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.

Understand
The Spanish name Valencia is pronounced [baˈlenθja] (bahl-EHN-thyah), while the Valencian pronunciation of València is [vaˈlensia] (vahl-EHN-see-ah).

Valentia Edetanorum was established as a Roman colony in the second century BCE. In the early 8th century CE the Moors invaded, and Balansiyya became the capital of the Muslim Taifa of Valencia, thriving as a trading centre for paper, silk, ceramics, glass, and silver. With a brief interlude of Christian control in the 11th century under El Cid, the city remained in Muslim hands until the Christian Reconquista led by King Jaime I of Aragon in 1238, and was incorporated as a kingdom under the Crown of Aragon.

Valencia experienced its golden age in the 15th century, with a growing population and flowering of Valencian culture and the arts. Significant monuments from this period include the cathedral’s Micalet, the UNESCO-listed Llotja de la Seda, and the Torres de Serrano (Serrano Tower). During this period it became one of the most influential cities of the Mediterranean, and helped to fund Christopher Columbus's first voyages to the Americas.

In 1609 the Spanish government ordered the expulsion of all Jews and Moriscos from the kingdom to north Africa. Muslim descendants made up about a third of the population of Valencia and the surrounding region, and their forced removal brought about a major economic downturn, and in some nearby communities, economic collapse. It was more than a century before the city began to recover.

In the 20th century, Valencia was the capital of Republican Spain from 1936 to 1939, and during the Spanish Civil War sustained heavy bombardment by Franco’s forces, both by air and sea. Franco retaliated for Valencia’s Republican past with cultural and ideological repression, and forbade the use of the Valencian language. In 1957 the Túria River overflowed its banks leading to catastrophic flooding of the old city centre with more than 80 dead. The river was consequently diverted to the south of the city, but it was not until the return of democracy that the original abandoned riverbed was finally converted into a park – now one of the city’s most outstanding features.

In the 21st century Valencia has continued to evolve. In 2007 and 2010 the city hosted the America’s Cup, and from 2008 to 2012 hosted the Formula One European Grand Prix. Architecturally, too, the city has changed, most notably with the construction of the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences) by internationally-renowned Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava. The 2015 election of a new leftist coalition city council, after decades of control by the conservative Partido Popular (PP), brought renewed focus on expanding and improving existing infrastructure, including adding three new metro lines and expanding the city’s already extensive bicycle path network. This ongoing transformation has turned a once little-considered medium city into a meatier and more interesting destination.

Climate

 * Summer — Like most European countries, August is a slow month as many of the residents are on vacation. At this time of year Valencia is hot and humid with temperatures averaging between 30-35°C (86-95°F) by day and 20-25°C (68-77°F) by night.
 * Fall — September and October are more active months and the weather can permit beach outings as late as late-September. Important events take place during this season. November can be quite gloomy and does not receive a lot of sunshine.
 * Winter — Average temperatures revolve around 10 °C and the weather is mostly cool and damp. Some sidewalk cafés remain open.
 * Spring — The annual Falles festival unofficially marks the beginning of spring. Cafés and restaurants open their terraces and life spills out onto the street once again.

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. Road directional signs are generally bilingual in Spanish and Valencian.

The English-speaking skills of the locals can be hit or miss. Most people under 50 speak some English and some quite a bit, but most would prefer being addressed at first in Spanish or Valencian. French is also spoken or understood by some.

By plane


Metro Valencia lines and  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 - don't get confused, the paper tickets with magnetic strips are recharchable. 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, 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. A ride from the airport to Carrer de la Pau, in the heart of the historic city centre approximately 11 km away, costs around €20-23 with an additional 'airport supplement' of around €5 (Jan 2015). The tariffs are on display in the taxi in Valencian, Spanish and English but are difficult to see. The same journey back from Carrer de la Pau to the airport is half the price!

Book a taxi by calling a radio taxi company or book online at BookTaxiValencia.
 * Andy offers transfers to Valencia city and other major cities around. Reservations and payment can be made online.
 * Andy offers transfers to Valencia city and other major cities around. Reservations and payment can be made online.
 * Andy offers transfers to Valencia city and other major cities around. Reservations and payment can be made online.
 * Andy offers transfers to Valencia city and other major cities around. Reservations and payment can be made online.
 * Andy offers transfers to Valencia city and other major cities around. Reservations and payment can be made online.
 * Andy offers transfers to Valencia city and other major cities around. Reservations and payment can be made online.

