El Mercat Travel Guide

Valencia

The primitive church of Sant Joan Mercat was erected in the suburb of the city known as the Boatella. From its old Gothic structure there is still the nave and the large blind oculus, known as "La O de Sant Joan", which was conceived as a large rosette on the façade of the feet. In 1592 the church suffered a spectacular fire that forced an almost total reconstruction throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It stands out for the infrequent the wide façade of the Market, conceived as a grandiose stone altarpiece on a terrace that dominates the square in front of the Lonja, forming a unique urban set. It is presided by the sculpture of the Virgin of the Rosary, work in stucco by Jacopo Bertesi, and on it stands the clock tower, flanked by the two Santos Juanes and crowned by the famous "Pardal de Sant Joan", the weather vane to which -according to tradition- was made to look at the children when their humble parents abandoned them in the square. In the lower part of the terrace there are "les covetes de Sant Joan", semi-basements in which once were junkyards and old shops, part of the living history of Valencia. The interior of the temple is an overflowing Baroque imagination, with statues of Bertesi representing characters of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and especially the set of frescoes that Antonio Palomino executed in the vault.
The primitive church of Sant Joan Mercat was erected in the suburb of the city known as the Boatella. From its old Gothic structure there is still the nave and the large blind oculus, known as "La O de Sant Joan", which was conceived as a large rosette on the façade of the feet. In 1592 the church suffered a spectacular fire that forced an almost total reconstruction throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It stands out for the infrequent the wide façade of the Market, conceived as a grandiose stone altarpiece on a terrace that dominates the square in front of the Lonja, forming a unique urban set. It is presided by the sculpture of the Virgin of the Rosary, work in stucco by Jacopo Bertesi, and on it stands the clock tower, flanked by the two Santos Juanes and crowned by the famous "Pardal de Sant Joan", the weather vane to which -according to tradition- was made to look at the children when their humble parents abandoned them in the square. In the lower part of the terrace there are "les covetes de Sant Joan", semi-basements in which once were junkyards and old shops, part of the living history of Valencia. The interior of the temple is an overflowing Baroque imagination, with statues of Bertesi representing characters of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and especially the set of frescoes that Antonio Palomino executed in the vault.
Every building has uniqueness in its own here.
With this endless summer we're having, any corner of the city seems a perfect place to rest and get your strength back! ☀️ ☀️☀️ What about this one?👆🏼👆🏼 The "Santos Juanes" church, in the market square. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Con este verano interminable que tenemos, cualquier rincón de la ciudad es perfecto para reponer fuerzas. ☀️☀️☀️ ¿Qué os parece este?👆🏼👆🏼 La Iglesia de los Santos Juanes, en la plaza del mercado.
All to be burned. Las Fallas de Valencia. Festival

Popular places to visit

Central Market featuring a city, street scenes and heritage architecture

Central Market

During your visit to Valencia, you can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Central Market. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or experience the fascinating museums in this culturally rich area.

Central Market
La Lonja showing a city and a church or cathedral

Silk Exchange

Learn about the local history of Valencia with a stop at Silk Exchange. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or experience the fascinating museums in this culturally rich area.

Silk Exchange
Plaza Redonda featuring markets and a fountain

Plaza Redonda

Rich with history, Plaza Redonda is a cultural attraction worth visiting in Valencia. Discover the fascinating museums and shops in this culturally rich area.

Plaza Redonda
The "Lonja" was built in the 15th century in the Gothic style. 👆🏼Here👆🏼, the Trading Hall where merchants from all over the 🌎 closed their deals. They traded all sort of goods, but mainly silk, lots of silk!! It was conceived as a temple dedicated to the noble art of trading and symbolized paradise. The vaults represent the sky (they were even painted in blue with golden ⭐⭐️️). See all those columns? They are 17 mt high and do also have a meaning. Hint: 🌴. ✨BONUS✨: on Sundays and public holidays the entrance is FREE!! Yay! (Price: EUR 2) ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• La Lonja se construyó en el siglo XV y es de estilo gótico. 👆🏼Esta👆🏼, es la Sala de Contratación y aquí, comerciantes venidos de todo el 🌎 cerraban sus tratos. Intercambiaban todo tipo de productos, sobre todo seda, ¡mucha seda! Se diseñó como un templo al comercio que simbolizaba el paraíso. Las bóvedas representan el cielo (antes, hasta estaban pintadas de azul con ⭐️⭐️ doradas). Y, ¿veis todas esas columnas? Miden 17 metros y también tienen su significado. ¿A qué os recuerdan? Pista: 🌴. ✨BONUS✨: los domingos y festivos la entrada es ¡GRATIS!

