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Valencia Travel Guide

Where tradition meets modernity

Valencia is an amazing city, beautiful, lively, rich in art, architecture, culture, and good cuisine. It is the 3rd largest city in Spain. Despite being super modern and reinventing itself at a fast pace, it still preserves the provincial vibe and a strong sense of community. More to it, Valencia is a seaside town with a Mediterranean climate, beautiful landscapes, beaches, lakes and lots of orange plantation.

The city may not be the first option to visit in Spain, but I assure you that if you travel to Valencia, the city will be forever in your memory. In this Valencia Travel Guide you will find tips for planning your trip as well as suggestions on where to eat, what to do, where to stay and much more.

planning valencia

map of Spain with name of main cities for those who plan to travel to Valencia

GENERAL

Information

Capital of Valencia Province and the autonomous Valencian Community
Language: Valencian and Spanish
Distances: Madrid (357km), Barcelona (351km)
Valencia means: strength or bravery
Curiosity: Paella was born here

TRANSPORTATION

How to get there

The city has an airport (8km from the city center) for domestic and some international flights. A train station (approx. 3 hours from Barcelona or Madrid). You can also reach by bus, car, and ride (BlaBlaCar is used a lot in Spain).

Cheap flights to spain
Travel planning tips
Schengen Area: get Insurance

TRANSPORTATION

In the city

Walking through the historic centre and renting a bike for city sightseeing is the best way to explore Valencia. For those with motor disabilities, it is possible to rent an adapted scooter. The city is flat and super accessible. Public transportation is great with metro, buses, plus taxis and driver apps (Uber, Cabify, etc.). Also, with this app (Valenbisi), you can rent the city bike.

AGENDA

When to go

Valencia’s Mediterranean climate is pleasant all year round. The season begins in March, early spring, which is the month of the city’s main festival, Las Fallas. The city gets crowded again in July (early summer) and is still buzzing until the end of October.

Where to stay

Best Neighborhoods

Historic Location: Ciutat Vella (El Carmen)
The old centre of Valencia is the heart and soul of the city, and of course, the most touristy neighbourhood. The former walled district consists of 5 regions. El Carmen is a good neighbourhood choice within the historic centre, close to the city’s main attractions and restaurants.

Modern and Nightlife: Ruzafa
Ruzafa is the hipster neighbourhood of the city. With cafes for digital nomads, vegan restaurants and concept stores, new trends are here. It is cheaper to stay in Ruzafa than El Carmen and still very close to downtown.

Beach and Tranquility: El Cabanyal and La Malva-Rosa
Unlike many coastal cities, Valencia has more accommodation options in the centre than near the beaches. Now, those who seek tranquillity and like to wake up feeling the breeze of the sea, I suggest staying in La Malva-Rosa and El Cabanyal. Transportation to the city centre is easy via metro, tram or bus.

See local life: Benimaclet
This neighbourhood was once an independent village of Valencia, the old streets give the impression of a quiet place, but in fact, Benimaclet is a lively, multicultural neighbourhood, home to traditional families, students and foreigners. The region is full of restaurants and bars. Public transport is also very accessible.

a map showing the location of different neighbourhoods for people who want to travel to Valencia

Where to stay

Book your accommodation

HOTELS IN THE HISTORIC CENTRE
BEST BOUTIQUE HOTELS
HOSTELS AND BUDGET HOTELS
AIRBNB
IN VALENCIA

VALENCIA

In Frames

Valencia Panoramic View
Old Center View | © Shuishi Pan via Unsplash
Food stalls in the Valencia Central Market
Central Market | © Juan Gomez via Unsplash

If you travel to Valencia, pay attention to the contrast between tradition and modernity, the practice with urban sustainability, concern for mobility and inclusion, the importance of fresh and local ingredients, the symmetry of buildings. Oh and the tiles! Valencia teaches you in the details!

upward view of the Umbracle in Valencia
Umbracle | © travelnow.or.crylater via Unsplash

Eat and drink in valencia

Valencia’s traditional cuisine is the result of a mix of factors that worked very well. Fertile land, Mediterranean climate, the coast, the peasants with their vegetable gardens, foreign civilizations that lived there, neighbouring Spanish communities, appreciation for the quality of ingredients and respect for seasonality. The contrast between tradition and modernity that is already part of Valencia has been reflected in the cuisine, the city has gained relevance along with renowned chefs and award-winning restaurants.

Be aware! Mealtimes in Spain can be confusing.

Gastronomy Guide

5 must try food and beverages

an authentic paella valenciana

Valencian Paella

One of Spain’s most iconic dishes was born here and of course, you need to taste the original recipe.

Where to taste? At Barraca de Toni Montoliu in Alboraya, Casa Carmela at the beach or Bon Aire in Albufera.

