower (for an additional cost) for great views over the town.
How to get there
Valencia Cathedral is in the center of the historic district, just off Plaça de la Reina. It’s easy to walk or cycle around this part of the city, and guided walking and bike tours cover the area frequently. Valencia has an airport with connections to other cities in Europe and a railway station with fast trains to Madrid and Barcelona.
Trip ideas
When to get there
Valencia is on the Mediterranean and has a pleasant climate all year round, although July and August can get hot. The cathedral is open daily throughout the year. Mass is held on Sunday and on certain other feast days and holidays throughout the year, so check before visiting if you want to attend a service.
Valencia’s Turia Gardens
Hop on a bike or lace up your sneakers and head to Valencia’s Turia Gardens – where a former riverbed has been transformed into a park with cafes, bike paths, and sports facilities. The park was created when the river was moved to the city outskirts following a devastating flood in the 1950s. Nowadays, shaded pathways and plenty of grass to relax on make the gardens a great place to visit after a morning’s sightseeing.
- Plaza de la Reina
- Admiral’s Baths (Baños Arabes del Almirante)
- Silk Exchange (La Lonja de la Seda)
- Valencia Plaza del Mercado
- Valencia Central Market (Mercado Central de Valencia)
- Valencia Old Town
- Serranos Towers (Torres de Serranos)
- Quart Towers (Torres de Quart)
- House of San Vicente Ferrer
- Barrio del Carmen
- Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia)
- Valencia Cruise Port
- Plaza del Ayuntamiento
- Institut Valencià d'Art Modern (IVAM)
- Valencia City of the Arts & Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias)