Valencia has a rich tradition of art which stretches back to its days as a key city in the Roman Empire, and forward as a leader in the contemporary Spanish scene.
A must for modern art lovers, the Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno (IVAM)  has an impressive permanent collection of 20th century Spanish art, including Julio González and Ignacio Pines, and  a strong focus on works by Catalan artists.  With 9 galleries to its name, the IVAM has one of the most important modern art collections in Spain, with photography, sculpture, conceptual pieces, installations and more. 

The Museum of Fine Arts has a large collection from the Valencian School, with important works by the likes of Ribalta, Joan de Joanes, Espillosa, Sorolla, Vicente López and Pinazo.  International artists represented in these collections include Van Dyck, El Greco, Murilla, Goya, and more. There is also a very majestic sculpture pavilion, which displays a collections of contemporary art and an important archeological collection.