The two cloisters
One Gothic, one Renaissance, and you can sit in both — the building's finest feature.
Joanbanjo — CC BY-SA 3.0 · 19Tarrestnom65 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · 19Tarrestnom65 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Joanbanjo — CC BY-SA 3.0
A contemporary arts centre in the former Carmelite convent, a religious complex begun in the thirteenth century and extended over centuries, so that Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque layers meet in one building. The convent was closed in the nineteenth century during the confiscation of church property, then put to various uses before being restored and turned into a cultural centre. The two interior cloisters are its finest feature: one Gothic and one Renaissance, and you can sit in both. The programme is temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, design and photography, changing several times a year, and most are free to enter. That ties the value of a visit to whatever is showing while you are there. It sits in the heart of El Carmen, the liveliest part of old Valencia, within walking distance of the Torres de Serranos and the IVAM. The building itself justifies going in even if the show does not appeal.
One Gothic, one Renaissance, and you can sit in both — the building's finest feature.
Most shows carry no ticket, so going in just for the building is an easy decision.
Exhibitions are temporary and turn over several times a year — check before going.
Former Carmelite convent, Calle Museo, El Carmen
Casa-Museo BenlliureThe house of the painter José Benlliure in Valencia, preserved as it was and ope2 minutes walk4.5
Portal de la ValldignaA stone arch on Calle Caballeros, what remains of the gate that separated the Ch3 minutes walk4.4
Torres de SerranosThe Serranos Towers have been Valencia's gate of honour since 1398: Europe's mig3 minutes walk4.7
IVAM, Valencian Institute of Modern ArtValencia's museum of modern and contemporary art, opened in 1989 and among the f4 minutes walk4.3
L'Iber Toy Soldier MuseumA museum of toy soldiers and military miniatures in the Palacio de Malferit in t4 minutes walk4.6Yes. The building is a thirteenth-century convent with two fine cloisters, and entry is free most of the time, so you lose nothing. Plenty of visitors come for the cloisters and pass through the exhibitions incidentally.
The El Carmen district around it, the Torres de Serranos minutes away on foot, and the IVAM nearby too. The area comes alive in the evening, so the centre in the afternoon followed by a walk and dinner in the quarter works comfortably.