Is Valencia Worth Visiting?

 

Valencia is Spain’s third largest city, and yet receives only a fraction of the visitors that Madrid and Barcelona do. So, is Valencia worth visiting at all? Why visit Valencia, and what is Valencia famous for? 

Valencia is absolutely worth visiting! It’s a good all rounder. Its culture and character is rich and colourful, the weather is beautiful all year round, it has great transport links, it has something for everyone including little ones, and best of all your holiday won’t break the bank.

With this post we hope to convince you that Valencia is worth the visit, and put forward just some of the reasons why you should. In fact we’re so sure of being able to convince you that we’ve put together an ultimate guide to Valencia for when you’re ready to plan your visit! Check it out once you’re finished here, and also our post on when the time of year is best to visit is.

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AN UNDERRATED CITY WITH A DIFFERENT PACE

In our minds, Valencia is hugely underrated even though it really packs a holiday punch. Despite being the third largest city in Spain, Valencia’s measly 800,000 visitors pales in comparison to the visitor numbers seen in either Madrid or Barcelona.

In fact, despite Barcelona being only twice the size of Valencia, it receives ten times the number of visitors. All this means that you get to enjoy the benefits of a cosmopolitan European city without the crowds!

The feel and pace is also very different to any other European city we’ve visited. That’s due in part to the beautiful open spaces like the huge 9km long Turia Park, as well as the tree lined (orange trees!) streets and grand promenades.

 

PACKED TO THE RAFTERS WITH CULTURE & CHARACTER

Cuitat Vella, which means old town in Spanish, really lives up to its name. With city gardens dating back to Roman times and churches built in the Middle ages you’ll not be short of monuments to see and visit. 

Valencia old town is a must for lover’s of architecture, but we defy anyone not to be blown away by the grandeur and workmanship. The Silk Exchange, for example, has been named as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Attractions aren’t just limited to the oldest part of the town. The City of Arts and Sciences which has featured in a number of Hollywood movies is a prime example. There you’ll find the Oceanografic, Art museum, IMAX, Science museum, and the Umbracle with its Mediterranean plants and palm trees.

Valencia really knows how to throw a party too! A full calendar of events is put on every year including the UNESCO heritage festival of Las Fallas and the Great Valencia Fair. These celebrations take over every part of the city during these events, so you’ll have no excuse but to get involved! If you do plan a visit around these dates, make sure to book early to avoid disappointment. Check out the official Visit Valencia website for the full calendar of events.

And finally……the food! (Chef’s kiss!) Beyond the devilish patatas bravas and tapas that Spain is famous for, there’s a couple of Spanish specialities that owe their existence to Valencia. They are part of the Valencian culture.

The first is Horchata, a warm drink made with sweetened tiger-nut milk, which is often served with fartons. The second is the famous paella, which was first created in the farmlands of Albufera, a region of Valencia. Be sure to try them during your visit to get the full Valencian experience.

 

SOMETHING FOR ALL AGES

I hope you’ll realise by now that adults won’t be bored during their visit to Valencia, but actually the city is also great for kids. Firstly, the compact nature of the city and the flat terrain makes it so easy for little legs or push chairs. The other thing is that Spanish culture is very child friendly.

Secondly, the sheer number of child friendly activities will be sure to keep them entertained – and suitably exhausted!. From the beach, to the Oceanografic, to the Biopark or the wonderfully imaginative Gulliver’s Park your kids will be blown away by the choice on offer.

 

THE FANTASTIC WEATHER

With over 300 clear days and an average of 234 days per year when the temperature is over 20°C, you’ll be hard pushed to find a time of year when the weather in Valencia isn’t gorgeous! But is there a time of year that’s best to visit?

Many say that the peak summer months (July to September) are the best for weather, but we think it really depends on what you’re looking for. If it’s a beach holiday you’re after then July to September, with highs averaging 30-35°C, will be perfect. You just need to remember to bring your sunscreen.

BUT, if its exploring you’re wanting to do, we would suggest avoiding the hottest months. We’ve found the temperatures during the shoulder seasons of March to April and October to December much more comfortable for exploring.

 

THE BUDGET-FRIENDLY PRICES

Spain is a relatively inexpensive place to visit when compared to other European countries. And Valencia despite being a city is no different. It’s also considerably cheaper than either Madrid or Barcelona.

The food and drink is cheap for Europe. You can expect to pay around €3-4 for a pint of beer, and the same for a glass of wine. When eating out, you will pay anywhere from €12 to €15 for the menu del dia. This usually comes with 2-3 courses, and sometimes also includes a drink.

Similarly, the cost of monuments, museums, and attractions is inexpensive. Several of them do not charge for admission at all and many of them are under €4. Discounts are also usually available for groups, and concessions are offered for those over 65 and children under 12. 

Even better, most of the museums and other attractions offer free admission on a Sunday. Others offer additional discounts with the Valencia Tourist Card.

Finally, being that Valencia is a major city but one that is far less popular than Madrid or Barcelona, flights and accommodation are much more affordable. This is especially true when booking outside the peak summer months. As always it helps to book at least 2-3 months in advance.

 

GREAT TRANSPORT LINKS

Valencia has a very well connected, albeit small, international airport. Some 65 international routes service the airport, in addition to the internal flights, and over 2 million passengers pass through the airport.

Within the city, getting around is easy with the frequent and well run buses, trams and underground trains. Single tickets for both buses, trams and trains are relatively inexpensive and priced based on the number of zones travelled. Passes are also available and cost around €8.50-10 for 10 trips.

Cycling is also very popular in the city. There are many places to hire bikes, and doing so should cost around €5-10 per day.

 

CONCLUSION

Jus in case it wasn’t obvious, we think the city is massively underrated. We for sure think that it should make it on everyone’s list of cities to visit in Spain. At least as much as either Madrid and Barcelona. 

Valencia is a good all rounder. Its culture is rich, the weather is beautiful, it has great transport links, it has something for everyone, AND it doesn’t break the bank. What more could you ask for!

So, now that we’ve convinced you to book Valencia for your next vacation, why not check out our posts on the best time of year to visit Valencia. Also our ultimate guide of what to do once you’re there.

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