Right in the heart of Valencia’s beautiful old town, the cathedral—known as La 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 Goya (housed in the de Borgia chapel), plus, of course, the chalice itself, kept behind glass in the opulent Capilla del Santo Cáliz 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 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.
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.
Valencia is on the Mediterranean and has a pleasant climate all year round, though 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, so check before visiting if you want to attend a service.
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 cafés, 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.