Photo: Jcca76 · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Valencia
Paella, beaches and a park in an old riverbed, cheaper than Barcelona.
A sunny, easy-going city on the sea: a compact old town of towers and markets, a nine-kilometre park in an old riverbed leading to futuristic white buildings, and long sandy beaches. The home of paella, and cheaper than Barcelona or Madrid.
Places to see
- City of Arts and SciencesSight · A row of huge white buildings like skeletons, eyes and shells, rising from shallow…Free
Turia GardensPark · A long green park sunk in a dry riverbed around the old town, with running and cycle…Free
Valencia Cathedral and the Holy Grail chapelChurch · A cathedral with three doors in three styles, Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque, Renaissance…≈ A$16
When to go
- Jan17° / 7°Mostly dryQuiet
- Feb18° / 8°Some rainQuiet
- Mar20° / 10°Some rainVery busy
- Apr22° / 12°Some rainBusy
- May24° / 15°Some rainBusy
- Jun28° / 19°Mostly dryBusy
- Jul30° / 22°Mostly dryVery busy
- Aug31° / 22°Mostly dryVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Ciutat Vella (the old town) and the Turia. The old town of towers, markets and El Carmen's bars, wrapped by the Turia gardens. Central and walkable, with most hostels.
Russafa and the Eixample. The 1800s grid south of the centre: Mercado de Colón, and Russafa's cafés, bars and local life. Good value and lively at night.
Malvarrosa and El Cabanyal. The beaches and the old fishermen's quarter of tiled houses behind them; a relaxed base in summer, about 20 minutes from the centre by tram.
Flying in
Valencia (VLC): Metro lines 3 and 5 to the centre, about 25 min, ≈ A$9. The airport fare costs more than a city ride, usually about €5 (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Valencia; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
Mostly on foot. A single ticket is ≈ A$3. The old town is small and walkable, and the Turia gardens are ideal by bike. Buses and the metro reach the City of Arts and Sciences; the tram runs to Malvarrosa beach.
Tourist tax
Valencia has no tourist tax at the time of writing; the region dropped a planned one in 2023, and it's sometimes discussed again (check).