By train
The main train station is (Valencia - Estación del Norte / Valencia - North Station), which is in the city centre, next to Plaza de Toros and near the Town Hall (Ayuntamiento). The main building is a well-preserved modernist structure dating from 1917, and had been declared a National Historical Building. This station is only used by suburban, commuter, regional and mid-distance trains. Facilities include a tourist information office, storage lockers, several cafés and a car rental office. The access to underground station Xàtiva, served by Metro València lines, and , is just in front of the main entrance of the train station. Being an important hub for the public transport network of the city, the location is served by several bus lines which allow connection to any district or neighbourhood of Valencia.

Long-distance and high-speed (TGV, Euromed) trains arrive at (Valencia - Joaquín Sorolla) train station, 800 m from the main station. Facilities at this station include storage lockers, a café and car rental office. A free shuttle bus connects the station to València - Estació del Nord with a departure every 10 minutes. This station is served by Metro València lines, and , using the underground station Jesús.

The national train company is Renfe. Tickets can be booked online on their website, where significant discounts ('Web' and 'Estrella' fares) are available for early bookings. Valencia is connected with Madrid by AVE high-speed trains, that run over the Madrid–Levante high-speed rail line. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 35 minutes. Other major cities, such as Barcelona, are connected with Valencia by Euromed, Alaris, or Talgo trains. The journey to Barcelona takes approximately 3 hours.

Get 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.

On foot
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.

By public transportation
Travellers visiting for a short period may want to consider purchasing a Valencia Tourist Card, a one-, two- or three-day pass which allows for unlimited travel on all metro and bus lines, including to/from the airport, over a period of 24 hours (€15), 48 hours (€20), or 72 hours (€25). The card also includes free admission to public museums and monuments, discounted admission for other tourist attractions, and additional discounts at some shops and restaurants. The card can be purchased at any tourist office, including at the airport, or purchased online for a discount and picked up on arrival at a tourist office.

For travellers not interested in the package, or staying longer than three days, the rechargeable SUMA 10 card provides a flexible means of getting around. It is valid for both metro and bus travel. This card allows for ten journeys, including transfers begun within 90 minutes of commencing your journey. The included transfers comprise unlimited transfers between metro (or tram) lines, and a single transfer to or from bus lines (i.e. between buses or to/from the metro). Cards are not personalized, and a single card can be used by multiple people (deducting multiple journeys, of course).

The SUMA 10 cards are sold in ticket offices in metro stations, and as of 2022 cost €8 for a single zone. There is an additional fee of €1 for a cardboard cart and €2 for a plastic card. The cards can be recharged at any metro ticket machine. Since 2022, this ticket replaces the previous Bono transbordo and Bonometro cards, so guides still referencing these are outdated.

The public transport network is divided into zones A, B, and C (see map, remodeled in 2022). There is a significant overlap between zones A and B. Most tourist destinations, including the beach, are located in zone A. Zone C consists solely of the airport.

The EMT (bus) website has a very helpful route-planner, useful for planning journeys not only by bus but also by metro, bicycle, and Valenbisi (see the bicycle section below).

By metro
The Metro Valencia consists of nine lines (three of which are tramlines) and connects the suburbs with the city. This metro system is not extensive, but can get you to major points within the city. Maps and timetables can be downloaded here. As of 2018, the one-way fare for a single zone is €1.50. The ticket costs an additional €1 and contains a rechargeable chip.

Make sure to always keep your ticket, as you must present it when getting off as well. If you want to enter the tram, you must buy a ticket from the machine (at each tram stop), and then validate it before you get on.

If you use the metro a lot, you should consider getting a 10-fare SUMA 10 card (see above).

Standard bicycles are permitted during the workweek only on portions of the network which operate above ground. On Saturday, Sunday and holidays they are permitted throughout, while folding bicycles may be transported at any time. No bicycles are permitted at all during Fallas and the night of San Juan. Pets in carriers and guide or personal assistance dogs are also permitted.

By bus
EMT runs buses to virtually every part of the city, both day and night. A single ticket costs €1.50 (no transfers), payable to the bus driver on entry.

For frequent travellers, a the rechargeable Bonobús card is available in kiosks and tobacco shops. It will allow you ten rides for €8.50 (as of early 2018). However, the SUMA 10, which is also valid and metro and tram lines, usually is the cheaper and more convenient option (see above). Bonobús cards can be recharged at kiosks or online.

For travellers with smartphones, there is a very helpful official EMT app (iPhone and Android), which has a route planner and a QRT reader.

Most bus stops now have digital displays listing the arrival times for the next bus. At those stops lacking the digital display it is still easy to find out the next arrival times, by using either a QRT reader (like the one built into the EMT app), or by sending a SMS with the unique number of the bus stop to a number displayed next to the posted route plan.

