Top things to do in Valencia
Attractions, tours and activities in Valencia
Recommended museums in Valencia
Where to discover culture and the arts in Valencia
Valencia: the city's best neighbourhoods
Find a great area to stay in Valencia
-
Ciutat Vella
In the city centre
Valencia’s Old Town is the city’s beating heart. It’s a tangle of mediaeval streets dotted with orange trees and grand monuments like the Silk Exchange. Start on a high by scaling the Cathedral’s “Miguelete” Tower for priceless panoramas. Then dive, map-less, into the Carmen neighbourhood and fraternise with locals in Plaza del Tossal’s bars.
Places to stay from £9 per night
-
Extramurs
0.4 miles from city centre
This district takes its name from its position outside the old city walls. It’s a border-town that straddles old and new Valencia. Climb the iconic Quart Towers for a view across the rooftops, then stroll on tree-lined streets towards the leafy Botanical Gardens. Cap the day off with a traditional Galician octopus dinner at Milonga Tapas y Copas.
Places to stay from £14 per night
-
Poblats Maritims
2.4 miles from city centre
This beachside district does a roaring trade in paella, Valencia’s star dish. Just remember that locals only ever have it for lunch rather than dinner. Malvarrosa Beach is the place for a seaside paella, with Panorama restaurant at the top of the list. After dark, party people head to Destino56 for G & T, then to Akuarela Playa for a boogie.
Places to stay from £20 per night
-
Quatre Carreres
1.2 miles from city centre
The highlights of this residential district lie in the dried-out Turia River, which now holds landscaped gardens and sports facilities. Gulliver Park is a Swift-inspired playground in the shape of a prone giant, where kids play Lilliputian games. Follow the river round to the City of Arts & Sciences, Valencia’s futuristic complex of culture.
Places to stay from £14 per night
About Valencia
Including tips for the best time to visit Valencia
Resting along the banks of River Turia, right at the centre of Spain's Mediterranean coastline, Valencia is dotted with balmy beaches and tree-lined promenades ideal for leisurely bike rides. Its manicured gardens, intricate architecture and quiet churches give the city a characterful identity.
Valencia's skyline juxtaposes avant-garde designs with the city's old-world charm. You'll find several historical periods coming together here – from the UNESCO-listed Gothic structure of Lonja de la Seda to the futuristic cultural complex of the City of Arts and Sciences. Don't miss out on a walk down the winding streets of El Carmen for some glimpses of the city's Arabic and Roman roots.
Azure waters of the Mediterranean wash the golden shores of the Valencia Coast. You can set aside some time on your Valencia trip to enjoy an afternoon siesta at the Malvarrosa Beach or head out to the Albufera Natural Park for stunning sunset views from beaches flanked with rugged vegetation.
This port city is the birthplace of 'paella' – and is therefore ideal for a restaurant-hopping spree to get your fill of this saffron-infused seafood delicacy. The Valencian cuisine holds a soft spot for rice and vegetables, making 'arròs al forn' and 'gazpacho' top favourites among locals and tourists alike. You can pair almost all your meals with 'Agua de Valencia' – a local cocktail made from cava and orange juice.
Tonight
From £55 per night
This weekend
From £266 per night
Next weekend
From £303 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | € 10 = £8.68 |
| Language | Spanish |
| Average weekend price | £105 per night |
| Average weekday price | £114 per night |
| Typical stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Valencia
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Valencia
-
City of Arts & Sciences
1.7 miles from city centre
-
Puerto de Valencia
2.5 miles from city centre
-
Plaza Ayuntamiento
0.1 miles from city centre
-
Valencia Bullring
0.2 miles from city centre
-
Barrio del Carmen
0.5 miles from city centre
-
Mestalla Stadium
1.1 miles from city centre
-
Valencia Botanical Gardens
0.7 miles from city centre
Valencia reviews
What other travellers say about Valencia
Such an under-rated City!
28 May 2023
Such an under-rated City! Perfect for a 3 night break. Lovely wandering around the old town and the science park is a must. You can even walk to the beach and spend time there. Ate some fabulous local food and tapas. Less than half an hour by metro into the old town. Amazing architecture.
Valencia is a great city to explore, with lots of good...
27 May 2023
Valencia is a great city to explore, with lots of good restaurants, museums and galleries. In particular like the old silk exchange which provides a lot of useful information about the city's history and source of wealth.
Amazing city rich with history and with lots to see.
27 May 2023
Amazing city rich with history and with lots to see. Seemingly had a church on every block! Learned how to cook Paella and make Sangria during our stay. MyFirstPaella class is worth scheduling. Visited the Lladro museum/Factory a short distance from the hotel was amazing. Shopping at the public markets for fresh fruits and vegetables was wonderful. Best oranges and tangerines that we have ever had.
A great city for walking (and cycling).
27 May 2023
A great city for walking (and cycling). Turia Gardens offer miles without traffic. So many great places to eat. City of Arts and Sciences amazing. Cathedral and San Nicolas Church well worth visiting. Not particularly strong on galleries or museums in Old Town. Some amazing Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings.
Valencia has an old quarter straight in front of the main...
26 May 2023
Valencia has an old quarter straight in front of the main train station Nord, there are really good things to see away from the Centre and of course an endless Beach . You can visit Valencia for years and still find things to see. It is called the city that never sleeps so don’t Expect quiet . When you go to the main Train station Nord , you must queue for a ticket first to get a number for the queue that showed on a large screen to the right of the ticket office . The Metro tickets have several trips on them so you use it and pass it to the friend behind you as you go through the gate to use .
Beautiful architecture.
23 May 2023
Beautiful architecture. Exceptionally clean City. Public transport very modern. People very friendly. Amazing choice of Restaurants and Bars. Beautiful City to see on foot. Loved the Mercat Central in the Old Town. We enjoyed the City so much we could not find time to go to the beach!
Popular places to stay in Valencia
Stay in some of the best accommodation Valencia has to offer
-
MYR Palacio Vallier Ciutat Vella, Valencia
From £212 per night
-
MYR Puerta Serranos Ciutat Vella, Valencia
From £138 per night
-
Ramirez Flats Valencia El Pla del Real, Valencia
From £95 per night
-
Fetén Ciutat Vella, Valencia
From £130 per night
-
Hotel 19-30 Valencia Extramurs, Valencia
From £71 per night
-
Other accommodation in Valencia
Choose from a wide variety of places to stay in Valencia
-
Apartments
From £9 per night
-
Villas
From per night
-
Cabins
From £72 per night
-
Cottages
From £20 per night
-
Serviced apartments
From £37 per night
-
Holiday homes
From £20 per night
-
Guest houses
From £14 per night
-
Hostels
From £9 per night
-
B&Bs
From £16 per night
-
Homestays
From £14 per night
-
Boats
From per night
-
Self catering accommodation
From £9 per night
