Ciutat Vella
First-timersThe old town and market.
Valencia city guide
Things To Do In Valencia
Paella where it was invented, a park that runs through a drained riverbed, futuristic architecture and a city beach, with fewer crowds than Barcelona.
31
Hostels in the city
8.0
Average, from 35,600 reviews
9 km
The Turia gardens
1957
The flood that moved the river
UNESCO
La Lonja and Fallas
Paella, parks and Fallas
Valencia is Spain's third city, on the Mediterranean between Barcelona and Andalusia. In 1957, after a devastating flood, the river Turia was diverted, and its old bed became a nine-kilometre park that runs through the heart of the city.
At the end of it stands the City of Arts and Sciences, a cluster of white futuristic buildings by Santiago Calatrava. The old town has a Gothic silk exchange, La Lonja, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the biggest covered markets in Europe.
Valencia is the home of paella and of Las Fallas, a March festival of fire. It is relaxed, affordable and three days is right.
Where to stay
Stay in the old town, Ruzafa for bars, or near the beach at Cabanyal.
Ruzafa
NightlifeBars and restaurants.
Cabanyal
BeachThe old fishermen's quarter by the sea.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors.
How long have you got?
The routes we would take, in the order we would take them.
Things to do
Things to do in Valencia
Walk or cycle the Turia gardens, nine kilometres of park in the old riverbed, to the City of Arts and Sciences, with its science museum, opera house and aquarium, the Oceanogràfic.
The Central Market, in a modernist hall, is one of the largest in Europe. La Lonja, the Gothic silk exchange, is across the street. Climb the cathedral's Micalet tower for the view.
Take the bus to La Albufera, a lagoon south of the city, for a boat trip and paella in El Palmar, where rice has been grown for centuries.
The beaches at Malvarrosa and Cabanyal are a tram ride from the centre.
Free things
Free things to do in Valencia
The Turia gardens, the beaches and the old town are free.
Many municipal museums are free on Sundays.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Valencia
Paella valenciana is made with chicken and rabbit, not seafood, and eaten at lunch, never dinner. Arroz a banda and arroz negro are the seafood rices.
Horchata, a drink made from tiger nuts, with fartons for dipping, is the local treat.
A menú del día is €12 to €15.
Nightlife
Going out in Valencia
Ruzafa is the bar district, El Carmen in the old town is livelier and younger, and the beach clubs run in summer.
A beer is €2.50 to €4.
Getting around
Getting around Valencia
The centre is walkable, and the metro and trams cover the rest. The metro reaches the airport in about twenty minutes.
AVE trains reach Madrid in under two hours and Barcelona in about three.
Costs
What Valencia costs
Valencia is cheaper than Barcelona and Madrid. Dorms start around €18. A careful day is €40 to €55.
Fallas week in March sees prices soar.
The euro is the currency. Cards work almost everywhere, though small bars still like cash.
Safety
Staying safe in Valencia
Valencia is safe, with pickpockets in the old town and on the beach.
Emergency number is 112, with English-speaking operators usually available.
Day trips from Valencia
Rice fields, lagoons and a tomato fight.
La Albufera
A lagoon, rice fields and paella.
Xàtiva
A castle town.
Peñíscola
A castle on a rock in the sea.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Las Fallas burns giant sculptures across the city in March.
18–20 October
Party & Wedding
Fiesta y Boda is an event dedicated to all aspects of celebration and wedding planning. It features a variety of exhibitors offering services such…
23 Oct – 20 Apr
Valencia Flamenco Festival
The Festival Flamenco de Valencia celebrates flamenco art with a series of performances at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia. You will find…
25 October
Half Marathon Valencia 2026
The Medio Maratón Valencia 2026 is an annual half marathon event held in Valencia, Spain. Participants from around the world come to compete in…
26–28 October
Mediterranean Gastronomic Fair
The Mediterranean Gastronomic Fair is a major sector showroom held annually at Feria Valencia. The 2026 edition will take place from October 26 to…
13–15 November
Espai Indumentària
Espai Indumentària Valenciana is a trade fair focused on the Valencian traditional clothing sector. It features sales, exhibitions, and fashion shows that highlight the…
26 November
Carolina Durante
Carolina Durante, a Madrid-based band, will perform a unique concert at Roig Arena in Valencia as part of the final tour for their third…
6 November
Iñigo Quintero
Iñigo Quintero brings his first album, "El Sitio de Siempre," to life in a live concert in Valencia. You'll hear both his new songs…
8 November
Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams will perform a concert titled 'Roll with the Punches' at Roig Arena in Valencia. The event features various VIP ticket packages including…
Hostels
Where to stay in Valencia
The top-rated places to stay in Valencia right now, live from Hostelworld.
Home Youth Hostel Valencia by Feetup Hostels
Dorms from €28 a night
See dates and book
The Central House Valencia Mercado Central
Dorms from €26 a night
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River Hostel
Dorms from €25 a night
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Purple Nest Hostel Valencia
Dorms from €29 a night
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Cantagua Hostel
Dorms from €19 a night
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Colo Colo The Smart Hostel Valencia
Dorms from €22 a night
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The Venue Hostel
Dorms from €1 a night
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SOM by The Venue Hostel
Dorms from €23 a night
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Red Nest Hostel Valencia
Dorms from €25 a night
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Room Valencia
Dorms from €17 a night
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Beach & Arts Hostel Valencia
Dorms from €20 a night
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Urban Youth Hostel
Dorms from €21 a night
See dates and book
When to go
March to June and September to October. Fallas fills mid-March.
Jan
Mild
Feb
Quiet
Mar
Fallas
Apr
Spring
May
Excellent
Jun
Beach season
Jul
Hot
Aug
Tomatina
Sep
Excellent
Oct
Good
Nov
Quiet
Dec
Christmas
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Fallas week runs far higher.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Valencia travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
What is real paella valenciana?
Rice with chicken and rabbit, eaten at lunch.
When is Fallas?
15 to 19 March.
How do I get from the airport?
By metro, about twenty minutes.
Is Valencia cheaper than Barcelona?
Yes.
Where is La Tomatina?
In Buñol, forty-five minutes away, on the last Wednesday of August.
How many days do you need?
Three.
When is the best time to visit?
March to June and September to October.
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