In the Middle Ages Valencia was ringed by a thick defensive wall, and almost all of it was demolished in the nineteenth century to let the city grow. Two great gates survived, and both are open to visitors. The Torres de Serranos, built in the late fourteenth century at the northern edge of the old town beside the Turia Gardens, is a grand Gothic gateway of two crenellated towers with a stately, almost theatrical, face turned toward the former river. It is the finer of the two for photographs. The Torres de Quart, built in the fifteenth century on the western side of the old town, is more rugged and still carries the pockmarks of cannonballs fired during the Napoleonic wars. Both towers have been used as prisons in their time, and both can be climbed by a narrow stair to the roof, where the views take in the old town, the Micalet tower and the park. Visit one or both: they are a short walk from each other through the Carmen district, and neither takes long. Prices are modest, and the Serranos side usually draws bigger crowds, so go in the morning or late in the afternoon for the best light.
How to see it
Start at the Torres de Serranos, where the stairs climb through the interior to the roof terrace, and look back at the park and out toward the sea. Walk south-west through the narrow streets of the Carmen district, past the Plaza del Tossal and the Carrer de Quart, to the Torres de Quart. The Quart stair is steeper, but the rooftop view across the old town is wider and the cannonball scars on the outer face are worth stopping for.
What to expect
Tight spiral stairs and uneven stone, so wear shoes with grip and avoid the climb if you are unsteady or nervous about heights. On busy days, access to the roof can be limited, and a time slot may apply. Hours differ by tower and season, and one of them may be closed on certain weekdays, so check before you go. The Carmen district between the two is full of street art, small bars and bakeries, which makes the walk an attraction in its own right.
Making the most of it
If you only have time for one, choose Serranos for the architecture and the setting beside the Turia Gardens, or Quart for the atmosphere and the war-scarred stone. Combine the pair with the cathedral and the Church of San Nicolás for a half day of medieval Valencia, then finish with a long lunch in Carmen. The towers are also a good lens on the city’s history: the wealth of the Silk Exchange paid for walls and gates like these, and the contrast with the modern skyline in the east of the city could not be sharper.
What to expect
The experience
Self-paced climbs through two Gothic gate towers to rooftop viewpoints.
Best time
Morning or late afternoon, when light is soft and queues are shorter.
How long
About 20 to 30 minutes at each tower, plus the walk between them.
Tips
Wear shoes with grip, expect narrow spiral stairs and check hours for each tower before you go.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History fans and anyone who likes a viewpoint with a story.
- Families
- Children who like castles will enjoy the climb, but the stairs are tight and steep.
- Couples
- A good pairing with a stroll through the Carmen district and a late lunch.
- Pair with
- The Turia Gardens, the cathedral and the Church of San Nicolás.
- Time needed
- One to one and a half hours for both.
Good questions
What is the difference between Serranos and Quart?+
Serranos is the more polished Gothic gateway beside the Turia Gardens, while Quart is plainer and still scarred by cannon fire. Both have rooftop views.
Can you climb the towers?+
Yes, both have narrow stone stairs to the roof. Wear sturdy shoes and expect tight spaces.
Is it worth visiting both?+
If time is short, choose one. If you enjoy the Carmen district, linking the two makes a pleasant walk.
Are the towers part of the old walls?+
Yes. They are the best surviving gates of the medieval city walls, most of which were demolished in the nineteenth century.
Is it expensive?+
Entry is modest. Check the current ticket arrangements for each tower before you go.