La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia

Learn about the local history of Valencia with a stop at La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia. Discover the fascinating museums and shops in this culturally rich area.

La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia
Malvarrosa Beach which includes a sandy beach, a city and night scenes

Malvarrosa Beach

Nothing says holiday like spending a lazy day at Malvarrosa Beach, a popular beach in Poblats Maritims. While in this romantic area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Malvarrosa Beach
City of Arts and Sciences showing modern architecture and a city

City of Arts and Sciences

Study the exhibits at City of Arts and Sciences, a favourite museum in Valencia. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

City of Arts and Sciences

Top hotels in El Mercat

Vincci Mercat Hotel

Vincci Mercat Hotel

4 out of 5
C/ de la Llanterna, 31 Valencia Valencia
The price is 3.739.126 ₫ per night from 5 Mar to 6 Mar
3.739.126 ₫
4.113.038 ₫ total
5 Mar - 6 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Valencia. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
Great location for the old town, nice rooms

Reviewed on 14 Feb 2026

Vincci Mercat Hotel
Hotel Primus Valencia

Hotel Primus Valencia

4 out of 5
Calle Menorca 22 Valencia Valencia
The price is 2.673.765 ₫ per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
2.673.765 ₫
2.941.142 ₫ total
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Valencia. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,025 reviews)
Good size clean room, very close to shopping centre and amenities far from old town - (about 40 min walk). Safe area to hang late at night streets are wide and safe full of restaurants and coffee shops. Location wise is across stop 6 on Hop on Hop off sightseeing bus

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2026

Hotel Primus Valencia
Only YOU Hotel Valencia

Only YOU Hotel Valencia

5 out of 5
PLAZA RODRIGO BOTET,5 Valencia Valencian Community
The price is 4.974.447 ₫ per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
4.974.447 ₫
5.471.892 ₫ total
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Valencia. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (1,008 reviews)
Excellent location, nice staff and great room

Reviewed on 3 Mar 2026

Only YOU Hotel Valencia
Kora Lluna

Kora Lluna

3 out of 5
C/ de l'Arquitecte Alfaro 44 València Valencia
The price is 1.754.835 ₫ per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
1.754.835 ₫
1.930.318 ₫ total
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Valencia. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Malvarrosa Beach and Port of Valencia are located ...
Kora Lluna
NH Valencia Center

NH Valencia Center

4 out of 5
Ricardo Mico, 1 Valencia Valencia
The price is 2.763.581 ₫ per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
2.763.581 ₫
3.039.939 ₫ total
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Valencia. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
Pool closed. Booked a room with a bath. No bath. Staff refused to swap room on arrival . Wanted an extra €70. Very rude, very public discussion. Unprofessional. Finally agreed to move us for last night. No coffee or tea facilities. Don’t go off room description it’s not what you get.

Reviewed on 4 Mar 2026

NH Valencia Center
Hotel Olympia Consul del Mar

Hotel Olympia Consul del Mar

3 out of 5
Avenida del Puerto, 39 Valencia Valencia
The price is 1.823.964 ₫ per night from 10 Mar to 11 Mar
1.823.964 ₫
2.006.360 ₫ total
10 Mar - 11 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Valencia. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a sauna. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (891 reviews)
Friendly staff with excellent English Easy for bus connections to City (the Metro is a 15 minute walk) Good WiFi Comfy bed Clean

Reviewed on 23 Feb 2026

Hotel Olympia Consul del Mar
See all 2,368 properties in El Mercat
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around El Mercat

Valencia City Centre which includes heritage architecture, château or palace and a city

Valencia City Centre

4.5/5(659 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Central Market to Silk Exchange – discover Valencia City Centre, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Valencia City Centre
Aerial overview of the old city

Ciutat Vella

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Plaza Redonda to Silk Exchange – discover Ciutat Vella, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Ciutat Vella
Placa de la Reina

La Seu

If you're spending some time in La Seu, Plaza de la Virgen and Plaza de Manises are top sights worth seeing.

La Seu
Vue sur la Cathédrale Saint-Apollinaire depuis la Plaza de la Virgen

Sant Francesc

While you're in Sant Francesc, take in top sights like Plaza del Ayuntamiento and jump on the metro at Colon Station to see more of the city.

Sant Francesc
The exterior of the Ceramic Museum in Seville is gorgeous.

La Xerea

If you're spending some time in La Xerea, Puerta del Mar and Turia Gardens are top sights worth seeing.

La Xerea
Plaza de Toros bullring in Valencia, Spain; Shutterstock ID 474242068

Eixample

If you're spending time in Eixample, you might enjoy attractions like Ruzafa Market and Colón Market. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Xativa Station to see more of the city.

Eixample

El Mercat Travel Guide

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