Valencia is as appealing to the eyes as it is to your pockets. 

The verdant vegetation at the Jardí del Túria blends perfectly with the turquoise seas and sandy beaches. 

The oranges taste as delicious as they look. 

For people who believe Valencia isn’t beautiful may not have experienced strolling under the citrus trees or listening to the vibrant Valencian dialect at the Central Market. 

Valencia, which was formerly overshadowed by larger cities, today is a boiling pot of the contemporary mood of Barcelona with the historical background of Madrid, and it’s also a little less expensive.

Valencia Travel Tips

Let’s take a look at a few of the best Valencia traveling tips before you plan your visit.

Best Months to Visit

Traveling to Valencia is most enjoyable in April, May, September, and October. With the nice weather, these months don’t have as many people around. Valencia has a Mediterranean climate, with pleasant weather most of the year. However, August is quite hot, so many residents shut their businesses and go north to avoid the heat. About 300 bright days fall in Valencia each year. 

Typically, the temperature ranges from 60 degrees in winter to 85 degrees in summer. However, prepare for hot days—especially in July and August when temperatures might soar to 95 or 100 degrees. With temps in the mid-40s to mid-60s and fewer visitors, winters are pretty pleasant. Some attractions, however, could have shortened hours during this time.

Culture & Customs

Valencia is the capital of the autonomous community and the province. It acknowledges Spanish and the Valencian version of Catalan as its two official languages. Locals often call Spanish “Castellano”. While Spanish is the language of choice, the local administration speaks Valencian, resulting in multilingual signage that may confuse tourists. Outsiders aren’t expected to be familiar with Valencian, however.

Except for restaurants, which often shut a little earlier and reopen for supper around 8 or 9 p.m., Valencia respects the siesta custom, with many establishments closing from 1:30 or 2 p.m. until 4:30 or 5 p.m. Large supermarkets and shopping centers often remain open during siesta. Apart from restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and museums, most companies are closed on Sundays or only open for a short time.

The euro (EUR) is the official currency, and since exchange rates sometimes fluctuate, it’s a good idea to check the current rate before you go. Like in other regions of Spain, tipping is not customary in Valencia, and most establishments accept major credit cards.

What to Eat

Center City offers some of the greatest Spanish gastronomy, particularly in the area surrounding Mercado Central and La Avenida del Puerto, which is also home to several quaint cafés and tapas restaurants. Fixed-price lunch menus are available at many places, making it ideal to sample Spanish cuisine without exceeding budget. Remember that dinnertime in Spain often begins around 8:30 p.m. Before then, if you’re hungry, go to one of the numerous tapas bars around the city and hang out with the locals.

One of Spain’s favorite foods, paella, is renowned from Valencia. Saffron-seasoned rice, shellfish, pork, and vegetables combine to make a delicious dish called paella Valenciana.

Orange orchards are another famous city feature, so be sure to sample the luscious fruit as the natives do. For a cool beverage at a sidewalk café after a day of exploration, try the agua de Valencia, a concoction of gin, vodka, Spanish sparkling wine (cava), sugar, and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Safety

Having fun and unwinding is crucial for guests visiting Valencia. Although small-scale theft is rare in the city, it can sometimes happen—particularly around the beaches. Make sure you keep a watch on your possessions to avoid any mishaps. Use common prudence while traveling at night. Individuals should avoid going through strange regions on foot and avoid the Turia Gardens after dark.

Getting Around Valencia

The metro is the best way to get to Valencia, and it even goes to Valencia Airport, which is just five miles from the city. Public buses are an addition to the metro, although they might be perplexing. Walking or riding a bike to the surrounding attractions is an excellent idea. 

It is not advisable for guests to rent a vehicle because of the limited parking and winding roadways. If you want to use public transportation, you may want to obtain the Valencia Tourist Card, which allows you 24, 48, or 72 hours of free metro, tram, and bus travel.

You can take the Aero-Bus directly to downtown from the airport or use metro lines 3 or 5 directly to the city center. Along the journey, bus route No. 150 makes stops in a number of communities. Taxis are more expensive, with beginning costs of 20 euros and an additional 5.40 euros for the airport.

