Valencia Spain Travel Guide: Paella, Las Fallas, & Everything in Between

Sharing is caring!

Valencia is a city that truly has it all – stunning beaches, rich history, and a vibrant food scene. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or planning a longer stay, this Valencia Spain travel guide will help you make the most of your trip. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, there’s something for every traveler to enjoy.

With its mix of old-world charm and modern energy, Valencia is a destination that never disappoints, and one that I keep finding myself visiting again and again. You can wander through historic streets, soak up the Mediterranean sun, or experience the city’s wild nightlife. No matter your travel style, you’ll find plenty to explore.

To make your trip smooth and unforgettable, we’re here to help you to know the best ways to get around, where to stay, and what local experiences are worth your time. This complete Valencia Spain travel guide will give you all the essential tips, so you can focus on enjoying everything Valencia has to offer!

Want to save this article for later? Pin it!

Valencia, Spain Travel Guide: Basic Info for Visiting

Our Valencia Spain travel guide is going to be packed with info! But before we start diving into all of the logistics, it helps to know why people visit Valencia, and where exactly in Spain it’s located.

🤩 What is Valencia Best Known For?

Valencia is most famously known for being the birthplace of paella, Spain’s national dish. It’s also known for its orange production, Vermouth, and fresh seafood. The city is a popular beach getaway, and is also known for having gorgeous architecture, a ton of history, and Europe’s biggest aquarium, which is part of the impressive Arts & Science Center.

Additionally, Valencia is famous for having some of Spain’s most vibrant festivals, including Las Fallas and Tomatina.

📍 Where is Valencia in Spain?

Valencia is located on the Central Eastern coast of Spain. The city of Valencia is the capital of the province of Valencia. It sits on the coast of the Iberian peninsula, leading to the Balearic Sea, and is considered a popular port on Mediterranean cruises.

Valencia, Spain Travel Guide: Getting There

Getting to Valencia is easy! It’s well-connected to other European destinations, especially other cities in Spain, and can be reached by air, land or sea.

Here are the different options for getting to Valencia:

👉🏻 Our Valencia Spain travel guide gives you options, but our guide for traveling to Valencia goes over all the details!

Valencia, Spain Travel Guide: Travel Requirements

Now that you know how to get to Valencia, the next part of our Valencia Spain travel guide is to help you make sure you have all of the right documents.

If you are traveling to Valencia from another city that’s within the Schengen Zone, you won’t have to worry about going through customs, but it is indeed important to keep the 90/180 rule in mind so you don’t overstay your visit.

There aren’t many options for visiting Valencia from outside the Schengen Zone, but if you are flying in from London or one of the Middle Eastern cities that fly direct to Valencia, then you’ll have to go through customs. If you are one of the nationalities that requires a Schengen Visa when traveling to Europe, it’s important to get one before visiting Valencia.

Valencia, Spain Travel Guide: Local Adjustments

The next part of our Valencia Spain travel guide is to help you adjust to local elements like the currency, language, plug types, and tipping culture.

🗣 What Language Do They Speak in Valencia?

​Valencia actually has its own language, which is a dialect of Catalan. You’ll notice signage and locals speaking in the local dialect, but for communication you’ll have no problem if you speak Spanish.

💶 What Money Do They Use in Spain?

The currency used in Valencia is the same as the rest of Spain, which is the euro. Most places takes credit card, so you won’t need to have too much cash on you, although we recommend having some for street vendors or smaller shops.

🔌 What Plugs Does Valencia Use?

Valencia uses the same plug types as the rest of Europe, which are C, E, & F. The standard voltage in Valencia is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

🚰 Can You Drink Tap Water in Valencia, Spain?

Tap water in Valencia is perfectly safe to drink. However, if you’re in a restaurant, you’ll have to clarify that you want tap water if you don’t want them to automatically bring you bottled water.

💸 Do You Tip in Spain?

Tipping is not very common in Spain, and local typically just leave a bit of change. If the restaurant is nicer or you had great service, you can leave 1 or 2 euros extra.

Valencia, Spain Travel Guide: Things to Do & See

Now comes for the fun part of our Valencia Spain travel guide! There truly is so much to see and do in this city and its surroundings, which is why we’ve created a couple of different guides with top sight and activities for you.

Valencia, Spain Travel Guide: Local Food & Drinks

This is one of our favorite parts of our Valencia, Spain travel guide 0 helping you explore all of. the great flavors this city has to offer!

Valencia is world-famous for its paella, and you can grab the best ones in Albufera. The city is also known for its oranges (you’ll see orange trees all over the city), as well as its fresh seafood. The city has some excellent markets, where you can find fresh produce, local specialties, and handmade crafts all in one spot.

There are an endless amount of great restaurants and fun culinary activities to enjoy here, which is why we couldn’t simply fit everything in our Valencia Spain travel guide, but have made an entire Valencia food guide for you to explore!

Valencia, Spain Travel Guide: Getting Around

The center of Valencia is very pedestrian-friendly, and most areas of the city can be reached by foot, or by grabbing a scooter or bike. For reaching spots outside the city center or in Valencia’s surrounding towns, you will need some form of transportation.

Here are the different options for getting around Valencia:

Want to learn all about getting around Valencia? We dive deeper into the topic in our designated Valencia transportation guide!

Valencia, Spain Travel Guide: Where to Stay

This next part of our Valencia Spain travel guide is here to help you find your accommodation, whether it’s helping you choose the right neighborhood, or giving you hand-selected hotels for each budget.

❣️ What Part of Valencia Should I Stay in?

🏨 Our Hotel Recommendations for Valencia, Spain

💲 Budget-Friendly Hotels & Hostels in Valencia

💲💲 Mid-Range Hotel Recommendations in Valencia

💲💲💲 Luxury Hotel Recommendations in Valencia

Valencia, Spain Travel Guide: Safety

Overall, Valencia is a very safe city, especially for its size, and most travelers find it relaxed and easygoing. As it’s a popular tourists destination though, petty theft can occur, especially during big events.

Theft is the main concern, particularly in El Carmen and near the beach, and bike theft is the most common issue, so extra care is needed if you’re renting a bike. Some areas like parts of Malvarrosa, Cabanyal, and El Carmen can feel a bit rough around the edges, but this is more about atmosphere than actual danger.

As long as you use basic common sense and avoid places like the Turia Gardens late at night, Valencia is generally stress-free and easy to navigate, which is why it’s often described as a safe stop in any Valencia Spain travel guide.

Valencia, Spain Travel Guide: Other Things to Know

You’ve almost finished our Valencia Spain travel guide! But don’t go just yet – we have a few more things you should know that will help you plan your trip.

☀️ Weather in Valencia

Valencia has an average of 300 sunny days a year! The city has a Mediterranean climate, with hot and humid summers, and very mild winters.

Valencia experiences very little rain, but there are still plenty of fun things to do when it rains in Valencia! For a good portion of the year you can enjoy the beach, and even in winter months you can comfortably walk around without being too cold.

📆 What is the Best Month to Visit Valencia?

The best month to visit Valencia is in March for the Las Fallas Festival. Another unique time to experience Valencia is in August, which is when the nearby town of Buñol hosts the world’s biggest tomato throwing festival.

Aside from these iconic celebrations, Valencia is an excellent destination to visit in early Spring and late Autumn, when it is warmer and sunnier than most other European destinations, or you can go later in Spring or earlier in Autumn if you want a beach vacation.

🧳 What to Pack for a Trip to Valencia

🤔 Is Valencia Worth Visiting?

Valencia is absolutely worth visiting! It’s one of those cities that really has it all – beautiful architecture, delicious food, interesting museums, and incredible nearby nature. It hosts epic festivals, and also boasts fun nightlife.

So whether you’re looking for a wild weekend getaway, a relaxing beach trip, or a few days full of eating and drinking, we know you’re going to love Valencia. We hope our Valencia Spain travel guide has helped you realize just how great this city is, and if you need more info, don’t miss out on some of our other Valencia travel guides.

⏳ How Many Days in Valencia, Spain is Enough?

Unlike some other European cities, Valencia is a city you’ll actually want more time in, since it offers such a diversity of activities. You can spend a day enjoying the city center, one hanging out at the beach, and another just visiting the rice fields and doing a boat ride.

A weekend away lets you enjoy some of the top things to do in Valencia, but you could easily spend a week experiencing all of the unique tours in and around Valencia.

Valencia, Spain Travel Guide: Final Tips & What’s Next

It’s time for the final stretch of our Valencia, Spain travel guide! Here are some final tips for visiting Valencia, and what you can expect next.

⭐️ Tips for Visiting Valencia, Spain

Did you like this article? Save it for later by Pinning it!

👀 What’s Next?

Now that you have read our entire Valencia Spain travel guide, you may want further details about something!

Here are the other guides we have about Valencia, Spain:

✈️ How to get to Valencia
🚗 How to get around Valencia
🤩 24 Top things to do in Valencia
🪂 48 Unique Things to Do in Valencia
☔️ 22 Things to Do in Valencia When it Rains
🍴 Valencia food guide
🍅 Experiencing Tomatina festival
🔥 Las Fallas Festival

Here are other guides we have about Spain:

So are you ready explore one of the most captivating cities in Spain? We hope this Valencia Spain travel guide has helped you for planning an incredible trip. Have questions still? Simply drop them in the comments below!

Want to learn more about Valencia or other Spanish cities? Don’t miss out on our other Spain travel guides, and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with our newest articles.

Ready to start planning an epic trip to Valencia? Well, we’re here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers custom travel planning services, that we’ve designed to make you the perfect itinerary and save you money along the way. Want to learn more? Take a look at our travel planning packages, or set up your consultation today!

Here are some other guides you’ll love:

• 

  Europe

  Las Fallas Valencia: A Complete Guide to Spain’s Fiery Festival

• 

  Europe

  The Ultimate Guide to Food in Valencia Spain: Where & What to Eat

• 

  Europe

  Getting Around Valencia: A Guide to Help You Maximize Your Time & Enjoy it All

• 

  Europe

  22 Fun Things to Do in Valencia When it Rains

• 

  Europe

  48 Fun & Unique Tours in Valencia for an Epic Trip

• 

  Europe

  24 Top Things to Do in Valencia, Spain – Best Attractions & Hidden Gems

Sharing is caring!