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Valencia

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Sunlit Shores and Rich Culture

Valencia presents a balanced mix of old and new. The city features wide boulevards lined with orange trees alongside modern architecture like the City of Arts and Sciences. Its historic center holds medieval streets where traditional markets sell fresh produce and local dishes such as paella. Beaches stretch along the coast, providing space for walking or cycling paths. Cultural sites include the Central Market and ornate basilicas reflecting centuries of history. Valencia’s coastal location supports both relaxation and active pursuits year-round.

City in Spain
Climate zone: Mediterranean

Mediterranean: Mid-latitude climates with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, typical of coastal regions around the Mediterranean Basin.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
See price details
Safety: 7.9
General Safety:8
Health & medical:8
Accessibility:7
Tap water:8
Read details
Tourist English: 3/5
While Spanish and Valencian are the official languages, many people in the tourism industry speak English, especially in hotels and main attractions.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Valencia Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work
Excellent for beaches, culture and modern architecture. Visit science museums, relax in city parks, enjoy Mediterranean beaches and try the birthplace of paella.
Place score
8.2
Best at:
Local cuisine
9
Guided tours
9
Walkable
8
Street food
8
Architecture
8
Personal score
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Suited for
👶 8
Families
🧓 7
Seniors
🛡️ 8
Travel Beginners
❤️ 8
Couples
Spain – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type C , Type F
Type C:
Diagram of a Type C power plug
Type F:
Diagram of a Type F power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Euro (EUR)
£1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info: Rating 5/5
Cashless payment is widely accepted in Spain, particularly in urban areas and tourist destinations. Credit and debit cards are commonly used, and mobile payment options are available in many establishments.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory in Spain but appreciated for good service. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is customary. Taxi drivers and hotel staff may also be tipped, though it is less common.
Public drinking: Public drinking is restricted in some regions, particularly in tourist-heavy cities. Local laws may vary.
Public smoking: Smoking is banned indoors in public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas.
La Tomatina
(August)
A famous tomato-throwing festival, expect large crowds in Buñol.
Semana Santa
(March/April)
Religious parades and events make this a busy time in major cities.
Christmas
(December)
Markets and festive celebrations, with tourist areas becoming busier.
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps: Cabify, Bolt, Uber
Other: Spain is known for its diverse culture, stunning architecture, and vibrant festivals. Public transport is reliable and efficient, making it easy to explore.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Valencia, Spain
☀️
Jan
☀️
Feb
🌤️
Mar
🌤️
Apr
☀️
May
☀️
Jun
🔥
Jul
🔥
Aug
☀️
Sep
🌤️
Oct
🌤️
Nov
🌤️
Dec
High season: May - Sep.
Shoulder season: March - April, Oct.
Crowdedness: 8 (Very crowded)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Las Fallas festival runs 15 to 19 March, with daily fireworks (mascletà) from 1 March; book accommodation well ahead
Heavy storms with flash flooding (gota fría) possible September to November, check weather alerts

Why travel to Valencia?

Imagine strolling through ancient streets lined with stunning architecture, indulging in authentic paella by the seaside and participating in lively festivals that light up the city. Valencia offers all this and more, making it a must-visit spot for those seeking both relaxation and cultural immersion. However, be mindful of the bustling crowds during major festivals and the hot summer months.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Valencian Institute of Modern Art
  • 2 Silk Exchange
  • 3 Valencia Cathedral
  • 4 Plaça de la Mare de Déu
  • 5 Torres dels Serrans
  • 6 Oceanogràfic of Valencia
  • 7 Basilica of the Virgin of the Helpless
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Bioparc València
  • 2 Valencia History Museum
  • 3 Palau de la Musica
  • 4 La Malvarrosa Beach
  • 5 Parc Gulliver
  • 6 La Marina de València
  • 7 Valencia Bullring
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Platja de la Devesa
  • 2 Jardín del Turia
  • 3 Mikkonos Beach Club
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 Central Market
  • 2 Nuevo Centro
  • 3 Plaça Redona
  • 4 El Corte Inglés
  • 5 Aqua Multiespacio
  • 6 Mercado de Tapinería
🎈Events
  • Las Fallas Festival
  • La Tomatina
  • Valencia Marathon
  • Feria de Julio
  • Semana Santa Marinera
  • Gran Fira de Valencia
  • Corpus Christi Festival
  • 9th of October (Valencian Community Day)
  • Festival de Jazz de Valencia
  • Feria de Todos los Santos

Knowledge before you go

  • Try authentic paella at lunchtime; evenings are mainly for lighter tapas.
  • Stay near the historic center or Ruzafa for walkable access to markets, restaurants, Turia park and main monuments.
  • Use bikes or scooters through Turia Gardens to easily reach City of Arts, beach area and several key museums.
  • Combine late-afternoon Central Market visit with sunset drinks in Barrio del Carmen, when narrow streets and plazas feel especially atmospheric and photogenic.

How to travel to Valencia

Valencia is accessible via the Valencia Airport, located approximately 8 km from the city center, offering flights from various European destinations. The city is also well-connected by train, with high-speed services from major Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona.

Access summary

  • From Valencia Airport (VLC): Metro lines 3/5 to center, about 20 minutes.
  • From Madrid: High-speed AVE trains to Valencia, usually about 1.5–2 hours.
  • From Barcelona: Direct trains to Valencia, roughly 2.5–3.5 hours journey.

Where to stay in Valencia

Valencia offers a wide range of accommodations, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels. The Ciutat Vella (Old Town) is perfect for those wanting to be close to historic sites, while the beachfront areas provide stunning sea views.

How to get around Valencia

Navigating Valencia is a breeze with its efficient public transport, including buses, trams and a metro system. The city is also very walkable and renting a bike is a popular option to explore the extensive Turia Gardens and beyond.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-21 %
Daily expenses in Valencia are around 21% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£61
£119
£289
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£26
£53
£105
🍝 Food per day
£27
£58
£158
🚕 Transportation per day
£7
£8
£26
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£23
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£12
🍟 Fast food combo
£10.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£8.50
☕ Cappuccino
£2.40
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£3.20
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£1.70
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£15
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£1.30
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£8
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£50
🤧 Cold medication
£14
💇 Basic haircut
£11.50

Safety information overview

General safety
8
Valencia is generally safe for tourists, but as with any city, it's advisable to stay aware of your surroundings and watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas.
Health & Medical
8
The city has a high standard of healthcare facilities. Pharmacies are widely available and emergency services are efficient.
Accessi­bility
7
Many of Valencia's attractions are accessible to those with mobility challenges and public transport is equipped to accommodate various needs.
Tap water
8
Tap water in Valencia is safe to drink and public fountains are available throughout the city for refilling bottles.

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