Sight guide · Valencia · Spain
Visiting Lonja de la Seda
The late-Gothic silk exchange, built from 1482, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the finest civil Gothic buildings in Europe.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Felivet, Public domain
Quick answer
Lonja de la Seda is a historic site in Ciutat Vella, Valencia. Allow 45 minutes; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Historic site
- Area
- Ciutat Vella
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, architecture and rainy day
- Best months
- April and November–December
About Lonja de la Seda
The late-Gothic silk exchange, built from 1482, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the finest civil Gothic buildings in Europe. Its Hall of Columns has twisted pillars spiralling up like palm trunks to a ribbed vault, and the orange-tree courtyard and gargoyles are as striking as the interior.
Tip: Look up at the gargoyles on the outside walls; some are surprisingly bawdy.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 45 minutes.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Ciutat Vella, gothic old town of the cathedral, the Lonja and the Mercado Central.
Best time to visit Lonja de la Seda
Lonja de la Seda is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- November: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- December: 17°C (63°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- April: 21°C (70°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Valencia has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Valencia itinerary visits Lonja de la Seda on day 2, together with Turia Gardens and Mercado Central.
- No. 4 of the 20 sights in our Valencia things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 2 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in valencia on a rainy day.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Valencia.
Near Lonja de la Seda
Also in Ciutat Vella, so you can walk between them:
- Mercado Central — 1 hour, free
- Turia Gardens — 2–3 hours, free
- Valencia Cathedral and El Miguelete — 1–1.5 hours, low cost
If you like Lonja de la Seda
- Torres de Serranos — El Carmen, 30–45 minutes
- Torres de Quart — El Carmen, 30 minutes
- Museo Fallero — Penya-roja (City of Arts and Sciences), 1 hour
Staying near Lonja de la Seda
Stay in Ciutat Vella ($$$) to walk here: gothic old town of the cathedral, the Lonja and the Mercado Central. All areas to stay in Valencia.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Lonja de la Seda?
Plan 45 minutes. With Mercado Central nearby, it fits a half-day in Ciutat Vella.
+Is Lonja de la Seda free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Lonja de la Seda?
April and November–December, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Look up at the gargoyles on the outside walls; some are surprisingly bawdy.
+Do I need to book Lonja de la Seda in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.