Ayuntamiento de Valencia, Valencia, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Ayuntamiento de Valencia is the city hall of Valencia, facing the Plaça de l'Ajuntament in the centre of the city. It is the seat of the institution that governs the city and municipality, and it is linked to the legend of the Rat Penat, the bat that sits on Valencia's coat of arms. The square in front becomes the stage for the daily mascleta during the Fallas festival.

The story behind it

The building's origins lie in the 18th century, and it has been altered over the years. Today it serves as the working home of the city council. Inside are a marble staircase, a ballroom and the chamber where the council meets.

The best-known story attached to it is the legend of the bat. When King Jaume I was trying to conquer Valencia, a bat is said to have disturbed him in his quarters at night and woken him. That warning let his men see a sudden raid coming and beat it back, and they went on to win the city. In gratitude, the king is said to have put a bat on the city's coat of arms, and it is still the symbol of Valencia today.

What to look for

• Look for the bat, the Rat Penat, on the city's coat of arms. It appears on the building and all over Valencia.
• Stand in the middle of the square and take in the full façade of the town hall, which is the best way to appreciate its scale.
• Notice how the square is laid out as an open space with the town hall at its head, which makes it suit crowds so well.
• Browse the flower stalls that line the square, a classic Valencia scene in front of the municipal building.

Tips for your visit

• Allow about 20 to 30 minutes to see the exterior and the square. Check current opening hours and access if you want to see the inside, as it is not always open to visitors.
• If you are in Valencia for the Fallas festival, expect big crowds and loud noise from the mascleta. Arrive early if you want a spot in the square.
• At quieter times, morning light on the façade is pleasant and the square is easier to photograph.
• The square is a good starting point for exploring on foot. The Estación del Norte, the bullring and the Mercado Central are all within a short walk.

See it on a quest

The Highlights of Valencia: Time Travel Hero quest passes the Ayuntamiento as one stop on a longer walking route through the centre of Valencia. The app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you, so you look at the façade and the square much more closely than you would passing through. You start whenever you like, with no guide and no group to join. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.