• Buses – Buses cover less land than the subway, but the metro is more dependable. Popular tram line 4 connects Valencia’s northwest to the coast. Make sure your ticket covers your destination since they are offered in zones. Suburban buses connect neighboring communities and popular tourist sites. One ticket costs around 1.50 euros. The tour bus runs two-hour excursions to the most popular attractions.

• Bike – Another alternative is to rent a bike from Valenbisi, which has about 300 stations. The price of a weekly pass is around 13.30 euros. The small roadways and parking issues discourage driving. Not having an overseas driving permit makes renting an automobile unlawful as well.

• Taxis – Valencia is walkable; however, since certain attractions are dispersed, public transportation is useful for visiting locations like the seaside or the City of Arts and Sciences. There are taxis available; the starting rate is 1.65 euros, and each additional kilometer is 1.10 euros.

Entry & Exit Requirements

Make sure your U.S. passport is valid for at least three months after your departure date in order to enter Spain. You must get a visa in advance if you want to remain longer than three months. Given that Spain takes child abduction seriously, families taking children on vacation should have documentation of their connection. Visit the U.S. Department of State website for entrance and departure regulations information.

Valencia Travel Costs

Stay

The cost of a hotel varies according to the season and kind of room. 

A bed in a hostel with eight or more beds begins at around 45 EUR during peak hours, while smaller dormitories with four to six beds start at approximately 65 EUR. Some hostels include breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Prices are lower in the off-season; bigger dorm beds start at 30 EUR, while smaller dorm beds cost 40 EUR.

Private hostel rooms cost between 90 and 150 euros per night during high season. Rates during the off-season are around 10% less.

Outside of the city, modest tent sites without power cost between 15 and 25 EUR per night.

Valencia’s budget hotel prices typically range from 150 EUR in the city center to 75 EUR outside of it. You can also find hotels with pools in Valencia or complimentary breakfast; the majority are really basic.

You may get private rooms on Airbnb for as little as 30 EUR per night. However, they usually cost closer to 65 EUR. If you don’t reserve in advance, a whole house or apartment cost might increase significantly. Prices typically start between 100 and 120 EUR each night.

Food

Valencia has a variety of regional dishes, including gazpacho, arròs negre, cured sausages, and all el pebre, in addition to paella. A multi-course lunch with a drink may cost between 25 and 35 EUR, whereas a casual supper of typical Valencian cuisine costs around 12 to 15 EUR.

Seafood dinners start at 30 EUR, while sandwiches cost more than 10 EUR when eating by the beach. It is less expensive to purchase your own beverages than to have them at a restaurant or pub.

Pizza costs between 12 and 15 euros, while a combination meal at McDonald’s costs around 9 euros. A latte or cappuccino usually costs less than 2 euros, whereas a beer usually costs around 3 euros. Water in bottles costs about 1.50 EUR.

A week’s supply of basic necessities like rice, pasta, seasonal veggies, and some meat should cost between 55 and 65 EUR in grocery.

How to Save Money on Valencia Trip

Compared to Madrid or Barcelona, Valencia tends to be more affordable, but costs may still mount up if you’re not cautious. For your trip, consider these money-saving suggestions:

1. Take a free walking tour – Valencia provides a number of free walking tours to help you see the city without going over budget. Tip your guide at the end without fail!
2. Budget wisely for food – Although Valencia is well-known for its seafood restaurants, make sensible food budget choices and sometimes treat yourself to a wonderful lunch by the beach. On the other hand, think about preparing some meals at home using ingredients from nearby stores to save money.
3. Take a look around Mercado Central – This busy market is a great place to see the local way of life while getting affordable snacks, light meals, and fresh vegetables.
4. Carry a reusable water bottle – Valencia tap water is safe to drink, so use one to cut down on wasteful plastic and save money. 
5. Stay with a local – While hostels are reasonably priced, you can save costs by booking a room with a local host via online networking apps like Couchsurfing. In addition, it’s a great chance to meet new people and see Valencia like a native.
6. Get a Valencia Tourist Card – It might help you save money if you want to visit a lot of sights and use public transportation regularly. It starts at 15 EUR per day and includes discounts and free transportation.