26/10/2022
Valencia is a beautiful city with a rich history and culture. This rich history and culture is clearly expressed through the museums and galleries found in the city. From archaeological ruins to Valencian Impressionist paintings and contemporary textiles, there’s an impressive variety of art and history to see in Valencia.
With so many museums and galleries to see, you might feel overwhelmed with choice, and that’s why we’ve put together a list of 5 (mostly) free museums and galleries you should visit. These museums are great for visiting after work, or if you have a weekend in Valencia, and want to soak up as much culture as you can. They’re all within walking distance of each other, so you could even make it into a day trip!
One of the things you’ll find when visiting museums and galleries in Valencia is a common rule about not being allowed to carry bags around the museum or gallery. Usually, guests are asked to put their bags in a locker. These lockers require a one euro coin to operate. If you’re lucky the museum or gallery may have one euro shaped coins for you to use.
IVAM- Valencian Institute of Modern Art. Centre Julio González
As the name suggests the IVAM is a place for modern art. There are exhibitions dedicated to textiles, photography, post WWII art, an exhibition on womanhood and more. What you’ll find at this gallery are works that capture the modern art sensibility, not to be mistaken with contemporary art. The works here feel more in line with the likes of Duchamp and Warhol.
In one room you can find a film playing with a single bench in the middle for viewing. At the entrance there is a selection of photography books exploring contemporary issues. Photo essay books from artists like Zanele Muholi are representative of the general themes of IVAM.
The museum itself looks very modern which fits the choice of art. It’s very spacious and elegant in its design and layout.
As far as art goes this museum is quite accessible for art lovers. Though some of the exhibitions have been inspired by the avant-garde, they are not so abstract that it is unwelcoming for casual art lovers.
You’ll find the staff to be friendly and helpful, and they speak English too, so they’ll be able to help you.
The IVAM is free to attend.
L'Almoina Archaeological Museum
L'Almoina Archaeological Museum is bigger than it appears to be from the outside, because most of the museum is actually located underground.
Here you can find lots of ceramics from as far back as the 11th century Balanasiya era. The museum is a look back in time through the early history of Valencia, with artefacts that were used in everyday life and the buildings that housed some of the people living there in the past. The ruins and artefacts go back to the early Roman period and also cover the Middle Ages.
The layout of the museum allows you to get an intimate look into the past and what once stood, as there are platforms to walk on which spread across the ruins. As you walk along the platforms you can stop and see the ruins up close. Throughout the years, new civilisations have built upon the ruins of the people that where there before them. To help you understand this, at certain points there are helpful miniature models of what the ruins would have looked like when they originally existed.
For those who are interested in archaeology, Valencian history, Islamic history and pottery, this museum is a perfect choice.
This museum costs £2, however, on Sunday’s it is free.
Valencia Museum Of Fine Arts
Every city has a dedicated museum and art gallery and Valencia is no exception. Similar to other dedicated city museums, you will find a variety of styles and eras of paintings.
As you enter you’ll find classical paintings that are related to Spanish religion and history. As you go up the floors of the museum you’ll find different styles from different time periods including some beautiful impressionist paintings. The museum has quite a well-rounded collection of works for a fine arts museum.
One notable thing about the museum is that it includes a significant amount of Valencian artists. Notably, Valencia has a rich history of impressionist painters. If you like fine art, this will be an excellent exhibition to see. Guests will have the pleasure of viewing great impressionist works, as well as learning about the history and culture of Valencian fine art.
The staff are friendly and speak English.
This museum is free
Carme Contemporary Culture Centre.
The Carme Contemporary Culture Centre is quite an exciting gallery to visit. Located in the heart of the historical town centre, it gives guests a refreshing and vivid contemporary experience. The gallery clearly aims to keep up with the times, and definitely tries to keep up with the culture.
It feels like it was made for the people of today, for the artists that are challenging what art is and for artist who challenge the culture of today. For those who keep up with the art scene and for those who want to explore Spanish culture through its art this is defiantly the space to be.
One of the notable things about this gallery is that they have a children’s exhibition that has some interactive art. As an adult, you shouldn’t feel shy to play with the interactive art, as it’s there for everybody.
The building itself is vast and beautiful space, with tall ceilings, an open plan and beautiful old wooden doors. Like many other museums and art galleries, there is an open area that acts as a space to relax. There is a lot to see and the staff are very friendly.
Entry to this gallery is free.
Bombas Gens Art Centre
Bombas Gens is a gallery that aims to expand the horizons of its guests. The gallery aims to be a reference point for unique and innovative art. This does not always mean exhibiting the newest art, it means finding the art that they think is most important in pushing the limits of art.
This gallery will be enjoyed by those who like avant-garde and contemporary art. The gallery is well curated, and all the exhibitions flow well into one another. The space functions well and is the most easy to navigate of all the museums and art galleries we’ve talked about. Everything is spread out nicely and presented well, giving it a contemporary feel.
This gallery also features a really nice garden area that has lemon and pomegranate trees.
The staff are friendly and speak English. One of the nice things about this gallery is that they offer coins to use on their lockers if you do not have a one euro coin spare.
Entry to this gallery is free.
If you’re planning a holiday to Valencia, or looking for something to do after work or an internship, hopefully this blog has helped you pick some great museums and galleries.
If you want to visit Valencia for yourself, why not consider applying for the Turing Scheme?
All photographs by Abdul-Hadi Jacobus