I’m all about helping you make the most of each trip, so I thought a post dedicated solely to essential Valencia travel tips would be handy.
After sharing the best free things to do in Valencia and some hidden gems you should check out, I figured that the logistics and other tips I’ve learned from personal experience are equally as important. So let’s dive into all the things you should know before planning a trip.
*I try to keep the information on this blog as updated as possible, but I still recommend consulting the latest prices, opening hours, and other details on the official website of each site, hotel, and tour, as well as checking the updated public transport routes and timetables. I share my personal experience and cannot guarantee yours.
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Trip Planning Tips for Visiting Valencia
How to Get to Valencia
Both international and national flights arrive daily at Valencia’s airport, which is located only 10 km (about 6.2 miles) from the city center.
You can also get to Valencia by train from Barcelona or Madrid. Compare train and flight prices in one place on Omio (formerly GoEuro).
Where to Stay
The old district of Ciutat Vella is probably the best area to stay in Valencia (unless you’re visiting during the Fallas festival when most of the city is closed for both private vehicles and buses – see my accommodation recommendations on my Fallas post).
You’ll be at the center of all the action, surrounded by the most beautiful streets, historical landmarks, and countless restaurants and bars.
Some must-sees here include the Valencia Cathedral (home to the Holy Grail), the Central Market, and the Silk Exchange, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Here are a couple of highly-rated accommodations in Ciutat Vella:
L’Esplai Valencia: Located a stone’s throw away from Plaza de la Reina, this B&B offers spacious rooms for 2-4 people, some of which have a small balcony. The area is packed with cafes and restaurants, and the hotel has a score of 9+ in every category. Read reviews and check availability.
Helen Berger Boutique Hotel: This 4-star boutique hotel offers modern rooms for 1-3 people, 24/7 reception, concierge services, an on-site restaurant, and an optional highly-rated breakfast. Check its latest prices and availability.
You can also find great places to stay in the hipster neighborhood of Ruzafa or the coastal neighborhood of Poblats Marítims if you want to be near the beach.
Take Day Trips
I absolutely LOVE taking day trips outside the big city, and though Valencia itself is incredibly gorgeous and interesting, tons of places around it are also worth visiting.
Here are a few day trips from Valencia you can add to your itinerary:
1. Village of El Palmar and the Albufera Natural Park
If you’re looking for the best paella in Valencia, you should also visit the exact place where this iconic rice dish was born.
The Albufera is Spain’s biggest lake, offering an interesting mix of natural landscapes and Valencian countryside magic.
You can visit it on your own by bus (line 25) or book a half-day Albufera tour.
2. Guided Tours to Historic Towns, Caves, and Natural Springs
Some places might be more convenient to reach with a tour, including the towns of Morella & Peñíscola, St Joseph’s Caves, the Utiel-Requena wine region, Altea, and others.
Browse these 10+ excursions from Valencia to some of the most unique spots in the region, including hidden gems many people skip out on!
3. Other Ideas
Port Saplaya is a colorful little coastal town located only 8 km (less than 5 miles) away from Valencia, easily reached by bus (line L112A or L112B).
If you’re traveling in a car, you can visit places like Torrevieja Pink Lake (Laguna Rosa de Torrevieja) or Tortosa.
Lastly, you can use Omio (formerly GoEuro) to compare bus and train prices and book a ticket from Valencia to beautiful nearby places like the city of Alicante or the historic towns of Sagunto, Xativa, and Denia.
When to Visit
As a coastal city sitting on the Mediterranean, Valencia is usually a popular summer spot, but July and August are obviously the busy and extremely hot months, so late spring, early summer, and early fall would be better times to visit if you still want to soak up the sun.
March is when you can attend the most amazing festival called Las Fallas. Welcoming spring in Europe, this celebration is an experience of a lifetime. For more info, read my Fallas festival guide.
Valencia is also one of the best places to visit in Spain in winter. You can absorb some Christmas spirit yet enjoy much milder temperatures than other European winter cities have to offer.
How to Get Around
Valencia’s public transport system includes both Metro and buses, and you’re gonna need both to explore the city.
