Lorraine Williamson
This weekend, Valencia will throw open the doors of its most fascinating buildings — from medieval churches to avant-garde housing complexes — for Open House Valencia 2025. Between 24 and 26 October, visitors will have the rare chance to explore more than 70 architectural gems, many of which are usually closed to the public.
The city’s festival of architecture is part of the global Open House initiative, which began in London in 1992 and now spans over 60 cities, including New York, Buenos Aires, and Milan. Valencia joined the network in 2019, and since then, the event has grown into one of the city’s most anticipated cultural weekends.
A celebration of design, history, and community
Architecture lovers, curious locals, and visitors alike can expect an extraordinary journey through Valencia’s layers of history. The programme features 71 unique sites, from private homes and civic buildings to cultural landmarks that reveal how the city blends its Gothic, industrial, and modernist heritage.
Among this year’s highlights are Espai Verd, the visionary eco-housing complex in Benimaclet with its cascading greenery; San Juan del Hospital, the city’s oldest church dating back to the 13th century; and the Antigua Fábrica de Tabacos, once an industrial powerhouse employing thousands of women and now a cultural landmark.
These rare openings offer a glimpse into spaces that usually remain hidden behind closed doors — from rooftop gardens to restored courtyards and forgotten workshops that tell the story of Valencia’s transformation across centuries.
How to take part
Participation is entirely free, but visitors must obtain the Carnet OHV, a personal QR pass available through the official Open House Valencia website. The pass must be shown at every visit, with some venues requiring advance reservation due to limited capacity.
Each location follows one of two formats: flexible “franja” time slots, where you can drop in during a set window, or “pases concretos,” which have specific start times. Admission typically closes half an hour before the stated end time, so punctuality is key.
Guided by experts and volunteers
Most visits are hosted by the event’s passionate volunteers, but several include commentary from architects and urban specialists, adding depth to the experience. Visitors are encouraged to check the ‘last-minute updates’ section on the OHV website before setting out, as changes can occur due to high demand.
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A global movement for open cities
Open House Valencia is not just a local celebration — it’s part of a worldwide movement that redefines how people experience cities. The goal is to make architecture accessible to everyone, transforming curiosity into appreciation for the spaces that shape urban life.
As Valencia’s skyline continues to evolve, this event invites residents and tourists to rediscover the city through its walls, domes, and courtyards — an invitation to look closer, linger longer, and understand the soul of Spain’s third-largest city from the inside out.
Valencia’s living architecture on display
From its medieval heart to its futuristic facades, Open House Valencia 2025 offers a vivid portrait of a city that never stops reinventing itself. Whether you’re an architect, a student, or simply curious about what lies behind the doors you walk past every day, this is your chance to see Valencia from a new perspective — quite literally.
Source: Las Provincias