By bicycle
Valencia is essentially flat, and cycling has become a popular way for visitors to get around. The city has established a comprehensive network of dedicated bicycle paths and lanes, and the Turia river park very conveniently cuts across the city, making it possible to get from one end to the other with minimal time in traffic. Drivers are now accustomed to interacting with cyclists in traffic, although pedestrians still occasionally wander into bike paths. Riding on sidewalks without demarcated bicycle paths is not permitted, but this is generally not enforced. At night lights are required, and a helmet and reflective vest are recommended. A bicycle route map can be downloaded here.

The city operates Valenbisi, a popular bicycle sharing program, with 275 stations distributed throughout the city. No reservation is necessary – once you have a Valenbisi card, go to the interactive station terminal, follow the instructions in Valencian, Spanish or English, and choose a bicycle. You can return the bicycle to the same or any other station with available docks.

A short-term subscription costs €13.04 and gives you access to unlimited use of the bikes for 7 days; the first half-hour of any journey is free, then €1.04 is charged for the first two additional half-hours, with €3.12 charged for every additional hour. However, if you park the bicycle in an available dock before the first half-hour is up, you can take out a new bicycle and reset the clock for no additional fees.

Weekly cards can be purchased at any station terminal with a credit card. For periods longer than one week, an annual subscription is necessary and costs €27.12, with reduced tariffs for each additional half-hour. These cards must be purchased online and are sent by mail; however it is possible to bypass this hassle and attach your Valenbisi subscription to a valid Bonometro, Bonobús, or Bono transbordo card – see the website for details.

There are also many bicycle rental shops in town, with most charging around €10-15 a day, depending on season.







By car
In the city, especially the centre, having a car is more of an impediment than an advantage, and visitors may well find it easier to just park it and walk.

Monuments and architecture






Falles


One of Spain’s most spectacular fire festivals, Falles (Spanish: Fallas) can be best characterised as a fire-fireworks-gunpowder street party extravaganza. The festival draws up to two million visitors annually, and is listed as a UNESCO ‘intangible cultural heritage’.

Its origins date to the Middle Ages when the city’s carpenters burned piles of scraps in the streets and plazas near their workshops on 19 March, the eve of the day of San Josep (Spanish: San José, or St. Joseph). In the 18th century, it became customary to fashion these piles of junk with papier mache into human figures and sculptures, called ninots (Valencian for 'dolls'), which were assembled to form larger fallas. Eventually these fallas began to take on a satirical nature.

Around 1870, Falles and Carnival were banned. In response to this, a popular movement arose to revive and preserve these traditions, resulting in a competition in 1885 for the best and most artistic falla. This prompted the development of casal fallers, neighbourhood associations which work year-round raising money and designing their fallas. Today there are about 400 casal fallers which each design an adult falla (falla mayor), and a smaller children’s falla (falla infantil); more than 400 of these fallas are burned on public streets every year. Many fallas reach 25-30 m in height – the best of these are in a special category Secció Especial (Spanish: Sección Especiál) and compete for the top prize, awarded annually by the City Council.

A secondary feature of Falles are daily fireworks events, including gunpowder demonstrations (mascletàs) and large nightly fireworks displays (castillos del fuego). Along with these displays, people set off fireworks all day in the streets, beginning early in the morning and continuing throughout the day, making the city seem like a war zone and making it very difficult to catch any sleep.

Falles museums
If you can't be in Valencia at the time of the festival, you can at least get an idea of what it's all about by visiting one or both the following museums.



Other festivals






Beaches
There are two city beaches, and several major beaches outside of Valencia.

(Platja del Cabanyal / Playa de las Arenas), just north of the port, has a pleasant promenade with a number of traditional (and expensive) restaurants, bars, and ice cream shops. The more northern begins where the promenade ends, and is the setting for volleyball tournaments, kite festivals, and windsurfing. In the summer both beaches have lifeguards and first aid stations, toilets, and snack vendors, and are very crowded especially in the afternoons. To get there, take the metro or tram to Eugenia Vines or Arenas station, or take the metro to Maritim Serreria and continue with the tram to Neptu (all on one ticket).

To the north of and immediately adjoining Malvarossa is (Playa de la Patacona), which, although part of the municipality of Alboraya, is easily accessible from Valencia by public transport or foot. This beach is somewhat less crowded, and is also a good place to sample horchata, as Alboraya is a major producer of chufa, a key ingredient of the drink.

The beaches south of Valencia port are all part of Albufera Natural Park. They are generally well-maintained and far less crowded than the urban beaches, and easily reachable by public transport.

