Valencia's array of cultural activities is enormous. In theatre, both classical and avantgarde productions are staged, in which the Centre Dramàtic de la Generalitat Valenciana (Rialto) and the Teatre Principal play an important role. In cinema, the Mediterranean Film Festival, or Mostra, can be cited, and there are a large number of cinemas and cinema clubs and a film archive. In music, regular concerts  are given at the Palau de la Música i Congressos , an International Marching Band Festival is held yearly, pop and rock concerts are staged throughout the year, especially during the July Fair, and autumn brings the Mediterranean Music Festival.

Special courses and seminars are given by the Universities of Valencia, the Universidad Menéndez Pelayo (UIMP), and there are many great libraries, conference halls, exhibitions and galleries open year round.

There are many museums to be visited and monuments to be admired. Museum visitors have a wide choice in Valencia, as shown by the following notes on opportunities for an interesting use of your free time.

• IVAM. Valencian Institute of Modern Art. Permanent exhibition of sculptures by Julio González and regular temporary exhibitions by some of today's leading avant-garde representatives of the arts.

• Museum of Fine Arts .Outstanding works from the Valencian School: Joan de Joanes, Ribalta, Espillosa, Vicente López, Sorolla, Pinazo, etc. International works such as Velázquez's self-portrait, works by Pinturicchio, Andrea del Sarto, Van Dyck, Murillo, El Greco, Goya, etc. In the sculpture pavilion, you'll see interesting examples of contemporary art and an important archeological collection.
• National Ceramics Museum.Housed in the Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas, with a façade in the churrigueresque style, this museum offer an overview of outstanding works in ceramics from Manises, Paterna and Alcora.
• Cathedral Museum. Of note are the works by Almedina, Joanes, Goya, Jacomart, Alonso Cano and Orrente.
• Paeleontological Museum. Contains a collection ol insects and fossils. The most important museum exhibited is the skeleton of a megatherium.
• Patriarch's Museum. A collection worthy of mention, including works by El Greco and early Flemish painters.
• Museum of Prehistory. A view of the Paleolithic including a range of curious remains and fossils.
• Bullfighting Museum. One of the oldest and most impressive in Spain, with a variety of bullfighting memorabilia from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

• Fallas Museum. The Ninots are the cartoon-like figures or statuettes decorating the monumental Valencian falla. Each year, since 1934, the cream of the crop have been saved from the roaring flames and kept in this museum, together with posters, photographs and other objects connected with the fallas.
• Municipal Historical Museum. Located in the Ayuntamiento(City Hall), the museum has a collection of historical objects, including the Senyera (the regional flag), the pennant of James I the Conquerer, the 15th century Flemish tablet of the Final Judgement and a series of antique books and guild memorabilia.
• Museum-Home of José Benlliure. Contains the works of this wellknown Valencian artist, along with ceramics and objects from the epoch.
• Joaquín Saludes Maritime Museum. Located in the Torres de Serranos ( 44Kb ) (the east gateway to the ancient city), this exposition presents a valuable collection of amphorae and other archeological objects brought up from the Mediterranean seabed, as well as an attractive shipmodel display.
• City Museum- Marqués de Campo Palace. Holds an archeological collection illustrating the pre-Roman age and the founding of the city, and a part of the municipal art gallery. It also contains a permanent exhibition of Christian Valencia in the XIII th and XIV th centuries .

Monuments

• Palacio de la Generalitat. Seat of the Valencian Government, with Renaissance-style coffered and gold-beaten ceilings, and reminiscences of the Orient. The Salon de las Cortes (Parliament contains large paintings by Zariñena.
• El "Micalet" or Miguelete. Constructed in the 14th century, El Miguelete is the belltower of the Cathedral.
• Silk Exchange. A splendid late-Gothic building known as the Silk Exchange constructed by Pere Compte. Its famous hall with helicoidal columns is now used for exhibitions. Of special interest is the ceiling of the Salon del Consulado, taken from the 15th century Casa de la Ciudad (Town Hall).

• Serranos Towers. Constructed by Pere Balaguer in the 14th century, these impressive towers once formed part of the defensive walls of the city. They now contain the Maritime Museum.
• Quart Towers. This gateway was built by Pere Bofill in the 1 5th century providing access to the city from the west.
• Central Market. The modernist style Central Market is onc of Europe's largest covered market places, with a total area of 8,000 square metres.
• Metropolitan Cathedral. The cathedral of the city is a compendium ol different styles: the Palau doorway is Romanesque; the Apostles doorway , the Chapel of lhe Holy Chalice, the dome and the Miguelete Tower are Gothic; the presbitery and main doorway are Baroque, with a few Renaissance chapels.
• Real Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados.
  This basilica, named aiter the city's patron saint, is a traditional refuge for prayer. Its elliptical interior features a vaulted ceiling with a fresco by Palomino; the image of the Virgin is Gothic.