A quick disclaimer before we start: I’m probably not objective about Valencia at all 🤭. I lived there for almost 5 years, so of course it’s a love affair. But I’m still going to try to convince you, with real arguments, that yes, Valencia is worth the trip. For me, it’s a city that checks almost every box: I loved living there, and it’s also a great city break. In this article, I’ll give you my take: is Valencia really worth the trip?
Want my opinion on other Spanish cities? I’ve already written an article about Seville and one about Madrid.
The quick answer: is Valencia worth it?
As you’ve gathered, it’s a big yes! Valencia is a human-sized city, culturally rich yet very accessible, that’s easy to visit in 3-4 days. And above all, it has something few big Spanish cities have: the city, the sea, nature, and great food all in one place.
Its worst flaw? The humid heat in the middle of summer 😅.
To plan your trip to Valencia, I invite you to read my article: City Break in Valencia, the Complete Guide.
What makes Valencia a must-visit
A culturally very rich city… yet accessible
Valencia has a huge amount to offer culturally, without ever feeling overwhelming. The center is walkable, and you get to enjoy the architecture just by strolling around. If I had to recommend a few sights:
- The City of Arts and Sciences, Calatrava’s futuristic architecture, which contrasts completely with the rest of the city
- La Lonja de la Seda (the Silk Exchange), a former trading hall and UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The Centro del Carmen (Centro Cultural del Carmen), a free museum in a former convent with consistently great exhibitions.
- The cathedral and its bell tower, the Micalet (€3 entrance), which I recommend climbing for the view. Little confession: in 5 years, I never visited the inside of the cathedral 😂, I only ever climbed the bell tower!
The weather is nice (almost) all year round
Valencia enjoys a really pleasant climate most of the year. The only downside is July and August, when it gets really too hot. As well as January and February, which are colder. The rest of the year, it’s great!
There’s the sea!
For me, this is a huge advantage compared to cities like Madrid or Seville: within minutes, you’re at the beach. A stroll along the seafront, a swim whenever the weather allows, and there are even lovely catamaran tours.
PS: I used to live in Malvarrosa, two streets from the beach. BLISS!
Lots of green spaces, including the Turia Garden
The Turia Garden is a former riverbed turned into a massive park that runs through the entire city. Joggers, cyclists, families, picnics… you’ll bump into everyone, and it’s a real green lung. It’s truly lovely to walk through.
The Albufera: nature, rice paddies, and real paella
Leaving the city center (accessible by bus), you reach the Albufera of Valencia, a large lake surrounded by rice paddies. It’s the perfect place to eat an authentic paella (reminder: real Valencian paella is a serious matter 😉), and to watch a sunset over the lake and the rice fields, which is simply magical.
Lots of great spots and wonderfully eclectic neighborhoods
Valencia is also a city of neighborhoods, all very different from one another: Ruzafa, which is trendy, El Carmen, more historic, Cabanyal, the former fishermen’s neighborhood turned in, Benimaclet, more student-oriented… Between restaurants, cafés, bars, and brunch spots, there’s something for every taste.
Top-notch public transport
Metro, tram, bus, bike-share: getting around Valencia is really easy, and it’s one of the reasons I find the city so pleasant to live in.
An airport reachable by metro from downtown
A real plus for a city break: the airport is connected to downtown by metro, direct, simple, and fast with line 3. No taxi or shuttle stress on arrival!
My favorite activities
If I had to give my top 3 in Valencia:
- Visiting the historic center and finishing at the Turia gardens.
- Watching the sunset over the Albufera.
- Strolling through the City of Arts and Sciences and visiting the science museum.
See available tours in Valencia 🤗
Valencia’s downsides
Even though I love the city, let’s be honest: you really have to dig to find any flaws!
The humid heat in summer
This is my only real downside. In summer it’s hot and humid, which makes the days pretty tough to handle. You need to adjust your pace: sightseeing early in the morning, a break in the afternoon, beach or pool time. I’d clearly advise against walking tours in the middle of the day.
The noise
Here, whether it’s a downside or not really depends on what you’re looking for. If you visit Valencia in March, you’ll hear the mascletàs, fireworks set off in broad daylight (yes, really, in broad daylight!), part of the Fallas traditions. The festival lasts a week, around March 15-19, and draws huge crowds.
If you come to experience that atmosphere, it’s incredible. On the other hand, if you show up without knowing, hoping to chill and relax, you might not enjoy it. So remember to check the dates before booking! 😉
Valencia by season: what I prefer
As with many destinations, the time of year completely changes the experience. In Valencia, there isn’t really a bad season, but some are clearly better than others.
Spring (March to May) is also great! Everything comes alive after winter, and the vibe is wonderful. Just watch out in March because of the Fallas: it’s noisy and crowded, but it’s also an incredible festival, one of my fondest memories in Spain.
Summer (June to August) is ideal for the beach and evenings on a terrace, but the humid heat can quickly become tough to handle, especially in July and August.
Autumn (September to November) is, for me, the best time. The intense heat has passed, the sea is still warm, and the days are still fairly long. This is really the time I’d recommend.
Winter (December to February) isn’t awful, but it’s not the best time either: January and February are cooler, with more risk of rain. It’s still a good option if you want to visit away from the crowds.
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets, and experiences: compare your options and book easily.
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Is Valencia worth the trip?
3 days are enough to see the essentials. Allow 4 days if you also want to include the Albufera and enjoy the beach at a relaxed pace.
No, the center is walkable and public transport is excellent. Getting around by bike is also a great option: with Valenbisi, the bike-share system, you can buy a weekly pass right at the docking station.
Less than Madrid or Barcelona, but it’s still a big city: for accommodation, it’s best to plan ahead to find a good deal. As for flights, several low-cost airlines serve Valencia, so you can often find good fares.
Yes, overall it’s a safe city for tourists, with the usual precautions to take in busy areas.
Yes, the airport is connected to downtown by metro (line 3), direct, simple, and fast.
If you’ve made it to the end of this article, you now have my answer loud and clear: yes, Valencia is worth the trip! A city where you can get cultured, go for walks, eat real paella, and enjoy both the sea and nature.
My other article to help you plan your trip to Valencia:
