Valencia
Discover Valencia
Valencia (València in Catalan/Valencian) is a charming old city and the capital of the Valencian Community. With just over 830,000 inhabitants in 2023, it is Spain’s third-largest city and, after Barcelona, the most significant cultural centre along the Spanish Mediterranean coast. It is the capital of the autonomous Valencian Community, and is known for tourism and cuisine. In March visitors flock to the city for the annual UNESCO-listed Falles celebration, but the city is worth visiting at other times of year for its paella, ultramodern architecture, and good beaches. The Spanish name Valencia is pronounced [baˈlenθja] (bahl-EHN-thyah), while the Valencian pronunciation of València is [vaˈlensia] (vahl-EHN-see-ah).
What to Experience in Valencia
Taste of Valencia...
There are many bodegas and tapas bars where you can get typical Spanish dinner for quite good prices. If you arrive early (the Spanish early) at about 20:00 they usually have special offers like tercio y tapa for about €1. To find them orient more to the parallel streets to Carrer de Doctor Manuel Candela. Later to drink something occupying the time between dinner and going out there are many bars with different kind of music present. Turia, a toasted lager, is the best-known local beer. It was first made in 1935 but didn't go into full production until 1947, due to the Spanish Civil War. Barrio del Carmen is a major nightlife destination in Valencia. There are numerous restaurants, bars, and dance joints, which tend to cater to a youngish crowd, in particular along Carrer dels Cavallers (Calle Caballeros). 39.47168-0.3471414 Plaça del Cedre (Plaza del Cedro) is a nice area where all possibilities are given to spend a night partly to complete in less touristic ambiance than in the centre. Additionally there is typical Spanish night-life feeling on the plaza. Different kind of people enjoying the mild Mediterranean clime to sit outside talking, drinking and playing guitar often until the sunrise. Other centres of are night-life are 39.46831-0.
Climate
Valencia's official languages are Valencian, which is considered a dialect of Catalan by many linguists, and Spanish. Even though it is similar to the Catalan spoken in Catalonia, Valencians are very particular about their language being referred to as "Valencian", and often find it offensive when people refer to it as "Catalan". In the capital of Valencia, which is the third largest city in Spain, not many people speak Valencian, nor are they offended if addressed in Spanish. However, outside the capital, Valencian is often preferred. As in Barcelona with Catalan, it helps to be sensitive to this language dynamic. However, the linguistic issue is not as controversial as in Barcelona and most people in Valencia speak Spanish as their first and often their only language. Road directional signs are generally bilingual in Spanish and Valencian. The English-speaking skills of the locals can be hit or miss.
Essential Information
Best Time to Visit
Year Roundbest time to arrive is between half past one and half past two....
Getting There
Multiple OptionsMetro Valencia lines 3 and 5 go directly to the town centre and link the airport to the main train station, Estación del Norte (beside the Xàtiva metro stop), running every 8 minutes and taking about 21 minutes. A one-way ticket to the city centre costs €3.90, plus an additional €1 for the cardboard ticket with rechargeable chip; tickets can be purchased at a manned service counter (English spoken) and at vending machines which do accept credit cards. Do not get confused: the paper tickets with magnetic strips are rechargeable. There are no trains between the hours of midnight and 05:30. Fernanbus operates bus line 150, with buses departing every 15 minutes and terminating at 39.46976-0.388632 Àngel Guimerá, 48, with a full schedule and route map online. Tickets cost €1.50 and the journey takes about 30-40 minutes. A taxi stand is just outside the arrivals hall....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Streets in Valencia have two names, Valencian and Spanish, but most street signs are in Valencian only. Maps may list street names in Valencian or Spanish and rarely both, while addresses may be given in either language, which could create some confusion. Addresses in this guide are generally listed in Valencian. The city has begun changing some Franco-era street names to those commemorating other figures, especially women. By late 2017, about 50 streets had been renamed, with more planned; online mapping services are largely up-to-date but printed maps will likely not be. Aside from going to the beach and the City of Arts and Sciences, exploring the hub of the city requires no public transportation. Much of this city can be done walking, stopping for a coffee or a beer, and then walking more, all very leisurely. It's not necessary to have the mindset of mastering a complex public transportation system. However, for longer trips, see below for some pointers.
Where to Stay
Staying in or near Old Town means you will hardly need transport, unless you go to the beach. As of June 2022, Valencia has 4G from MasMovil/Yoigo, and 5G from Movistar, Orange and Vodafone. Wifi is widely available in public places. Valencia is quite possibly among the safest cities in Spain and Europe. As with Madrid and Barcelona, streets are filled with people at all times, even deep into the night. Valencia also has a decent police presence. The only neighborhoods that may warrant extra precaution are Ciutat Jardí, El Cabanyal, and Aiora, in the east of the city. They are mostly deserted at night, but muggings are not unheard of. The city's railway stations and certain metro stations might attract beggars and drunkards, but simply saying no will be enough. The Falles celebrations attract thousands of people every year. Watch out for pickpockets.
Money & Budget
There are many bodegas and tapas bars where you can get typical Spanish dinner for quite good prices. If you arrive early (the Spanish early) at about 20:00 they usually have special offers like tercio y tapa for about €1. To find them orient more to the parallel streets to Carrer de Doctor Manuel Candela. Later to drink something occupying the time between dinner and going out there are many bars with different kind of music present. Turia, a toasted lager, is the best-known local beer. It was first made in 1935 but didn't go into full production until 1947, due to the Spanish Civil War. Barrio del Carmen is a major nightlife destination in Valencia.
Language & Talk
Valencia's official languages are Valencian, which is considered a dialect of Catalan by many linguists, and Spanish. Even though it is similar to the Catalan spoken in Catalonia, Valencians are very particular about their language being referred to as "Valencian", and often find it offensive when people refer to it as "Catalan". In the capital of Valencia, which is the third largest city in Spain, not many people speak Valencian, nor are they offended if addressed in Spanish. However, outside the capital, Valencian is often preferred. As in Barcelona with Catalan, it helps to be sensitive to this language dynamic. However, the linguistic issue is not as controversial as in Barcelona and most people in Valencia speak Spanish as their first and often their only language.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Valencia is quite possibly among the safest cities in Spain and Europe. As with Madrid and Barcelona, streets are filled with people at all times, even deep into the night. Valencia also has a decent police presence. The only neighborhoods that may warrant extra precaution are Ciutat Jardí, El Cabanyal, and Aiora, in the east of the city. They are mostly deserted at night, but muggings are not unheard of. The city's railway stations and certain metro stations might attract beggars and drunkards, but simply saying no will be enough. The Falles celebrations attract thousands of people every year. Watch out for pickpockets.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Valencia
At the top
brown 3-storey house
a large building with lots of windows and a sky background
wide angle photography of buildings during daytime
A picture of a building that looks like a boat
A large building with a clock tower on top of it
Evening glow at Placa de l'Ajuntament, Valencia, Spain.
pink flowers near body of water during daytime
Orange trees in Valencia
A group of people walking down a street next to tall buildings
At the top
brown 3-storey house
a large building with lots of windows and a sky background