Spectator sports

 * Football: the city has two pro soccer teams:
 * Valencia CF play in La Liga, Spain's top tier. (capacity 48,600) is 1 km northeast of the city centre. They are long overdue for moving to Nou Mestalla stadium to the northwest, but ran out of money and construction work has halted. Their women's team plays in Liga F (their top tier) at Paterna training ground 5 km northwest of the centre.
 * Levante UD were relegated in 2022 and now play in Segunda División, the second tier. (capacity 26,300) is 2 km north of the centre, near the Machado metro stop. Their women's team is in Liga F, playing at Buñol 40 km west of the city.
 * Football: the city has two pro soccer teams:
 * Valencia CF play in La Liga, Spain's top tier. (capacity 48,600) is 1 km northeast of the city centre. They are long overdue for moving to Nou Mestalla stadium to the northwest, but ran out of money and construction work has halted. Their women's team plays in Liga F (their top tier) at Paterna training ground 5 km northwest of the centre.
 * Levante UD were relegated in 2022 and now play in Segunda División, the second tier. (capacity 26,300) is 2 km north of the centre, near the Machado metro stop. Their women's team is in Liga F, playing at Buñol 40 km west of the city.

Buy

 * The area around (Plaza del Patriarca) is a good place to look for the major national brands like Loewe, LLadró, Louis Vuitton, Dolores, and Farrutx.

Eat




Budget














Mid-range




Bars and bodegas
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.



Nightclubs
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). (Plaza del Cedro) is a nice area where all possibilities are given to spend a night partly o 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 (more upscale), along Carrer de Joan Llorenç (young also, less "alternative"), around the main campus of the University of Valencia (for students), and increasingly in the area near the beach and port.

If you feel like dancing there are four famous pubs where especially at the weekends a lot young people can be found. The entrance is normally for free and they are almost neighbors in Carrer de Campoamor. The music is more alternative (Rock, Indie, Pop) than general in Spain but it changes depending on the DJ. So just have a look to all of them to find the one you like most. They close at half past three in the morning and if you don't want to be alone maybe the best time to arrive is between half past one and half past two.



Sleep
Staying in or near Old Town means you will hardly need transport, unless you go to the beach.

Connect
As of June 2022, Valencia has 4G from MasMovil/Yoigo, and 5G from Movistar, Orange and Vodafone. Wifi is widely available in public places.



Stay safe
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.

Cope

 * 🇺🇸 United States

Outskirts

 * Albufera Natural Park — A fresh water lake which is part of the protected natural space, composed of the lake and surrounding marshy areas, as well as the pinewood and sandy dunes and beaches of El Saler. Rice is cultivated in the surrounding area of the lake. The Albufera also hosts many interesting varieties of migratory birds. The village of El Palmar is also a good place, if not the best, to try some paella or other local dishes.
 * Manises – 15 km northwest of Valencia, it is not only the site of Valencia's airport, but is also an important centre for pottery. The city can be easily reached by Valencia's metro lines 3 and 5.
 * Paterna – This bedroom community 5 km to the northwest is known for its cave dwellings, Moorish tower, and Moors and Christians Festival.
 * El Puig – 15 km north of Valencia, this village is best known for its impressive Gothic monastery, and is easily visited as a half-day trip from the city.
 * Torrent – 9 km southwest of Valencia, the second largest city in Valencia province has a couple of interesting sights.

Further afield

 * Rent a car and do a day trip to any number of picturesque villages or small cities in the region, including Chulilla, Sot de Chera, Xàtiva, and Sagunto, among others.
 * La Tomatina, hosted by nearby Buñol on the last Wednesday of August. A festival that involves thousands of participants throwing ripe tomatoes at each other. Make sure you wear clothes that you can throw out after wards, as it gets very messy.
 * Cullera, is the nearest beach resort from the city, apart from the more aimed at locals Pobla de Farnals, and worth a day visit from Valencia if you have time. It is settled down an isolated mountain (with a big white sign saying "Cullera" on it) beside a beautiful bay. It has crowded and quiet beaches. The most quiet ones are along the lighthouse road. There is also a naturist beach right North of Cullera, in Playa del Dossel, with a tricky road to access it. There is a castle on top of the mountain from which to enjoy stunning views.
 * Gandia, 65 km south of Valencia and easily accessible by regional train, is the historical capital of the ancient Dukedom of Gandia, origin of the infamous Borgia (Borja) family, whose Ducal Palace is worth the visit, and birthplace of fideuà.
 * Montanejos, with its scenic mountains, gorges, and hot springs.