To get around Ciutat Vella (the old town and the most touristic part of Valencia), you can either walk or use buses. Surprisingly, the Metro is only convenient when you want to move between different neighborhoods of the city due to the stations’ locations.
Another option to consider is a bike rental. With about ten different rental companies, it’s a super popular way to get around the city.
How to Get From the Airport
Apart from taxis, there are two easy ways to get to the city. Metro lines 3 and 5, and bus number 150 go directly from the airport to the city center, and the journey should take about 30-45 minutes.
You Can Enjoy It on a Low Budget
There are plenty of places to visit in Spain that are suitable for all budget ranges, and Valencia is one of them.
From cheap eats and tapas bars to accommodations to attractions, you can enjoy the best of Valencia even if you’re on a tight budget. This city offers dozens of cheap and free things to do and see, including visiting some of its most famous landmarks.
You can also check out these free tours offered in Valencia.
Valencia Tourist Card – Yes or No?
In comparison to other European city cards, the Valencia Tourist Card is pretty budget-friendly. It offers unlimited use of public transportation and countless discounts you can check out here.
However, whether it’s going to save you money depends on what exactly you want to do and see.
If you only have one day in the city and you won’t visit that many paid museums and sites, though the card isn’t expensive, I’m not sure it’ll be worth the investment.
For a longer stay, I’d consider purchasing it because it can potentially save you money, but again, it all depends on how many and which tourist spots you’re planning to visit.
Many can already be visited for free on weekends or have an admission of only a couple of euros, so take the time to calculate expenses vs discounts provided by the card.
Read reviews and get your 24/48/72-hour Valencia Tourist Card here.
Learn Some Basic Spanish (And Valencian)
Like other places in Spain, the region of Valencia also has its own language called Valenciano, which sounds similar to Catalan.
The locals also speak Spanish, but English is a whole other story. Even though some people speak English, especially service providers, it’s still best to know some basic phrases.
Go to a Football Game
Football is a huge part of the Spanish culture, and attending a game is a must.
The atmosphere and energy in the stadium, as well as the love of the fans for their team, are unbelievable. You don’t have to be a fan to enjoy and appreciate this experience.
Tickets are available on Valencia CF’s official website, and you should purchase yours a few weeks in advance, if possible.
Food-Related Valencia Travel Tips
Where to Eat Paella
Paella, oh, paella. What’s better than getting the opportunity to feast on Spain’s most recognizable rice dish where it was actually born?
Now, I’m not saying there aren’t any tourist traps, but when you know where to find those traditional restaurants, you’re in for a major treat.
Here are a few of my favorite spots to devour some authentic paella (make a reservation):
La Riua (Carrer del Mar, 27): With a unique decor of ceramic tiles and plates surrounding you and the most amazing food, the traditional atmosphere in this restaurant will surely win you over.
La Pepica (Passeig de Neptú, 6): Opened in 1898 and beloved by Ernest Hemingway, this restaurant is one hell of an institution in Valencia. It is quite big, but still manages to feel homely and inviting, and the paella is delicious.
El Coso (Passeig de Neptú, 12): From the decor to the service to the food itself, I had such a positive experience here. I would definitely go back for one more bite!
Good to know: The paella is usually made for a minimum of 2 people, and the prices stated on the menus are for one person.
Here are several other recommendations for the best paella in Valencia.
Don’t Pay for Hotel Breakfast in Advance
Apart from the fact that a hotel breakfast in Spain is not always worth the money, so be sure to check what it includes, Valencia is packed with the sweetest bakeries and cafes.
A few to check out are Ubik Cafe, La Petite Brioche, and DDL Boutique, but you can find dozens of other great breakfast and brunch spots.
Other Valencia Tips
Don’t Worry Too Much About the Siesta
In a big city like Valencia, not everything closes during siesta time.
You can go sightseeing in Valencia and visit museums from morning to evening, and most tapas bars and restaurants are open during these exact hours (1 PM – 4 PM) since it is when the locals eat their lunch.
It’s a Safe City
In general, Valencia is considered a very safe city (one of the safest in Spain) and can be a great solo travel destination.
Nevertheless, I always recommend following basic rules like watching your belongings, just like you would in other cities.
Other Spain Travel Guides
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