Horchata dipped in the fartón from Valencia

Horchata with Fartón

Made for each other: Tiger nuts with sweet bread. Warning: Horchata is deliciously addictive!

Where to taste? In Horchatería Santa Catalina or Horchatería Daniel.

a dish with esgarret from Valencia

Esgarret

Typical Valencian tapa – roasted red peppers, salted cod, garlic and lots of olive oil.

Where to taste? Esgarret Montaditos at Tasca Angel.

plate with clochina valenciana

Valencian Clóchinas

A type of mussel typical of Valencian waters. It’s delicious. The clóchinas season goes from the end of April to the beginning of September.

Where to taste? At La Pilareta Bar.

Turrón, a typical sweet from Valencia

Turrón

Original Jijona candy in Alicante, made of almonds, egg whites and sugar. It is a traditional Christmas candy. There are two versions, the soft and the hard.

Where to taste? Turrones Ramos or Turrones Galiana.

The Truth about Paella

If you think the original Paella is made with seafood, you’re wrong. Discover the authentic Paella Valenciana here.

Learn more

What to do in Valencia

If you’re planning to travel to Valencia, you’ll find programs for many different traveler profiles. Adventurers can explore the outskirts of the city by bike, passionate couples can enjoy the sunset in Albufera, children will love to visit the oceanographic museum, solo travellers and groups of friends can enjoy the busy nights while gastronomic travellers will love to learn how to cook the paella and be enchanted by each local ingredient.

Now, regardless of your type of trip, some attractions are a must.

activities

Main Attractions

upward view of the Valencia Cathedral
Valencia Cathedral | © Shuishi Pan via Unsplash

Historic City
More than 2.000 years of history to explore in a walk through Valencia’s historic centre. Memories of the civilizations that lived there await to be seen between an alley and another.

City Museums and Cultural Complexes
The City of Arts and Science is one of the main attractions of the city. But the city has more than 30 museums, such as the Fallero Museum, the Fine Arts Museum and the Ceramics Museum as well as many galleries and cultural centres.

Gardens and Parks
The main park of the city was once a river, today is the Garden of Túria. Cycling around El Rio is a must. Túria Park connects the City of Arts and Science to Cabezera Park and Bioparc. Also, be sure to check out the Botanical Garden.

Markets
Valencia has many markets, we recommend visiting at least the Central Market and the Colón Market. At the Central Market, you can find fresh ingredients, sweets and snacks, the paradise of gastronomic travelers. The Colón Market is housed in an iconic building, with good restaurants, cafes and cool shops.

Beaches
Malva Rosa and Las Arenas are Valencia’s busiest and most structured beaches which include many restaurants and clubs by the sea. If you’re looking for something more isolated, go to the southernmost beaches of the city. It even has nude beaches for those looking for a more uniform tan.

Preparation for Las Fallas, festival that attracts many travel to Valencia
Play Video
Video: Las Fallas in Valencia via Comunitat Valencia channel.

Las Fallas

The party is UNESCO Intangible Heritage, a mix of colours, tradition, fun, music, fire, satire and art. The great symbol of the party is the wood carvings (Ninots) that are burned at the end. It celebrates the beginning of spring and attracts thousands of people to Valencia. Click on the image to watch the video.

When? Every March, main dates March 15-19.

+ More Information

garden in Valencia to visit when you travel to Valência
Artichoke Plantation

L'Huerta de Valencia​

The Vegetable Garden of Valencia (L’Huerta) is something unique. A cultivation area that surrounds the whole city in a radius of 10 to 15 km with 10,500 hectares of agricultural production. The garden is divided by regions, Horta Sul (where Albufera is), Horta Norte (where Alboraya is) and Horta Oeste. There are several tourist routes, typical restaurants, experiences and tours to explore the small villages that make up the garden.

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Tip: Valencia City Pass

The Valencia City Pass offers free access to public transport, free admission to all public museums and monuments, discounts on the city’s main attractions (eg private museums), among others. You can purchase the card 24, 48 or 72 hours.

More Details

Book tours in valencia

Be Inspired before your trip

Learn to speak spanish
Video: 1 Minute of Valencia via NomadiProfessionne channel

Movies

Cover of the film 'Tomorrowland'

Tomorrowland (2015)

The futuristic film, which features George Clooney, Britt Robertson and Hugh Laurie, was shot in Valencia.

Watch

Books

Cover of the Book 'The Perfume Garden'

The Perfume Garden de Kate Lord Brown

A story of lost love and family secrets that takes place between the modern days of Valencia and the Spanish Civil War.

Read

Video

vídeo promocional sobre comida local para pessoas que planejam uma viagem para Valência

Enjoy Valencian Cuisine

Promotional video produced by the official organization of Tourism of Valencia about the gastronomic experiences of the city.

Watch

Plan your next trip!

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